[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6247159,"mediaKeyId","3213301-7f3603b8e911ffa2b4b15418790cd740","parentId",3213301,"title","Council approves updates to Lincoln‑Lancaster air pollution regulations to align with state and federal rules","audioSeconds",1271,"startMs",846000,"endMs",2117000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3213301-7f3603b8e911ffa2b4b15418790cd740&start=846&end=2117","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3213301-7f3603b8e911ffa2b4b15418790cd740/thumbnail_846000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6247159/Lincoln/Lancaster-County/Nebraska/Council-approves-updates-to-LincolnLancaster-air-pollution-regulations-to-align-with-state-and-federal-rules","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6247159-4a1f44bf434eef8900edbca23961915b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153474&Signature=K5oV2mdPunsCShXJhuueHLoCb~TpEtKvem0TvokumdcWqbFMQqxlXM~xM0QE6bVAHsZvCkDAsj-3-liSLRauv12xObrUV9DyXv82YkJwfoHdg-1OGRHZsMcha~4qr31d-harmtJEhXOxUmNBQ~mP-E6fNDMNCGrLhFhnLgH~sFBPebyWeS-eKNFKatgT1memcgRoG48mjKmKig1FeUYA3AxqvQRtGIzUCxFif8P1kl4uP1MoG7Nyul05lzYLhYfXtPD7bAb~uIv17NgCvtogOTpAJUhxhS5oIr4f99xp01FMMJ1aY8Uh1p6Be92ZDD8RjxbkY~Jvtef-Pr561xQWWA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Lincoln, NE","date","2025-05-06T09:21:22Z","article","The Lincoln City Council on May 5 approved amendments to the Lincoln‑Lancaster County Air Pollution Control Regulations and Standards intended to align local rules with state and federal requirements and to improve clarity in permitting and fee schedules.

Gary Bergstrom of the Lincoln‑Lancaster County Health Department told the council the changes are primarily intended to ensure consistency with the Nebraska Environmental Protection Act, the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy’s air quality regulations and the Federal Clean Air Act; some edits are formatting or consolidation changes and others replace local language with federal or state references to reduce duplication.

Bergstrom said the department conducts periodic regulatory reviews. \"Some of it's clean up. Some of it's really improving that consistency,\" he said, explaining that prior updates had referenced state regulations and that the current package reintroduces direct federal references where appropriate.

A councilor asked about fee tables that appeared dated; Bergstrom said the department has been charging the updated fees since September and the current regulatory text update is intended to present fee information in a clearer, more consumable format for future biennial budget proposals.

Bergstrom noted the amendment had gone through the Air Pollution Control Advisory Board, the Board of Health and would go to the County Board of Commissioners the following morning as part of the interjurisdictional process.

The council voted 7–0 to adopt the regulatory amendments on the record.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lincoln City Council Meeting May 5, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The city council unanimously approved revisions to Lincoln‑Lancaster air pollution regulations to align local permitting and fees with state and federal rules.","taxTitle","Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska","taxId",2562,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6247163,"Community Action seeks rezoning and modest height waiver to relocate Gathering Place meal program",774,3448000,4222000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3213301-7f3603b8e911ffa2b4b15418790cd740&start=3448&end=4222","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3213301-7f3603b8e911ffa2b4b15418790cd740/thumbnail_3448000.jpg","/articles/6247163/Lincoln/Lancaster-County/Nebraska/Community-Action-seeks-rezoning-and-modest-height-waiver-to-relocate-Gathering-Place-meal-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6247163-e27781aa283750e4d6b7af664c452a7f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153474&Signature=ZMT2TOy2LClaNZweXN0i~Q8AwkcNO6jW4Redbd7r7FsMDN8WOdTYWwNvxA8C4MMSkpnMnArlLmS5Yx~z4eurn6-xNjfTxfHVQf2AEVM6styRI3MAfFXCoHcD-6F6cHF~pA2jjU~ysOd~b9~QqLns5NWEMJLC4g56cLwyZbnw~CdSzm-bh1bWqwydOfwpu6qrGCgetHZFUWGVsk~8nckjLaxCR4b9UzPoH2gTSmfMvF~3P3vTHNMVOrJAXxvYzPAV9kKzzotXF0bXsU7-0vzl4xn2hx0xUqUlBG2uCxNlMNDHQQCExczB2KUYnWJum0dlWwUYpdexvdCvXxr~Mh9etA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Community Action Partnership of Lancaster and Saunders Counties presented an application on May 5 asking the council to permit a change that would allow the Gathering Place meal program to relocate to 919 South 12th Street and for a modest waiver to the planned unit development height limit.

