Regional Planning Director Chad Nabity speaks to Hall County Commissioners July 29 about a proposed housing development north of Grand Island, (Carol Bryant, Central Nebraska Today)
GRAND ISLAND – Hall County commissioners heard testimony from developers and opposing neighbors of a proposed subdivision east of Highway 281 and north of One-R Road.
The item was a public hearing but was not listed on the agenda as an action item. Commissioners will vote on the matter at their next meeting in two weeks.
Grand Island/Hall County Regional Planning Director Chad Nabity said the project involves development of seven lots and a detention cell. The lots will be 3 acre lots. The property is not located on good farm ground, he said. The land is in a flood plain.
Grand Island attorney Kevin Walsh said with developments the land will be valued at approximately $5 million.
Commissioner Karen Bredthauer said she was concerned about flooding on the property. She said that commissioners had to help residents at Amick Acres when there was flooding.
Keith Ostermeier of 5701 N. Highway 281 lives south of the proposed development. He is opposed to the project and to building homes in a flood zone. The project would take land out of an ag zone. He is concerned about what will happen to property values in the area. Ostermeier said the development goes against the county’s comprehensive plan.
Nolan Horak of 6363 St. Paul Road lives a mile east of the proposed project.
“It is in a flood plain,” Horak said. “This is a direct threat to young people in agriculture.” Horak said the development “is a threat to our way of life.”
Karl Quandt of 2218 E. Prairie Road said there is one entrance/exit to the development that goes onto Highway 281. He said that road is very busy with traffic going 70 mph.
Phil Wieck is the realtor who sold the land. He said it was split into three parcels, with the parcel for the development being less suited to agriculture purposes. Wieck said he consulted with Olsson and Associates and the Nebraska Department of Roads about the project. The Department of Roads did not want any runoff from the development going onto Highway 281.
Grand Island Realtor Jimmy Read said, “These people will do it right.”
Nabity said that if the property meets minimum requirements for rezoning, “you have to approve it.”
“If you do oppose it, you could likely end up in a lawsuit,” Nabity said.
Commissioner Jane Richardson said that more than likely, the property is going to be developed.
In another matter, Commissioners heard about a plan for Mid-Plains Center for Behavioral Health Services to submit a grant application to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Division of Behavioral Health. The grant is for opioid use disorder treatment infrastructure renovations, development, or expansions.
Mid-Plains CEO Chase Francl said if the grant is funded, Mid-Plains could double the size of its detox unit. Commissioner Scott Sorensen moved to support the grant, with the possibility that the county would gift the building to Mid-Plains.
If Mid-Plains owns the building, it has the opportunity to get matching funds. The building is located at 914 Baumann Drive. The motion passes 6-1, with Commissioner Gary Quandt voting against the motion.
Commissioner Chairman Ron Peterson asked the Board about whether he could get permission to approve change orders for the Hall County Courthouse addition project of less that $25,000 or less, with a total of $50,000 or less.
Information about the changes would be communicated to commissioners. The matter was approved by a 5-2 vote, with Commissioners Gary Quandt and Karen Bredthauer voting against it.
