The Omaha Planning Board approved a major amendment to the Copperfields mixed‑use development agreement on a 5–0 vote after neighbors urged the board to delay the request over stormwater and erosion concerns.

Chair Michael Pate opened the hearing on the item, which asked the board to reduce the buffer yard for covered patios from 30 feet to 25 feet and to swap curbside landscaping with a sidewalk for aesthetic reasons. Larry Jovan, representing the applicant MJA Copperfields LLC, said the patios were shown in the original mixed‑use agreement and that the change is a correction to civil drawings rather than an expansion. “We’re not trying to increase the size of the patios,” Jovan said, describing the request as a fix to a civil drafting error.

Neighbors testified that the site’s grading changes and construction activity have already damaged nearby yards and increased runoff. Mary Minton, who lives adjacent to the project, said she was “mostly concerned about water,” describing a raised grade she fears will send stormwater into basements and yards. Martie Neely, representing five homeowners, said some lots had already sustained physical damage and asked the board to lay the amendment over until the developer produced more detailed drainage and landscape evidence.

Project engineer Randy Cusack said the post‑construction stormwater management plan and grading were consistent with the original approvals and that sealed drainage studies had been submitted to the city and coordinated with public works. Cusack said the project team has added silt fences and wattles during construction and that mitigation and weekly inspections are being performed. “We are confident that what we are proposing … will not negatively impact the adjacent property owners as it relates to peak flows of runoff,” he told the board.

Staff recommended approval conditioned on the applicant submitting signed copies of the amendment prior to the item going to city council. Board members pressed the applicant to continue meeting with neighbors to resolve outstanding site‑work and silt control complaints during construction. After discussion the board moved, seconded and approved the amendment 5–0; the motion included a requirement that signed amendment copies be submitted before forwarding to city council for final action.

Next steps: the amendment will proceed to the City Council for final disposition as required by city procedure for major amendments; conditional use permits would be final at the board level when applicable.