Council debate: Charging fees for vacant properties

Debate on proposed city fees for vacant properties dominated the city council meeting Tuesday, where several citizens voiced their concerns.

Mayor Brandon Kelliher said the ordinance is aimed at addressing long-vacant properties, particularly those left behind by deceased owners or entirely abandoned. He said the properties often require the most time and resources from the city to resolve. The ultimate goal is to prepare the properties to be sold and returned to productive use.

Five residents voiced concerns about the proposed ordinance.

Robert Halverson, who owns a rental property, worried about unintended consequences — specifically, being charged a fee if a tenant moves out and he takes time to remodel before finding a new one.

Earl Sayer, who owns a small, undevelopable corner lot on East 11th, said he shouldn’t be penalized for holding property he can’t build on.

Pete Jensen argued that property improvements require money, and added fees would discourage necessary renovations. He also criticized the city for providing financial incentives to developers while average citizens receive no similar support.

Candy Martinez asked the mayor how much the city spends annually on vacant properties. Kelliher said that figure would be available at the next meeting. Tracy Martinez questioned the need for the ordinance, suggesting the city could instead use eminent domain.

The mayor explained that the city formed a property resolution team six years ago that identified 176 dilapidated properties. Since then, more than half have been rehabilitated.

He said the proposed ordinance aims to accelerate progress on properties tied up in probate or abandoned by deceased owners.

Councilman Rod Dye questioned why existing ordinances are insufficient. Attorney Tim Brouillette, filling in for the city attorney Bill Troshynski, responded that the proposed ordinance would allow the city to place a lien on a property’s title and pursue foreclosure, which would clear the title and enable the property to be sold at auction. Brouillette said current ordinances are not an effective deterrent, because it can take months to go through a court process to impose even a $35 fine, only for the cycle to repeat.

Councilman Brad Garrick suggested the city consider revising existing ordinances to increase fines and strengthen enforcement.

Councilman Nick McNew asked whether the proposed ordinance would apply to empty lots or only to vacant lots with existing structures.

Brouillette clarified that state law does not permit the city to assess fees on vacant land without buildings. However, he said it would be up to the council to define which types of buildings would fall under the ordinance. McNew raised concerns about potential loopholes in the proposed ordinance, questioning what would prevent a property owner from simply demolishing a building to avoid paying fees. He referenced a photo that Kelliher presented that showed a dilapidated house surrounded by junk cars and debris. McNew noted that, in theory, the owner could evade the fees and the risk of a lien by tearing down the structure.

Councilman Jim Nisley suggested narrowing the ordinance’s scope to target only vacant properties with deceased owners or properties that have been abandoned. Ultimately, the council voted to table the proposed ordinance until the next meeting, where the mayor said a revised version would be presented.

RV parking

A resident has asked the city to reconsider its RV parking ordinance, passed Nov. 7, 2023, after an RV was parked just six feet from her bedroom windows.

Donna Tighe, a resident of Cedarberry Road, voiced concerns over a neighboring 42-foot-long RV that now dominates the view and blocks light from her home. She said the vehicle sits on a newly installed lava rock pad near a curb cut adjacent to her property.

She said it significantly impacts her home’s value, functionality, and livability.

“We wouldn’t have bought our house if this RV had been there,” Tighe told the council, adding that the RV is parked so close it renders 10% of her home’s windows ineffective. “We just want common sense and courtesy restored.”

City staff said the ordinance was initially designed to reduce street-side RV parking, allowing RVs to be parked on a hard surface adjacent to a driveway. The parking area is required to be set-back from sidewalks but not necessarily from neighboring homes. In this case, the RV is not adjacent to the existing driveway, and the surface does not fully meet the ordinance’s “hard surface” definition, raising enforcement questions.

Some council members acknowledged the RV ordinance’s limitations and suggested clarifying its language. Nisley proposed referring the issue to the Planning Commission to explore adjustments without penalizing residents who invested to comply the existing rules.

Tighe’s complaint is the only one received since the ordinance was enacted. The council agreed that the Planning Commission should review the current wording, particularly regarding driveway adjacency, setback clarity, and RV size. Council members expressed willingness to revisit the matter after the Planning Commission’s review.

Rezoning

The council approved the second reading of an ordinance to rezone 2401 E. Philip from an R-3 (Dwelling District) and an I-1 (Light Industrial District) to an R-M (Mobile Home Park District) and an I-1 (Light Industrial) with a 7 to 1 vote.

This is the proposed site for the Newberry Village Park, a 290-unit mobile home park northeast of Bicentennial and Philip, just east of the Cottonwood Terrace mobile home complex.

Councilman Ed Rieker asked whether the council could require the inclusion of a recreational park, as well as curbs and gutters. City Planning Administrator Judy Clark said such requirements could be incorporated into a tax increment financing agreement if the developer applies for TIF.

A public hearing was held during the council’s discussion, due to a clerical error in including it in the agenda. Jean Kay noted that her question had already been addressed, but took the opportunity to express her support for requiring the installation of sidewalks in Newberry Village.

McNew cast the only no vote. He said the mobile home park is a quick, easy fix to a long-term problem — the lack of affordable housing.

Purchase run-down property

The city council authorized the purchase of a fifth run-down property, using grant funds from the state’s Rural Community Recovery Program.

In November 2024, the State Department of Economic Development gave the city $1.25 million to acquire legal titles to deteriorating properties and convert them into affordable housing.

The property at 815 S. Griffith will be purchased for $11,500, which is $1,100 less than the county assessor’s valuation the land. There was no discussion, and the council approved the purchase with a 7-1 vote. Rieker voted against the purchase.

In other business, the council approved:

Final reading of a paving district in “the boot” residential development south of E. Philip on Francis St. from Tabor Ave. to Bryan Ave., and Bryan Ave. from Francis St. north. Two other paving districts were removed from the agenda to finalize the one district. Final reading of an ordinance to create a paving district on Francis Ave. from Bryan Ave. to Devco Ave. The paving will complete Bryan St. and provide a street access for a proposed 40-unit residential area for homeless people who are transitioning to independent living. The council waived the second reading. Final reading of an ordinance to vacate the alley between Chestnut and Walnut near the federal building, a preliminary step to construction of a 28-unit Canteen Commons apartment project. The second reading of an ordinance to rezone 3001 W. Ninth from B-2 (Highway Commercial District) to R-3 (Dwelling District). The addition of Cody Keno lottery at McCabe’s Pub & Lounge. The application by Las Mananitas for a special designated license on June 7 from 6 p.m.-1 a.m. at the American Legion Hall for their North Side Development Project. The re-appointment of Bill McGahan to the North Platte Housing Authority. First National Bank of Omaha as a warrant lender. 41 warrants: one to Level, LLC for $385,758.96 and 40 to NebraskaLand Bank for $13,670,333.31 to pay approved claims. The minutes from May 6. The April treasurer’s report. Paying the bills. © 2025 The North Platte Bulletin. All rights reserved!

Council debate: Charging fees for vacant properties

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