The Kearney Board of Aldermen voted unanimously Sept. 15 to rezone approximately 16.537 acres at the northeast corner of Nation Road and West 19th Street from R-1 (low-density residential) to C-1 (neighborhood commercial) as requested by CLMM Land Company LLC for the Wilkerson Farm development.

Why it matters: the rezoning changes allowable land uses and clears the way for a preliminary plat proposing five commercial lots, potentially including space for Fire Station 2, which aldermen said will improve fire protection for the west side of Kearney.

Community Development Director David Pavlich explained the parcel had been zoned R-1 previously because of an old preliminary plat that was never built, but changes to the citys comprehensive plan and a new interchange at 19th Street align the site with commercial and industrial future land use. He said the rezoning is consistent with the updated comprehensive plan and that the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval.

Alderman Lehman, who serves as the citys liaison to the P&Z board, said he supports the rezoning and noted one of the lots is anticipated for Fire Station 2 to improve west-side fire protection. After two readings by title, the ordinance passed on second reading with a unanimous roll-call vote.

Discussion versus decision: staff and P&Z presented the rezoning and its consistency with the comprehensive plan; the aldermen took formal action to adopt the rezoning ordinance. No additional conditions were recorded in the meeting minutes beyond those in the P&Z recommendation.