Omaha City Council Meeting: November 3, 2026

The Omaha City Council met on November 3, 2026, to consider a variety of items including liquor license applications, rezoning requests, a major special use permit amendment, and multiple consent agenda items. The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance and opening remarks reminding citizens to vote in the election. The council approved most items unanimously (6-0), with one item laid over to a future meeting.

Consent Calendar

• Items 20 through 32 on the consent agenda were approved unanimously (6-0) after public hearings were held on October 27, 2026.
• Items 33 through 48, for which public hearings were held on November 3, 2026, were also approved unanimously (6-0) with no public testimony.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Items 17-18 (Rezoning and MCC Overlay at 37th & Ames): Tracy McElway, a resident at 4511 North 36th Avenue, spoke in opposition to the rezoning. She expressed high concern about vehicle traffic, particularly from a steep alley with zero visibility onto North 36th Avenue. She noted recent traffic changes on Ames Avenue that divert traffic onto the alleyway, which is narrow, unpaved, and one lane. She stated she is not opposed to building affordable housing but is concerned about safety.
• Item 19 (Inroads to Recovery Special Use Permit Amendment): Dustin Sutter (2701 North 75th Street) and Christy Musgrave (9228 North 52nd Avenue) spoke in firm opposition. Sutter cited negative impacts from vehicle and pedestrian traffic, emergency vehicle disturbances, lack of sidewalks, and parking issues. He submitted a petition with 13 signatures from neighbors. Musgrave noted parking problems, dangerous traffic on 75th Street, and insufficient off-street parking for visitors.
• Item 52 (Puritan Manufacturing TIF Agreement): A proponent spoke in support, stating the investment is crucial for building improvements and stormwater runoff mitigation.

Discussion Items

• Item 6 (Liquor License - Me Tierra Mexican Restaurant): The applicant, Cynthia Rebecca Lopez Cruz, applied for a Class I liquor license for a full-service restaurant at 3623 N 129th Street. The license was approved 6-0.
• Item 7 (Liquor License - Take Root Farm Stop): The applicant, Matt Johnson (via Zoom), applied for a Class D license to allow beer and wine off-sale at 5018 Underwood Avenue, focusing on locally produced products. Councilmember Festerson expressed support. Approved 6-0.
• Item 8 (Liquor License Amendment - Omaha Airport/Plum Market): The applicant, Nate Hymas, described adding three storage areas on level one and deleting five areas on level two to allow other vendors to obtain their own licenses. Approved 6-0.
• Items 9-15 (2501 Center Street Rezoning and Development): The applicant, Raoul Legrol, presented a comprehensive plan to rezone from R7/HI to R7/R8, approve a PUR overlay, amend the master plan from industrial to high-density residential, and approve preliminary/final plat and subdivision agreement. Councilman Hug expressed expectation that the property remain secure until demolition. Approved 6-0.
• Item 16 (Rezone at 4744 N 13th Street): Lawrence Butler described plans to create three duplexes for affordable housing (≤80% AMI) in partnership with Front Porch and Omaha Inland Port Authority. The rezoning from R-435 to R5 was approved 6-0.
• Items 17-18 (Rezoning and MCC Overlay at 37th & Ames): Daniel Bennett of the Omaha Municipal Land Bank explained the rezoning from R-435 to R5 and MCC overlay to prepare land bank properties for affordable housing. After public testimony about traffic, Councilmember Goodwin questioned public works and planning about responsibility for addressing alley safety. Eric England (Planning) noted that a rezoning cannot be conditioned on off-site improvements. Bob Stupey (Public Works) and Austin Rouser discussed alley access and potential one-way options. The council acknowledged the traffic concern is separate from the rezoning. Approved 6-0 with a commitment to follow up with Ryan Haas (Vision Zero) on alley safety.
• Item 19 (Inroads to Recovery - Large Group Living Amendment): The applicant, Wolf Tottenbach, sought a major amendment to increase residential capacity from 24 to 28 beds at 2808 N 75th Street. Discussion revealed the facility originally had a conditional use permit for 10 beds in 2007 but had been operating at 18-24 beds without proper zoning approval. Councilmembers expressed concern about non-compliance. The facility has private fenced parking, 24-hour staffing, and provides substance abuse and mental health services. Council considered amending to a lower number (e.g., 22 or 24). A motion to lay over to the November 24, 2026 meeting was approved 6-0 to allow the law department to prepare a written amendment.
• Item 49 (Mutual Tower Bonds): Ordinance to approve $115 million in special tax revenue redevelopment bonds for mutual tower mill work and 8th & Douglas garages. Approved 6-0.
• Item 50 (Settlement - Catherine James vs. City): Resolution to approve a $250,000 settlement. Approved 6-0.
• Item 51 (Street Improvement Property Acquisition): Ordinance to acquire private property for improvements on North 51st Street, North 50th Avenue, Norwick Drive, and DeHartman Avenue. Approved.
• Item 52 (Puritan Manufacturing TIF): Ordinance to approve a tax increment financing redevelopment agreement. Approved.
• Item 53 (Violence Intervention Program Grant): Ordinance to accept $526,983 from the FY2026 BURN discretionary community grants program for encompass Omaha, a hospital-based violence intervention program. Approved.
• Item 54 (Radio Equipment Grant): Ordinance to accept $1,000,000 for portable P25 radios and accessories. Approved.
• Item 55 (Women's Center Agreement): Ordinance to approve a $52,000 agreement with the Women's Center for Advancement, funded by the Stop Violence Against Women grant. Approved.
• Non-Action Items 56-72: Noted for future agenda consideration.

Key Outcomes

• Liquor Licenses: All three liquor license items (6, 7, 8) were approved unanimously (6-0).
• Rezonings and Development Approvals: Items 9-15 (2501 Center Street), Item 16 (4744 N 13th Street), and Items 17-18 (37th & Ames) were all approved 6-0.
• Inroads to Recovery (Item 19): Laid over to November 24, 2026, for further consideration of a potential amendment to the bed count.
• Consent and Non-Action Items: All consent agenda items and non-action items were approved or noted.
• Financial Approvals: Bonds ($115M), settlement ($250,000), and multiple grants (totaling over $1.5 million) were approved unanimously.
• Meeting Adjourned: 4:11 PM.