Commission adopts zoning changes to bar utility-scale wind projects in multiple townships
June 16, 2026 | Marion County, Kansas
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Marion County commissioners voted to adopt zoning text amendments and resolution 2026-22 to prohibit commercial utility-scale wind energy (WEX) projects in a set of named townships, formalizing a planning commission recommendation made May 28. The planning commission forwarded the amendments in a 7–4 vote, and county staff said the unified development code will be updated to match the resolution.
The adopted language adds a prohibited-use provision (Article 19-11, number 8) to bar establishment of commercial, utility-scale WEX projects in the listed townships and clarifies that the WEX overlay will apply to the unincorporated portions of Marion County except where development is specifically prohibited. Commissioners discussed whether limiting prohibitions to a subset of townships would look selective; one commissioner said they received substantial public comment and another said a clear geographic standard avoids accusations of picking and choosing.
The change will be published in the county’s official newspaper and become effective following publication, at which point staff will supply updated regulatory text to commissioners for inclusion in their regulation books. County staff said they will also circulate the revised electronic code to commissioners.
Why it matters: commissioners characterized the amendments as aligning zoning text with a prior board resolution (2026-14) and as a step to provide clarity to residents and applicants about where commercial-scale wind development will be permitted. The planning commission’s recommendation and the board’s adoption shift the county’s regulatory posture and will affect conditional use permitting and pending or future WEX project applications.
What happens next: the amendments will be published per statutory notice requirements and applied to future permitting actions. Planning and zoning staff noted that additional work on related regulations could follow as the county continues comprehensive-plan updates and possible work sessions on energy and development regulations.
Sources: planning commission minutes and staff presentation; board motions and roll-call vote to adopt resolution 2026-22.
The adopted language adds a prohibited-use provision (Article 19-11, number 8) to bar establishment of commercial, utility-scale WEX projects in the listed townships and clarifies that the WEX overlay will apply to the unincorporated portions of Marion County except where development is specifically prohibited. Commissioners discussed whether limiting prohibitions to a subset of townships would look selective; one commissioner said they received substantial public comment and another said a clear geographic standard avoids accusations of picking and choosing.
The change will be published in the county’s official newspaper and become effective following publication, at which point staff will supply updated regulatory text to commissioners for inclusion in their regulation books. County staff said they will also circulate the revised electronic code to commissioners.
Why it matters: commissioners characterized the amendments as aligning zoning text with a prior board resolution (2026-14) and as a step to provide clarity to residents and applicants about where commercial-scale wind development will be permitted. The planning commission’s recommendation and the board’s adoption shift the county’s regulatory posture and will affect conditional use permitting and pending or future WEX project applications.
What happens next: the amendments will be published per statutory notice requirements and applied to future permitting actions. Planning and zoning staff noted that additional work on related regulations could follow as the county continues comprehensive-plan updates and possible work sessions on energy and development regulations.
Sources: planning commission minutes and staff presentation; board motions and roll-call vote to adopt resolution 2026-22.
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