The Kearney City Planning Commission voted to approve two rezonings and both the preliminary and final plats for the proposed McCaslin Subdivision, located north of the corporate limits along Second Avenue. The commission approved rezoning number 2025-08 (AG to CO), rezoning number 2025-09 (AG to C2), and preliminary and final plat number 2025-06.

Craig Bennett of Miller and Associates presented the application on behalf of property owner Keith McCaslin. Bennett described a site that includes an area of prior borrow and fill work, portions of mapped FEMA floodplain and a floodway, and a detention cell (borrow pit) that the applicant has modified to lift some eastern lots out of the floodplain. He said the development would be served initially by private wells and septic and that sanitary sewer service is roughly a half-mile from the site. "The closest sanitary sewer is a 30-inch trunk main; it's about a half a mile south," Bennett said, adding that extensions would be tied into the larger city system when available.

City planning staff recommended approval, finding the proposed CO and C2 zoning consistent with the city's future land-use designation (MU2) and that the lots meet site-development regulations. Staff noted roadway dedications for public access, a regional stormwater detention cell to serve proposed lots, and that the subdivision layout is consistent with the Feb. 2016 comprehensive plan.

During public comment, Tom McCarty of Clearview Subdivision, who identified himself as a Coldwell Banker real-estate broker and neighbor, said he preferred residential use but did not state opposition to the application. McCarty asked whether Seventieth Street would be paved to city standards before building permits are issued for front lots; staff replied that developers must build streets adjacent to the property they are developing to city standards (paved concrete with curb and gutter) and that construction can be phased. "It is the intention of the city that the developer will build the streets to city standards," staff said.

Neighbor Kenneth Richter, whose property lies north of the site, expressed long-running concern about drainage through his land. "Water's been coming through there forever," Richter said, and he told the commission the detention cell overflowed during a recent heavy rain. Bennett and staff answered that the subdivision must provide required stormwater detention for post-development conditions and that the design will detain increased runoff for a 10-year storm and release at the predevelopment rate.

Commissioners and staff also discussed access management on Second Avenue. Staff said the city works with the Nebraska Department of Transportation to limit direct driveway access to Second Avenue and that access to the subdivision's lots to the east would be via Seventieth Street and 60 Ninth Street rather than direct curb cuts on Second Avenue.

After questions and discussion, commissioners moved, seconded and approved the two rezonings and the preliminary and final plats. The votes were recorded as aye by the commissioners present and the motions carried.

The record reflects that infrastructure items — sanitary sewer timing, exact water main extensions, the design and elevation of a floodway structure for Seventieth Street, and final detentions — remain subject to engineering design and future permits. The city advised that property owners concerned about speed limits along Second Avenue may petition the state for a speed evaluation; staff said the city can advise residents on the agency contact process.

The commission closed the hearings and approved the rezonings and plats to move forward under city procedures.