Council adopts ordinance to rezone former Custer Public School site to allow multifamily housing

The Broken Bow City Council on Oct. 10 adopted Ordinance No. 1273 to amend the city zoning code and rezone Block Eighteen (1) in J.P. Gandy Addition from Residential Single (R-1) to Residential Single and Multifamily (R-2).

Jacob Holcomb, zoning administrator, told the council the Custer Economic Development Corporation submitted the application to rezone the parcel where the old Custer Public School was located; he said the Planning Commission recommended the rezoning to allow for more housing options. Mayor Rod Sonnichsen said waiving the three-readings requirement would keep the project moving and recommended suspending the statutory rule requiring three separate readings.

Councilmember Russ Smith introduced Ordinance No. 1273 and Councilmember Paul Holland seconded the motion to suspend the three-reading rule. The roll-call votes were Smith, Holland and David Baltz in favor; there were no nays. After suspension of the rule, the ordinance was read by title, and the council then voted to pass and adopt Ordinance No. 1273 on the same roll call. The ordinance title states it repeals conflicting sections of the existing zoning ordinance and provides for effective date and publication.

The rezoning clears a procedural step that city officials said will allow greater opportunity for multifamily housing development on the former school site. The council did not record further zoning conditions or a development plan during the meeting; any subsequent project proposals would proceed through the city’s standard planning and permitting processes.