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Council approves conditional-use permit to keep Trucks and Tiaras day care at Osgood building
Summary
The City Council granted a conditional-use permit allowing Trucks and Tiaras Intergenerational Academy to relocate into the former Osgood Elementary building owned by Mid Plains Community College, preserving licensed child-care slots and enabling an initial two-year lease while the college plans longer-term use.
The North Platte City Council on Aug. 5 approved a conditional-use permit to allow Trucks and Tiaras Intergenerational Academy to operate a licensed day-care center at the former Osgood Elementary building at 491–495 West State Farm Road.
Ryan Purdy, president of Mid Plains Community College, said the college purchased the Osgood property at auction and intends to use part of the facility to support early-childhood education while it plans long-term academic uses. "The college did not solicit Trucks and Tiaras," Purdy said, adding the college would allow the existing tenant to remain through June 30, 2026, if needed and said the college will make a short-term lease available for Trucks and Tiaras so the college can plan future programs.
Colton Vinticher, an attorney who has consulted on rural child-care capacity, summarized statewide and local data: "In North Platte, that number is 1,099" children under age 6 with all available parents working, while licensed child-care capacity is 811, creating a gap of 288 slots. Vinticher said Trucks and Tiaras currently serves about 100 children and could expand to 180 in the Osgood building, which would reduce the community's shortage.
Holly Hill, owner and director of Trucks and Tiaras Intergenerational Academy, and multiple parents, educators and community organizations urged approval during the public hearing. Val Hyde, early-childhood community coordinator for Communities for Kids Lincoln County, noted the application is backed by updated May 2025 capacity data and praised the provider's engagement with state-quality programs. Julie Peterson of the University of Nebraska's West Central Research, Extension and Education Center described the Osgood location as important for recruitment and retention of faculty and staff.
Councilmembers framed the decision as a practical re-use of a former school building and a response to urgent local need. Councilmember Volz moved to approve the permit with conditions requiring compliance with applicable ordinances and facility standards; the motion was seconded by Councilmember Flanders and passed. Mid Plains Community College told the council it expects an initial lease term of two years (ending 06/30/2027) to allow the college time to develop longer-term plans.
The conditional-use permit was approved with the standard conditions required by North Platte code—conformity with applicable ordinances and regulations, adequate water/sewer/drainage, ingress/egress to minimize traffic congestion, and harmony with the character of the area. The city also recorded that Mid Plains Community College, as property owner, signed the application and will be the contracting party for the short-term lease.
Supporters and several parents said denial would have removed licensed care for about 100 children and placed families at immediate risk of losing child care; several speakers said the move both preserves existing capacity and allows expansion to meet more of the documented shortfall.
Council action preserves a licensed child-care provider in a facility built for education while giving the college a two-year planning horizon for future academic and facility decisions.
