Council approves overlay at 5804 Corby Street as developers, neighbor haggle over private sewer costs

The Omaha City Council on Tuesday approved an ordinance establishing a PUR overlay district at 5804 Corby Street, a step the applicant said is necessary for a small, infill project with aging-ready units. The council voted 7-0 to adopt the ordinance after public comment and an extended discussion of a private sewer lateral that runs under the lot.

Partners for Livable Omaha, the applicant, presented the project as a compact infill development of small, accessible homes produced in collaboration with the University of Nebraska College of Architecture. Jessica Sherman, executive director of Partners for Livable Omaha, told the council the group has a purchase agreement for the lot and that unit target prices are roughly $150,000 for a one-bedroom and $190,000 for a two-bedroom. She said the nonprofit is working with Holy Family Housing as builder and with student-led design-build teams to keep costs low and absorb as many site costs as possible.

The project encountered opposition and concern…