[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6553928,"mediaKeyId","5033959-148adc0a066bb20d5333010153bb61f8","parentId",5033959,"title","Commission grants conditional use permit for sand and gravel operation with added buffer and conditions","audioSeconds",3359,"startMs",1407000,"endMs",4766000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5033959-148adc0a066bb20d5333010153bb61f8&start=1407&end=4766","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5033959-148adc0a066bb20d5333010153bb61f8/thumbnail_1407000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6553928/Kearney-City/Buffalo-County/Nebraska/Commission-grants-conditional-use-permit-for-sand-and-gravel-operation-with-added-buffer-and-conditions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6553928-651f7879368ac66f645d6adc312c8c7b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442814&Signature=SF-9yy~UDKLaheWfFXod3C4EcpS~q3ehEGeb17qNMzOecpF2Fks-XX8m~FFt8~HhvVgxrP2dP3A~DYTrLlqZwMwqfDtCmTSXATsbbX--uwLXcJGBp0s5rKfbzt6eINll~DyxWWoW0aABLV9fVctfGDz3iLXzBdZ2adH~X8tz5KVOxBI0y8aK4qsRQJ2FIO4OJMqFdlOuNdgkMghg0cTQER-YagkRKynNsNu1tDKpxSp3rv-T~E4Dx8vJ-py5wgpU6zv~UH8Vgy6p24FOPu9L6LEZ2zsWQtlKQZypZgvm8DTrr8sBq2120yFbuFN2z2uVjJiPBzE3YRfHRiYGHWR73g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Kearney","date","2025-06-20T00:00:00Z","article","The Kearney City Planning Commission recommended approval to the City Council of a conditional use permit (CUP) to allow resource extraction (sand and gravel) on property east of Cherry Avenue and south of 11th Street, subject to 18 standard conditions and a specific modification requiring a 10‑foot landscape buffer along the east property line when extraction reaches that edge.

Applicant Roger Harters (representing landowner) presented the proposal and said operator Keith Becker intends to extract roughly two acres of gravel per year from the roughly 30‑acre site and use topsoil removed during extraction to raise portions of the property about 2 feet to get them out of the 500‑year floodplain. Harters said the operation would use berms, tree rows and staged stripping to reduce blowing sand, and that sand would be pumped back into ponds after initial extraction in the first two years in typical extraction phasing.

Multiple nearby residents opposed the CUP at the hearing. Sharon Rose, who identified her address as 4407 East 11th Street and said her property is adjacent, said her house has had basement flooding three times and she worries the operation could raise the groundwater table and damage her property value. Other neighbors described prior problems with blowing sand from an existing pit to the east that had drifted onto Interstate 80 and along local roads and asked how the city would mitigate dust and sand movement.

City planner Melissa Doherty O'Hara summarized staff findings. Staff recommended approval with conditions including: a minimum 50‑foot setback for extraction and 50‑foot setback for stockpiles from property lines (no extraction within the 50‑foot setback), a 10‑foot landscape buffer yard and opaque screening along the north, south and west property lines, a maximum stockpile height of 35 feet, and stormwater controls. Staff noted that the CUP includes routine reporting and that operators must be identified so staff can respond to complaints. The staff report also stated that, historically, Kearney had not required an engineered geotechnical study resolving groundwater impacts for similar sand and gravel CUPs but that such a study would be necessary to provide hard numbers if the commission or neighbors demanded it.

Commission discussion covered the potential effect on the water table, the frequency and scale of extraction, traffic patterns (applicant said material typically goes to county projects and county hauling will determine routes), and mitigation for windborne sand. Commissioners and the applicant discussed vegetative windbreak options including cotoneaster and evergreens and the practical tension between requiring a permanent buffer while the operator may be irrigating and cropping the ground in early years.

The commission amended the staff conditions by adding to condition 8 a subsection (b) requiring: “At such time the extraction area reaches the extent of the east side of the operation, a minimum 10‑foot landscape buffer yard must be installed, and the opaque screen shall meet the requirements of section 46‑107(B) of the Unified Land Development Ordinance.” The commission also approved an initial CUP duration of five years (the staff‑recommended initial duration) with the possibility of nonrenewal or revocation if conditions are violated. The commission’s motion approving CUP number 2025‑02 (as recorded) carried with all commissioners present voting in favor.