Heather Lockman, CEO of Community Action Partnership, described the Gathering Place as an evening meal program that serves neighbors seven nights a week and said demand for meals has risen markedly in recent years. Lockman said monthly average meals served increased from about 2,900 in 2022 to about 4,600 in 2024 and that many guests live within a short walk of the current location.

Community Action proposed to move the operation into a larger building owned by NeighborWorks Lincoln at 919 South 12th Street. The property offers roughly double the square footage of the existing site and would allow an estimated $2.5 million renovation to preserve historic elements while adding an addition for deliveries, an emergency exit and an elevator to improve accessibility and operations. Architect Greg Newport said the height waiver (raising a 35‑foot R‑7 height limit to 40 feet) is requested to accommodate elevator clearance and a small staff roof deck.

Lockman said the group conducted neighborhood outreach, including meetings with South and Everett neighborhood associations, open houses at the F Street Recreation Center and targeted guest outreach; she said those engagements produced affirmative feedback and informed project plans. Council members commended Community Action for seeking to remain within walking distance of the program’s current neighborhood and praised the outreach.

Volunteer and neighborhood speaker Chris Bowden described long experience serving at the Gathering Place and said the proposed site’s proximity to the F Street Community Center creates opportunities for partnership. \"We are so excited…for the possibility of having them be closer neighbors,\" Bowden said, describing collaboration between the organizations.

The request is an application to amend the South of Downtown planned unit development to allow Subarea 2 neighborhood support service use and to waive the maximum R‑7 height limit from 35 feet to 40 feet. The transcript records the presentation and public comment, and staff said Community Action will later appear before the Historic Preservation Commission because the building is historic. The transcript does not record a final council vote on the zoning application during the meeting.

Community Action estimated a renovation timeline of roughly 18–24 months and described the project as a $2.5 million investment in the Everett neighborhood; council members expressed support and appreciation for the organization’s outreach and flexibility in site selection.","Community Action on May 5 requested a zoning change and minor height waiver to relocate the Gathering Place meal program to 919 South 12th Street, proposing a renovation and accessibility upgrades.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6247168,"Council hears measure to allow residential urban gardens and on‑site sales; planning commission recommended approval",719,2643000,3362000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3213301-7f3603b8e911ffa2b4b15418790cd740&start=2643&end=3362","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3213301-7f3603b8e911ffa2b4b15418790cd740/thumbnail_2643000.jpg","/articles/6247168/Lincoln/Lancaster-County/Nebraska/Council-hears-measure-to-allow-residential-urban-gardens-and-onsite-sales-planning-commission-recommended-approval","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6247168-a3012a5161078097b5210fd1e6246e2b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153474&Signature=CPrpV0tU2wyNyiFvaVyUkffjCmxAiZR1bxmfWc7w5Fq7GWPrTbx8WL-yEfj0uqle6ogpEoK71VsuoxRJ16GVHtmy4mNiYfZwewru5m1uZG-YZ9bXulbmVz3Wzje-tMkd4TA8Wu81G1ocQgzKkYEq~wwzNUeAnIvzj2LqKLyyN2GYWJbgPIRUNu3FGXv1AbV018W576ycJ4VTVTssEeHqfNtNA2H~M6GGVkrGeKNkyiqNfHy8WmJ9C3aSJsgpmDLtWUHGU5n~PZkJMY~2n-Cjomr86G96IudPggPUqHgdh18pBqmCr9k456tZtBa9Q66OG6Zqt5jFnleB9KUsLp8-ig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff on May 5 presented a proposed amendment to the Lincoln Municipal Code to expand opportunities for urban gardening and to allow limited on‑site sales of produce in residential and residential‑adjacent zones.

Senior Planner Paul Barnes and Anna Eddings, sustainability specialist with the mayor’s office, described the changes as implementing recommendations from the 2023–2027 local food system plan and the city’s climate action plan. \"This initiative directly supports two key goals in our local food system plan: increasing access to healthy food for all residents and investing in our local food and farm community,\" Eddings said.

The amendment would update definitions in Chapter 27.02 and allow urban gardens to operate on residentially zoned properties, permit on‑site sales under defined conditions, and recognize urban gardening as an allowable home occupation. Barnes told the council the planning commission reviewed the item on April 16 and unanimously recommended approval.

