As the development of Fairway Woods homes south and west of the Seward golf course continues, developers need to remove a considerable number of trees.
The amount of wood that would have to be trucked from that site to the burn pile and the impact of that traffic were factors in the Seward City Council’s Sept. 15 approval of the developers’ plans to place the trees they cut down into a large hole on site and burn them.
Fairway Woods’ first phase of development included homes north of Hillcrest Drive roughly between Eighth Street and the west side of 12th Street. The second phase of development adds homes between those homes and the Seward Golf Course to the north.
Seward Building, Zoning and Code Enforcement Director Tim Dworak said the number of trees involved and housing that currently surrounds the treed area make this a “very unique situation.”
City ordinances ban burning of trees and grasses within city limits unless the Seward fire chief allows a specific exception.
Dworak said both Seward Fire Chief Tayler Mifflin and the state fire marshal’s office have signed off on the plan.
If the trees are not burned on site and have to be trucked to the city burn pile, Dworak said he would likely require trucks to travel west to 14th Street to get to access the western truck bypass around downtown Seward.
Mifflin told the council a similar burn done by a private property owner outside the city limits north of the golf course worked well. He said the developer would like to use a single hole and feed the fire as trees burned to ashes.
Council members John Singleton and Rich Wergin said they would approve the permit with the plan presented and the use of the hole for controlling the burn.
As it approved the measure, the council stipulated that the developer would continue working with the city on its plans and would notify the E911 office and nearby residents of the possible days and times burning will occur, possibly with flyers delivered to their homes.
Developer Thomas Kayton attended the meeting and told council members he would agree to the communication plans.
In other action, Sept. 15, the council:
Endorsed a $2,500 grant application to the Seward Foundation to benefit the Dolly Parton Imagination Library after Seward Kiwanis Foundation Vice President Earl Pierce reported that more than 525 children in Seward County are now receiving books through the program and the Seward Rotary, Milford Kiwanis and Utica Lions Club also support it.
Approved a bulk fuel permit for a proposed Walmart gas station with 60,000-gallon storage that would be built near the Walmart Store.
Approved a $14,300 amendment to The Schemmer Associates for engineering services for an additional filter for the Second Street lift station’s temporary wastewater treatment plant project, bringing the contract to about $96,000.
Agreed to lease for $2,400 monthly space on the city’s new 500,000-gallon water tower to AT&T Mobility Corporation for installation of communication equipment, noting the rate will also be offered for similar communication equipment as it is transferred to the new tower.
Approved a $402,431 contract with Watts Electric Company for underground circuit relocation on East Hillcrest Drive.
Approved an $80,532 funding agreement, which is a 3% or $2,346 increase, for the Seward County Chamber and Development Partnership.
Appointed Darren Daum and Matt Koranda to the Seward Volunteer Fire Department Roster.
Appointed new SCCDP President and CEO Jordan Diedrich to complete the term of Jonathan Jank on the Seward Rail Campus Committee
Reappointed Pat Coldiron to the LB840 Application Review Board for a three-year term.
Referred a personal property damage claim from a resident to the city’s insurance.
Approved several items owned by the city to be sold as surplus.
Designated City Administrator Greg Butcher to review sales and use tax information from the state.
