Planning board approves Karen Buddhist Society special use permits despite neighbor noise and parking concerns

The Omaha Planning Board voted unanimously to approve special use permits required for the Karen Buddhist Society to hold religious assembly and to develop within an environmental overlay at 9861 North 60th Street.

Representatives said the organization holds several annual ceremonies (including an ordination every three years that can draw up to about 150 people) and uses an off-site lot with a shuttle for overflow. Attorney Douglas Streason and site representative Endo Enobaza said they would like the operating statement to allow more regular use of off-site parking and are conducting an acoustical study to determine realistic property-line sound limits; they asked the board to allow wording tied to ambient noise measured in the study rather than a rigid 60‑decibel limit at the property line.

Neighbors raised questions about whether construction activity took place before special-use approvals were finalized and asked about enforcement if occupancy or crowd sizes exceed operating limits. Staff noted the city’s code exempts certain background noises (interstate, mowing and normal maintenance) and that the proposed operating statement and conditions aim to limit off-site parking to the once-every-three-years larger event while allowing limited shuttle use for occasional overflow; staff recommended approval with a requirement for a temporary use permit for very large exceptions.

The board discussed the pending acoustical study and the need to craft enforceable conditions. After deliberation the board approved the permits 6–0; several members commented appreciation for applicant engagement and urged timely completion of the acoustical study and better neighbor communications.