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Planning board approves Catholic Cemeteries amendment; neighbors press for stormwater and tree protections
Summary
The board approved a major amendment and a height waiver to allow a chapel/office building (with burial crypts) at the Catholic Cemeteries site, while neighbors urged engineering studies and protections for a longstanding tree line and raised questions about drainage and past monument practices.
The Omaha Planning Board approved a major amendment to a conditional-use permit and a waiver to allow a 41-foot-tall building at the Catholic Cemeteries site near West Center Road, subject to conditions in the staff report.
Joe Zadina of Zadina Consulting introduced the amendment and said the team had held an open house for neighbors and would continue coordinating with public works on stormwater. He pledged to submit required engineering studies and said the project team would "not add any more flow to the city system than is there today."
Neighbors offered lengthy testimony, describing decades of localized flooding and concerns that a new building could alter historical drainage. Rob Harding said the cemetery had previously allowed upright headstones in an area he believed should remain flush to the ground and told the board, "They're violating that second amendment," referring to prior planning conditions. Other neighbors said the pipe and inlet system behind their homes appeared clogged or undersized and asked the cemetery to TV and jet the drains and to preserve a 35-to-50-foot evergreen tree buffer.
Deacon Steve Hill, director for Catholic Cemeteries, said the planned building would include a chapel and offices and would include some burial crypts from day one, which is why the applicant described a mausoleum component. He and the consultants said they would perform sewer inspections, coordinate with public works and engage arboricultural review to preserve trees as feasible.
Staff recommended approval with conditions, including stormwater compliance and grading/landscaping plans at building-permit submittal. After discussion and public comment, the board approved the amendment and height waiver; the vote was recorded in the affirmative.
Why it matters: neighbors around the site have a long history of stormwater impacts and tree buffers that provide privacy. The project team committed to additional engineering study and coordination with the city, but residents sought clearer commitments on maintenance and tree protection.
Next steps: the applicant must satisfy the planning conditions, coordinate required engineering and grading work with Public Works, and return materials required for building-permit review.
