The North Platte city council, with two members absent, debated solar farms, stables and event centers on the edges of the city Tuesday, reaching decisions by divided votes.
Other proposals at the meeting were tabled, largely because Councilmen Pete Volz and Brian Flanders were absent. Mayor Brandon Kelliher cast several deciding votes during the meeting.
It was the third meeting of the city council in three weeks, an indicator of the relatively rapid pace of development in the city. Normally, the council meets twice a month.
Event centers
Among the new ordinances that were presented for consideration, event centers would be allowed as conditional uses in A-1 transitional agricultural districts.
Conditional uses allow zoning officials to impose conditions on such developments, such as fencing, distance from neighboring property owners, timelines, and other requirements.
During the public hearing, resident Michael Cook said that several times in North Platte, conditional use permits have been granted and later revoked after the development did not materialize, and properties become dilapidated. He asked the council to consider some regulations to ensure that doesn’t happen.
The council made no changes to a proposed ordinance on event centers and approved it on first reading by a 5-1 vote, with Donna Tryon casting the no vote.
City Planning Administrator Judy Clark said there is a project ready to go once the ordinance passes, and even if the three-reading rule was waived, the developer would still have to take some steps before starting the project.
Brad Garrick moved to waive the rule that requires three readings. Lucas and Rieker voiced objections to waiving the requirement in the interests of further discussion and consideration. Garrick withdrew his motion after the discussion.
Clark said she would talk with city attorney Bill Troshynski about adding more safeguards against the abandonment of developments that are approved by conditional use permit. Kelliher said the council might consider an ordinance to that effect.
Stables
Next, the council considered allowing commercial stables outside city limits on a parcel of 10.1 acres or more. A stable would be permitted, but again, officials could impose conditions, such as fencing and other requirements.
Councilman Ty Lucas asked if an acreage less than 10.1 acres could be approved for commercial stables, and Clark said no, it would need at least 10.1 acres. The amendment passed on first reading with a vote of 5-2, with Woods and Tryon voting no. Due to the need for a five votes to advance, Kelliher cast the deciding yes vote.
Solar farms
Two more public hearings dealt with solar farms.
The first was to allow ground-mounted, rammed-post, typically low-intensity commercial solar farms by right in industrial areas and as a conditional use in A-1 districts. Gary Person, president of the Chamber and Development Corporation, spoke in favor. He said prospective developers typically ask about North Platte’s options for green energy.
Councilman Ed Rieker asked City Administrator Layne Groseth if the city’s contract with the Nebraska Public Power District allows the city to purchase energy from other sources. Groseth said yes, up to 10% of the city’s total needs would be allowed.
Groseth said two developers have approached the city about possibly solar farms, but nothing is concrete.
The council heatedly debated whether green energy is practical and cost-effective. Ed Woods said he couldn’t support solar farms, that Gerald Gentleman can burn coal with water vapor in the exhaust, and it there is no need to develop solar, especially when it is federally subsidized with taxpayer’s money.
Jim Nisley said solar power will diversify the sources of energy, which is a good thing.
As their voices grew louder, Kelliher quieted the discussion. He said the future of solar power in the U.S. was not the issue before the council.
Lucas said he supports solar development, but said the city should walk before it runs and require developers to present their plans to the planning commission and city council for approval.
Rieker said there are properties on the edges of town that seem suited for solar projects.
Lucas moved to require a conditional use permit regardless of where a solar farm is built. The council agreed, 5-2, with Tryon and Woods again voting no. Once again, the mayor cast the fifth vote to advance the proposal.
And, the council voted to adopt an ordinance regulating solar farms within city limits. The ordinance was amended to require a conditional use permit in all zones. The ordinance passed on 5-1 vote, with Tyron and Woods voting no. The mayor again cast the final vote to pass the ordinance.
Both ordinance changes were approved on first reading. The three-reading rule remains in effect.
Further consideration
A hearing on the MicroTIF application from the Lincoln County Community Development Corporation, was removed from the agenda.
During the meeting, the council decided to table two items:
- A resolution allowing the North Platte Airport Authority to levy an additional 3.5 cents in property taxes.
- A resolution allowing the mayor to submit the city’s PRO Housing application for $4.5 million in federal funds to acquire, remove and remediate dilapidated properties.
Both items required five yes votes to pass. The first item was tabled by 4-2 vote, with Councilmen Jim Nisley and Mark Woods voting against postponement. The second item was tabled by a vote of 4-3, with Councilman Ed Rieker, Woods, and Councilwoman Donna Tryon voting against postponement. The mayor cast the deciding, majority vote to table.
Both items are expected to be reconsidered by the council on Oct. 15.
In other business, the council approved:
- The relocation of three 60-foot aviation towers at Lee Bird Field.
- A bid from Western Resources Group to receive recyclable plastics and paper from the city of North Platte. Groseth said the contract could reduce the city’s cost by nearly half.
- New stop signs at several intersections; 1) Business Park Dr. southbound at State Farm Road, 2) William Ave. in both directions at Ash St. 3) Adams Ave. in both directions at Third St. 4) Washington Ave. in both directions at Third St., and Lincoln Ave. in both directions at Third St.
- An increase from $1.50 to $2 in the fee for sending bills to businesses for patients, customers, etc. for ride Public Transit rides.
- A collective bargaining agreement between the city of North Platte and IBEW 1597, representing workers at Municipal Light and Water, from Oct. 1, 2024 to Sept. 30, 2027.
- An application by the Fraternal Order of Eagles 2839 for a special designated license from 4 p.m.-12 a.m. on Oct. 12 for a Pheasants Forever fundraiser.
- The minutes from the Sept. 17 and 24 meetings.
- Payment of the claims (i.e., the bills).
NOTE: Information about the increased Public Transit fee has been corrected and clarified. The fee to ride the bus has not increased. -Editor
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Disregarding the arguments of the usefulness and such of solar power. I don’t believe solar farms belong in the city or nearby unless the land they are located on is not practical for other purposes. Otherwise, we sprawl out the city over a much larger area than it needs to be. Inside the city, solar should be primarily on the roofs of large buildings. Covered parking lots might be an interesting option, but with the winds we have here, it might not be practical from an engineering or economic standpoint. I’m glad they are pushing for a conditional use for solar.