Bill would expand SID authority

Sanitary and improvement districts could build off-street parking facilities under a bill considered Feb. 16 by the Urban Affairs Committee.

LB81, introduced by Sen. Robert Hilkemann of Omaha, would enable SIDs to acquire, purchase, own, erect, construct, equip, operate or maintain off-street parking facilities.

Commercial development projects in western Omaha need parking, Hilkemann said, but under current law the SIDs governing the projects aren’t allowed to build it.

Developer Jason Lanoha testified in support of the bill. He said SIDs originally were designed to build housing and not commercial areas.

“They create beautiful suburbs, but suburbs with significant infrastructure and low-density populations,” Lanoha said.

No one testified in opposition to LB81 and the committee took no immediate action on it.