A conditional use permit had been submitted for an agricultural market – community event venue to be located at 4987 W. 56th St., (Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today)
KEARNEY — The Kearney Planning Commission voted 6-1 in favor of a proposed community event venue that will be located northwest of the community.
A conditional use permit had been submitted for an agricultural market – community event venue to be located at 4987 W. 56th St. by the property owner Marcile Woodward and the applicant Hannah Connealy in partnership with Grant Calleroz.
The property is outside of the city limits but falls within the two-mile extraterritorial jurisdiction.
“The proposed site for the Agricultural Market operation is adjacent to large-lot residential on the west and east, open agricultural land to the north, and, to the south, a farm and ranch are located across 56th Street,” per a memo by the City of Kearney staff.
The proposed event venue will operate on the south half of the property and will consist of a minimum of 20 acres. A site plan indicates plans to build a 15,800 square foot venue that will face northward toward a future pond and the remaining agricultural land.
“Connealy has submitted images that will serve as inspiration for the final design of the glass conservatory and indoor spaces. Exterior images show the intention to use stone or brick for parts of the building and/or facades,” per the City of Kearney.
“The footprint of the building indicates a space for an open courtyard; images have also been provided to indicate a desire for a glass conservatory on one side, with the building wrapping around the other side,” per the City of Kearney.
Connealy stated that the venue will include a glass conservatory reception space, around 6,000 square feet, a building with an indoor ceremony foyer, around 3,000 square feet, suites for the bride and groom with no overnight stays intended, a catering kitchen, public restrooms, and an office area.
Connealy said the space could accommodate around 400 people, she said that a glass conservatory style building such as what is being proposed doesn’t exist in the state.
She said the structure will be “one of a kind” and noted they looked around Buffalo County for sites but ended up coming closer to Kearney.
Connealy said that her inspiration for the buildings include “old world” and “estate.” The layout of the buildings is intended to showcase the landscape with a 14-mile view to the north.
The types of events they plan to host include weddings, anniversaries, birthday parties, engagement parties, corporate meetings, bridal showers, baby showers, graduation receptions, holiday parties, non-profit galas, banquets, workshops, wellness retreats, bridal shows, Christmas markets and wine and food experiences.
Matthew Clause, an architect from McCook, detailed more of the project calling it a “high end rural event setting venue.”
A primary access driveway to the venue will be from 56th Street and allow for two-way traffic to
enter and exit the property.
The primary access driveway will have an east-west connection from the drive to the parking area. It will then continue north to the venue, tapering to a one-lane paved drop-off lane and the paved ADA parking area.
Clause said that there will be a deceleration lane added to W. 56th St. to accommodate traffic. He also noted that event traffic is different from normal commercial or retail traffic and is not likely to overlap with other traffic patterns.
A parking lot with 111 parking stalls and five ADA stalls will be added to the property. The majority of the lot will be gravel.
Melissa Dougherty-O’Hara, Kearney City Planner, detailed the city of staff’s finding of facts and the 10 conditions they recommend for the property.
Some of the conditions include that all events must occur 100 feet away from the property line, events can start at 8 a.m. every week, but events must conclude Sunday-Wednesday by 10 p.m. and Thursday-Saturday by 11 p.m.
The screening on the west side of the parking area must be at least six feet, which is intended to block the parking area from adjacent property owners. The conditions also dictated the size of the parking lot.
Staff recommended approval of the conditional use permit for the event venue with the 10 listed conditions.
The Planning Commission members asked a number of questions. Board member Dave Malone expressed concern for the traffic flow in the area and asked who would be responsible for the deacceleration zone on W. 56th St.
Connealy said that the event traffic shouldn’t impede the usual traffic on the road and said they would work with Buffalo County on any road additions that are needed.
Acting Chairperson Richard McGinnis said that a glass conservatory could be threatened by hail during severe weather season in Nebraska and asked about how it would be protected.
Connealy and Calleroz said they are working with a conservatory group and plan to install one-inch tempered glass that has been proven to “take a beating” from hail and not break.
Asked about the size of groups being hosted at the venue, Connealy said 400 people was a generalized number the space could accommodate but foresee most events being around 250 to 300.
Malone also asked about a liquor license, which the venue would seek.
Connealy said there are three ways to control alcohol distribution, which involve asking for identification at the bar, or having wristbands for people at the bar or when they arrive at the venue.
A public hearing was held to take comment regarding the project.
Tom Stover appeared and said this venue would be his “very close” neighbor and said that live music was a concern.
Connealy responded and said their intent is to host “classy events” and added they don’t plan or will allow any “ragers.”
Andrew Hoffmeister, who lives on 46th Ave., appeared and said he was not in favor of the venue and questioned the venue being operated as a Agricultural Market Event. “This is a civic center,” he said.
Hoffmeister said from 2013 to 2025 around 24 new residences were built in the area, on the pretext that that the area would remain rural residential into the future.
He said this was a case of “dissimilar uses” colliding with one another.
Other comments from neighbors included that this was a primarily residential area and many people had moved out there for peace and quiet. They noted that this facility would operate later in the day, when neighbors were returning home from work and trying to relax at home.
After the public comments, Connealy said they had proceeded with the conditional use permit in good faith and were seeking to be transparent in what they were doing.
It was noted that the Planning Commission makes a recommendation to the Kearney city council, which has final say on the conditional use permit.
A motion was made in favor of the permit and the commission voted 6-1. Board member Malone had the sole dissenting vote, citing his concern for traffic in the area and concerns about a liquor license.
The city council will discuss the conditional use permit at their meeting on Tuesday, April 28.
