Kearney Planning Commission Meeting - June 21, 2024
STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE
Kearney Planning Commission Meeting - June 21, 2024
The Kearney Planning Commission met on June 21, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. in City Council Chambers. Chairperson Dave Malone called the meeting to order, and roll call established a quorum. The commission considered multiple rezoning, subdivision vacation, and platting applications, all of which were approved unanimously. The meeting also included a review of the annual planning commission report.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes (May 17, 2024): Motion to approve the minutes as written by Commissioner [name not specified], seconded. All members voted aye. (Vote: 8 ayes, 0 nays)
Public Comments & Testimony
- No members of the public offered testimony during the public comment portions of the hearings. Only applicants and staff presented.
Discussion Items
Items 4 & 5: 715 Avenue D – Land Use Map Amendment and Rezoning
- Applicant: Jack Besse, representing A&D Rentals LLC (owners Dan and Alice Bucer).
- Proposal: Amend the Future Land Use Map from Medium Density Residential (MDR) to Office/Commercial Retail Mixed Use (MU2) and rezone the property from R-3/PD (Urban Residential Multi-Family/Planned Development) to C-3 (General Commercial). The property (Lots 1 & 2, Howland Subdivision, etc.) is at 715 Avenue D.
- Purpose: To build an office building for Dandy Concrete Construction, which currently operates adjacent to the west. Mr. Besse noted the lot is constrained by a storm drain and cannot be used for residential development. The area is surrounded by industrial and commercial uses.
- Staff Position: Melissa Scott-Pandorf (Planning Director) presented staff findings: the property has remained undeveloped since 2018 residential zoning; the change is consistent with development trends; adjacent zoning supports the request; staff recommended approval.
- Commission Discussion: No discussion beyond staff presentation.
- Vote: Motion to approve Future Land Use Map Amendment No. 2024-04 carried 8-0 (all ayes). Motion to approve Rezoning No. 2024-10 also carried 8-0.
Items 6-9: Village Plaza Second Addition – Rezoning, Subdivision Vacation, Preliminary and Final Plat
- Applicant: Craig Bennett (Miller & Associates) on behalf of the City of Kearney.
- Location: East of 30th Avenue and north of Railroad Street (5.80 acres).
- Proposal: Rezone from M-1 (Limited Industrial) to R-3 (Urban Residential Multi-Family); vacate Lot 5, Block 2 of Tony H. Addition (platted 1999); and approve preliminary and final plats for Village Plaza Second Addition, creating three buildable lots plus an outlot for a 75-foot overpass maintenance area along 30th Avenue.
- Purpose: The city acquired the property to maintain future widening of 30th Avenue. The rezoning makes the residential use compatible with surrounding development. The plat extends West La Platte Road westerly to 29th Avenue, providing circulation and access. Infrastructure feasibility showed water, sewer, and stormwater can be extended. Estimated infrastructure cost: $750,000–$800,000.
- Staff Position: Staff recommended approval, noting compatibility and compliance.
- Commission Questions: Commissioner Baker asked about developer interest – staff said city administration is working with a group. Commissioner Bernu asked about the city’s process for selling property – staff explained that interested parties approach the city, and sales go through a public hearing with an appraisal. Commissioner Yaw asked about the driver for the project – staff cited the need to preserve the overpass maintenance area and opportunity for housing development. Commissioner Rickard asked about stormwater detention – each lot will provide own detention, using the existing east-side outfall channel.
- Votes: All four items (Rezoning 2024-11, Subdivision Vacation 1999-15, Preliminary Plat 2024-06, Final Plat 2024-06) were approved 8-0 each.
Items 10-12: Younes Center Eleventh Addition – Subdivision Vacation, Preliminary and Final Plat
- Applicant: Craig Bennett (Miller & Associates) on behalf of the City of Kearney.
- Location: 1415 Younes Drive (Lot 3, Block 3 of Younes Center Seventh Addition, 29.09 acres).
- Proposal: Vacate the existing lot; approve preliminary and final plats for Younes Center Eleventh Addition, creating three lots (lots 1-3) with new right-of-way alignment (Younes Drive extending east-west) and separating the sportsplex parking area from a developable south lot. No rezoning (remains C-3).
