Planning commission approves sale of small parcel from Highlands Golf Course, OKs 722dunit addition to existing use permit

Lincoln 2d The Lincoln2dLancaster Planning Commission voted 72d0 on Sept. 17 to recommend a series of linked approvals that would allow a developer to buy a 0.72dacre portion of Highlands Golf Course for stormwater detention, change that piece from public to O3 Office Park District zoning, and amend an existing use permit to add 72 multifamily dwelling units to an approved development at Northwest Thirteenth Street and West Fletcher Avenue.

The package included three related items: a comprehensive plan conformance review to declare a 0.72dacre parcel surplus (case 25009), a change of zone (case 25013) to shift that parcel from public to O3 zoning and swap approximately 0.03 acres the other way, and an amendment to an existing use permit (04004a) to add 72 units. Planning staff said adding the 72 units would bring the total authorized under the use permit to 166 units and still meet density calculations.

Staff said the developer needs additional land so the project can meet detention and layout needs; the applicant agreed to purchase the golf course parcel and to convey about 0.03 acres back to the city along West Fletcher Avenue for a pedestrian/bicycle buffer tied to a future trail. The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board recommended the surplus designation; no city departments objected in the staff review.

The applicant, represented by Rick Onan of DNA Consulting and Paul Lewis for the owner/developer, said the development will use private sanitary pumping to serve the site and will take all vehicular access from West Fletcher Avenue rather than the townhome court to the east after the homeowners association opposed a drive connection. Lewis told commissioners the developer plans to install a 102dfoot trail segment in its future alignment along Fletcher and build sidewalk to the driveway; final work along the existing sidewalk to the east will be determined later.

Nearby homeowners raised concerns at the public hearing about loss of green space, impacts to private common areas between the townhomes, ownership and HOA responsibilities, and parking. Resident Catherine Gabelle told the commission she and other townhome owners maintain a shared area and that the neighborhood learned about the proposal very recently. "I don't need that sidewalk coming through," she said, expressing a wish that the common area remain private and screened.

Planning staff and Parks representatives responded that sidewalks are an important connectivity element of the 2050 Lincoln2dLancaster comprehensive plan and that design standards will require screening between multifamily buildings and neighboring properties. Staff also said sidewalks and the 102dfoot trail segment are intended to improve neighborhood access and to provide ADA2dcompliant routes to public facilities and trails.

Commission debate focused on whether to require the pedestrian connection from the new apartments to the existing townhome cul24de2dsac now or delay it until the apartments reach occupancy. Commissioners noted both neighborhood opposition and the plan's connectivity goals. The panel voted unanimously to approve the comprehensive plan conformance and change of zone (72d0) and approved the amended use permit (72d0) with a staff note recommending the site-specific sidewalk and trail be constructed at the time of occupancy rather than before building permit issuance.

The approvals carry conditions listed in the staff resolutions including required screening, compliance with LTU (Lincoln Transportation and Utilities) requirements, and that any sidewalk/trail work be coordinated with future Fletcher Avenue widening plans. The applicant also asked one minor change to language in a condition to tie the sidewalk timing to occupancy permit rather than building permit; staff and the commission accepted that clarification in the motion.

The developer acknowledged that some trees would be removed in the outlot area but said the proposed detention approach uses a natural depression with a small dam and minimal disturbance. Lewis said the outlot will remain largely natural, with only dead or diseased trees removed and access provided for stormwater management.

Votes at a glance: comprehensive plan conformance 25009, change of zone 25013, and use permit 04004a were each approved by the commission 72d0 and will be forwarded as recommendations to the city council or county board, as required by ordinance for those items that are not final county action.

What happens next: The change of zone and use permit approvals are recommendations; the city council or county board will take final action. The site will be subject to building permit and LTU reviews; screening, grading/drainage, and final sidewalk/trail treatments will be reviewed at the time of permit and final site plan submissions.