New office on West Third approved

McCOOK, Neb. — The owner of a local investment company has been given the green light to build a new office building.

After the public hearing Monday night at the regular council meeting, the McCook City Council voted unanimously to approve a special exception for a professional office to be built at 311 W. Third, sought by Edward Jones/Sharleen Riemenschneider and landowner, Bradley E. and Sharleen R. Riemenschneider.

There was no public comment at the public hearing.

The area is zoned as a residential high density district but the area is unusual as one side of it is also zoned as business, said Nate Schneider, McCook City Manager.

Similar business offices are located in the area, he continued, with the McCook Planning Commission approving the initial special exception on May 14. A variance has also been granted by the McCook Board of Zoning Adjustment for modifications in the front and side yards, so the new building can face West D instead of West Third Street, he said.

On-street diagonal parking will be available for customers, similar to what other office buildings have in the area. A garage will also be located on the lot for employees.

The Riemenschneiders were not present at Monday’s meeting due to unforeseen circumstances, but were present at the planning commission meeting.

Also a Monday night’s meeting, a city councilman pulled a consent agenda item for discussion, before it was approved unanimously.

Councilman Jerry Calvin pulled the request sought by the McCook Area Chamber of Commerce to close certain city streets during “Crazy Days,” July 13-15, for a clarification as to why the streets were being closed.

The chamber requested C Street from West First to West Third, B Street to D Street on West Second and C Street from West First to Norris, be blocked off for a car show on Saturday, July 14. It also requested to close off the drive behind Memorial Auditorium on Friday, July 13 to Saturday, July 14 for the barbecue contest.

For Cruise Night on Friday, July 13, from 6 to 8 p.m., the chamber asked that the stop light on C and Norris be turned off during that time.

Councilperson Janet Hepp commented that Crazy Days last year, and its car show, was “phenomenal..well organized and well patrolled,” and cited the younger generation doing an “outstanding job.”

A total of five applications for special designation liquor licenses were approved Monday night by the council, including those for:

— Tyler Schmick, Schmicks Market Inc. for wedding receptions at the National Guard Armory on June 30 from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m.; the Red Willow County Fairgrounds Community Building on Sept. 15 from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m.; and the McCook Municipal Auditorium on Oct. 27 from 4 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.; and

— the McCook Area Chamber of Commerce/McCook Economic Development Corp. for a Crazy Days reception/mixer at the Fox Theater Friday, July 13, from 1 p.m. to 2 a.m.

— the McCook Area Chamber of Commerce and the McCook Economic Development Corporation for a Crazy Days barbecue and dance Saturday, July 14, at the McCook Municipal Auditorium from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m.