Kearney Planning Commission Meeting – June 22, 2026
STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE
Kearney Planning Commission Meeting
Date: June 22, 2026
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Location: City Council Chambers, 18 East 22nd Street, Kearney, Nebraska
The Planning Commission convened to review a rezoning request, a combined rezoning/final plat/annexation for a new subdivision, and to postpone an aviation overlay code amendment. The Commission also held officer elections and received the annual report. The meeting was conducted by Chairperson Dave Malone.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes (May 15, 2026): The minutes were approved with a motion and second. Voting results: Rickard (aye), Yaw (aye), Bernu (aye), Baker (aye), Scott‑Pandorf (abstain), Dakan (aye), McGuinness (abstain), Malone (aye). The motion carried.
Discussion Items
Rezoning No. 2026‑14 – Hoehner Property (Items 4)
Application by Kyle Hoehner (applicant) for Patricia Hoehner (owner) to rezone six lots from R‑1 (Low Density Single‑Family) to R‑1D (Residential District) at 1705–1809 West 50th Street.
- Applicant’s Position: Kyle Hoehner explained the family’s intention to build duplexes on the vacant lots, noting that the property has been vacant since being platted in 1998. He stated that neighboring property owners had given verbal approval. The project is part of a family legacy following his father’s death 30 years ago. Units would be sold, not rented.
- Staff Report (Melissa Scott‑Pandorf): Staff noted the rezoning aligns with the comprehensive plan’s Future Land Use designation and supports infill residential development. However, staff remained neutral because the lots have been zoned for single‑family for 28 years and adjacent housing is all single‑family. Two phone inquiries were received: one asking about potential development, another concerned about traffic.
- Commission Discussion: Commissioners expressed support for the project, noting the need for housing in the community. Access would be from 50th Street. The property abuts two backyards to the north, and those neighbors were contacted and had no objections.
- Public Hearing: Opened and closed with no public comments.
- Outcome: Motion to approve based on staff’s findings. Seconded. Unanimous roll‑call vote: all ayes. Rezoning No. 2026‑14 approved.
Arbor View Fifth – Rezoning, Final Plat, Annexation (Items 5, 6, 7)
Application by Miller & Associates for Fox Creek Development, LLC to rezone 9.29 acres from AG to R‑1, final plat of Arbor View Fifth (24 lots), and annexation of the property east of Avenue R and north of 64th Street.
- Applicant’s Presentation (Craig Bennett): The property is the fifth phase of the Arbor View subdivision. The Future Land Use Map designation is Low Density Residential (LDR), compatible with R‑1 zoning. The preliminary plat was previously approved; the final plat includes 24 lots on 9.29 acres. Infrastructure (stormwater detention, water, sanitary sewer) is already stubbed out from prior phases. A regional detention cell is already constructed. The existing temporary cul‑de‑sac will be shortened. No changes to the preliminary plat are proposed.
- Staff Report (Melissa Scott‑Pandorf): Staff recommended approval of all three items, finding the proposal compatible with the area, compliant with site development regulations, and consistent with the comprehensive plan and annexation policy.
- Commission Discussion: No questions from commissioners.
- Public Hearing: Opened and closed with no public comments.
- Outcomes: All three items voted separately, each approved unanimously:
- Rezoning No. 2026‑15 – motion carried (all ayes).
- Final Plat No. 2026‑08 – motion carried (all ayes).
- Annexation No. 2026‑01 – motion carried (all ayes).
Code Amendment No. 2026‑01 – Aviation Overlay District (Item 8)
Proposed amendments to Section 44‑101 (Purpose) and Section 44‑102 (Boundaries, Approach Zones, Transition Zones, Turning Zones) of the AV Aviation Overlay District.
- Staff Request: City staff requested postponement to the July 17, 2026 Planning Commission meeting to ensure the code aligns with an updated airport overlay map received from the Nebraska Department of Transportation Aviation Division. Commissioner Yaw asked if the delay would affect airport operations; staff confirmed no impact.
- Motion: Approval to postpone. Seconded. Unanimous roll‑call vote.
Election of Officers (Item 9)
- Chairperson: Staff (Melissa Scott‑Pandorf) called for nominations. Commissioner Yaw nominated Dave Malone. Seconded. No further nominations. Roll‑call vote: all ayes. Dave Malone elected Chairperson.
- Vice Chairperson: Commissioner Yaw nominated Rich McGuinness. Roll‑call vote: all ayes. Rich McGuinness elected Vice Chairperson.
Annual Planning Commission Report (Item 10)
- Presenter: Melissa Scott‑Pandorf presented the report covering June 2025 through May 2026.
- Key Highlights:
- 69 hearings (9% increase over 63 the previous year).
- One denial recommendation (Eastbrook Estates rezoning from R‑1 to R‑1D; applicant did not pursue further).
- Four residential projects (three including rezoning/plat/annexation, one PD plan – Hilltop Mall). All approved by City Council.
- Significant commercial development included Old Father Edition (preliminary plat of entire acreage) and infill along 11th Street.
- Conditional use permits for two communication towers and one resource extraction operation (near Kearney East Express Highway).
- Kearney Agricultural Market Project was recommended for approval but denied by City Council.
- Code updates: added flexibility for downtown residential, clarified short‑term rental regulations, and updated Planning Commission bylaws.
- Resignation of long‑standing member Stan Dart after 34 years.
- New member Jamie Bernu appointed to fill Stan Dart’s term; Melissa Scott‑Pandorf appointed to Board of Adjustments.
- Attendance: one meeting canceled; no meeting with no agenda (workshop held).
- Outcome: The report was noted as informational; no vote required.
Key Outcomes
- Rezoning No. 2026‑14 (Hoehner): Approved unanimously. Six lots rezoned to R‑1D, enabling duplex development.
- Arbor View Fifth (Items 5‑7): All three applications approved unanimously: rezoning (AG to R‑1), final plat (24 lots), and annexation.
- Code Amendment No. 2026‑01: Postponed to July 17, 2026, by unanimous vote.
- Officers Elected: Dave Malone (Chair), Rich McGuinness (Vice Chair).
- Annual Report: Received and filed.
Meeting Transcript
Okay. Welcome to the Monday edition of the Kearney Planning Commission. First time ever. Going to uh call this meeting to order and uh first read the uh open meetings act statement in accordance with section 84-1412 of the Nebraska revised statute. A current copy of the open meetings act is available for review and is posted in the meeting room, which would be by the water cooler. Let's do the roll call, please. McGuinness. Here Malone. Here Rickard. Here. Yeah. Here. For now. Here. Baker. Here. Scott Pandor. Here. Cochrane. Here. Day. Here. We have a quorum. Thank you. Copies of the agenda are Malia outside in the meeting room for those of you that would like to have a copy. First item on the agenda is the approval of the minutes of the meeting held May 15th, 2026. Make a motion to approve the minute presented. Second. We have a motion and second. Any comments? Malone. All right. Rickard. Aye. Ya. All right. Brunew. I baker. Scott Pandor. Hi. Abstain. Taken. Hi. McGinnis. Abstain. Motion carries. We'll move on to agenda. Item number four, which is the first item on our agenda. Uh to rezone from District R1, urban residential, single family district, low density, to R1D, residential district located at 1705, 1709, 1713, 1805, 1807, 1809, West 50th Street. Do we have someone here that would like to present to the group?
openpublica.com