Zoning code amended; Sleep Inn’s future before the council again

BY DAVID SWANSON
JOURNAL-DEMOCRAT

Four ordinances amending the Syracuse zoning code were approved by the City Council Monday, May 5.

Rules requiring three readings of ordinances were waived, allowing them to take affect immediately. The Planning Commission recommended approval.

The amendments amended the zoning code to include hospitals, sanitariums, rest homes, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, elderly or retirement housing, convalescent homes or similar institutions or philanthropic institutions in areas zoned low, medium and high density residential and highway commercial.

The hearing was continued until Monday, June 2, on an ordinance for an application for a conditional use permit to operate an assisted living center for senior center on the Sleep Inn & Suites property. A proposal was presented to city officials last month to include assisted living units on the east side of the facility and motel units on the west side of the facility. It included facilities to serve both assisted living and motel facilities.

Otoe County Deputy Sheriff Mike Holland reported that sheriff’s officers received 45 service calls in Syracuse during April. Three warnings were issued to drivers. Six citations were written.

City officials will advertise for summer help in the Public Works department.

Plumber and electrician licenses were renewed for Kiel Trenching and Peterson Construction.

Five firefighters were approved to attend the state fire school Friday-Sunday, May 16-18, at Grand Island.