Golfside Estates north of Kearney, (Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today)
KEARNEY — The Buffalo County commissioners voted to deny a subdivision at the Prairie Hills golf course during their final meeting of 2026 on Tuesday, Dec. 23.
Joshua Giblertson, a licensed land surveyor, of behalf of the Phillips Family Trust and Golfside Estates Subdivision Homeowners Subdivision, had submitted an application for a preliminary plat for a subdivision to be known as Golfside No. 5 Subdivision.
The subdivision would be located at The Greens at Prairie Hills golf course north of Kearney and south of Pleasanton.
Dennise Daniels, Zoning Administrator, appeared before the commissioners with a summary report of denial for the proposed subdivision.
Daniels said that the subdivision would be in violation of a “myriad” of regulations. She noted the applicants can seek an appeal for a variance in the case of denial.
Andy Hoffmeister, Buffalo County Deputy Attorney, said that the area was laid out before zoning regulations were fully applied to rural areas. He said the lots are non-compliant and need some work done before they can “catch up” with regulations.
The commissioners voted unanimously to deny the preliminary plat for the subdivision.
Also during the meeting, Roy Meusch, Buffalo County Assessor, appeared with an update on his office.
Meusch said that over the past three years he and his staff have worked to create a new culture in the office.
As for their work, the staff have reevaluated a majority of the country, with 24,000 parcels being reassessed out of 25,000. He also noted the staff members have physically reviewed half of the county.
Meusch noted that many people are seeing increases in valuations but noted that a brisk local real estate market has been driving up valuations.
When asked about if agricultural land prices will plateau, Meusch said that there has been a bit of a “leveling off” when it comes to ag land.
He noted they are on a three-year purchase cycle, so there will likely be a 10 percent increase on ag land in 2026. However, he noted there have been ag parcels on the market for longer and the asking prices been reduced recently.
The commissioners then adjourned sine die for 2025.
