Group calls for changes to Nebraska’s zoning process

A group that was instrumental in getting Initiative 300, Nebraska’s anti-corporate farming law, overturned, is calling for changes to Nebraska’s zoning process—a move it says is necessary for the state to grow its livestock industry.

Omaha investment banker Mark Lakers heads up the Nebraska Agriculture and Livestock Foundation.  Lakers says Nebraska has fallen behind neighboring states in attracting outside investment in new livestock production and meat processing facilities.

“Agriculture, food and wind power have gone elsewhere because the process for zoning in Nebraska is so cumbersome,” Lakers says, “and, frankly, it’s so divisive that most investors will no longer even look at Nebraska as an option.”

Lakers says the “local rule” zoning and permitting process in Nebraska is too time-consuming and lacks consistency.

“In neighboring states, within 75 to 90 days, if you have a good history and have good science behind an application, you will be given a permit,” Lakers says. “In Nebraska, the process will grind you up for 18 to 36 months.”

Callaway rancher and businessman Jim Jenkins agrees with Lakers’ assessment.

“You have to shorten the process for these business people who may be investing tens of millions of dollars in some sort of livestock production facility or further process facility,” Jenkins says. “You have to make a decision much sooner than we are right now in Nebraska.”

Lakers says streamlining the process does not have to be complicated.

“The state would notify all interested parties that some company has applied for a permit to build something,” he says, “and you would be told, for example, in a month there will be a hearing in Lincoln and anybody who has a comment is invited and given the opportunity to talk.

“It may last for 30 minutes—it may last for three days—and a decision will be made by the appropriate people,” Lakers says. “We need to allow the people of the Department of Environmental Quality to do their job.”

Lakers says of the 85 investment transactions his company has closed on in the past ten years, less than ten percent have been in Nebraska.

AUDIO: Mark Lakers (10:15 MP3)

AUDIO: Jim Jenkins (5:25 MP3)