The North Platte Planning Commission on Aug. 28 recommended that City Council not adopt the 2025 annexation plan for East Sixth Street, after a lengthy public hearing in which multiple property owners voiced opposition.

Staff presented an annexation study identifying nine areas for immediate annexation (approximately 23.23 acres) under the city’s annexation policy (Chapter 11 of the comprehensive plan). The study listed parcels, noted where city water, sewer and electric exist or would need extension, and recommended adoption to bring adjacent developed areas into city limits for equity of services and future orderly growth.

Several neighbors spoke in opposition during the public hearing. Dottie Erickson, a property owner on East Sixth Street, said, "I am completely against the annexation," citing expected higher property taxes and limited present benefit. Other speakers — including Ed Sterner and John Erickson — said they value a semi‑rural lifestyle with animals and small‑scale agricultural uses, that drainage and road conditions raise safety concerns, and that some properties historically designated county or industrial had been treated inconsistently in prior annexations.

Staff and commissioners responded that many properties in the study area already have access to city utilities and that the extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) already subjects some planning and zoning standards to city code; staff explained legal nonconforming‑use protections for animals and other longstanding uses. Still, the commission debated equity (taxation vs. service), infrastructure availability and whether immediate annexation is appropriate. Commissioner Van Velsen moved, seconded by Commissioner Jet, that the commission recommend not adopting the annexation plan; the motion passed and the commission’s recommendation will be transmitted to City Council. Regardless of the commission’s recommendation, staff noted the council will receive the full study and make the final decision; the council’s schedule will include multiple readings as required by state statute.

Residents were advised to raise their concerns again at City Council hearings; staff indicated that engineering and assessment questions, including where road and sewer extensions are required, will be addressed in subsequent processes if annexation moves forward.