Wellington local news summary
Week of January 23, 2026
Council advances plan to convert old middle school into senior housing
City supports rehabilitation of Eastwood Apartments
Hearing set for Crestview Heights housing incentive district
Two candidates interview for council vacancy
Council approves cost increase for July 4th fireworks
Cowley College reports enrollment growth and new discounts
College to host regional student competitions
Commission unanimously denies battery storage facility permit
NextEra Energy proposed 52-acre project near Oxford
Safety and fire concerns dominate public hearing
Residents voice opposition to energy storage proposal
Greg Loving
Council advances plan to convert old middle school into senior housing
The Wellington City Council unanimously approved two resolutions supporting the adaptive reuse of the old Wellington Junior High building by Riverstone Platform Partners, which intends to convert the property into housing for residents aged 55 and older. The council's actions included supporting an application for Kansas Housing Resources Corporation tax credits and declaring an intent to issue industrial revenue bonds, providing the developer a sales tax exemption on construction materials and labor.
City supports rehabilitation of Eastwood Apartments
Council members voted 5-0 to support a project by Cohen-Esrey to rehabilitate and expand the Eastwood Apartments on East Michigan Street, a project aiming to renovate existing residences and potentially add up to 18 new units to the affordable housing inventory. The council approved a resolution backing the developer's application for state tax credits and a separate measure of intent to issue industrial revenue bonds for sales tax exemptions to support the renovation costs.
Hearing set for Crestview Heights housing incentive district
The council voted to set a public hearing for Feb. 2 regarding the establishment of a Reinvestment Housing Incentive District for the Crestview Heights development. City Manager Jeff Porter explained that the district would capture tax increments to fund necessary infrastructure, such as streets and utilities, making the development of affordable housing financially feasible without using special assessments on property owners, though he noted the project's future relies on this designation which is subject to veto by Wellington USD 353 or Sumner County.
Two candidates interview for council vacancy
Two residents appeared before the city council to interview for the vacant council seat, offering distinct visions for the community. One candidate emphasized a desire to focus on code enforcement and economic development, aiming to ensure the city remains attractive for future generations. The second candidate stated that their primary priority would be addressing the deteriorating condition of city streets. The council took no binding action following the interviews and will continue to review the applications before making a final decision.
Council approves cost increase for July 4th fireworks
The council agreed to a 25 percent cost increase for the annual Independence Day fireworks display after vendor Rainbow Fireworks requested an additional $1,500 over the historical $6,000 contract due to tariffs and rising market costs. City Manager Jeff Porter advised that maintaining the previous budget would result in a significantly smaller show, leading council members to approve the increase to preserve the community event.
Cowley College reports enrollment growth and new discounts
Zach Cooper, director of the Cowley College Sumner Campus, reported to the council that enrollment for the spring semester has increased compared to last spring and announced that the campus Tiger Eatery is launching new community discounts. The eatery, open to the public daily from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., will offer 25 percent off lunch for first responders on Thursdays as well as student discounts.
College to host regional student competitions
Cowley College announced it will host two major student competitions this spring, starting in late March with the South Central FFA District Ag Mechanics contest where approximately 150 high school students will compete in welding, electrical, and carpentry skills. Additionally, the college is seeking community volunteers to serve as judges for the Sumner County Robotics Challenge, which is scheduled for April 22 and 23.
Commission unanimously denies battery storage facility permit
SUMNER COUNTY, Kan. - The Sumner County Commission unanimously voted to deny Zoning Case No. 12PC-25, an application for a conditional use permit to construct a battery energy storage facility. Following a review of the "Golden Factors" required by Kansas law and consideration of neighboring property uses, Commissioners John Cooney, Jim Newell, and Steve Warner cited safety concerns and noise as reasons for the denial. Commission Chairman Jim Newell stated that the board cares deeply about the county in explaining the decision to reject the application.
NextEra Energy proposed 52-acre project near Oxford
SUMNER COUNTY, Kan. - The denied application, submitted on behalf of a landowning family trust and related property owners, sought to utilize approximately 52 acres in the 100 block of North Webb Road, near Oxford, for the Webb Road Energy Storage project. Representatives for NextEra Energy provided an overview of the construction, operation, and decommissioning plans for the facility during the public hearing, emphasizing the project's potential benefits to the local energy grid. The proposal aimed to use a portion of a larger 131.8-acre parent tract for the energy infrastructure. Sumner County Attorney Doug Pfalzgraf advised the commission on the legal procedural standards during the meeting.
Safety and fire concerns dominate public hearing
SUMNER COUNTY, Kan. - During the hearing for the proposed battery facility, speakers presented information concerning potential risks associated with the project. Opponents highlighted concerns regarding groundwater contamination, fire hazards, and other safety issues, with some citing incidents at similar facilities elsewhere. NextEra Energy representatives offered rebuttals, emphasizing advances in technology and risk mitigation, but the commission noted they remained unconvinced regarding the overall safety of the project.
Residents voice opposition to energy storage proposal
WELLINGTON, Kan. - A significant number of citizens attended the public meeting held at the Raymond Frye Complex to speak against the proposed battery storage facility. Public comments were heard both before and after a lunch recess, with several citizens speaking against the project while only a couple of comments were made in favor. The volume of public interest necessitated moving the meeting from the commission chambers to the larger venue, and the commission's final vote drew a standing ovation from the crowd.
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