The vacant parcel located north of 6740 N. 2nd Ave. (Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today)
KEARNEY — The Kearney Planning commission approved various actions that will allow for future development on a vacant parcel on North 2nd Avenue during their meeting on Friday, April 18.
Craig Bennett with Miller & Associates and appeared on behalf of Keith McCaslin for a rezoning, preliminary plat and final plat for a vacant parcel located north of 6740 N. 2nd Ave. The property is generally located south of the Glenwood roundabout and north of Menards.
The property is located outside of the corporate limits of Kearney but within a two-mile extraterritorial jurisdiction. The requests are to allow for future development at the site.
The request is to rezone 10.44 acres from AG, agricultural district to C-O, Office District and 7.30 acres from AG, to C-2 Community Commercial Development.
Bennett noted that a floodway does cross the property, but McCaslin has had excavation work done to create a pond and build up a lot closer to 2nd Ave. out of the floodway.
The layout would include Lot 1, Block 2, 3.06 acres and Lot 1, Block 3, also 3.06 acres to the south. The preliminary plat shows the lots being connected by 2nd Ave. by a yet to be developed 69th St. and 70th St. The plat also shows a yet to be developed extension of 3rd Ave. running through the middle of the property.
On the west side of the property, Lot 1, Block 1, 4.17 acres, contains the pond, which can be built up to contain storm water. Lot 2 to the south contains an elevation change, sloping upward to the neighboring subdivision to the south, containing a tower.
Bennett said city water and sewer access have not yet reached this property and any development would have to be on their own water well and septic tanks.
It was also noted by Benntt that there likely won’t be any near-future construction in the area until a buyer is found for the lots.
When questioned by the commissioners regarding access to 2nd Ave. and who controls 2nd Ave., Bennett said this area used to be the highway, but has since been changed over to 2nd Ave., under the care of the City of Kearney and Buffalo County, but the State of Nebraska still maintains control of access.
During the public comment period, Tom McCarty appeared, noting that he lives across from the parcel in question.
McCarty questioned if any roads added to the site would be paved. Melissa Dougherty-O’Hara, Development Services with the City of Kearney noted that any streets put in would have to meet city standards, i.e. paved, with curb and gutter.
McCarty also noted that there have been water drainage issues in the past in the area when heavy rains fall.
When asked by the commission, McCarty said he is not opposed to the project, he noted the continued development of the 2nd Ave. corridor north of Kearney but hope any future development will be quality projects.
Kenneth Richter, who owns the property just to the north of the parcel in question and also noted that there have been water issues in the area. He noted he is not opposed to commercial development, as he has commercial development on his own property, but wanted the water drainage issue to be noted.
Dougherty-O’Hara noted in the city staff’s finding of facts that they recommended approval of the rezoning, preliminary plat and final plat.
The commissioners voted unanimously to approve each action.
The other item on the agenda included a rezoning and preliminary plat for a property located at 901 V Road.
Trenton Snow appeared on behalf of the David and Elizabeth Westesen Trustees and Westesen Land, Inc. It was noted that the property is located in Kearney County, but the presence of the Archway near the property puts it within the City of Kearney’s two-mile extraterritorial jurisdiction.
Snow noted that the house and the farm ground are owned by different entities, but their wish was adding the farmhouse with the surrounding on the 2.03 acres so it could be sold to family.
The city staff approved the rezone, preliminary plat and final plat, which in turn the commissioners approved with a unanimous vote on each item.
