Lincoln City Council on Nov. 3 reviewed a package of proposed code changes and planning requests designed to allow limited use of wastewater lift stations to open additional land for development.

Planning Director David Carey said staff sought to replace a 21-year-old 2004 policy with explicit code language to create a usable process for allowing lift stations when gravity sewer is not practicable. Key proposals include lowering the minimum contiguous acreage eligible for a lift-station-served development from 500 acres to 150, requiring a minimum density of five units per acre, and reserving that at least 10% of single-family lots in such projects be 4,000 square feet or smaller to encourage smaller lot options.

Carey emphasized safeguards: developers must prove downstream gravity capacity, pay upfront construction costs for the lift station and force main, and the code sets a surcharge methodology so users who benefit share maintenance costs until gravity service becomes available.

Developer counsel Denae Kalkowski said the changes would enable the proposed Madadol LLC project northeast of S. 90th & Pine Lake Road (about 155 acres) to move forward. Speakers from the Home Builders Association supported the change as a first step but warned that surcharges and maintenance costs could raise final housing prices.

Council discussion touched on affordability and whether the acreage threshold might exclude smaller infill opportunities. Staff said they viewed the package as a first step and were open to future adjustments.

The comprehensive plan amendment for the Madadol site was held over for vote until Nov. 17, pending the ordinance amendments that would authorize use of a lift station.