When rural Seward County resident Dave Kendle presented a plan that would change the way rural housing would be zoned to the Seward County Planning Commission Aug. 18, they voted 7-2 against his proposal.
When that proposal came before the Seward County Board of Commissioners Sept. 2, they did not endorse the process change, but Commission Chair Misty Ahmic said it may be time to revisit the county’s rules on the number of homes allowed in A-1 Agricultural and TA-1 Transitional Agricultural zones.
Ahmic said she will ask the planning commission to study the issue and talk to county residents to see if there is interest in revisiting current zoning or density limits, while still being conscientious about water issues and problems related to spot zoning.
The regulations now limit housing to four residences in a quarter section (160 acres) of land in transitional ag zones and two in agricultural zones. In both areas, the minimum parcel size for a house is five acres.
Kendle, a retired geologist who lives in the Seward County Water Conservation District in the eastern half of the county, had proposed a zoning amendment that, in effect, bypassed the Planning Commission and county board if a property owner lived in a quarter of land in an A-1 Agricultural zone that had the maximum two houses and wanted to build a third.
In his plan, an application that would not require county action could be filed to have the land automatically rezoned transitional, which would allow up to four houses per quarter section.
Ahmic said the perception that the county does not rezone agricultural land to transitional is not wholly accurate, and that when such rezoning happens, it is often approved in areas that abut land already zoned for denser population.
She said there are areas zoned for additional housing along highways and in areas around Ruby and Tamora, but noted that the county is due to update its study of housing needs anticipated in the next few years. In the past, that has been led by the Seward County Chamber and Development Partnership.
Ahmic said the county could consider implementing a larger minimum number of acres – say 30 – to be able to add another residence in a quarter.
Commissioner Darrell Zabrocki said he likes the idea of expanding the acreage requirement but allowing more density in some areas.
“That would be a good compromise,” he said.
Commissioner Scott Pekarek, who is the liaison to the planning commission, said all zoning change applications should still go through the planning commission and county board, regardless of any change in the zoning regulations.
No official action was taken on the proposal.
In another zoning matter before the commissioners, the proposed zoning fee schedule that had been recommended by the planning commission was discussed without action being taken. No one attended a public hearing on the topic.
Courthouse flag discussed
Commissioners also approved a bid for $7,865 from Premier Outdoor Services LLC of Lincoln to wash the exterior of the courthouse as the first step in some maintenance projects that will also help prepare for the United States’ 250th anniversary celebration July 4, 2026.
Once the building has been washed, the county will seek bids for any tuckpointing that needs to be done to the building. Commissioners also discussed the clean-up and painting of the exterior circular staircase on the east side of the building.
The commissioners also endorsed Building and Grounds Superintendent Eric Hofer’s plans to install a 45-foot flagpole on the north lawn of the courthouse instead of replacing the pole and flag that had been atop the courthouse prior to the Aug. 9 windstorm. The pole damage was covered by insurance.
Hofer said the previous flagpole was beyond repair, and it would be more cost effective to have a flagpole on the lawn that would not require the use of a crane for flag replacement or repairs.
The 45-foot height would put the flag near the top of the courthouse. Hofer and the commissioners discussed the proximity of other flagpoles on the lawn but noted the brackets on the building can be removed.
In other action on Sept. 2, the board:
• Appointed Terri Stutzman of Beaver Crossing and Larry Heyen of Milford to the Seward County Aging Services Board.
• Tabled action on vacating Johnson Dam Road pending documentation.
• Corrected the legal description on a resolution approving the Sunset View Addition short form plat from the Aug. 26 meeting.
• Directed Seward County Public Transit Director Brandy Hafer to advertise a public hearing for the purchase of a new ADA compliant minivan.
• Approved a nontransferable conditional use permit to Verizon Wireless for the upgrade or modification of equipment on an existing tower in Township 10 North.
