The 30 acres property located generally east of Cherry Ave. and south of E. 11th St., (Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today)
KEARNEY — A sand and gravel operation near E. 11th Street was approved by the Kearney city council during their meeting on Tuesday, July 8.
The applicant, Roger Harders with West Limited, LLC, was requesting approval for a conditional use permit for resource extraction in the form of a sand and gravel pit generally located a quarter mile south of 11th St. and Cherry Ave.
The property is outside of the city limits but within the two-mile extra-territorial jurisdiction.
Harders in 2023 has rezoned the property from AG, agricultural district, to C-3, commercial district with the hopes of future commercial development. However, Harders noted the city sewer and water lines have not reached this area yet, which has limited development.
Harders recently requested to rezone the area back to AG, which was approved by the Kearney City Council on June 10. Harders also met with the Development Review Team to discuss the potential development options, along with resource extraction operator, Keith Becker of Southwest Gravel.
Becker presented plans for a 10-year outlook of how the site would be extracted over time, “including where dredging would occur, stockpiling of materials, and how they intended to provide screening of the operation. The proposed operation would be small-scale, with materials being extracted at a rate of 2-acres per year. Any areas not being extracted will be farmed,” per the City of Kearney staff.
Becker anticipates the operation to last 12 to 15 years and, after the operation ceases, be left with an area to develop single-family homes and townhomes surrounding a lake.
It was noted that the Kearney planning commission had voted unanimously to approve the permit, with several conditions, including duration, entry, hours of operation, landscaping, etc.
The council also voted unanimously to approve the permit.
Another agenda item concerned applications for a rezone, final plat and annexation submitted by Miller & Associates for KPT&G, LLC, doing business as Bryan Health for the Western Nebraska Property Development Fourth Addition.
The surrounding land use includes the Kearney Regional Community Hospital to the north, a senior living facility to the east, and vacant land to the south and west. Kearney Public Schools owns the west property.
The request was to rezone 5.12 acres from AG to C-O, office district and to split the area into two lots, Lot 1 would be 1.61 acres and Lot 2 would be 2.68 acres.
Craig Bennett with Miller & Associates said that medical offices would be constructed within the lots, if the actions were approved.
“The plats indicate the extension of 6th Street further west to the western extent of Lot 2. Lot 1 will have accessibility from 22nd Avenue and 6th Street. Lot 2 will be primarily accessed from 6th Street along the south side of the lot,” city staff noted regarding access to the area.
The council voted to approve each of the actions.
During the reports from the council, they thanked City Manager Brenda Jensen and the city staff for their work on Kearney being awarded the fifth and final Good Life District from the state.
“The Kearney Good Life District will be located on 200 acres of vacant land surrounding the City’s SportsPlex and will include retail, restaurant, and destination attractions developed by a private developer. Sales taxes generated within the Kearney Good Life District are rebated back to the City to assist in funding of the development,” per the City of Kearney.
“The rebated sales taxes will be fifty percent (50%) of the current State sales tax rate (5.5%). Eligible expenses are detailed in State law and encompass public infrastructure such as water, sewer, paving, parking facilities, greenspaces, landscaping, and other elements permitted under State law that may be incorporated into the Kearney Good Life District Economic Development Plan,” the City of Kearney stated.
“The legislation is designed to advance the general and economic welfare of Nebraska and its communities by supporting distinctive projects that attract new industries, generate employment, and strengthen the state’s retail, entertainment, and tourism sectors. Good Life Districts are developed by rebating 50% of State sales tax revenues for a period of up to 30 years,” per the City of Kearney.
Jensen said that city staff submitted the paperwork for the Good Life District a year ago and were waiting until the recent announcement. She said the 30 year funding mechanism will help to speed up development.
Council member Randy Buschkoetter said that the Good Life District will benefit the entire region and noted how much of an impact it will have on the City of Kearney itself.
Council member Alex Straatmann said that for the two communities, Kearney and Grand Island, to be the only ones west of Grenta to receive a Good Life District speaks volumes about each town.
Council member Tami James Moore noted that the council and staff had been “holding their breath” to see if the city was designated with the final Good Life District. She did note the importance of bringing more housing to the community, given the development that will happen with the district.
Jensen said that they were grateful for the designation, but now the real work begins.