- Purpose: Clean up platting to match existing construction (road, utilities, detention cell). Infrastructure (water, sewer, storm) is already built. The new plat formalizes the street alignment and separates parcels for potential future development.
- Staff Position: Staff recommended approval.
- Commission Questions: Commissioner Cochran asked about the open space south of the sportsplex – it is a detention cell and will remain. Commissioner Bernu inquired about pedestrian connectivity – staff noted sidewalks and a hike-bike trail are planned. Commissioner Dakan asked about drainage – the detention cell includes a concrete flow liner. The commission also discussed the eventual extension of First Street around the lake.
- Votes: All three items (Subdivision Vacation 2022-07, Preliminary Plat 2024-07, Final Plat 2024-07) were approved 8-0 each.
Item 13: Reports – Review of Annual Planning Commission Report
- Melissa Scott-Pandorf presented the annual report covering May 1, 2023 to May 31, 2024. Key statistics:
- 11 meetings (no items in January).
- 76 hearings – an overall decline from previous years, attributed to rising interest rates, development risks, and reaching city limits.
- Notable projects: Meadows First Edition (north of 39th), Arborview (first R1D district), Saudi Edition, Younes Center Tenth Addition.
- Code updates: new R1D zoning district, agricultural and community use updates, and ongoing work on accessory dwelling units (ADUs).
- Plan amendments: Affordable Housing Action Plan with public outreach, and Comprehensive Plan Chapter 4 update adding R1D.
- Commissioner Baker asked about available developable land – staff is undertaking a vacant lot inventory update, expecting completion by end of summer. Commissioner Bernu asked about ADU progress – staff is still researching other municipalities and expects a recommendation by end of year.
Key Outcomes
- All resolutions (Items 4-12) were approved by unanimous 8-0 votes. No items were denied or tabled.
- The annual planning commission report was reviewed and accepted for filing.
- The meeting adjourned at approximately [time not specified] on a motion.
Meeting Transcript
Okay, I'm gonna call this meet this meeting to order and ask for a rule call, please. Dart. Here. Malone. Here. Dakin. Here. Baker. Here. Rickard. Here. Yeah. Here. McGuinness. Here. We have a quorum. In accordance with section 841412 of the Nebraska revised statutes. A current copy of the Open Meetings Act is available for review and is posted on the meeting wall over there. You all have a copy of the minutes of the May 17th meeting. A motion would be in order. Mr. Chairman, I would move that we approve the minutes of the meeting held on May 17th, 2024, sir written. Second. It's been moved and seconded any additions. Corrections. Malia. All right. Taken. Baker. Rickard. McGuinness. Hi. Sorry. Just take a brief pause. I'm unsure if the audio is recording currently. And I just want to make sure that that's okay. We're good. We're good. Okay. For those of the you in the audience, um like to let you know that when if you're going to talk to us, please come to the Senate podium and speak into the microphone. Um most of the um stuff we need to look at is going to be on this wall here, so if you'd stick right there, we'd appreciate it. If you do not have a copy of the mint of the minutes and the agenda, uh they are available to you out in the hallway. Uh the first item that we're going to deal with is actually two different two procedures. Uh the first one is a hearing uh on the future land use map amendment 2024, and the second one is also a hearing for the same property, which is a rezoning uh 2024-10. So item four and five both pertain to the same parcel of property. Uh the app uh for item number four, uh application had been submitted by submitted by Jack Bessey and A D rentals for an amendment to the land use map of the City of Kearney comprehensive development plan from medium density residential to office commercial resid uh retail mixed use, and this is for property described as lots one and two Howland subdivision and the complete legal designation is on the agenda of the property in this case is located at 715 Avenue D, and this is uh hearings for both items number four and five. Is there someone here to speak to this? If you please give us your name and address my name is Jack Besse, 1516 First Avenue, Carney, 68847, and I am an attorney representing Alice and Dan Bucer. Uh they are the owners of A and D rentals. Uh Dan and Alice also own Dandy Concrete Construction, which is located just directly to the west of the subject property.
openpublica.com