Planning commission approves Turbine Flats PUD expansion to allow Copper Spur apartments

The Lincoln‑Lancaster County Planning Commission approved a change of zone May 27 to expand the Turbine Flats planned unit development and allow a new apartment project called Copper Spur.

Planning staff told the commission the request would expand the existing PUD by about 4.47 acres and rezone a swath of H3 highway commercial to R6 residential PUD. “This request would expand the PUD by a little over 4 acres and would rezone it from H3 commercial to R6 PUD,” Planning and Development Services planner Ben Callahan said, describing waivers to lot and height standards and a proposed 10‑foot green perimeter adjacent to surrounding homes.

Applicant representative Kent Sess said the project consists of two 42‑plex buildings for a total of 84 units and framed the change as infill consistent with the city’s comprehensive plan. “We’re downzoning, but we’re also still consistent with the comprehensive plan,” Sess said, adding the site is near transit and the university and will include a sidewalk connection to North 24th Street.

A key technical point was parking. Staff recommended a reduced parking rate of 1.25 stalls per unit; Callahan told commissioners that level is consistent with nearby downtown multifamily standards. Sess said the project would provide “25% more parking than the typical B3” option the applicant could have pursued and that 1.25 stalls per unit balances density and walkability.

Neighbors spoke during public comment. Bob Reeves of the Clinton neighborhood said he was not opposed to the zone change itself but warned the size of the proposed buildings and reduced parking could change neighborhood character and exacerbate curb‑parking problems near the university. “I think the city’s parking requirements for new apartment buildings are unrealistic,” Reeves said, arguing many off‑campus students still keep cars.

Mary Reeves, another nearby resident, asked whether first‑floor “accessible” units would accommodate wheelchair users and whether an elevator would be provided. Staff and the applicant confirmed that zoning does not require an elevator but that the proposal will include a number of zero‑entry accessible units; the applicant said roughly one‑third of units would be fully accessible.

Commissioners acknowledged the parking and outreach concerns but said the proposal advances infill policy and fills an underused, non‑floodplain site. After discussion, the commission voted 7–0 to approve the change of zone.

The project will proceed to any required city council or county board review where applicable; appeals of the planning commission’s final actions are available to aggrieved parties within 14 days.