Kearney council rezones 802 East 30th Street, approves Stonebridge TIF and postpones Good Samaritan hearings to April 22

The Kearney City Council voted to approve an ordinance rezoning two lots at 802 East 30th Street and adopted a tax-increment financing agreement for a downtown redevelopment project, while postponing public hearings on the proposed Good Samaritan Village until April 22, 2025.

The rezoning action approved Ordinance No. 87744 to rezone Lots 21 and 22, Switz Subdivision (802 E. 30th St.) from R-1 to R-1D. The ordinance was read by number only after the council suspended the statutory requirement for readings on three successive days, and passed by roll call vote with all members present voting aye.

The rezoning application was presented by applicant Leanne Brandt, who told the council the property is outlined for rezoning and noted the single house currently on the lot is occupied. “I would like somebody to take it and, if I can't get rid of it, I'll have to tear it down,” Brandt said when asked about plans for the existing residence. Brandt told the council she would give the occupants at least 90 days and that substantial redevelopment likely would not begin until next year.

In a separate action, the council adopted Resolution No. 2025-37 to grant tax-increment financing (TIF) to Stonebridge Wealth Systems for a proposed remodel of the former Ruby Tuesdays building (listed in the presentation as 108 First Avenue Place) to become new offices for Stonebridge. Kayla James, the city's director of finance, presented the project’s financials: “The total new valuation of the property upon completion is estimated to be $1,153,800 and the current valuation of the property is $792,410. The incremental valuation is estimated to be $361,390. The annual increment in real estate taxes upon total completion of the project is estimated to be $6,195,” James said.

The Community Redevelopment Authority recommended that the project receive 90% of the annual tax increment not to exceed the certified eligible project costs, with approved eligible project costs totaling $70,939, over a period not to exceed 15 years beginning with tax year 2025. The council voted to adopt the resolution and authorized the chairman and legal counsel to negotiate and execute a redevelopment contract with Stonebridge Wealth Systems; Sean Beckman, the general contractor, was present in the audience.

Councilmembers also approved a motion to postpone two public hearings related to the Good Samaritan Village development (item filings show the applicant as Miller and Associates for Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society and a North Dakota corporation listed as owner) until the April 22, 2025 council meeting; a motion and second were recorded and the postponement was approved.

On the consent agenda the council approved six items (not detailed in the record excerpt), and the council also approved an open account claim. The roll-call record for the open account claim shows the mayor abstained and other councilmembers voted aye as recorded in the meeting minutes.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance No. 87744 (rezoning Lots 21 & 22, Switz Subdivision — 802 E. 30th St.): Motion to suspend readings and place ordinance on final passage passed by roll call (Mayor and councilmembers recorded as voting “Aye”); ordinance passed and ordered published as provided by law.

- Resolution No. 2025-37 (Stonebridge Wealth Systems TIF): Adopted. Council granted 90% of the annual increment up to certified eligible project costs ($70,939) over a period not to exceed 15 years, beginning tax year 2025; chairman and legal counsel authorized to negotiate and execute redevelopment contract.

- Public hearings 2 and 3 (Good Samaritan Village): Postponed to April 22, 2025 by council motion.

- Consent agenda (items 1–6): Approved.

- Open account claim: Approved (mayor recorded as abstain; other recorded votes were aye).

Why it matters: The rezoning clears the way for redevelopment of a mobile-home-park–area property and changes allowable uses on the lots; the TIF award commits a portion of future property-tax increment to a private redevelopment project and delegates contract authority to city leadership; postponing the Good Samaritan hearings delays public review and any council action on that larger housing/long-term care project.

Meeting context and next steps: The TIF adoption authorizes negotiation of a redevelopment contract; council minutes show the city will proceed with contract negotiations. The Good Samaritan Village hearings will return to the council agenda on April 22, 2025. The applicant for the rezoning said occupants of the existing house would be given at least 90 days to relocate before redevelopment moves forward.