OpenPublica

Accountability starts with access.

© 2026 · Filed for the public record

Use casesAboutAPIPrivacyTermsLinkedIn
Home/Hastings, Nebraska/Planning Commission
OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Hastings Planning Commission Meeting - April 21, 2026

Planning Commission — Tuesday, April 21, 2026
BodyHastings, Nebraska
SessionPlanning Commission
DateTuesday, April 21, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
Meeting Thumbnail
⇩ GET FROM SOURCE

STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE

Original source
Transcript — Verbatim

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.

Speaker 1

0:59

Okay, folks, we're gonna call the the twenty uh April twenty first planning and zoning commission meeting to order.

1:06

Thanks for everybody coming here today.

1:09

Uh we'll start out with the uh roll call.

1:12

Melissa.

Unassigned speaker

1:18

Kendig.

Unassigned speaker

1:21

Here.

Unassigned speaker

1:21

Hubber?

Unassigned speaker

1:22

Here.

Unassigned speaker

1:23

Holly.

Unassigned speaker

1:24

Senness.

Unassigned speaker

1:25

Rosenberg.

Speaker 1

1:26

Here.

Unassigned speaker

1:28

Adler.

Unassigned speaker

1:29

Rossi.

Unassigned speaker

1:30

We have a quarrel.

Speaker 1

1:31

Okay, thank you.

1:32

Uh well, everybody please stand and we'll recite the pledge allegiance.

Speaker 2

1:39

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United

Speaker 1

1:43

States of America.

1:44

And to the Republic for which it stands.

1:47

One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

1:58

Okay.

1:59

Item number four is a motion to adopt the agenda as presented.

2:04

Do I have a motion and a second?

2:07

So moved.

2:07

Okay, motion by Greg Center to Second.

2:11

And uh Mr.

2:12

Rick Schneese to second uh any discussion or questions on the agenda.

2:19

If not, please vote.

Speaker 3

2:35

My window didn't pop up, Melissa.

Speaker 4

2:41

Just say

Unassigned speaker

2:42

go ahead,

Speaker 4

2:43

or

Unassigned speaker

2:43

I would say pass her.

Speaker 2

2:47

Mine didn't pop

Unassigned speaker

2:48

up.

Unassigned speaker

2:50

It says he's not going.

Speaker 5

2:55

I didn't join the meeting.

2:57

Didn't join the meeting.

Unassigned speaker

3:07

There we go.

Unassigned speaker

3:08

All

Speaker 4

3:08

votes receive.

Speaker 1

3:11

Very good, and that passes six to zero.

3:15

Uh this time we move on to item number five, which is citizens' communication only for agenda items not related to a public hearing.

3:26

Is there anyone that would like to address the commission at this time?

3:31

Okay, seeing none, we'll move on then to item six.

3:36

Melissa, will you read the official notice in the record?

Speaker 4

3:41

Public notice.

3:42

Official notice of the regular meeting was published in accordance with Nebraska revised statute, section eighty-four dash fourteen eleven.

3:49

Pursuant to Nebraska revised statute section eighty-four dash fourteen twelve.

3:53

The public is advised that a copy of today's agenda and all reproducible written material, which will be discussed at today's meeting, is available for public review.

4:02

Additionally, a current copy of the Nebraska Opens Meeting Act is posted and accessible to the public.

Speaker 1

4:35

So moved.

4:36

Okay, Rick uh motion, second.

4:38

I'll second the motion.

4:40

Okay, thank you, Craig.

4:41

Uh any other questions about the minutes.

4:45

Okay, uh please vote.

Speaker 6

4:47

Let's just stay

Unassigned speaker

4:50

here.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Zoning Code███████████████████████████████████████39%
Procedural███████████████████████████████31%
Capital Improvement██████████████14%
Affordable Housing██████████10%
Public Engagement██████6%
Summary of Proceedings

Hastings Planning Commission Meeting - April 21, 2026

The Hastings Planning Commission met on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at the Hastings Municipal Airport, beginning at 4:03 PM and adjourning at 4:31 PM. The meeting included a public hearing on a conditional use permit for first-floor residential units at 714 West 5th Street, updates on city development projects, and recognition of a departing commissioner. All votes were unanimous.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of Minutes: The minutes from March 17, 2026, were approved with a correction changing the day from Thursday to Tuesday. Motion carried 6-0.

