Council approves conditional use permit for girls’ group home at 749 East 32nd with revocation language added

The Fremont City Council on June 9 approved resolution 2026-085 to authorize a conditional use permit for a girls’ residential group home at 749 East 32nd, voting seven in favor and one opposed after adding a whereas clause clarifying the permit could be revoked for violations.

Planning Director Jeff Ray told the council the site, formerly a memory-care facility, is configured for residential therapeutic services and that both planning staff and the police department reviewed the applicant’s operational plan and recommended conditions to mitigate potential impacts. "We did have another meeting with the applicant and the police department to express some concerns that had been voiced within the community," Ray said, and those operational conditions were incorporated into the resolution.

The applicant’s on-site clinical director, Cynthia Cusk, told council members she has prior experience running group homes and said she lives in Fremont and would supervise clinical operations. "I have had a group home previously also with young women ... I would be the person there and the clinical director," Cusk said, adding the program’s goal is reunification with families when appropriate.

Council members repeatedly asked whether residents would come from Fremont or outside the region, and whether state contracts or school services would be required. Cusk said referrals could come from parents, from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services or other sources, and that the program will prioritize youth who are a good fit. She said tie-breakers among equally qualified candidates would favor Fremont children to support reunification with local families.

Council members also raised questions about educational needs and special-education staffing. One councilor warned that while state and federal aid increases for certain special-education students, school districts typically do not receive full funding and would likely cover any gap. Council discussion emphasized the need for a careful screening process and coordination with local schools to ensure students’ Individualized Education Program (IEP) requirements can be met.

Developer representative Dave Mitchell, speaking during public comment on behalf of landlord Mark Lamb, urged the council to give the project a chance while noting landlords vet tenants: "Mark has vetted these folks out and as a commercial landlord, the last thing a commercial landlord wants is to lease to a tenant that's going to tear the place up," he said. Community partner Jquila Yarro, who described lived experience in group-home settings, said she has consulted on similar projects and praised the applicant’s screening process.

After public comment, Councilman Horner moved to approve the resolution as amended; the motion passed 7–1. Under the council’s amendment the council incorporated explicit language clarifying the conditional use permit could be revoked or otherwise reconsidered if the operator violated permit conditions.

The council’s approval authorizes the permit subject to the operational conditions in the staff packet and sets a process for enforcement and possible revocation should documented violations occur. The council also received the applicant’s packet for the record prior to the vote.