Planning and Zoning Declines Kearney Crossing Project
/The Kearney Planning and Zoning Commission didn’t buy in to a proposal to rezone an area along the north side of West 92 Highway at Bennett Boulevard to accommodate a combined residential/retail/industrial project. The Commission decided not to endorse the proposal by Brian Mertz of PC Homes after tabling the decision at their last meeting on December 13, 2021.
The Kearney Crossing project would have been located on approximately 32 acres between the Pilot Travel Center and Sam Barr Drive. The original plan would have included five commercial building sites, a self-storage facility, 4-plex townhomes with 96 dwelling units and an apartment complex with 240 units and pool and clubhouse.
To build it, the city would have to rezone the area from General Commercial and Industrial to C-P Commercial Planned District, R-P-3 Medium Density Residential Planned District and R-P-4 High Density Planned District.
Commercial
The plan proposes three commercial sites along 92 Highway West of Bennett Boulevard, plus two commercial sites and a self-storage facility along the East sides of Bennett Boulevard.
Residential
Townhomes are included in the plan and the building area for them would be rezoned R-P-3 Medium Density Residential District. Each 4-plex building will have two 1-garage units and two 2-garage units. 1-garage units have 1,350 square feet and three bedrooms. 2-garage units have 1,530 square feet and three bedrooms.
The apartment complexes would be rezoned to R-P-4 High Density Residential District. The plan proposes 10 building with 24 units, totaling 240 dwelling units. Each building includes: 14 1-bedroom units averaging 750 square feet per unit and 10 2-bedroom units averaging 1,075 square feet per unit.
Although many on the Planning and Zoning Commission liked certain parts of the project, most couldn’t get on board with the total package. Kathy Barger, presiding member of the Commission is optimistic that the area will be developed there in the future.
“Kearney needs multi-family and housing at lower price points, but I'm not sure that's the right place,” said Barger. “It has a lot of potential to be a headache for the city. I hope the commercial [area] does develop there.”
Despite the Planning and Zoning Commission not recommending the Kearney Crossing project, the proposal will be presented at a public hearing at the Board of Aldermen meeting on January 18. Project developers and the general public will have the opportunity to speak again. The aldermen will be informed of the Commission’s decision not to endorse project in its current form, but the aldermen will make the final decision about the project.
KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story
