Planning commission approves rezoning for 1416 East 30th Drive to allow fourplex conversion

The Kearney City Planning Commission voted to approve rezoning application 2026-18 for 1416 East 30th Drive, authorizing a change from R1 (urban residential single-family) to R2 (urban residential mixed density). The commission's action follows a staff review that found the proposal consistent with the city's future land use designation and the 2016 comprehensive plan.

Mitch Humphrey, representing the applicants and identifying himself as with Buffalo Survey Incorporation, presented the request and described the property as Lots 19 and 20 of Sunny Acres Subdivision. "For the record, my name is Mitch Humphrey. I'm with Buffalo Survey Incorporation located here in Kearney, and I'm here to present this project on behalf of Cadaver LLC regarding this project," Humphrey said. He said the structure had been used historically as a sixplex and that the owners want to reconfigure it as a fourplex to bring it into greater conformance with code.

Planning staff (Melissa) told the commission the lot meets R2 lot width and lot size requirements and that the proposed rezoning aligns with the comprehensive plan. "The proposed rezoning is compatible with the future land use designation and purpose," she said, noting the structure has been vacant since 2017 and therefore cannot be considered a legally nonconforming use under current code. Staff recommended no formal recommendation but provided notations and clarifications about code conformance and landscaping requirements.

Commissioners asked technical questions about utility meters and landscaping and were told utilities could be configured to meet requirements for future subdivision or unitization. The Chair opened the public hearing; no members of the public offered comment. A motion to approve rezoning 2026-18 was moved and seconded and passed on a roll call vote.