Gage County Meetings
By Don Schuller
12/22/23 Committee Meeting:
Committee meeting 12/22/23
Planning and Zoning (P & Z) Commission Administrator Lisa Wiegand reported that the special use permit for a telecommunications tower in Blakely Township was unanimously approved by a 6-0 vote of the P & Z Commission with one member absent.
Wiegand said the review of the regulations for Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) requested by the county board has a cascading effect on all regulations.
After discussion, the P & Z Commission voted 5-1 in favor of recommending a review of all zoning regulations. The recommendation includes forming a focus committee of county supervisors, P & Z members, and private individuals to conduct town hall meetings to get public input.
P & Z Commission Chairman Jeff Argo spoke in favor of the review of all regulations as recommended by the P & Z Commission.
The next P & Z meeting is 7:00 pm, Jan 18th, Supervisor’s Room, second floor of the courthouse.
Supervisor Emily Haxby spoke about applying for grants for bridges and roads. She explained the bridges need to be 30 percent designed to qualify, so the Clatonia Bridge design qualifies. She suggested that we proceed with designs on priority bridges and lower our project total amount to increase our chances of obtaining grants.
Haxby said the deadline for completing the survey to assist in the grant application is mid-January. https://s.surveyplanet.com/64sh4h1t
12/27/23 Regular Meeting:
Comment from the Public:
Margaret Haith spoke representing the village of Liberty and the people of Island Grove Township. Those in attendance at the last P & Z meeting were very disappointed about the approval to give the CAFO regulations along with a review of all zoning regulations back to the county board. She asked that the board tell P & Z the specific regulations within the CAFO regulations we want addressed. She asked if we really want to go through the process on all regulations again.
The board is not allowed to respond during public comment.
Haxby reported Nextlink has connected approximately one quarter of the planned residences to fiber for Internet in the Pickrell area.
Wiegand said the public hearing with the county board for the telecommunications tower in Blakely Township will be at the Jan 24 regular meeting.
Wiegand reported that the P & Z Commission discussed a review of zoning regulations. Members looked through the past permit requests. Changes can affect existing producers. County Attorney Roger Harris said it is a good idea to have a public forum. Many restrictions have taken place in the past five years. According to Harris, when a special use permit is proposed, many who oppose it come while those in favor don’t show up, and he believes that influence from people from outside the county has occurred on certain projects.
County Board of Supervisors Chairman Erich Tiemann stated that Argo suggested hiring a consultant to assist with the update of the regulations. Livestock regulations were updated six years ago. The majority of the other regulations were completed in 2009.
Road and bridge:
Kinney Hill shouldering is complete. I expressed my concern that the guardrails have been removed and will not be reinstalled. Tiemann said people need to be cautious. Shouldering will resume in the spring on East Plum east of the river bridge in the spring.
This highlights the portions of the county meetings I feel are most relevant to my constituents. Use the link below to view the actual minutes and hear audio of the board meeting, when posted.
https://gagecountynebraska.us/board_meetings/enhanced_minutes.aspx
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[email protected] 402-674-3187
