The North Platte Planning Commission has started discussing regulations for solar farms that might someday be located within the city limits.

Planning Administrator Judy Clark said Tuesday there are no current regulations permitting solar farms within the city limits, nor are there any applicants.  

However, due to ongoing discussions about alternative energy, she told the planning commission that it is essential to establish regulations for solar developments. The commissioners agreed that regulations would be beneficial.

Clark proposed locating solar developments on land that is zoned as agricultural, light industrial and heavy industrial, so long as a conditional use permit is granted.

She said she would collaborate with City Attorney Bill Troshynski to draft an ordinance to that effect. A public hearing will then be held in September about the proposed solar regulations.

Also, Clark wants to discuss changes to conditional use permits for commercial stables and event centers at the same meeting in September.

Subdivision

The planning commission approved Wilkinson Development’s application to subdivide Fat Dogs property at 3400 Halligan Drive, just off Exit 179 of I-80. The subdivision plan is to split two parcels into three lots. The first lot is where the new travel center and truck stop is under construction. The other two lots will be available for future development.

The application was approved with a 7-0 vote. Commissioners Nelson Jett and Lee Davies were absent.

Lot changes

In other business, the planning commission approved three applications for lot variances.

City ordinances require the depth of a lot to be no more than three times its width. All three applicants asked for the city to waive the requirement for their projects.

Richard and Tracy Housman are looking to divide the four lots at 1610-1620 Buffalo Bill Ave. into five separate lots. The Housmans have been working on clearing the land so new homes can be built there.

During the discussion, Commissioner Glenn Van Velson inquired about the specific types of houses that would be constructed. Clark said they plan to build stick-built houses. Van Velson also asked whether 49 feet width would be sufficient for a house, to which Clark said that they could manage with just 40 feet.

The application was approved, 5-1. Van Velson cast the no vote. Commissioner Kathleen Matthews abstained due to a conflict of interest.

Clarine Eickhoff, the owner of Diamond E Properties and Eickhoff Construction, would like to add more parking and a garage to property at 815 Mockingbird Drive. She seeks a variance to merge two lots into one to accommodate the changes. This would also provide a small yard between the house and the garage. The application was approved, 7-0.

Also, Maple Park Dental Associates applied for a variance to combine three lots into one at 805 S. Maple. The plan is to move a house off the property and put a parking lot in its place. The commissioners agreed that a parking lot was needed.

The application was approved, 6-0. Chairman David Fudge abstained due to a conflict of interest.

The Fat Dogs’ subdivision and all three lot variances will go before the city council on Sept. 3.

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