Lincoln-Lancaster planners approve temporary campus banners, extend mining permit and allow ADU

The Lincoln-Lancaster County Planning Commission on Jan. 8 approved amendments to three campus sign plans to allow temporary banner signs, granted a three-year continuation of the Abbott topsoil mining permit, and approved a county special permit for an accessory dwelling unit at 13131 West Rokeby Road.

The commission voted to approve the consent agenda, which included amendments to exterior campus signage for Bryan Medical Center campuses and two county special permits. Planning staff provided a memo dated Jan. 7, 2025, describing revisions to the staff reports for the three campus sign items; commissioners voted to approve those items with the revisions. The planning commission’s action on special permit 2149a (Abbott Mining Permit amendment) and county special permit 24039 (Denkins ADU) was final and may be appealed to the city council or the county board within 14 days of the action.

The campus-signing amendments (listed on the consent agenda as Special Permit 1020j, Special Permit 12190 or o, and Use Permit 24008) allow temporary banner signs up to 500 square feet, provided they cover no more than 30% of architectural elevations, and permit the banners for one year after installation. The staff memo noted revisions to the reports for the Bryan Medical Center campus sign plans. The commission’s motion explicitly allowed illumination for the three signage items.

The commission also approved Special Permit 2149a, an amendment to Special Permit 21049 for the Abbott mining operation, authorizing continued soil mining and topsoil excavation for another three years on property described in the staff report as roughly one-half mile east of North 70 Street and one-quarter mile south of Arbor Road. That item was listed on the agenda as final action.

County Special Permit 24039 was approved to allow an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) for the Denkins property at 13131 West Rokeby Road; the agenda listed that item as final action. The transcript records no public comment on the consent items.

The commission approved the consent agenda by voice vote; the chair announced the motion carried 6 to 0. Earlier in the meeting the commission approved the Dec. 18, 2024, minutes; the chair announced the minutes were approved (recorded as 5 to 0). No expert communications or ex parte visits affecting the consent items were disclosed.

The meeting closed with no requests for deferral and no public comments on non-agenda items. Because the commission took final action on Special Permit 2149a and county Special Permit 24039, those decisions may be appealed by filing a notice of appeal with the clerk within 14 days of the planning commission action.

Votes at a glance

- Minutes (Dec. 18, 2024) — Outcome: Approved; announced result: 5 to 0. - Consent agenda (includes signage amendments below, Special Permit 2149a, Special Permit 24039) — Outcome: Approved; announced result: 6 to 0. - Special Permit 1020j — Amend exterior campus signage to allow temporary banners (Bryan Medical Center campus, 23100 South 16th Street); allowances: up to 500 sq. ft., max 30% of elevation, 1-year duration; illumination allowed per staff memo dated Jan. 7, 2025. Outcome: Approved via consent. - Special Permit 12190 or o — Amend exterior campus signage to allow temporary banners (Bryan Medical Center campus, 1535 South 52nd Street); allowances: up to 500 sq. ft., max 30% of elevation, 1-year duration; illumination allowed. Outcome: Approved via consent. - Use Permit 24008 — Amend exterior campus signage to allow temporary banners (Bryan Medical Center campus, 3901 Pine Lake Road); allowances: up to 500 sq. ft., max 30% of elevation, 1-year duration; illumination allowed. Outcome: Approved via consent. - Special Permit 2149a (amendment to Special Permit 21049, Abbott Mining Permit) — Continue soil mining/topsoil excavation for 3 years on property about 1/2 mile east of N. 70 St. and 1/4 mile south of Arbor Road. Outcome: Approved (final action). - County Special Permit 24039 (Denkins) — Allow accessory dwelling unit at 13131 West Rokeby Road. Outcome: Approved (final action).

Appeals and next steps

Because the commission labeled Special Permit 2149a and county Special Permit 24039 as final actions, those approvals can be appealed to the city council or the Lancaster County Board by filing a notice of appeal with the clerk within 14 days of the planning commission action. Other items approved on the consent agenda are treated as recommendations to the city council or county board unless otherwise noted on the agenda.

Meeting context

Staff read the consent items into the record and asked whether any members of the public wished to speak; no one did. The meeting record shows limited debate; the commission took the items by consent and adjourned shortly thereafter.