Northrup Grumman requests zoning change

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City Council meeting Monday night will open with a public hearing concerning a request for a zoning change, 5:30 p.m. at the city council chambers at the Municipal Building.

The request comes from Northrop Grumman, through its project sponsor Jennifer Hiatt of Baird Holm LLP,  to rezone two lots from Agricultural to Highway Commercial, for property owned by Northrop Grumman at 38672 U.S. Highway 6, McCook.

The zoning change is being requested so the property can be marketed for future development, according to the city manager’s report. At one time, the property was Highway Commercial but rezoned at the request of owners, Delyla Weskamp and Lee Janssen. Since Northrop has owned it, commercial buildings have been constructed in the vicinity of the lots and the National Guard also located its facility in the area. A zoning change will not create a “spot zone” issue as adjacent properties are also zoned Highway Commercial.

From the regular agenda, the council will be asked whether it wants to have additional meetings to answer questions on the upcoming city sales tax ballot question. The council hosted an informational meeting Tuesday, with representatives from city staff, McCook Community College, McCook Public Schools and McCook Community Foundation Fund.

Other regular agenda items concern the third and final reading of several ordinances, including:

— A zoning change from Industrial Light to Business Commercial, requested by William Watts for property he owns at 1002 East B. Watts would like to use for a RV repair shop.

— Two requests from Jerry Gohl, for a voluntary annexation of a tract of land he owns north of West J Street, known as Heritage Pointe Addition No. 2. (located behind a dentist office) and for a zoning change for the property, from Residential Medium Density District and Agricultural District, to Business Commercial.

— New fees for bulk water available at the city’s water shop, from $5 per cubic foot to $5 per 1,000 gallons and increasing the deposit for fire hydrant meter rentals, from $250 to $1,000.

Consent agenda items, that can be approved in one motion, include:

— The bid from Cahoj Earthmoving, Inc. of Atwood, Kan., in the amount of $170,429.30 for the North Highway 83 drainage improvements, that being the lowest responsible bid.  The repair is for a a major washout on the east side of U.S. hHghway 83, just north of the Nebraska Public Power District office. The cost of the project will be paid by American Rescue Plan Act funds.

— The Addendum to McCook Humane Society Agreement, increasing the contract amount the City of McCook pays for animal services, from $2,940 to $3,690 per month (or $34,281 annually to $44,281 annually) and the annual cap on utilities reduced from $12,000 to $9,000. At the July 5 council meeting, representatives of the McCook Humane Society asked that the monthly amount the city pays to the shelter increase, as based on operating expenses related to McCook pets, the city was only covering 29% percent of costs. The agreement with the shelter has not been revised since 2011.

— Approve an application from Telcom Construction to occupy city right-of-way for the purpose of replacing telephone cable for 1406 East “C” Street and another request to replace telephone cable for 608 Sunset Road.

— Adopt Resolution No. 2022-15 updating the City of McCook Public Transportation Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy.

— Approve the application for a Special Designated liquor license submitted by Loop Brewing Company, for a Farm Show at the Kiplinger Arena, 1412 West 5th Street, on Friday, Nov. 18, 2022 from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. and Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and another special designated liquor license for a wedding reception at the McCook Municipal Auditorium, 302 West 5th Street, on Dec.10, 2022 from 3 p.m. to 1 a.m.

— Recommend approval to the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission the change of location request submitted by Loop Brewing Company LLC, changing the address from 404 West “A” Street to 801 West “C” Street, Suite 5B.

— Consider request and authorize the use of Community Betterment Funds to cover the rental fees for the “Share the Heat” fundraising event at the Heritage Senior Center on Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022.