Scottsbluff Council approves street overlay and zoning changes for new rec center

The Scottsbluff City Council convened on June 2, 2025, to discuss several key agenda items, primarily focused on infrastructure improvements and zoning changes.

The meeting began with a proposal for a milling overlay project on East and West 42nd Street. The project will involve a two-inch overlay spanning approximately 0.9 miles, with the aim of extending the lifespan of the current road surface, which has shown signs of deterioration, including transverse cracks and potholes. City officials noted that the existing pavement dates back to before the city took over the road. The overlay is expected to last around 20 years, aided by the addition of fabric for extra strength. The project is anticipated to take a couple of weeks to complete, and officials are coordinating with sewer line work to avoid disrupting the newly paved surface.

Following this discussion, the council held a public hearing regarding the rezoning of two tracts of land located southwest of 21st Avenue and east of 27th Street. The proposed change is from Agricultural Residential (AR) to Office and Professional (OP) zoning. This rezoning is part of a larger plan to facilitate the construction of a new recreation center. The Planning Commission had previously made a positive recommendation for this change, and the council reviewed maps and details to ensure clarity on the affected areas.

The council then moved to consider a resolution to amend the 2025 One and Six Year Street Improvement Plan, which would authorize the mayor to sign the resolution for the aforementioned overlay project. The resolution aims to ensure that the project can proceed within the current year, with funds already available.

The meeting concluded with the first reading of the ordinance to officially rezone the identified parcels from AR to OP. The council will continue to review this matter in future sessions, with further discussions and decisions expected as part of the ongoing planning and development efforts in Scottsbluff.

Overall, the meeting highlighted the city's commitment to maintaining and improving infrastructure while also facilitating growth through strategic zoning changes.