NeighborWorks Lincoln gets approval for 18 affordable owner‑occupied infill units at former Aelia Land site
May 27, 2026 | Lancaster County, Nebraska
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The Lincoln‑Lancaster County Planning Commission unanimously approved a combined change of zone and community unit plan May 27 to redevelop the former Aelia Land greenhouse site with a 20‑lot concept that includes 18 affordable, owner‑occupied units developed by NeighborWorks Lincoln.
Planning staff described the request as an R1→R3 change of zone tied to a community unit plan that allows denser infill with five requested waivers (reduced lot widths, reduced front and rear setbacks and private internal roadway). “This is a combined application for both the change of zone and the special permit for the community unit plan,” Planning staff Ben Cullingan said, noting the site is shown in the comprehensive plan for future urban residential and is internal to the block.
Charles Wesy, CEO of NeighborWorks Lincoln, told the commission the project used resident advisory boards and multiple neighborhood meetings to shape access and the central shared green space; the organization intends the internal portion to deliver 18 affordable, owner‑occupied units while two frontage lots would be market rate. Wesy said the project will aim for zero‑entry townhomes on the west side and that the detention basin is planned as a dry basin, not standing water.
Engineers and neighbors asked technical questions. Justin Ensinger (engineer) said the detention design will be a dry basin sized to detain a 24‑hour storm event and released thereafter. A nearby resident and professional engineer described the potential detention depth at about four feet and urged guardrails or alternative designs if standing water were possible; neighbors asked staff about tree preservation and whether underground detention would be feasible (applicant cited high cost).
NeighborWorks outlined affordable price targets that depend on funding: if financing targets 80% area median income for first‑time buyers, three‑bedroom units would need to be priced around $210,000; with deeper funding the price could rise to $250,000–$275,000.
Commissioners praised the pocket‑neighborhood design (front porches facing shared green) and NeighborWorks’ engagement approach and approved both the zone change and the CUP 7–0.
Next steps include final engineering submittals, continued resident advisory input on amenities, and pursuit of state affordable housing funding.
Planning staff described the request as an R1→R3 change of zone tied to a community unit plan that allows denser infill with five requested waivers (reduced lot widths, reduced front and rear setbacks and private internal roadway). “This is a combined application for both the change of zone and the special permit for the community unit plan,” Planning staff Ben Cullingan said, noting the site is shown in the comprehensive plan for future urban residential and is internal to the block.
Charles Wesy, CEO of NeighborWorks Lincoln, told the commission the project used resident advisory boards and multiple neighborhood meetings to shape access and the central shared green space; the organization intends the internal portion to deliver 18 affordable, owner‑occupied units while two frontage lots would be market rate. Wesy said the project will aim for zero‑entry townhomes on the west side and that the detention basin is planned as a dry basin, not standing water.
Engineers and neighbors asked technical questions. Justin Ensinger (engineer) said the detention design will be a dry basin sized to detain a 24‑hour storm event and released thereafter. A nearby resident and professional engineer described the potential detention depth at about four feet and urged guardrails or alternative designs if standing water were possible; neighbors asked staff about tree preservation and whether underground detention would be feasible (applicant cited high cost).
NeighborWorks outlined affordable price targets that depend on funding: if financing targets 80% area median income for first‑time buyers, three‑bedroom units would need to be priced around $210,000; with deeper funding the price could rise to $250,000–$275,000.
Commissioners praised the pocket‑neighborhood design (front porches facing shared green) and NeighborWorks’ engagement approach and approved both the zone change and the CUP 7–0.
Next steps include final engineering submittals, continued resident advisory input on amenities, and pursuit of state affordable housing funding.
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