Kearney council approves Marlatt 4th subdivision for Habitat for Humanity; rezones land to R‑1D

The Kearney City Council voted unanimously to approve the Marlatt 4th subdivision proposals, clearing the way for a Habitat for Humanity development that will ultimately include 48 lots, of which 45 are planned for Habitat construction.

The package of actions approved by the council included ordinances vacating multiple alleyways and streets (Ordinance Nos. 8703–8713), a resolution to amend the City of Kearney comprehensive plan future land use map to low-density residential (Resolution No. 2025‑1), rezoning the parcel to R‑1D (Ordinance No. 8714) and final plat approval and a subdivision agreement for Marlatt 4th (Resolution No. 2025‑2).

Why it matters: The proposal consolidates several tax lots and formerly platted parcels north of East 17th Street and east of Avenue M into a single subdivision designed to be primarily built out by Kearney Area Habitat for Humanity. Council members and the applicant said the project will simplify a fragmented area, provide added infrastructure and eventually create dozens of affordable homes.

Craig Bennett of Miller & Associates, who represented the applicants, described the project as a multi‑phase plat that will connect Avenue P northerly, provide water and sanitary extensions, and include two stormwater detention lots. “When it’s all done, it’ll look like it has the right frontage that we have in the rest of the subdivision,” Bennett said, describing the final plat layout and infrastructure plans. He told the council Habitat owns about 9.77 acres on the south side of the site and that the final layout preserves one existing house to remain under separate ownership.

Council members asked about stormwater conveyance into the vacated railroad corridor the city owns; Bennett said the city-acquired former railroad right-of-way will function as the drainage channel and that the design includes detention to manage the 10‑ and 100‑year storm flows. He also confirmed existing utilities include a 24‑inch water main on the west side and a 12‑inch sanitary main in a dedicated easement that will be used to serve the new lots.

Planning staff had recommended approval after the Planning Commission’s favorable recommendation. Council discussion included recognition of Habitat’s local production rate — about three homes per year — and the council noted the project would provide dozens of homes for local households. Mayor Nicola and council members voted aye on each item; no no votes were recorded.

What’s next: The approved final plat and subdivision agreement allow the developer and Habitat to proceed with construction in phases; the council recorded the ordinances and resolutions as passed and published as required by law.