Omaha City Council Meeting – November 3, 2026

The Omaha City Council met on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Councilmember Melton was absent. The council addressed routine liquor licenses, several rezonings, and multiple financial agreements. A significant portion of the meeting focused on a contested special use permit for a recovery facility and traffic safety concerns related to a proposed rezone. The meeting adjourned at 4:11 p.m.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Items 17-18 (Ames Avenue Rezone): Tracy McElway, a resident of North 36th Avenue, opposed the project, citing safety hazards from a steep, narrow alley with zero visibility. She argued the development would increase risks to property and pedestrians.
• Item 19 (Inroads to Recovery Special Use Permit): Two residents firmly opposed expanding the facility. The first cited frequent emergency vehicle dispatches, traffic, and parking issues. The second noted dangerous traffic conditions and a lack of adequate parking for visitors.
• Item 52 (Puritan Manufacturing TIF): A company representative spoke in support of the Tax Increment Financing agreement, stating it was necessary for building improvements and stormwater management.

Discussion Items

• Items 9-15 (2501 Center Street Redevelopment): The council approved a comprehensive rezoning and platting package. Councilmember Hug requested the applicant secure the property until demolition.
• Item 16 (North 13th Street Duplexes): Developer Lawrence Butler presented plans for three affordable housing duplexes in cooperation with Front Porch and the Omaha Inland Port Authority, with units priced at or below 80% of the Area Median Income. The rezoning was approved.
• Items 17-18 (Land Bank Rezone on Ames Avenue): Following public testimony, councilmembers discussed alley safety with Public Works and the Land Bank. The Land Bank agreed to explore safety improvements with the city's Vision Zero program. The rezone passed 6-0.
• Item 19 (Inroads to Recovery): The facility requested a major amendment to its special use permit to house up to 28 residents, up from the 10 approved in 2007. During the hearing, it was revealed the facility had been operating with 18 to 24 residents without the necessary zoning approvals. Councilmember Hug expressed strong disappointment, stating the facility "blew through that number from the original permit from 2007, and now you're asking for forgiveness." Councilmember Rowe suggested capping the permit at the current operational level. The Law Department requested time to prepare a formal amendment.

Key Outcomes

• Items 6-18, 49-55, and Consent Agendas: All items were approved by a vote of 6-0. This included two liquor licenses, multiple rezonings, a $115 million bond issue, a $250,000 legal settlement, and grants for a hospital-based violence intervention program ($526,983), police radios ($1,000,000), and the Women’s Center for Advancement ($52,000).
• Item 19 (Inroads to Recovery): The item was laid over to the November 24, 2026 meeting by a unanimous 6-0 vote to allow the Law Department to draft a written amendment. Several council members indicated opposition to approving the full requested increase to 28 beds.