Lincoln City Council approves zoning change, employee program

LINCOLN, Neb. — The Lincoln City Council unanimously approved multiple items during a regular meeting Monday, including an annexation and zoning change that will allow residential development in southwest Lincoln.

The council passed ordinances to annex approximately 9.80 acres at the southeast corner of West Old Cheney Road and Southwest 12th Street, rezoning the property from agricultural to residential district designation. The property is being developed by SW Folsom Development, LLC, and represents continued growth in Lincoln's south and southwest corridors, an area the city's comprehensive plan has designated for expansion.

In other business, the council approved a five-year employee assistance program contract with Continuum Employee Assistance, Training Consultant valued at not more than $405,856.70. The program will serve employees of the City of Lincoln and Lancaster County.

The council also moved forward with updated building and fire codes. Ordinances were passed adopting the 2023 Edition of the National Electrical Code and 2021 editions of the International Mechanical Code, Fuel Gas Code, Plumbing Code, Building Code, Existing Building Code, Residential Building Code and Fire Code. The updates align Lincoln's municipal codes with current national standards.

Eric Hoke and Patrick Finnegan were reappointed to the Citizen Police Advisory Board for terms expiring in November 2028. The council also appointed board members to the Lincoln Electric System Administrative Board, which oversees the publicly-owned municipal utility that serves over 147,000 customers in the region.

Additionally, the council approved a 10-year lease agreement between the city and Lincoln Trap and Skeet Club for use of the southwest portion of the N. 48th Street Solid Waste Management Facility. The council also authorized financing for 262 golf carts for city use through a 57-month lease agreement with Exchange Bank.

The council noted it will not meet on December 22 and 29 due to the Christmas and New Year holidays. All seven council members were present for the vote, which saw items pass unanimously.