North Platte planning commission approves blight study for Rodeo Road property; sends to city council

The City of North Platte Planning Commission voted to approve a blight and substandard study for property at 1404 and 1420 Rodeo Road, the commission chair said; the study will go to the City Council for a public hearing on July 1.

Planning staff presented the Danlex Property Group LLC study as a proposal to declare approximately 2.08 acres of property as blighted and substandard under the Nebraska Community Development Law. Planning staff said the study includes photographs and documentation of low- to moderate-income indicators on the site and that the study conforms with the North Platte Comprehensive Plan.

“The study is in conformance with the North Platte, Nebraska Comprehensive Plan 2011, meets the requirements to be declared substandard and blighted,” planning staff (Judy) said during the hearing, adding the designation would keep the city below the statutory 35% cap on land designated blighted. Staff provided the commission with a calculation that the city currently has about 2,601.17 acres designated as blighted out of 12,152.98 acres (about 21.4%); the proposed addition of 2.08 acres would not push the city past the statutory limit.

A member of the public who spoke during the hearing asked clarifying questions about the developer’s plans; planning staff said the applicant is considering conversion to apartments and that the properties currently operate as longer-term motel/transitional housing. After public comment and discussion, Commissioner Bain moved to approve the resolution recommending adoption of the study; Commissioner Jet seconded the motion. The clerk announced the vote and the chair stated the motion was carried.

Because the Planning Commission is a recommending body, the approved study and resolution will be forwarded to the City Council for a public hearing on July 1.