Pals annexation into North Platte wins easy 1st-round City Council approval

Annexation of Pals Brewing Company and three nearby parcels sailed to initial North Platte City Council approval on unanimous 8-0 votes Tuesday. Council members adopted a city annexation study before advancing separate annexation ordinances for each of the four lots. Two more “yes” votes are required before the parcels fronting South Buffalo Bill Avenue are brought inside city limits.

Because the city is initiating the annexations, the council cannot waive any of its remaining votes. Tuesday's North Platte City Council meeting also will include approval to issue the remaining bonds voters approved in 2022 with a temporary half-cent sales tax for three city recreation projects. The North Platte Planning Commission also endorsed rezoning the next stage of the Mulligan Meadows modular housing development for its next 22 single-family homes and three modular rental "four-plexes.



" Otter Investments LLC owns all four lots being annexed, including the site of the Pals microbrewery and restaurant at 4520 S. Buffalo Bill Ave. Also up for annexation are the lots immediately to Pals’ north and south, plus a fourth parcel in the northeast quadrant of the intersection of Buffalo Bill and State Farm Road.

Pals partner Paul Oettinger, the only person to speak during a joint public hearing, said the city helped them out of a jam when it ran sewer lines to the microbrewery so its troublesome septic tank system could be retired. “We greatly appreciated that, and we are just so thankful to be a part of this community all the way around,” Oettinger said. “We have no objections to the annexation, and we look forward to being part of the North Platte community.

” The council also voted 8-0 to adopt a rezoning ordinance enabling the next stages of the Mulligan Meadows modular housing development near Madison Middle School. Members agreed to waive the three-reading rule. The measure created a “planned unit development” for the project’s next 22 single-family units along West 15th Street and North Washington Avenue, as well as three modular “four-plex” apartment buildings on its southeast end closest to River’s Edge Golf Course.

Planning Administrator Judy Clark said the maneuver allows for slight variances in certain lots’ setbacks due to the way they’re laid out. It avoids having to seek separate variances from the city’s Board of Adjustment, she said. Also Tuesday, council members endorsed a joint three-city negotiated settlement with NorthWestern Energy of the latter’s first attempt in 17 years to raise its rates for natural gas delivery.

The Nebraska Public Service Commission still must approve. City Attorney Bill Troshynski said the proposed agreement between the utility and North Platte, Kearney and Grand Island doesn’t cover ratepayers’ cost for gas itself. That fluctuates based on the cost and availability of supplies, he said.

The joint talks, Troshynski added, shaved $1.13 million off the $3.56 million boost in natural gas delivery rates NorthWestern had first proposed.

He said the deal also retains NorthWestern’s surcharge set aside for economic development assistance in each city, including $58,000 a year in North Platte. The city tapped NorthWestern’s economic development fund for $500,000 in 2021 to help pay for extending natural gas service to the Sustainable Beef meatpacking plant, set to start production in May. In other business, the council: • Adopted an ordinance to issue bonds for the remaining $42.

1 million of the $52 million approved by voters in 2022 to expand the North Platte Recreation Complex and Cody Pool and build a replacement skate park in Centennial Park. Council members waived the measure’s two remaining votes. • Gave second-round approval to an ordinance rezoning the Alicia’s Papusas property at 603 E.

Fifth St. and 503 N. Cottonwood St.

from R-3 residential to B-2 highway commercial. It faces a final council vote April 15. • Authorized Fire Department purchases of a $53,784 Chevrolet truck and $391,115 worth of auxiliary equipment, including 45 self-contained breathing apparatuses for firefighters.

Fire Chief Dennis Thompson said the truck from Jerry Remus Chevrolet will replace a 2010 truck used by city Fire Marshal Mike McConnell. The items were approved as part of an 11-item consent agenda. Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.

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