Public Hearing – Conditional Use Permit 2026-178

  • Staff Presentation: Kevin Kubo, Director of Development Services, presented the request from Queen City Development LLC for a conditional use permit to allow first-floor residential units at the former middle school property (714 West 5th Street). Staff recommended approval, noting that first-floor residential is now an allowed use in the C-2 district subject to a conditional use permit, after previous rezoning attempts were deemed spot zoning. The project is consistent with the future land use map and comprehensive plan.
  • Commission Discussion: Commissioner Kully asked about a nearby church (still active). Commissioner Hubbard questioned why a conditional use permit was used instead of a zoning change; Kubo explained the adjustment to permitted uses to avoid spot zoning and align with the comp plan, and that the permit ensures appropriateness case-by-case.
  • Applicant Testimony: Dave Rippe (1312 Heritage Drive, Hastings) spoke on behalf of Queen City Development LLC. He stated the building will contain 69 total residential units, with approximately 23 on the main floor. There will be no commercial or leasable space on the first floor; only limited amenity space for residents. He noted traffic will be less than when the building housed 600 middle school students.
  • Public Comments: No members of the public spoke in favor or opposition.
  • Vote: Motion to approve the conditional use permit carried 7-0.

Reports

  • Chairman’s Comments: Chairman Rosenberg presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Greg Sinner for serving as Planning Commission Chair for six years.
  • Staff Reports:
    • Kevin Kubo gave an update on proposed zoning changes being developed with Ember. The item was presented to City Council the previous evening; some citizens expressed concerns about density. Ember will present at a Town Hall meeting on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at 7:00 PM. Kubo offered one-on-one meetings and additional work sessions for commissioners.
    • Commissioner Hubbard requested more detailed comparisons to Kearney and Grand Island in future presentations; Kubo agreed to add a slide.
    • Kubo deferred to Chief Building Inspector Danny Graves for project updates:
      • Heartwell Biodiesel: Processing into diesel expected by mid-July 2026, full operations by July 2027.
      • Hastings College: Final Certificate of Occupancy walkthrough scheduled for end of June 2026; project on track for school year opening.
      • Chief Ethanol: New storage bin construction started last week; new maintenance shop planned.
      • Central Community College: Utility and water service issues resolved.
      • D and Cedar Apartments: First townhome sections expected to be available for occupancy by June 2026; apartment buildings now under construction.
      • Casey’s on Burlington: Awaiting final plat; demolition planned after utilities shut off (Friday, April 23).
      • Ponderosa Bowl: Building demolished; new construction expected within weeks.
      • Hastings College Fuhr Hall: Awaiting asbestos documentation before demolition.
    • Mayor Jay Beckby confirmed he plans to fill the two vacant Planning Commission seats soon.

Key Outcomes

  • Conditional Use Permit Approved: The Planning Commission voted 7- 0 to recommend approval to the City Council for a conditional use permit allowing first-floor residential at 714 West 5th Street.
  • Future Work Sessions: Staff will hold additional work sessions on zoning changes as requested by commissioners.
  • Project Updates Received: Commissioners received updates on multiple city development projects, all reported on schedule.

Meeting Transcript

Okay, folks, we're gonna call the the twenty uh April twenty first planning and zoning commission meeting to order. Thanks for everybody coming here today. Uh we'll start out with the uh roll call. Melissa. Kendig. Here. Hubber? Here. Holly. Senness. Rosenberg. Here. Adler. Rossi. We have a quarrel. Okay, thank you. Uh well, everybody please stand and we'll recite the pledge allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Okay. Item number four is a motion to adopt the agenda as presented. Do I have a motion and a second? So moved. Okay, motion by Greg Center to Second. And uh Mr. Rick Schneese to second uh any discussion or questions on the agenda. If not, please vote. My window didn't pop up, Melissa. Just say go ahead, or I would say pass her. Mine didn't pop up. It says he's not going. I didn't join the meeting. Didn't join the meeting. There we go. All votes receive. Very good, and that passes six to zero. Uh this time we move on to item number five, which is citizens' communication only for agenda items not related to a public hearing. Is there anyone that would like to address the commission at this time? Okay, seeing none, we'll move on then to item six. Melissa, will you read the official notice in the record? Public notice. Official notice of the regular meeting was published in accordance with Nebraska revised statute, section eighty-four dash fourteen eleven. Pursuant to Nebraska revised statute section eighty-four dash fourteen twelve.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com