Regional Planning Director Chad Nabity talks to Hall County Commissioners about a proposed residential development near Doniphan, (Carol, Bryant, Central Nebraska Today)
GRAND ISLAND – Hall County Commissioners voted 7-0 April 22 to grant preliminary approval to Prairie View subdivision near Doniphan for rezoning from A1 primary agriculture to planned unit development.
The subdivision is located approximately a half mile south of Platte River Drive near Buffalo Road.
Dave Starostka is the developer, and he appeared at the April 22 meeting.
Neighbor Bob Shields has property north of the proposed subdivision. He has lived there 76 years and is concerned about water drainage onto his property. He said flooding is common in the area. He said that the property is wildlife habitat used by sandhill cranes and geese.
“I think it’s a mecca for wildlife,” Shields said.
The proposed subdivision issue now goes back to the Regional Planning Commission for further review, then returns to the Commissioners for a June 17 hearing.
The subdivision covers 30 acres and will have 33 residential lots. All of the lots are approximately 3 acres large. Homes at the subdivision will cover 1,500 to 2,500 square feet and cost from $350,000 to $650,000.
In another matter, former Grand Island Mayor Jay Vavricek appeared to read a proclamation to acknowledge April 30, 2025, as the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War. On that date, veterans will walk from the Hall County Veterans Park to the Hall County Courthouse, where a ceremony will occur. A request is being made to have 50 seconds of silence at 11 a.m. April 30 to commemorate the event.
Commissioners want to pursue having a temporary parking lot on a vacant lot across Sycamore Street east of the Hall County Administration Building for mandatory employee parking while the addition to the courthouse is being built. Commissioners want to put crushed rock over the dirt to reduce expenses, rather than to have an asphalt parking lot.
Eventually, construction of a county building could occur on the property, so commissioners don’t want to have to remove an asphalt parking lot. There will be room for 45 parking stalls. Construction workers also may park at the site.
