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Council approves major amendment for Douglas County mental health facility; neighbors ask about lighting, traffic and sidewalks
Summary
Council approved a major amendment to a special-use permit for a Douglas County mental health facility near 40th and Pacific, after neighbors raised questions about traffic, lighting and sidewalks.
The Omaha City Council on April 22 approved a major amendment to a large-project special-use permit to allow Douglas County to demolish an existing building and construct a new mental health facility on the site southeast of 40th and Pacific Streets.
Trevor Veskrena (engineer) represented Douglas County at the public hearing. Resident Theresa Casaday told the council she learned only through mailed notices and asked whether the project would consider impacts to Morton Meadows, including traffic, lighting, and property values. Casaday said she already experiences noise and lighting impacts from nearby facilities.
Council members questioned city planning staff and county representatives about services, parking and site conditions. City Planning’s Dave Fanslau said the new facility will continue similar services (inpatient psychiatric services for up to 16 people plus outpatient care) and confirmed the project’s parking would increase from approximately 60 stalls to about 95 stalls. Fanslau also explained the amendment process for large project special-use permits and said the proposed changes were significant enough to require planning-board and council approval.
On lighting, Fanslau noted Omaha’s code requires downlit fixtures designed to prevent light spillover across property lines; he told the resident the Planning Department could inspect to ensure lighting conforms to code. Council members and staff also confirmed sidewalk construction will be included on the project’s side of the street as part of the project. Council members expressed support for the project, citing the high community need for adult and children’s mental-health resources and noting other related facilities opening or planned in the community.
Council Member Begley moved approval and the motion passed by roll call, recorded as 7-0. The approval carries any conditions imposed in the special-use permit and requires the project to meet code standards for lighting, noise and other operational impacts as reviewed by City Planning and related departments.
