Commission recommends annexation and rezoning for Red Veil Heights PUD phase 1, clearing path for mixed‑use development
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Summary
The commission recommended annexation of roughly 34 acres and a change of zone to create Red Veil Heights PUD phase 1; staff said full build‑out would be about 155 acres with roughly 679 dwelling units and 60,000 sq. ft. of commercial space; neighbors raised traffic and school‑safety concerns.
The Lincoln‑Lancaster County Planning Commission voted to recommend annexation and rezoning for phase 1 of the Red Veil Heights planned unit development, a mixed‑use project east of S. 98th Street and Pine Lake Road.
Jacob Schlenge of Planning and Development Services said the application before the commission covers about 34 acres for phase 1 but that the entire PUD, when complete, would be roughly 155 acres with approximately 679 dwelling units and about 60,000 square feet of commercial floor area. Schlenge told commissioners the PUD will rely on the city's pump station ordinance to provide sanitary sewer, requires at least 10% of lots to be smaller than 4,000 square feet (the ordinance target calculates to 40 lots) and includes ADUs permitted up to 60% of the main house floor area as part of the PUD conditions.
Applicant representatives including Danae Kalkowski and Mark Palmer outlined phasing, street connectivity and preservation measures. They said the developer is dedicating trail easements and proposed internal walking paths and green spaces, and that arterial intersection geometries and required turn‑lane improvements remain under discussion with the city's transportation group (LTU) and will be addressed in the annexation agreement.
Builder Roger Bumgarner described housing product types (RT rowhomes and fourplexes near 98th, alley‑loaded units and a mix of smaller and larger single‑family lots) and said the team aims for higher‑quality materials while keeping an affordable price point for some products.
Craig Loftquist, a nearby resident, questioned the traffic analysis and warned that traffic on the newly opened sections of 98th Street has increased, raising concerns about congestion, cut‑through traffic to local schools and pedestrian/bicycle safety. Staff and the applicant said a traffic study was submitted and is informing LTU's ongoing work; Schlenge said recent LTU recommendations included roundabout options for some intersections.
Commissioners discussed accessibility, phasing and the preserved green spaces. They voted unanimously to approve the annexation and the change of zone; the chair recorded both votes as "Approve 7 to 0." Because annexation and zoning decisions proceed to the city council, this action functions as a recommendation to city council and is not the final legislative act.
Next steps: the annexation and zoning recommendation will move to the city council for final action; pending items include finalizing intersection geometry and an annexation agreement to secure required public‑works improvements.
