By Lucky Kidd
LYONS, Kan. — The Lyons City Council has tabled action on a proposed ordinance related to non-conforming uses to allow the Lyons Planning Commission to review and discuss it at their November 14th meeting. The ordinance, drafted by City Counselor Patrick Hoffman and Interim City Administrator Tanner Faust, would eliminate current limitations on grandfathers uses that do not conform to city zoning requirements.
This came about due to a plan in the works to purchase the former clubhouse of Lyons Town and Country Club and re-open it as a bar and grill. The property, which was not included when the city purchased the club’s golf course, was zoned residential when it was annexed into the city many years ago, and the use of that building was grandfathered at that time. The club building lost its grandfather rights because it sat vacant for more than six months.
To become compliant, it would have to meet current requirements for, among other things, parking which it is unable to meet. The issue is expected to return to the Council for
action at the November 18th meeting.
During Monday’s meeting the Council approved two agreements related to the hangar project at Lyons-Rice County Airport. One of the agreements is the contractor agreement with Screed Tech LLC that outlines the expectations between both parties, and the second is the bonds related to the project, most of the cost of which is being funded through an FAA grant.
Council members accepted a bid of $32,700 from New Windows for America for rehabilitation of the final home to be done as part of a Community Development Block Grant.
New Windows submitted the lowest of two bids received for the project at 113 West 2nd.
Mayor Dustin Schultz’ appointment of Jeff Lewis and Laura Jaske as new members of the Lyons Fire Department was ratified by the Council.
The Council heard an update on demolition work for two properties it authorized earlier.
Interim City Administrator Tanner Faust said they are in the process of preparing bid documents, but the actual letting of that bid will come after the first of the year when the city
will have budget authority to proceed. The city had 15 thousand dollars set aside for demolition work in 2024, but that amount has been increased to 60 thousand dollars in 2025.
Faust also reported the city has been awarded an $18,600 grant to replace streetlights in the downtown area, the new lights to be more energy efficient that what is now in place.