Several community organizations spoke in support during the council hearing. Ken Winston, representing Nebraska Interfaith Power & Light and the Nebraska Sierra Club, cited environmental, health and social benefits of local food systems, and urged the council to adopt the change. \"This amendment is supported by the climate action plan,\" Winston said, noting local food production reduces transportation and lawn‑maintenance fossil fuel use.

Kirsten Heiberger, representing Friends of Wilderness Park, said her board supported the amendment because it increases local food access and strengthens community connections to nature.

Council members asked staff technical questions. One councilor asked whether pesticide application and food safety would be enforced; Barnes and planning staff said existing health and safety codes in Titles 5 and 8 and state and federal pesticide regulations remain in force and that complaints would be handled through existing complaint and code enforcement processes. Barnes said the text amendment streamlines land‑use approvals for gardens but does not change existing health and nuisance rules.

At the time of the hearing, no final council vote on the code change was recorded in the transcript; the item had received a unanimous planning commission recommendation on April 16. Staff noted several letters of support had been received and that the change is intended to expand culturally relevant produce choices and small economic opportunities for residents while supporting food security.

The council discussion closed after public testimony and staff responses; the transcript does not record a final council action on the amendment during the meeting.","City staff and sustainability officials presented a text amendment to Lincoln Municipal Code to allow individual urban gardens and limited on‑site sales in residential districts; the planning commission unanimously recommended approval April 16 and several community groups spoke in favor at council hearing May 5.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6247174,"Council adopts University Place subarea plan to guide redevelopment and traffic calming",1250,1066000,2316000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3213301-7f3603b8e911ffa2b4b15418790cd740&start=1066&end=2316","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3213301-7f3603b8e911ffa2b4b15418790cd740/thumbnail_1066000.jpg","/articles/6247174/Lincoln/Lancaster-County/Nebraska/Council-adopts-University-Place-subarea-plan-to-guide-redevelopment-and-traffic-calming","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6247174-b24d84de39e123b9c7e510882c06413e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153474&Signature=opO9zqh6jEumuh7FkGcK8d4-jgX-gEmMTW11b7kQ-fOq81EIT6XF~KiyKcGyr69XpY9YBr4sKmxO7LtTOUwvZbwr-yI~mOF9QGWSNmqHGD0tMaDbcLRVHGCHWBLHbu~jL3RiZ8bnDmgRw3acDqREmzxqWNKQ~B40bkIqtJlNRc37XO0ncbZRDQmHLNWPNYi-ia7djBfP3zGJtzLxtwCdxfXXcjxFukIAENwnBXAnQm9oHAApZSCQxeaWpZwNleLmRI6yc~lMkd42dT~yeE54fpcdDL9XX9ztjhq5b0h1eboCeFFtJqqA6evQEn5w1PE3rf6C5bjOox3JLSfoNkmIXg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lincoln City Council on May 5 adopted the University Place subarea plan, a planning document intended to guide redevelopment, traffic-calming measures and historic‑preservation efforts in the University Place neighborhood in northeast Lincoln.

The plan — proposed by the Lincoln-Lancaster County Planning Department and described at the council meeting by Senior Planner Paul Barnes — concentrates on three priorities: a North 40th Street commercial corridor redesign (including lane reconfiguration and added on‑street parking), neighborhood revitalization tied to potential Tax Increment Financing projects and historic‑preservation measures such as a National Register or local landmark district.

Barnes told the council the planning effort began in early 2024 and included two in‑person open houses with more than 60 attendees each, a virtual open house, intercept surveys at neighborhood events, and focused outreach to Nebraska Wesleyan University students and staff. \"We had a very engaged stakeholder committee,\" Barnes said, describing the public process used to identify needs such as traffic calming, more diverse commercial uses along North 40th Street and more quality, affordable housing.

Lindsay Clausen, owner of Archway Studios and a resident and business owner in the district, urged adoption, citing the neighborhood's small businesses and creative‑district identity. \"The proposed traffic calming measures and the streetscaping are really vital for transforming this neighborhood into a creative arts destination,\" Clausen said.

Council members pressed staff on scope and timing. Councilman Dooden asked how much of the plan area lies in the floodplain; Barnes said portions along the western side are affected by Dead Man's Run and that planned watershed improvements should remove a substantial number of properties from the floodplain once completed. Several councilors also raised questions about the study boundary; Barnes said the boundary was set with stakeholder input and that outreach included adjacent institutions and destinations, but that expanding the boundary would increase the project's scope and resource needs.

