Home under construction in Kearney, (Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today)
KEARNEY — A total of 114 new residential lots will be created on paper through three new additions that the Kearney Planning Commission reviewed at their meeting on Friday, March 20.
Craig Bennett, Miller & Associates, appeared before the commission regarding three separate additions to the City of Kearney, the 12 Kids Addition, Spruce Hollow Estates Ninth Addition and Fountain Hills Sixteenth Addition.
For the 12 Kids Addition, Bennett appeared on behalf of the property owner Gene McElhinny with a request for a rezone, preliminary and final plats and an annexation of a 12.75 acre of land located near H Ave. and M. Ave. south of 11th St.
The rezone would see the area changed from AG, agricultural district to R-2, urban residential mixed density district.
The addition would be divided into 44 lots, 43 residential and one out lot.
Melissa Dougherty-O’Hara, City Planner, noted in the city staff’s finding of facts that the proposed rezoning is not consistent with the Future Land Use designation but is consistent and compatible with the adjacent zoning to the west.
Dougherty-O’Hara noted the staff recommended approval of the rezoning, preliminary plat, final plat and annexation as presented.
The Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval to the Kearney city council.
Bennett appeared next regarding the Spruce Hollow Estates Ninth Addition, generally located between 17th Ave. and Buffalo Hills Elementary School, north of 56th St.
Bennett noted that this area saw its first subdivisions created in 2006 and now 20 years later, the final actions are being taken in this region.
The property owner, DT Development, Inc., was requesting approval for a subdivision vacation, rezoning, preliminary and final plat and annexation for the addition which 22.26 acres.
The subject property is located within the two mile extra territorial jurisdiction and is located adjacent to City limits.
The rezoning would see the area changed from AG, agricultural district to R-1, urban residential single-family district – low density.
Per the plat submitted, the addition would be divided into 46 lots, which would range in size from 0.24 acres to 0.74 acres.
“Spruce Hollow Boulevard is proposed to be extended westward to connect to 17th Avenue. Additionally, 61st Street is also proposed to extend west and terminate in a cul-de-sac to be known as 61st Street Place,” per a memo by the City of Kearney staff.
Also proposed is a north-south street, 14th Avenue, that will connect 61st Street to Spruce Hollow Boulevard
Dougherty-O’Hara noted in the staff’s finding of fact that the rezone is compatible with the development in the area and future land use designation. Staff recommended approval of the subdivision vacation, rezoning, preliminary plat, final plat and annexation as presented.
The commission unanimously approved recommending approval to the Kearney city council.
The last item that was presented regarded the Fountain Hills Sixteenth Addition, located at the southeast corner of 54th St. and 15th Ave.
Bennett appeared on behalf of Grand West, LLC, requesting approval of a rezone, preliminary plat, final plat and annexation for the addition.
“The preliminary plat for Fountain Hills Sixteenth Addition contains 36.72-acres to be divided into
51-lots. This land was initially part of the approved Fountain Hills preliminary plat in 2006,” per the staff memo.
“The final plat for Fountain Hills Sixteenth Addition contains 10.84-acres to be divided into 25-lots and is considered the first phase of the development,” the staff memo stated.
The rezone seeks to change 11.28 acres from AG and R-1 to several different zones including 8.64 acres to R-2 urban residential and 17 acres to C-2 community commercial district.
Dougherty-O’Hara presented the staff’s findings of fact and noted the proposed rezoning are compatible with development in the area and the future land use designation. Staff recommended approval of the rezonings, the preliminary plat, the final plat and the annexation as presented.
The planning commission unanimously approved recommending approval to the city council.
Bennett took a moment to note the “historic” addition of 114 total residential lots to Kearney, he added that this creates numerous opportunities for housing development in the community.
