Planning commission backs Trucks and Tiaras’ move into Osgood building, sends permit to city council

The North Platte Planning Commission on July 26 recommended approval of a conditional use permit to allow Trucks and Tiaras Intergenerational Academy to operate a child care center at the former Osgood Elementary School, 491–495 W. State Farm Road. The commission’s vote forwards a positive recommendation to the City Council, which was scheduled to meet at 6 p.m. that same evening to consider final action.

The decision matters to local families and employers: witnesses at a public hearing said the move preserves about 100 licensed child-care slots and would expand capacity by several dozen spots. Ryan Purdy, president of Mid Plains Community College, told the commission the college purchased the Osgood building and has discussed expanding early childhood education offerings there; he said the college did not solicit the daycare as a tenant and that it will allow the existing tenant to remain through June 30, 2026 under a modified agreement. “We had no intent on soliciting tenants when we’ve bid on the facility,” Purdy said.

Planning staff presented the conditional use application (file CU25-004) and noted the site is in an A-1 transitional agricultural district and that the property has functioned as an elementary school for decades. Staff said the proposed use would not require a new structure, should not be detrimental to surrounding properties, and recommended approval. The staff summary said the applicant expects typically 5 to 7 cars in the parking lot at any one time and that approving the daycare would maintain about 100 licensed spots and add an additional 40 to 60 spots for the community.

More than a dozen residents, parents and local organizations spoke in favor at the public hearing. Jordan Boston, a local resident and parent, urged commissioners to approve the permit, saying, “This is more than a zoning matter. It’s a pressing need.” Several speakers described personal reliance on Trucks and Tiaras for child care and said denial would force families to find care elsewhere. Val Hyde, coordinator for Communities for Kids Lincoln County, cited a statewide data set showing a local gap between children whose parents are all working and licensed child-care slots: she and other commenters cited 1,099 children under age 6 with working parents and 811 licensed slots, a shortfall of 288 children.

Holly Hill, owner and director of Trucks and Tiaras Intergenerational Academy, told commissioners she had submitted letters from parents and answered questions about her program. Attorney Colton Van Teicher, who said he does not represent Trucks and Tiaras, spoke about the economic importance of child care in rural Nebraska and described the proposed arrangement with Mid Plains Community College as a public–private partnership that could increase licensed capacity to about 180 children.

A commissioner moved that the application meet the minimum standards in the North Platte Code of Ordinances section 156.322 and grant the conditional use permit with conditions that the applicant conform to all applicable ordinances, laws and regulations, have adequate water/sewer/drainage, and provide ingress/egress that minimizes traffic congestion. The motion carried; the planning commission’s positive recommendation will be transmitted to the City Council for final consideration. The planning staff noted the public hearing notice was posted per Nebraska’s Open Meetings Act and published in the North Platte Telegraph 10 days before the hearing.

The planning commission’s approval is a recommendation only; final approval of the conditional use permit rests with the North Platte City Council when it considers the item at its scheduled meeting.