Melissa O'Hara noted that the CUP will next be reviewed by Kearney City Council at its July 8 meeting and that the council is the final decision‑maker. She also said that if complaints arise the city can require changes, amendments or, in extreme cases, revoke the permit. Harters told the commission he intends to control dust and erosion and said he owns machinery to maintain the site and plant cover as needed.

The record shows neighbors remain concerned about groundwater and blowing sand; staff told the commission that a geotechnical study would be required only if the commission or applicant asked for hard numbers on groundwater impacts. The planning commission’s approval includes conditions intended to mitigate visual, dust and setback impacts and creates a process for staff oversight and potential enforcement through the five‑year CUP term.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Kearney - Planning Commission Meeting - Jun 20, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Kearney City Planning Commission recommended approval to the City Council of a conditional use permit for a sand and gravel resource‑extraction operation east of Cherry Avenue, with conditions requiring setbacks, stormwater controls, screening and a 10‑foot landscape buffer on the east when extraction reaches that edge.","taxTitle","Kearney City, Buffalo County, Nebraska","taxId",56920,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6553933,"Commission backs rezoning, final plat and annexation for 5.12‑acre site near Kearney Regional Medical Center",519,453000,972000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5033959-148adc0a066bb20d5333010153bb61f8&start=453&end=972","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5033959-148adc0a066bb20d5333010153bb61f8/thumbnail_453000.jpg","/articles/6553933/Kearney-City/Buffalo-County/Nebraska/Commission-backs-rezoning-final-plat-and-annexation-for-512acre-site-near-Kearney-Regional-Medical-Center","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6553933-46112d96a7e4caf8101f93bddd985f34/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442814&Signature=dQbhi2jnRPux-RskkTuUwEIRrD4epM5KvUhbYFQxXNXGwNEr33XiBYvslQa0JrctLz8i3abatirPR25KCfyc1UyljLwC6te91cTuVfcdt7edIT3mHUYaERdSL~I9OmDPxzB8e6DjmstQkZf6KPEkco-Q-VqPZb4ofaetuxpLeQU~ctDenRZVDjTu~THMNeh5tDxdq-Oq4EmPp5Ww6lqLl-LSkYfZbWNLBExTWO9OoE2SnFqmrILvqPFpibzFbc5Y5dqYYgQyuh3iVf3WLCPIdv5UgOsmSOs4p1pxVrX0IjM~KG0v7yd29JJuowEYT2RH-trsSuKIQY1UkaIeUHWf6Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Kearney City Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of three linked actions — rezoning, final plat and annexation — for a 5.12‑acre parcel west of 20 Second Avenue adjacent to Kearney Regional Medical Center.

Craig Bennett, representing property owner KPT and G LLC, described plans for a two‑lot subdivision that includes construction of Sixth Street and utility extensions. Bennett said sanitary sewer and water infrastructure have been brought to the Sixth Street terminus in previous phases, that the site includes detention cells constructed during earlier development, and that the site lies within FEMA flood zones (the speaker described areas with 1 percent and 0.2 percent annual flood risk) and will be built up to at least one foot above base flood elevation where required.

Bennett said the two lots would be suitable for medical office buildings; he said exact building plans and employee counts have not been determined. He also told the commission the applicant plans to annex the 5.12 acres into the city and extend Sixth Street westerly with a temporary cul‑de‑sac and utility stubs to the property line of Kearney Public Schools to allow future continuation of the street.

City planner Melissa Doherty O'Hara said staff found the rezoning from AG (Agricultural) to CO (Office) is consistent with recent development trends, compatible with the Future Land Use (MU‑1) designation, compliant with site development regulations and consistent with the 2016 comprehensive plan. Staff recommended approval of the rezoning, the final plat (listed as final plat number 2025‑08) and the annexation (annexation number 2025‑02) as presented.

