LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - A developer is planning a project in north Lincoln that would combine urban housing and working farms, along with maintaining a wetland area.
The Lincoln City Council approved zoning changes this week for the planned 62.5-acre development near Salt Creek, marking a first step in the project planned by developer Mark Fortney. The area is currently agricultural land with light industry nearby, the Lincoln Journal Star (https://bit.ly/2neFawV ) reported.
Fortney said about two-thirds of the development will be green space and could potentially be used for community gardens, fruit trees and large animals, and composting would be encouraged to improve the soil for gardening.
He said turning some of the area into a working farm will ease the difficulty of sustaining the property financially. He also said some housing will be laneway cottages, which are smaller houses but still bigger than tiny homes. The laneway cottages with single-stall garages are expected to sell for around $150,000.
“This is a creative and unusual use of land. And I like that they are doing a little bit of rural and a little bit of urban,” Councilwoman Cyndi Lamm said.
Councilwoman Leirion Gaylor Baird said the development plan will take a difficult area to work with and transform it into more affordable housing.
A recreational vehicle park also is planned to provide extra income. Up to 45 recreational campers could be allowed on the park for up to 30 days.
Fortney hopes to have some of the housing development completed by spring 2018.
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Information from: Lincoln Journal Star, https://www.journalstar.com
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