The Newton Area Planning Commission makes recommendations to the City Commission on issues relating to zoning, subdivision plats, sign regulations and various other matters affecting the development of Newton. The commission also serves as the Board of Zoning Appeals to hear and rule on applications for variances and exceptions as required under the zoning regulations, and to hear and rule on appeals from determinations of the zoning administrator. 

The Commission also guides the community in the preservation of historic structures and preservation incentives. Newton is a Certified Local Government designated by the State Historic Preservation Office, which allows the Commission to perform design review on projects affecting listed historic properties. 

The Planning Commission is a seven-member body appointed by the Newton City Commission in April of each year. Members serve staggered three-year terms.

The Planning Commission meets on the first Monday of each month at 6 p.m. in the Commission Chambers on the third floor of Newton City Hall.

The City of Newton appoints three members to the board, Harvey County appoints three members, and the Cities of Halstead, Hesston, Burrton and North Newton and the Newton Area Chamber of Commerce each appoint two members.

The chief administrator of each City serves on the board as a non-voting ex-officio member. The immediate past president of the EDC will remain as a board member for the year following his or her term. Beth Shelton is the Executive Director.

The Choose Newton board is made up of various stakeholders with expertise in the field of commercial and retail development. The board advises the City Commission and City administration about programs to promote existing retail and commercial businesses and help them expand, and the recruitment of new retail and commercial businesses to the City.

The five-member board is appointed to three-year terms. Membership includes a representative from the Harvey County Economic Development Council; a representative from the Newton Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors; the owner of a business located in the Downtown Business District; and two at-large members with expertise in the area of retail or commercial development. 

A five-member board with two members appointed by the City Commission, two members appointed by the USD 373 Board of Education and one member-at-large appointed by the four Recreation Commissioners for four-year terms. Meets monthly on the second Wednesday at 11 a.m. at the Rec Center, 415 N. Poplar. Oversees the recreation program and operation of the Rec Center.

Newton Recreation Commission

Ten members representing various community interests are appointed by the Mayor for two-year terms. Meetings are quarterly. The board administers the revenue received from the local hotel guest tax to be used for promotion of tourism and convention services in Newton. Jen Lehman is the Convention & Visitors Bureau Coordinator.

Choose Newton

CVB Advisory Board Application

This seven-member board is composed of the Mayor or designated City Commissioner, a County Commissioner, City Manager, County Administrator, one member appointed by the City Commission, one member appointed by the County Commission and one at-large selected by the Aviation Commission for three-year terms. The board meets in January, April, July and October on the 3rd Monday of those months at noon in the Airport Administration Building at Newton City/County Airport. If that day lands on a holiday, they move it to the 4th Monday of that month instead.

Duties include entering into leases, including amendments and renewals; establishing, assessing and collecting user fees; and establishing and maintaining Airport Policies and Procedures Manual. Director of Aviation Brian Palmer is the staff person.

Newton City/County Airport

Five to seven members are appointed by the Mayor for three-year terms. The board meets regularly and administers the tree removal and tree planting programs as well as The Planting Our Parks program. Horticulturist Jackie Krehbiel is the staff person.

A five-member board appointed by the Mayor for three-year terms. Two at-large members (suggested one architect and one engineer) and three contractors (1 Class A, 1 Class A, B or C, 1 Class C or D). Meets on the first Thursday of each month at 4 p.m. in the City Hall Conference Room. Duties include:

• Reviewing building codes.
• Recommending amendments adoption.
• Considering appeals and variance requests.
• Defining problem areas, i.e. service entrances, conductors for electricity.
• Providing a forum for communication between inspector and building trades.

The City's Building Inspector is the staff person.

The Fair Housing Board is a five-member board appointed by the Mayor for three-year terms. This board meets only on-call to hear complaints of alleged violations of the Fair Housing Ordinance that would involve discrimination in the sale or rental of housing for reasons of race, religion or ethnic origin. Unlawful discrimination is prohibited in the sale and rental of real property, advertising for housing, leases, sub-leases, loans, appraisals, insurance and zoning.

What Is Fair Housing?

Equal Opportunity for families or individuals to reside in, to buy, or to rent housing of their choice, in neighborhoods of their choice, and for which they financially qualify. Every individual within the state has the right to fair housing without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, disability, or familial status.

Familial Status Defined

Familial status refers to households with one or more children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, those securing custody of anyone under 18, and pregnant women.

Disability Defined

A disabled person is one who:

• Has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits major life activity
• Has a record of such impairment
• Is regarded as having such impairment

Types of Discrimination

• Refusal to show, rent, lease, transfer, or sell housing
• Unequal terms or conditions imposed in housing
• Unequal services or facilities in housing, discriminatory advertising for housing
• Discrimination in housing based on association with a member of a protected class
• Denying availability of housing
• Harassment, intimidation or interference with anyone exercising fair housing rights
• Occupancy standards that are more restrictive than that of local city housing ordinances
• Blockbusting – promoting the listing or sale of real property in a discriminatory manner, such as inducing residents to sell because different racial or ethnic groups are moving into the area groups are moving into the area
• Redlining – Refusal to make loans or provide home insurance in an equitable manner in geographical areas with low property value.
• Steering – To “steer” a prospective renter or buyer away from desired property on the basis of his or her race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, disability or familial status

Who May File A Complaint?

Complaint Procedure

A five-member board appointed by the Mayor for four-year terms. Meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 11 a.m. at Midtown Towers. The board provides the policy-making for management of the City's units of public housing, plus Section 8 federally subsidized, privately owned housing.

Newton Housing Authority
115 W. 9th St.
Newton, KS 67114-1970
316-283-8500
fax 316-283-8547