City of Hastings Offices (Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today)
HASTINGS — The City of Hastings started the public engagement effort with the 43 properties previously identified as potential properties to be annexed into the City.
Nebraska cities are required to submit an annexation plan to the state every three years. For Hastings, that annexation plan is due in 2024.
The Development Services Department sent letters to property owners to let them know about the process.
Development Services Director Chad Bunger took a proactive approach to working with property owners. Bunger scheduled several meetings with the property owners and work sessions with the Planning Commission ahead of the final public hearings.
Meetings with neighborhoods included in the annexation plan will be on Aug. 22, 24, 29 and 31 at the Hastings Public Library, 314 N. Denver Ave. Each neighborhood meeting will be by area grouping.
Affected property owners have been notified of the meetings.
Bunger intends to discuss the annexation plan, why the city is doing it, why the City choose the properties, what the timeline is and how the property owner can participate. He will give the State Statute and Local Code for this, as well as a brief overview of the legal proceedings.
He plans provide a standardized analysis of the property to give a very objective analysis of whether their property should be annexed.
Annexation work sessions will be held with the Hastings Planning Commission in September and October, where affected property owners will be invited.
Official annexation public hearings are anticipated to be completed in February.
