NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (KNOP) – The Ogallala City Council has been looking to rezone land for a new casino. It comes after the planning commission voted against the proposal earlier this month.
The council did their best to explain how the process would affect the potential of a casino coming to the area. President of the Ogallala City Council, Steven Krajewski, mentioned the impact their decision would have in further discussion on the topic.
“The issue the council is about to consider is not approaching or denying the casino, but instead, a change of zoning for a specific property from an A1 agricultural district to a C4 business district. However, I believe we all know, the action taken tonight is precedent to all other future actions the council may take regarding post casino racetrack, that may or may not occur,” Krajewski said.
Some attendees were waiting outside for their turn to give comments on the rezoning, the city council allowing those in favor of the proposal to speak first as they provided insight about the positive outcomes the horse race track and casino would bring to the community.
Keith County attorney and business owner, Randy Fair, attended the meeting to support the rezoning of land.
“If you think about the layout of the zoning it’s clearly within the clear view of what should take place, it’s contingent to the other commercial properties, so let’s let visitors help pay for the things in our county that we enjoy, our services. Let’s do the right thing for our community and future growth. I’d ask that you approve the zoning,” Fair said.
Homeowners Melissa and Jason Veith attended to represent themselves and a host of other residents who would be directly affected by the change. They citied disruption of quiet neighborhoods, gambling addiction sex trafficking and overall higher crime rates as consequences of approving the proposal.
“Rezoning this area would introduce large buildings, more concrete, heavier traffic, which does bring the risk of more accidents, and an infrastructure that would disrupt the fabric of our neighborhood. Ogallala’s comprehensive plan also states that they inspire to create a community of choice for Western Nebraska. Rezoning this land contradicts that vision. I ask the council to consider the long term impacts protect both our agricultural heritage and the quiet close-knit nature of our neighborhood on Road West 80,” Melissa said.
After hearing from both sides and careful consideration. The Ogallala City Council voting in favor of the rezoning in a vote of 4-1.
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