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Council grants Pete’s Safari temporary conditional use permit after months of inspections and public testimony
Summary
After a lengthy public hearing with dozens of supporters, the council adopted an amended conditional‑use permit allowing Pete’s Safari to operate under a narrower set of conditions (nonprofit status and a term through April 1, 2027) while staff and the owner work on building permits and safety fixes.
The Grand Island City Council approved a conditional‑use permit (CUP) for Pete’s Safari on July 28, after extended public comment and council deliberations on zoning, safety and practicability.
Planning staff presented the background: inspectors identified multiple unpermitted structures on the Petersons’ property after an electrical contractor sought an upgraded service. Staff recommended a CUP to allow the facility to operate as a private club while bringing the property into compliance; the proposed resolution contained multiple conditions and phased timelines (some allowances up to three years) to meet building, setback and accessibility requirements.
Owner Kevin Peterson and attorney Galen Stellick told the council the attraction is open roughly 70 days a year, serves special‑needs groups and schools, and has passed USDA and state fire marshal spot inspections. Many residents — including grandparents, nursing‑home staff and local business owners — urged council to preserve the operation for its educational and tourism value and pushed back on requirements such as permanent bathrooms or fully paved parking lots.
Council debate focused on the legal scope of a CUP (zoning‑only authority) and the limits of city power to relax state building or federal ADA rules. After significant discussion about plumbing fixture counts, parking surface requirements and permit timelines, councilmember Hossy moved to amend the draft resolution by removing most of the proposed conditions and retaining only two requirements: that the operator obtain nonprofit status (section f) and that the CUP expire on 2027‑04‑01 (section l, as amended). The council adopted the amendment and then the CUP as amended.
The final, amended action allows Pete’s Safari to continue operating with fewer written conditions but keeps the timeline for substantive corrective work and requires the nonprofit application step. Staff said building‑permits and electrical corrections remain necessary; the building official offered to do a building‑by‑building inspection and work with the owner on a prioritized permit list. The council and petitioner asked for and discussed potential grant or funding avenues to help meet infrastructure costs such as accessible restrooms and parking surfaces.
Outcome: council adopted the conditional use permit as amended, enabling Pete’s Safari to operate while the owner and staff pursue permits and compliance measures. Several councilmembers emphasized safety and asked staff to ensure electrical and occupant‑load issues are fixed promptly.
