Friday, October 16, 2026

Topeka PC: Amoco PUD & data centers

Summary of new or notable Topeka Planning & Development / Development Services activity (as of mid-October 2026). Focus is on commercial, multifamily, industrial, mixed-use, incentives, and items of interest to a commercial broker/developer. Public access to the new Tyler EP&L portal and Building Permits map is limited for recent application searches without login; details below come from Topeka Speaks, city news/weekly reports, agendas/packets, local news, and related public sources.
Planning Commission – Next Meeting: Monday, October 19, 2026, 6:00 p.m. (City Council Chambers; livestreamed)
Packet available on Topeka Speaks. Key items:
  • PUD26/07 – Amoco Station (Haag Oil Company): Rezone from C-2 Commercial to PUD (C-2 uses) at 5977 SW 29th Street. Primary purpose is reduced rear-yard setback (25 ft to 10 ft) to allow a new ~4,500–5,000 sf convenience store replacing the existing ~1,012 sf store (and associated gas island/canopy). Staff recommends approval with conditions. Neighboring property owner (Foxcross Properties) submitted an objection. Public hearing.
  • ACZR26/04 – Text Amendments: Updates to zoning code chapters on definitions, use tables/dimensional standards, specific use requirements, amendments, etc. Topics include manufactured/modular homes, drinking establishments, indoor recreation, large truck services, residential accessory structures, D-3 district uses, second-hand shops, and RV parks/campgrounds. (Carried over from prior discussion; data-center-related elements discussed separately previously.)
  • CPA26/02 – Land Use & Growth Management Plan 2040 Update: Comprehensive plan amendment reflecting implementation since 2015, incorporating Citywide Housing Study/Strategy objectives, and Future Land Use Map changes. Public hearing.
  • Housing Committee report and general public comments.
Prior recent meetings (context):
  • September 21: Discussion (not action) on ACZR26/05 (text amendments framework for data centers and energy storage systems). City has a 12-month moratorium (Ordinance 20670, amended 20677) on accepting/processing/approving data center applications and city utility connections (inside and outside city limits). Compass Datacenters’ county CUP was noted as complete. Other items: ACZR26/04 and CPA26/02.
  • August 17: Z26/08 (Jay Rice for SENT Holdings, LLC); Z26/09 (Watson Real Estate Development, Inc.); CPA26/01 (Historic Old Town Neighborhood Plan); A26/02 annexation (St. Peter & Paul Orthodox Christian Church and 37th & Gage LLC – ~19.35 acres at SW 37th & Gage for water/sewer to support church and potential mixed-use; found consistent with plan, 6-0).
Data Centers (flagged)
  • Forbes Field / MTAA proposal (new): Unidentified developer (nonbinding LOI ~August 2026) proposing a data center on the south side of Forbes Field (near SW Topeka Blvd & 77th St.), ~30–40 acres initial phase with two ~150,000 sf buildings + on-site substation (potential expansion to four buildings). Developer funds utilities/roads; estimated 70–80 MW power and ~1 million gallons water (seeking alternatives). No client yet; application not expected until spring 2027 (after moratoriums). Presented to City Council Oct. 13, 2026. MTAA notes potential to unlock more airport-area industrial land. Transparency and community engagement concerns raised.
  • Compass Datacenters (Shawnee County, outside city): Proposed large campus (~600+ acres, up to 10 buildings / 400 MW IT) at ~3303 SW 77th St., Wakarusa (near US 75, Walmart DC, Mars). County CUP application submitted July 24, 2026 (initially incomplete; later deemed complete). City moratorium in effect. Significant public debate on power, water, noise, annexation potential, and tax revenue. City exploring related land/annexation questions. Independent data-center SME/advisory services RFP was open.
Multifamily / Housing Incentives
  • Project View / “The Hutch” (Flaherty & Collins / Topeka FC 1, LLC): 192-unit downtown apartment project (mix of studios ~480 sf, 1-BR ~775 sf, 2-BR ~1,083–1,400 sf) between roughly SW Van Buren/Jackson and 6th/7th. RHID established (Ordinance 20635, Feb. 2026 after public hearing). ~$50M project; related property purchases and parking leases approved. Construction goal was ~Oct. 1, 2026 (24-month build). RHID supports housing/public facilities.
  • Johnson-Betts Meadows (THA / SENT / Mesner-Hoppe): ~176-unit affordable multifamily at SE 31st & Fremont (Hi-Crest). RHID and related financing advanced earlier in 2026; ~$53–55M scale with project-based vouchers.
  • Other earlier 2026 multifamily notes include duplex projects and RHID discussions.
Other Incentives & Commercial
  • California Crossing Shopping Center (SE 29th & California): 1.5% CID established (Ordinance 20633, Feb. 2026) for interior/exterior improvements, parking, lighting, signage, landscaping, etc. (~$6M estimated total; phase-one reimbursements capped ~$1M for supermarket tenant improvements – Supermercado Nuestra Familia). Development agreement approved. Supports revitalization of partially vacant center.
  • 37th & Gage / Eveningside area (flagged): Dollar General construction underway at NW corner (completion targeted ~late Sept./early Oct. 2026; bus stop relocated nearby). A26/02 annexation of ~19.35 acres (church + 37th & Gage LLC) advanced for water/sewer and potential mixed-use. Ongoing land marketing for shovel-ready commercial/multifamily (e.g., ~19+ acres graded by 37th & Gage LLC / related parties; church relocation and other development interest noted in area). Elevation Parkway long-term context remains relevant.
Other Notes
  • Permitting portal: New Tyler EP&L / Developer Permitting & Licensing portal went live mid-to-late September 2026 for many licenses, permits, inspections, and planning applications. Transition issues reported (some contractor functions still finishing; erroneous emails; contractor complaints of delays/stalls into early October). Contact Development Services (dsdpermits@topeka.org / 785-368-3704) or inspections as needed. Planning applications can go through the portal (pre-app meetings recommended).
  • Weekly Reports / News: Recent issues (e.g., 10-5-2026, 9-28-2026) cover the portal launch, residential development forum (Nov. 6 at TABA), road projects, and routine updates. No major new commercial permit valuations or site plans highlighted in the latest public weekly summaries. Latest available Development & Growth Management monthly reports appear to be late 2025 (permit volume/value trends; residential units up in some comparisons).
  • Building Permits Map and public Tyler search: Limited publicly extractable recent commercial/multifamily/industrial listings without login or interactive use. No standout new high-valuation commercial permits surfaced in recent public reporting beyond ongoing projects.
Nothing dramatically new beyond the Oct. 19 Planning Commission items, the Forbes Field data center presentation, and continued progress on previously approved incentives/projects (The Hutch RHID, California Crossing CID, 37th & Gage annexation/Dollar General). Data center activity (city moratorium + county Compass proposal + new Forbes proposal) remains the highest-profile topic. For the latest permit valuations, site plans, or portal searches, direct contact with Planning & Development Services or login to the Tyler portal is recommended. Sources are primarily public city agendas/packets, Topeka Speaks, and local news (WIBW, KSNT, Capital-Journal).

From: Grok <noreply@x.ai>
Sent: Friday, October 16, 2026 7:37 AM
To: mcre13@gmail.com <mcre13@gmail.com>
Subject: Topeka PC: Amoco PUD & data centers
 
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