New city subdivision gets go-ahead

McCOOK, Neb. -- City Council approved the final plat for a new subdivision near the intersection of County Road 383 and what would be an extension of West J Street, County Road 716. The Bishop Acres Subdivision will consist of four three-acre lots and representatives for the project said they intended to include covenants preventing mobile homes on the property.

City Manager Nate Schneider said Monday evening the subdivision agreement also included language notifying potential buyers the city could annex the area in the future. Schneider said recent discussions indicated the city was considering annexation and expanding city limits to the west appeared to be the direction the city was moving in.

Schneider said it was not a certainty but he believed it was only fair to let people know it was a possibility and property owners could have additional taxes levied against them for improvements made by the city.

Councilwoman Janet Hepp raised concerns of lower valued properties being constructed in the subdivision and having a negative affect on neighbors. Schneider said mobile homes were within the authorized uses of the property as it was zoned now but the applicant, Alan Bishop, indicated he was placing covenants to prevent mobile homes.

Bishop said he didn't want trailer homes on the property and would require modular homes include a basement or at least be on a foundation.

Following a public hearing to discuss the subdivision application City Council unanimously approved the item. The Planning Commission and city staff both recommend approval of the subdivision.

Construction of a new eight-bay hangar at McCook Ben Nelson Regional Airport advanced. City Council approved an engineering services agreement between the city and W Design Associates related to the project. Ninety percent of the $711,360 hangar construction cost is being funded by a Airport Improvement Plan federal grant, according to city staff. The city will be responsible for budgeting an approximate $71,136 match for the project.

Mayor Dennis Berry's appointments to several advisory boards were approved. The appointments included reappointing Steve Keene and Bruce McDowell to the Airport Zoning Board; reappointing Greg Larson, Fred Shepherd and Jerry Reitz, with Marlene Foster as an alternate, to the Board of Zoning Adjustment; reappointing Linda Taylor to the Economic Development Plan Citizen's Advisory Review Committee; reappointing Dale Dueland and Jason Grigg to the Economic Development Plan Loan Committee; appointing Nate Schneider, Isaac Brown, Richard Klug, Mary Beth Eisenmenger and Dennis Berry to the Board of Health; reappointing Terry Peterson to the Housing Agency; reappointing Mark Friehe and Tom Lentz to the Parks Advisory Board; and reappointing Donald Harpst and Kurt Vosburg to the Planning Commission.