Commission continues review of Columns Apartments after questions on trail, utilities and tax abatement

The Kearney Planning and Zoning Commission continued consideration of a rezoning and amended site plan for a proposed 24‑unit apartment building at the northeast corner of Jefferson Street and Lawrence Street to a date certain of April 14, citing outstanding questions about a proposed 10‑foot shared‑use path, existing utility easements and final site engineering.

Applicant Zach Lowenstein (owner/operator) and engineer Ron Cowger presented the project and a staff report recommending approval of rezoning from R3 (medium‑density residential) to RP4 (high‑density residential planned district) with a concept plan and conditions. Staff’s recommended conditions included a 22‑foot setback along Jefferson Street (based on existing right‑of‑way), a 10‑foot sidewalk along Jefferson as a shared‑use path consistent with the comprehensive plan, ADA‑compliant driveway approaches, stone veneer extended across the building’s…