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Council approves UNMC/Nebraska Medicine rezones and plats; council clarifies city provides no land giveaway
Summary
The Omaha City Council unanimously approved a package of rezones, preliminary and final plats, and subdivision agreements to allow student housing and related redevelopment for UNMC/Nebraska Medicine. Planning staff said the approvals are strictly zoning and do not include city incentives or land conveyances.
The Omaha City Council unanimously approved a set of zoning and plat actions related to UNMC/Nebraska Medicine projects during its meeting.
Items 15 through 18 addressed a rezoning and plats for a housing project southwest of 30th and Dewey. Planning department staff told the council the actions are "strictly a zoning matter" and that "there are no incentives being provided for this project" and that the city does not own the land being rezoned.
Luke Weatherly Olsen, representing the applicant, said the proposals are for student housing serving UNMC and Nebraska Medicine. Planning and the planning board recommended approval. Council member Melton asked whether the city was conveying land or providing incentives; planning staff and the applicant clarified that the city was not conveying property and that the measures only change zoning to permit the proposed housing.
A successive package of items (19 through 23) approved rezones, overlay rescissions and a subdivision agreement for a replat known as Big Bridal Place Replat 14 and related changes around 40th and Farnam Streets. Olsen explained that a traffic study had recommended reconfiguring the s-curve at 40th and Farnam into a more conventional T intersection and smoothing a slip lane to improve safety and align traffic with public-works recommendations.
Council member Festersen asked about the s-curve and what the projects would change. Olsen described modifications that would smooth the existing curve and maintain one-way traffic on Harney Street. Council approved the items on voice and roll calls; votes were recorded as 7 to 0.
City staff and council members emphasized the city's role as zoning authority in these items and noted the projects respond to demand for student housing near UNMC.
