Planning commission recommends rezoning and plats for Milks Place subdivision

The Sarpy County Planning Commission on April 15, 2025 voted to recommend approval of a rezoning from AG (Agricultural) to RE2 (Residential Estates 2) and both a preliminary and final plat for a subdivision to be called Lot 1 and Outlot A, Milks Place, a roughly 14.36-acre parcel southeast of 120th Street and Mitchell Road.

Planning staff told commissioners the request would split the existing homestead from the remainder of the property so it can be sold or transferred to a family member. "The request before you is a rezoning from AG agricultural Farming District to RE2 residential estates 2 district and a preliminary plat and final plat of a subdivision to be known as Lot 1 And Out Lot A, Milks Place," Planning Coordinator Kelly Jack said during the presentation. Jack said the property contains a home, a garage and an outbuilding and that a single-acreage lot of about 2.2 acres is proposed; the remainder is shown as an outlot reserved for future development when public utilities are available.

The staff recommendation noted the site’s future land-use designation is residential estates and that the proposed RE2 zoning is consistent with the comprehensive plan designation. Because the property lies in the county’s urban reserve zone but does not meet the 40-acre build-through minimum, staff said Appendix C of the comprehensive plan allows an exception in limited circumstances; the applicant seeks that exception to create a single lot for transfer to a family member.

Jack described technical conditions recommended by staff: dedication of right-of-way for Mitchell Road to a total width of 50 feet based on alignment from the county surveyor; execution of a development agreement addressing creek setbacks, environmental protections and future sanitary sewer improvements; and payment of the single-lot sewer agency fee prior to the county board chair signing the final plat. Staff also said the existing well and septic will continue to serve the proposed lot and that the outlot will remain in agricultural use until public utilities and future planning permit development.

Laurie Smith, who identified herself as trustee for the Milks Living Trust, said the land has been in the family since 1881 and that the intent of the subdivision is to keep the homestead within the family. "The biggest thing for us is, this particular land's been in our family since 1881 and we'd like to continue that," Smith said.

Commissioners asked no public speakers and did not report additional public comment for the item. A motion to recommend approval of the rezoning carried with seven yeas and three commissioners absent; the same vote (7–0, 3 absent) approved the preliminary plat and the final plat with the conditions listed in the planning department recommendation report.

The planning department said remaining agency and department comments will be forwarded to the applicant and must be addressed before the final plat is signed by the county board chair.