Redevelopment of the remaining portion of the former Knolls golf course into upscale villas and commercial space hinges on zoning changes considered Monday by the Lincoln City Council.
“We proposed something we thought would fit well in the neighborhood,” said Brad Marshall, with Olsson, which is working on redevelopment plans for the property. “We tried to minimize the impact to the existing properties around the perimeter.”
That involved a significant amount of negotiating, and the proposed zoning changes came to the City Council after developers reached a compromise with neighbors who had a number of concerns with the plans for about 20 acres on the eastern portion of the former golf course south of Old Cheney Road roughly between 22nd and 24th streets.
“Even though we are looking at a change of zone … it shouldn’t be undersold the changes that have been made,” said attorney Andrew Willis, who is representing the developers.
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Still, Craig Smith, who lives in the area, said while neighbors and the developers reached agreement on a number of issues, residents who live near two of the lots want a “first right of refusal” agreement as part of the covenants to buy the lots abutting their property if they go up for sale. He asked for a delay so that could be negotiated.
Marshall said the “right of refusal” is a private issue, not one the City Council has purview over, but he noted that developers invited existing homeowners in the area to be part of the homeowners association, so they have a role in making sure developers hold up the promises they’ve made.
John Tavlin, another area resident, supported the redevelopment plan and urged the City Council to approve the zoning changes.
Many of the concerns raised by neighbors were negotiated as part of a special permit and Community Unit Plan the Lincoln-Lancaster County Planning Commission approved earlier this month. The planning commission had deadlocked on its first vote in December.
The Planning Commission’s vote on the special permit and use permit is final unless someone appeals the action, which has not happened.
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The planning commission also approved the zoning changes now before the council to allow about three dozen villa-style homes to be built along with 75,000 square feet of commercial space.
Marshall described the villas as up-scale homes – $750,000 and above – for people wanting to downsize, and noted the existing zoning would have allowed for more dense housing in the area.
The neighbors’ biggest concern was the addition of commercial space along Old Cheney, where developers are proposing uses that could include a medical office building, a bank branch and a sit-down restaurant.
Other concerns included the potential for increased traffic and the small lot sizes of the proposed homes.
Changes negotiated with neighbors included reducing the number of proposed homes from 36 to 35, increasing setback distances from existing homes for both the residential and commercial portions of the development, requiring a minimum amount of brick facade on the new structures, limiting electronic signage and some height restrictions to the commercial buildings.
On the west half of the property, a retirement community with more than 130 independent-living, assisted-living and memory-care units, opened in 2018.
The council will vote on the zoning changes on the eastern portion of the old golf course at its Feb. 6 meeting.
In other business Monday, the council approved a zoning change that will allow developers to turn a portion of the 7 acres between the MoPac Bike Trail and Deadmans Run in east Lincoln into row-style town homes.
The row houses are part of redevelopment of land along the MoPac Trail between 66th and 70th streets that for years was Finke Gardens & Nursery.
When the owners retired, they sold the site to the owner of Clocktower Animal Clinic, who plans to build a new 8,000-foot animal clinic on the western portion of the site and rehab existing buildings to attract complementary animal-service tenants in addition to building the row-style housing.
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Top Journal Star photos for January 2023
Nebraska Supreme Court Chief Justice Michael Heavican (left) swears in the new senators for 2023, on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023, at Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln.
Sen. John Fredrickson shows his son, Leon, the inside of the west wing on the first day of the 2023 Legislature on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023, at the Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln.
Kristina Konecko, an administrative aide for Sen. Mike Jacobson of North Platte, boxes up items at his old desk Tuesday at the Capitol. The new session begins Wednesday.
Gov. Jim Pillen shakes hands with Senator Tony Vargas after the inauguration ceremony for the governor on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023, at Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln.
A camera flash illuminates the newly elected Gov. Jim Pillen (center left) as he is escorted through the rotunda to the West Chamber to be sworn in on Thursday at Capitol in Lincoln.
Milford’s Izzy Yeackley (left) grabs a rebound in front of Malcolm’s Emma Brown on Thursday in Malcolm.
Tell Hanes (left) of the Waverly Fire Department and Southeast Rural Fire’s Trey Wayne jump over freezing water to high-five while practicing surface ice rescues Friday at Holmes Lake. “We try to run these trainings for both our students and local first responders to make sure they are ready in case anything real happens,” said Andrew Saunders, of the International Rescue and Relief program at Union College.
Lincoln Southeast’s Kaitlyn Freudenberg (from left) tries to hold onto the ball against Lincoln Southwest’s Brinly Christensen and Aniya Seymore on Friday at Lincoln Southwest.
Nebraska’s Kendall Moriarty does push-ups as her teammates cheer after the Huskers beat Penn State on Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Nebraska’s Brock Hardy (right) wrestles Minnesota’s Jakob Bergeland in the 141-pound match, Friday, Jan. 13, 2023, at the Devaney Center.
Ali Al-Mohammed, 17, kicks a soccer ball after school on Tuesday in front of Park Middle School. Renovations at Park that were part of the 2020 bond issue included a new cafeteria space.
Parkview Christian’s Isabella Minatti (middle, right) is fouled against Johnson-Brock during a MUDECAS Tournament semifinal game Thursday at Beatrice Auditorium.
Nebraska’s Emmanuel Bandoumel makes a dunk against Illinois’ Matthew Mayer on Tuesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Nebraska’s Derrick Walker is introduced before the Illnois game, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
A truck passes over an icy Platte River along U.S. 6 on Friday near Ashland. Friday’s temperature failed to get above freezing, but the forecast for Saturday and Sunday is much better, with temperatures in the high 40s and low 50s before precipitation chances Sunday night and Monday.
A pair of ice skaters journey across a frozen Holmes Lake at sunset on Friday, Jan. 13, 2023, in Lincoln. As winter continues, weather this week will be consistently in the 40s with a dry weekend.
Ohio State’s Rebeka Mikulášiková collides with Nebraska’s Maddie Krull as they battle for the ball underneath the rim in the third quarter Saturday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Kyrie Kelley-Johnson, son of Lincoln High head coach Dominique Kelley-Johnson, tries to keep the attention of the players while the Links stretch before their game Saturday at Lincoln High.
Governor Jim Pillen (center) announces the appointment of former governor Pete Ricketts to Nebraska’s open senate seat, during an announcement on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, at Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln. The vacancy, left open by the departure of Ben Sasse, has been expected to go to Ricketts after his depurate from the governorship last year.
Oscar and Yenifer Contreras, (left to right) both family workers, enjoy some of the food they made before lunch on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023, at Restaurante & Bar Sabor Latino in Lincoln.
Parker Moll braves a mix of snow and rain to clear the driveway outside his family’s home on Wednesday.
Ohio State’s Zed Key (left) lays the ball into the basket off of the backboard against Nebraska’s Derrick Walker on Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Nebraska’s Sam Griesel (right) embraces teammate Keisei Tominaga after defeating Ohio State on Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Nebraska’s Isabelle Bourne (left) is blocked at the rim by Maryland’s Gia Cooke on Sunday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Lincoln Pius X’s Jackson Kessler (middle, bottom) celebrates after hitting a three-point shot against Lincoln Southwest on Thursday at Pius X High School.
Nebraska’s Allie Gard completes a back hand spring during her routine on the balance beam during their duel against Maryland on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023, at the Devaney Sports Center.
Reach the writer at 402-473-7226 or mreist@journalstar.com.
On Twitter @LJSreist
