Planning Commission grants one-year extension for Deer Crossing retail center entitlements

The Planning Commission granted a one-year extension of time on March 20 for the Deer Crossing Retail Center entitlement, extending the project’s approval to March 20, 2025.

Assistant Planner Mikaela Noble told commissioners that the time-extension request was filed by the new property owner in advance of the original entitlement expiration, as required by the Lincoln Municipal Code, and that the extension would provide the owner time to review the approved project and explore revisions that remain consistent with city standards. The Deer Crossing project consists of a 24,000-square-foot retail center in four buildings at the southwest corner of McBean Park Drive and Oak Tree Lane. Noble noted that one public comment asked about pedestrian and bicycle access; staff confirmed sidewalks and bike lanes on McBean Park Drive and Oaktree Lane would provide safe access.

Commissioners asked about prior appeal issues; staff and the applicant said earlier appeals had raised concerns about the proximity of the commercial center to an adjacent church/school site. The earlier approval included a condition addressing separation (an eight-foot wall), and that condition remains applicable under the time extension. A motion to grant the one-year extension passed unanimously, 7–0.

What’s next: the applicant has until March 20, 2025 to pursue any revisions and permits; original conditions of approval remain in effect.