Planning board lays over Youth Emergency Services day shelter amid neighbor security and outreach concerns

The Omaha Planning Board voted to lay over a conditional-use application from Youth Emergency Services (YES) for a non‑commercial day shelter at 2566–2570 Farnam Street after neighbors pressed for more outreach and clarity about security and operations.

YES representatives, including consultant Jeff Stole and board member Lenise, described plans to consolidate administrative offices, a drop‑in Youth Pathways navigation center operating roughly 9 a.m.–5 p.m., and short‑ and long‑term supportive residential units at the site. The operation statement submitted to staff said the drop‑in center would provide a daily meal, hygiene supplies, case navigation and mental‑health counseling; staffing was described at roughly 20–35 during daytime hours with a small overnight presence for 24‑hour services. Jeff Stole told the board the site includes an underground parking garage and YES has agreements for additional surface parking for overflow.

Neighbors and nearby business owners questioned the level of direct outreach and the adequacy of the applicant’s security plan. Ted Zman, who said his family owns multiple properties immediately east of the site, said they first learned of the plan from the mailed zoning notice and asked for more direct consultation: “We’re disappointed we haven’t had any communication,” he said, noting concerns about loitering, public safety and the cumulative effect of several social‑service sites within a few blocks. Aaron Kusky, whose business faces the site, said past problems in the alley and nearby blocks make security a material neighborhood concern.

Staff and the advisory committee had reviewed the operation and security measures in advance. City planning staff said the application met supplemental regulations for non‑commercial day shelters and that an advisory committee—composed of planning staff, police representatives, a council member and neighborhood representatives—had recommended approval 5–0 after discussion. Planning staff also proposed an additional condition drafted with the city law department that the day‑shelter use not be modified into a use that would qualify as a “home for indigent persons” under Nebraska Revised Statute §53‑177, a change that could affect liquor‑license proximity rules for nearby properties.

Board members expressed support for YES’s mission but also said neighbors deserve direct answers about day‑to‑day operations. After discussion the board voted 3–2 to lay the application over for 30 days, with the chair urging YES to meet with adjacent property owners and to bring the executive director to the next hearing. The board chair said the layover was intended to allow additional neighbor engagement, not to reject the proposal. The case will return to the planning board at the next monthly meeting.

What happens next: YES was asked to meet with nearby property owners and return with additional operational detail; because the board laid the case over rather than denying it, the applicant retains the option to refine the plan and propose conditions or clarifications at the next hearing.