Published on June 21, 2023
By Stacey Olson solson@themercury.com
The city commission on Tuesday unanimously approved a rezoning request on Browning Avenue despite negative public comment and a vote against it by the Manhattan Area Urban Planning Board.
The owner of Frontier Development Group, Tyler Holloman, requested to rezone the property northeast of the intersection of Kimball Avenue and Browning Avenue so the company can build duplexes to rent. The planning board denied the request in a 1-5 vote.
Holloman addressed some of the planning board’s complaints and changed his development plans from townhouses to two duplexes.
Public comments were divided on the issue. Those against the rezoning were complaints of high traffic, potential noise, pollution and rainwater drainage concerns. Those in support of the rezoning included an employee for Habitat for Humanity and city commission candidate Peter Oppelt.
Both sides said they believe Manhattan is in a housing crisis and the city should have residential development. Oppelt said he lives in the neighborhood and neighbors are going to cause traffic and make noise, so that shouldn’t be the reason not to build more housing.
