Superior houses may be getting smaller. With smaller houses becoming more popular throughout the United States, the Superior City Council is considering an ordinance change to permit the construction of smaller homes within the community’s corporate limits.

No one appeared to speak either for or against the ordinance change when a public hearing on the matter was held Monday night. Currently, to obtain a home building permit, the proposed home must contain at least 900 square feet. It is proposed the minium size requirement be reduced to 750 square feet.

In related matters, the council approved the preliminary plats for two projects, Accepted was the preliminary plat for the Rokusek Estates Subdvision. The one lot subdivision is located on north Highland Drive. The area is 135 x 400 feet on which the owners would like to build a house.

Also approved was the preliminary replat of 3 acres in the Saathoff Subdivision located at the north end of Louden Street.

Also considered Monday evening, was a request to change the zoning of a 194 x 100 foot lot at 240 S. Converse from low density residential to light industry. Located between Converse Street and a creek it is now thought the area is one which will never be developed for housing. The current owners would like to use the property as a contractor’s storage lot.

The council approved increasing the utility pole attachment charge made to other utilities like phone companies from $5.50 per attachment per year to $12. The fee is collected when another company attaches to a pole owned by the city.

And for the first time, the city will charge 1 cent per linear running foot for all underground utilities installed by other companies in the municipal rights of way. Companies wanting to install utilities in the city right-of-way will be required to first submit a drawing showing where the lines will go prior to beginning work.

Andrew Brittenham, city utility manager, said he was not looking at this as a revenue source but as an information source. He said the city needed to know where utilities are installed and this will provide the needed information.

The council approved purchasing 1.7 acres of land at the east end of the Kottmeyer Business Park from Werner Construction of Hastings. The purchase price will be $20,000. It is anticipated the land will be resold to Agrex when that company proceeds with a planned grain storage expansion. The city will also cover the title insurance and closing costs of approximately $1,000.

In July it was hoped the elevator expansion could be completed prior to the fall harvest but it now appears work will not commence until 2021.

The council accepted the resignation later this month of Brad Erickson as water department foreman. Erickson said the water department job had been an adventure but it was not time to move on.

The council approved paying $1,000 toward the annual South Central Economic Development District annual dues assessment. Previously, Nuckolls County had paid the entire $5,000 assessment but now the county has decided to pay only half. The remaining half is being split between Nelson, Lawrence and Superior. Nelson and Lawrence are being asked to contribute $750 each.