It was a nearly full gallery this week as the Gering City Council took public testimony on a rezoning request that will allow an affordable housing project to move forward in southeast Gering.
Comments during the hour-long hearing Monday night were fairly balanced for and against the change requested by Oikos Development so they can build duplexes and four-plexes on land east and northeast of McClellan Park. The developed properties would remain owned and operated as rentals by Oikos, and would include a local property manager overseeing local maintenance and other operations.
City Engineer Annie Flock explained how the project would be considered appropriate according to the city’s Comprehensive Plan, which not only calls for integration of multi-family and mixed-income developments but also details where they should be located. “As new neighborhoods are developed, inclusion of a variety of housing types and densities at various price points should be prioritized. The district has a considerable amount of vacant land, providing opportunities for new housing, which should include a compatible mix of single family on different lots sizes, as well as townhomes, condominiums and apartments that are designed to fit the context of nearby housing and neighborhoods serving a mix of incomes,” Folck said as she read from the text of the plan.
During public testimony, resident Lorrie Wold expressed a few reservations but said in general, she supported the proposal.
“I’m in favor of bringing new development to Gering, and I’m in favor of the construction materials being furnished here, for the workers being local,” said Wold “Mr. Snodgrass (Michael Snodgrass, Oikos Development Corp. President) made that clear that that was his plan.”
Also speaking in favor was 21st Century President and Gering resident Owen Palm, who said any of the towns his company has a presence in would love to have such a housing development. “We talk at great length about retaining our youth in the community here and having affordable housing available to those young people to start their families. It’s an extremely important element of retaining people in our community. Second of all, the more affordable housing leads to more people in Gering.”
Among those expressing opposition, resident Jeff Brown had staff display a recent picture of one of the developer’s other projects, and said he wasn’t impressed, calling them “Cookie-cutter homes that look like trash. What’s that going to do to my property value? They’re going to keep the prices low, so lower income (residents) and the crime rate.”
Brittany Parker, who lives near the proposed development site was the last to speak. Parker agreed on the need for such housing in the community, but had many concerns about the Oikos project, including increased traffic, the need for more access and general safety.
“Adding a few hundred families in our tight-knit, safe community in the span of just a few short years does not seem like the solution to the problem that has been raised regarding affordable housing,” said Parker. “By adding large amount of four-plex rentals, we are not encouraging people to invest in our town.”
During his time at the microphone, Snodgrass confirmed that his company was willing to execute a covenant on the 37 acres of land that would prevent any future development of a higher-density type, such as apartment buildings, for 99 years.
Following the testimony, the Council acknowledged and confirmed a protest petition had been signed by more than 20 percent of nearby residents, which said the rezoning would be counter to the Comprehensive Plan.
With confirmation of the validity of the petition, the vote to change the zoning for the properties involved would need six out of eight votes when it comes before the Council, which is expected during their meeting April 8.
