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North Platte council rejects rezoning of 801–807 South Elm for Enzo Athletic Performance after neighborhood opposition
Summary
A proposal by Enzo Athletic Performance to rezone four adjacent lots at 801–807 South Elm from single-family residential to H-1 (hospital/quasi-public) failed after residents raised concerns about traffic, noise and restrictive plat covenants; a related comprehensive plan amendment also failed.
The North Platte City Council on June 3 voted down a request to amend the city's future land use map and subsequently failed to adopt an ordinance that would rezone four lots at 801, 803, 805 and 807 South Elm Street to H-1 (hospital/quasi-public) for a proposed Enzo Athletic Performance wellness facility.
Jason and Kayla Jensen, owners of Enzo Athletic Performance, told the council they plan a 6,000–7,000-square-foot wellness and family-fitness facility with on-site child services and expanded programming. “We are asking to rezone these lots to allow us to build a new space that meets a growing need,” Jason Jensen said, describing client schedules and the need for a central location.
Neighbors and more than 50 households submitted objections and appeared at the hearing to oppose the change. Concerns centered on increased traffic during peak class times, early-morning activity, lighting and the long-term effect of H-1 zoning because the district lists a wide range of permitted uses (including uses residents cited as unsuitable for a neighborhood). Resident Tom Orblo presented a petition and pointed to a recorded plat that contains a restricting provision stating “structures on all lots will be limited to the dwelling structure and the related automobile garage.” Orblo said residents expected the area to remain residential when they bought homes.
Several speakers supported the Jensens, noting Enzo’s 11 years of local operation and the applicant’s plans for buffering, parking above code and shielded lighting; supporters argued the lots have been vacant for years and are difficult to sell at residential prices. Opponents countered that plat restrictions and existing neighborhood character make commercial rezoning inappropriate.
The council first voted against amending the comprehensive plan’s future land use map to public/quasi-public (motion by Lucas, second by Flanders; item failed). City Attorney Bill advised the council that Nebraska law still allows rezoning without amending the future land use map but that a valid protest requires a supermajority (three-fourths of all council members) to approve the rezoning. The council then opened and closed a public hearing on ordinance 4212 to rezone the four lots and a motion to waive readings and adopt the ordinance (moved by Reker, seconded by Garrick) failed on the council floor.
Votes and formal actions: The amendment to the future land use map (item 11) failed; the ordinance to rezone the parcels (item 12) also failed. The Jensen purchase agreement was described as contingent on rezoning and financing.