Commissioners moved, seconded and voted to recommend approval of rezoning number 2025‑11, final plat number 2025‑08 and annexation number 2025‑02. The motions passed with the commissioners present voting in favor.

The final action rests with the City Council. If council approves the annexation and plats, the applicant will be required to complete standard utility and street improvements, subdivision agreements and any building permit approvals before development begins.","The Planning Commission approved rezoning from AG to CO, a two‑lot final plat and annexation for a 5.12‑acre parcel west of 20 Second Avenue adjacent to Kearney Regional Medical Center.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6553938,"Planning commission approves one‑lot BHT subdivision at 11th Street and Cherry Avenue",61,159000,220000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5033959-148adc0a066bb20d5333010153bb61f8&start=159&end=220","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5033959-148adc0a066bb20d5333010153bb61f8/thumbnail_159000.jpg","/articles/6553938/Kearney-City/Buffalo-County/Nebraska/Planning-commission-approves-onelot-BHT-subdivision-at-11th-Street-and-Cherry-Avenue","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6553938-6497f20c96367e2a14eef77dbcdfbefe/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442814&Signature=JD~Y3~9RQTeeZnR2G2yRWkYEeXMczEQ~jWgKA6tOTVsVToMxEyZ-huEUPVZ3jxPsT1z2~eYJ1XeFWhMyHmknnXlW85ay7W6gEfKmS7-K2doG5siMxKpTIewPo1MXLymw4lT8QALAmwxNL5XL0bxOE8Lm4ihno88iiYkXG740nc1bw3W6kk~j0MDAYXo9UzjtOr1N~6dNxdAL2vM8zDjDFz6qyFQuH6xOcrph1lCg1Ya-iBVibWXfalm0M1Og1dISdRpMB1juNyPvZayKDEzFrOz4559kUhCb2ZkvM29zUTqDvgt0GY-9QW23xLRZRjVerLgM1~d0iKz1DGuvVlK2Aw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Kearney City Planning Commission approved preliminary and final plats Tuesday to create a one‑lot subdivision for the BHT Subdivision on the southeast corner of 11th Street and Cherry Avenue, clearing the way for a business park building on the parcel.

Trenton Snow, a Kearney land surveyor, told the commission that the owner, Jeff Benson, has already had the property rezoned to BP (Business Park) and intends to build a steel‑frame building for equipment storage, parts, service, sales and rental. Snow said the plat dedicates 17 feet of additional right‑of‑way along 11th Street to make that side 50 feet wide, retains the existing Cherry Avenue line required for the bypass, and adds a 10‑foot utility easement on the street sides. Snow said the lot will use a private well and septic until city services become available and that the owner will sign a subdivision agreement to connect when the city extends services.

City planner Melissa Doherty O'Hara told the commission staff had found the proposed lot width and size meet BP zoning standards, the layout is compatible with surrounding land uses and the development is consistent with the 2016 comprehensive plan. Staff recommended approval of both the preliminary and final plats as presented.

Commissioners moved and seconded the motions; the commission voted to approve preliminary plat number 2025‑07 and, subsequently, final plat number 2025‑07. The motions passed with all voting members present voting in favor.

The plats create a single buildable lot from the owner’s existing parcel and require the owner to comply with standard subdivision agreements before connecting to city water and sewer. The owner is proceeding with a building permit review; Snow said that permit cannot be approved until after final action by the City Council.

The commission closed its hearings on the two items after the staff presentation and applicant remarks and recommended the plats for council approval. The final council action and any future site or building permits will determine timing for construction and utility hookups.

The commission’s action on the BHT Subdivision is administrative: it approves the plats for council review and does not constitute final building permits or utility connections.","The Kearney Planning Commission approved preliminary and final plats to create a one‑lot BHT Subdivision on the southeast corner of 11th Street and Cherry Avenue for a business park building by owner Jeff Benson.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission grants conditional use permit for sand and gravel operation with added buffer and conditions

Commission backs rezoning, final plat and annexation for 5.12‑acre site near Kearney Regional Medical Center

Planning commission approves one‑lot BHT subdivision at 11th Street and Cherry Avenue