Council approves McCaslin Subdivision rezoning and final plat in northern Kearney

The Kearney City Council voted to approve two rezoning ordinances and to adopt a resolution approving the final plat and subdivision agreement for the McCaslin Subdivision, a multi-parcel development in northern Kearney.

The actions considered together but voted separately followed a presentation from Craig Bennett of Miller and Associates, who described the site as unplatted ground north of Benards and west of what would be Second Avenue. Bennett said the property is currently undeveloped, partially graded and includes a detention cell created through earthwork to raise portions out of the FEMA floodplain. The proposed final plat divides the area into multiple parcels (approximately 3.0, 4.3 and 4.17 acres were described) and shows provisions to extend Seventieth Street, Sixtieth Street and Third Avenue to create three blocks of lots and to accommodate future sanitary sewer and water when those mains are extended to the area.

Why it matters: The city approved rezoning of two portions of the property to Office (CO) and Community Commercial (C-2) districts consistent with the Future Land Use designation (MU-2) and adopted the final plat and subdivision agreement that sets infrastructure expectations for future development. The actions allow the landowner to proceed with platting and make engineering provisions for future utility extensions but do not, by themselves, authorize immediate building construction beyond standard plat and zoning requirements.

Council action and votes: - Ordinance No. 8,748 (rezoning property north Second Avenue to Office District (CO)) — read by number only, suspended statutory successive readings, and placed on final passage; roll-call votes recorded as Ayefor all council members present (Mayor, Moore, Schmidt, Stratman, Bushcutter). Ordinance 8,748 was then ordered passed, approved and published as provided by law. - Ordinance No. 8,749 (rezoning a vacant parcel north of 6748 North Second Avenue to Community Commercial District (C-2)) — same procedure and approved by roll call (Ayes: Mayor, Moore, Schmidt, Stratman, Bushcutter). - Resolution No. 2025-44 approving the final plat and subdivision agreement for McCaslin Subdivision — approved by roll call (Ayes: Mayor, Schmidt, Stratman, Bushcutter, Moore).

Key technical and planning points articulated by the applicant’s representative Craig Bennett (Miller and Associates): grading and contours were used to reduce floodplain impacts; a 30-inch sanitary trunk main lies roughly a half-mile east and would be extended when development proceeds; water mains likewise are about a half-mile away and on-site development would rely on wells/septic until city mains become contiguous; the plat provides right-of-way continuity to tie into previously platted streets to the west and north.

Implementation notes: The final plat includes infrastructure feasibility mapping with a 200-foot radius analysis. Bennett and staff noted the site is not contiguous to existing city limits for annexation at this time; utility extensions will be required as development occurs. The subdivision agreement sets expectations for future road connections and utility extension but does not specify building phasing or immediate funding sources for off-site improvements.

Votes at a glance: Ordinance 8,748 (rezoning to CO) — adopted (Ayes: Mayor, Moore, Schmidt, Stratman, Bushcutter). Ordinance 8,749 (rezoning to C-2) — adopted (Ayes: Mayor, Moore, Schmidt, Stratman, Bushcutter). Resolution 2025-44 (final plat and subdivision agreement) — adopted (Ayes: Mayor, Schmidt, Stratman, Bushcutter, Moore).