Omaha City Council Meeting: September 29, 2026

The Omaha City Council convened on September 29, 2026, at 3:27 PM (adjourned). The meeting opened with a tribute to Marilyn Rowe (mother of Councilmember Don Roe, died September 23 at age 90) and recognition of Omaha by Design's 25th anniversary. A proclamation declared October 2026 as Black Maternal Health Month. Most agenda items were approved unanimously, including several liquor licenses and rezoning requests. The major discussion focused on a proposed ordinance to reduce residential parking minimums (Item 35), which drew extensive public testimony. A controversial layover of Item 50 (related to a CRA designation for the Center Mall property) passed 5–2 after debate about potential VA interest.

Consent Calendar

• Items 14–19 (public hearing held September 22) were approved 7–0 without discussion.
• Items 20–33 (public hearing held on September 29) were approved 7–0 after Holly Barrett (Executive Director, Omaha Downtown Improvement District) spoke in support of Item 20, describing it as a long-needed improvement for a downtown business.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 35 – Parking Minimum Reduction:
  • Proponents:
    • Zeke Rouse (Spark, policy analyst): Supported, citing cost savings of $10,000–50,000 per parking space and alignment with AARP age-friendly goals.
    • Kenny Okibo (Omaha by Design, executive director): Supported, noting that the change can facilitate affordable housing on constrained sites and aligns with complete streets policy.
    • Jonathan Spellman (MX Development Group): Supported, stating it lowers housing costs and provides flexibility for narrow lots.
    • Representative from Ars in common housing (nonprofit developer at 1340 Park Avenue): Supported, citing successful projects (Hanscom, Popelton) with 1:1 parking ratios.
    • Todd Nichols (resident, 5119 Underwood Ave): Supported, arguing current requirements do not match actual demand and that reduced parking can increase density and fiscal sustainability.
    • Marsha Marshall (Front Porch Investments, policy manager): Supported, stating that parking minimums add $5,000 per surface spot and that the ordinance aligns with the Housing Affordability Action Plan.
    • Albert Pizzocchi (Metro Omaha Builders Association): Supported, emphasizing flexibility for builders.
    • Lucas Though (3727 N 108th St): Supported, calling it a step toward building for people instead of cars.
    • Noam (501 Park Ave): Supported, noting that 23% of downtown Omaha is parking lots and that reduced parking can promote transit and affordability.
  • Opponents:
    • Jerry Johnson (17534 V St): Opposed, stating Omaha is a “car town” and that reducing minimums will turn neighborhoods into parking lots. He argued affordable housing is a “myth” due to high costs.
    • Larry Store (5015 Loft Ave): Opposed, stating that current parking minimums are not enforced and that new buildings with TIF already create congestion.
• Item 12–13 (Rezoning at 2646 Y St): Hugh Murphy (employee, Barnhart Crane & Rigging, 14504 Jefferson St) spoke as a proponent, noting heavy industrial uses nearby but no objection to residential development.
• Item 20 (Downtown improvement): Holly Barrett (Omaha Downtown Improvement District) spoke as a proponent, thanking the council for supporting a complicated project involving multiple agencies.

Discussion Items

• Item 35 – Residential Parking and Setback Amendments: Eric England (Planning Department) presented the ordinance, which reduces the minimum parking requirement from 2 spaces per unit to 1 space per dwelling unit citywide, allows front-yard parking to count, reduces setbacks for parking lots on arterial streets, and makes other adjustments. He noted that over 170 cities have removed minimums and that the change is a recommendation from the Housing Affordability Action Plan and Mayor’s Housing Task Force. Councilmembers Goodwin, Festerson, Roe, and Harding asked clarifying questions about maximums (none set), driveway parking (previously not counted, now allowed), and neighborhood congestion. The public hearing was closed; the vote is scheduled for a later meeting.
• Item 50 – Postponement of Public Hearing and Vote on Center Mall CRA: Councilmember Festerson moved to lay over the public hearing and vote to December 8, 2026, but later amended to December 15, 2026, to accommodate Councilmember Melton’s schedule. Councilmember Harding opposed, arguing that a willing buyer and seller have a purchase agreement and that delaying could jeopardize the deal. He also stated that the VA (Veterans Administration) has not made a formal offer or signed a letter of intent. Councilmember Melton expressed concern about interfering with a private sale. Matthew Kuzi (Law Department) advised that the VA’s expressed interest warrants delay to avoid potential futility. Councilmember Hugg supported the layover, noting that the developer has a 4–5 year buildout and that a 60-day delay is not significant. The motion to lay over to December 15 passed 5–2.
• Item 36 – Workforce Housing TIF Agreement (Fort Circle): Bridget Hadley (Planning) and Laycia Goodwin (Holy Name Housing) presented a project introducing six new workforce housing units at 24th and Fort Streets. The homes are smaller footprint with one-car garages, fitting infill lots typical of East Omaha. No public opposition.
• Items 37–38 – Levi Carter Park Improvements: Items 37 (disbursement from Omaha Parks Foundation, $4,529,600) and 38 (change order for construction contract) were approved without public testimony.

Key Outcomes

• Items 6–10 (Liquor Licenses): All passed 7–0.
  • Item 6: El Castillo Lounge (1802 Vinton St) – Class C
  • Item 7: Bottles and Brews (10745 Mockingbird Dr) – Class C
  • Item 8: Hunan Fusion (2405 S 132nd St) – Class C
  • Item 9: Azure Cocktail Bar (11732-11736 West Dodge Rd) – Class I
  • Item 10: Pizon’s Pizzeria (15605 West Center Rd) – Addition of party room and outdoor area
• Items 11–13 (Rezoning): All passed 7–0.
  • Item 11: 3460-3464 Ruggle St – R4.35 to R5 (no public testimony)
  • Items 12–13: 2646 Y St – Rezone from HI to R7 and approve PUR overlay (with proponent testimony)
• Items 34–36: All passed 7–0 (item 34: interlocal agreement with Ralston for sewer improvements; item 35: public hearing held, no vote yet; item 36: TIF agreement for Fort Circle workforce housing)
• Items 37–38 (Levi Carter Park): Approved 7–0 without public testimony.
• Items 39–46 (Business Improvement District assessments): Approved 7–0.
• Items 47–49 (Various ordinances): Approved 7–0.
• Item 50 – Layover to December 15, 2026: Passed 5–2 (Hug, Melton, Festerson, Goodwin, President Aye; Roe and Harding No). The public hearing and vote are postponed.
• Items 51–56 (Non-action items): Placed on future agenda, motion passed 7–0.