Barnes said the subarea plan will be coordinated with the Urban Development Department’s blight and redevelopment study so recommendations can be carried into a redevelopment plan eligible for TIF funding. He also noted near‑term streetscape improvements being pursued with the creative district and that the city has applied for a Bloomberg grant to fund public art connecting Saint Paul Avenue to the Wesleyan campus.

The council voted 7–0 to adopt the amendment to the 2050 Lincoln‑Lancaster County Comprehensive Plan that adds the University Place subarea plan.

Council discussion and the department presentation made clear the plan is a policy and implementation framework rather than an immediate construction contract; specific projects, funding and design details will proceed through later design phases, funding approvals and, where required, separate permitting or redevelopment actions.

With adoption, the city will pursue the follow‑up actions described in the plan and coordinate with neighborhood stakeholders and other city departments to sequence traffic projects, preservation efforts and possible TIF‑eligible redevelopment.","The Lincoln City Council unanimously adopted the University Place subarea plan May 5, 2025, directing planning work and authorizing coordination with redevelopment tools including a blight study and potential TIF funding to support corridor improvements, housing, and historic preservation.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6247154,"City presents labor agreement with Lincoln City Employees Association; union ratified 3% raises and other pay changes",258,2384000,2642000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3213301-7f3603b8e911ffa2b4b15418790cd740&start=2384&end=2642","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3213301-7f3603b8e911ffa2b4b15418790cd740/thumbnail_2384000.jpg","/articles/6247154/Lincoln/Lancaster-County/Nebraska/City-presents-labor-agreement-with-Lincoln-City-Employees-Association-union-ratified-3-raises-and-other-pay-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6247154-7cb7e6213c92b13dc019e843c1fa5d7f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153474&Signature=MG041EmY3Z4arrVgLkrYH-rJWAcEeNRQLcJulGqSwBOMqfNfRSYbBBUi5k54VjSGl~RmQllL5IfphqZ5f7u0WipuqUH8aA2MxjFqAqaehyFlWZPMEY4YrkFnWM26LrlXCbybeLwkIieYdZ0w4FcBm~v5q2TR-K3~s6SH08bwupkNQl2qeqtMn0OO5se~kJxYY3zIB2kQ60A5qFMnqtRCAHi7bMLjL9KXXmDdgt5Uq~PBo1YUKcpvr~4B6RkqDpndk6Mak~z0QpxLCgUpoKbKazPlRSfEfyi61DySLvFNz7q8-m-ZXKtzEAQ48pRAle-6Jt5YLt8ZODWPdSh8Bvp1Tg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Human Resources Director Barb McIntyre presented a labor agreement between the city and the Lincoln City Employees Association (LCEA) during the May 5 council meeting, summarizing wage and benefit changes the union ratified April 14, 2025.

McIntyre said the two‑year agreement provides a 3% wage increase effective retroactively to Aug. 15, 2024, and another 3% increase in 2025. The contract also increases second‑shift premium pay from $0.70 to $0.75 and third‑shift premium from $0.70 to $1.00. McIntyre described new bilingual pay for employees who prove language proficiency and are willing to use those skills on the job, and a $50 per‑paycheck special pay assignment for crime‑tech duties.

Training pay for dispatchers was revised: trainers will receive an additional 50% of their regular hourly pay for each hour spent training a new dispatcher. McIntyre also said promotional step movement and step spacing were clarified and that boot allowance was increased from $155 to $210 and the Urban Development Manager position was added as eligible.

She said the union ratified the agreement April 14 and the city planned to implement the contract and process retro pay by a target date of June 12, 2025, contingent on council action and payroll processing.

Council members asked clarifying questions; one commented he appreciated union ratification. The transcript records discussion and introduction of the item, but does not show a final council vote on the contract during the meeting.","City Human Resources Director presented the Lincoln City Employees Association (LCEA) labor agreement ratified April 14, 2025, describing a two‑year deal with 3% wage increases for 2024 (retroactive) and 2025, new bilingual pay, increased shift differentials and other clarifying pay provisions; implementation targeted for mid‑June.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves updates to Lincoln‑Lancaster air pollution regulations to align with state and federal rules

Community Action seeks rezoning and modest height waiver to relocate Gathering Place meal program

Council hears measure to allow residential urban gardens and on‑site sales; planning commission recommended approval

Council adopts University Place subarea plan to guide redevelopment and traffic calming

City presents labor agreement with Lincoln City Employees Association; union ratified 3% raises and other pay changes