Council approves 210-unit affordable development on Kansas Avenue over neighborhood objections

The Omaha City Council on March 11 approved a package of land-use actions (rezoning, preliminary and final plats, and subdivision agreement) needed to develop a 210-unit affordable multifamily project — described by the developer as LIHTC (low-income housing tax credit) housing — on Kansas Avenue near 50th Street. The council vote was 6–1.

Developer representatives described the project as 210 units across eight three-story buildings with on-site amenities including a fitness room, pool, playground and dog park. The developer estimated average rents for the project at approximately $1,124 for a one-bedroom, $1,359 for a two-bedroom and $1,572 for a three-bedroom unit (average figures presented by counsel) and said the project would be constructed in 2026–27. Counsel said the project’s average density of 14 units per acre fits the city’s “low-density residential” classification in the future land-use map.

Dozens of residents opposed the plan at council, arguing the site sits within a stable single-family neighborhood and warning of added traffic, pedestrian safety risks, and long-term management problems. Patty McGee, who said she lives at 5445 Kansas Avenue, presented a petition with roughly 200 signatures and cited numerous online complaints about the developer’s management of other properties, saying “we’re not asking for more apartments.” Camille Matoyer Moten said the complex would be “a parking lot” outside her property and called the site part of an established single-family area. Opponents also raised crash and speed concerns on Kansas Avenue and Sorensen Parkway.

The developer and its management firm, Elmington Capital, said the management group owns and operates thousands of multifamily units nationally and that the firm planned on-site security, an in-house management and maintenance team, and a local corporate escalation path for any tenant complaints. Engineering staff said the required public improvements — including turning a local cul-de-sac into a full intersection and the planned connection to North 50th Street — and a traffic study showed no off-site improvements beyond those required by the subdivision. Public Works said it would provide accident-history data for the intersections at nearby streets at the council’s request.

Councilmembers expressed sympathy for neighbors but said the project responds to a large documented shortage of affordable housing in the city. Councilmember Johnson voted no; the remaining members voted yes.

Outcome: Rezoning and plats approved 6–1; developer may proceed with permitting and financing steps; council members asked staff and the developer to follow up on traffic-calming, landscaping and management/maintenance commitments.