The North Platte City Planning Commission on Aug. 28 recommended annexing two parcels from the Branson Second Administrative Subdivision into the city’s corporate limits.

Planning staff described the annexation area as approximately 8.54 acres and said annexation promotes equity for taxpayers, priority of services, orderly growth and potential economic opportunities; staff recommended adoption under Chapter 11 (Annexation) of the city’s comprehensive plan. The staff report noted the subdivision was created more than a year earlier and that property owners had been informed they were required to request annexation.

Michael Cook, who lives on West Eugene, spoke at the public hearing and raised infrastructure concerns. "It would be impossible to run sewer down Eugene without an additional lift station," Cook said, citing conversations with a former city engineer who estimated a lift station might cost about $1 million. Cook also raised questions about the width and condition of Eugene Avenue and about which property owners would bear frontage improvement costs.

Planning staff acknowledged the access and road‑width constraints along Eugene Avenue and explained that the city typically requires right‑of‑way dedication when subdivisions occur; extensions of water and sewer would be assessed to benefitting property owners or handled through utility extension processes. Commissioners voted in favor of recommending annexation (motion by Bain, seconded by Davies); the recommendation will be transmitted to City Council for public hearings and subsequent readings (staff said the council will consider annexation on Nov. 4, with the formal process extending into December under state statute).

The commission’s recommendation does not obligate the city to fund all extensions; staff noted assessments or developer/owner arrangements commonly pay for infrastructure improvements.