Council OKs HVAC firm on East Third

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

McCOOK, Neb. — The owner of a local HVAC business received the green light from the McCook City Council to locate his shop in a residential neighborhood.

At a public hearing Monday night before the regular city council meeting, Derek Zipperlen spoke to the council about the special exception he was requesting to allow his HVAC shop and business to be located at 704 E. Third. The area is zoned as residential medium density and the building on the lot, once a neighborhood grocery store, has stood vacant for several years. The location is next to a residential home on East Third and another home on East G.

One McCook citizen spoke at the public hearing and said she has a family member living next door to the location. She expressed her concern about a pickup truck full of dirt that has been parked in the parking lot, right outside the family member’s window. She asked if that would be removed and Zipperlen said it did not belong to him and it would be removed.

Because the corner lot has a parking lot and city inlet parking, it makes it a better fit for neighborhood traffic in the area, said City Manager Nate Schneider.

He added the extra parking would address additional vehicle traffic in the area with St. Patrick School directly south of the building. The Rev. Gary Brethour spoke in support of the business at the planning commission meeting, Schneider said, with the planning commission recommending approval on Sept. 9. He added the location has had public nuisance issues in the past.

“It’s great to see it cleaned up and used for something, it was an eyesore,” said Councillor Janet Hepp, who asked from Zipperlen the name of his company, saying it would be free publicity for him from the local media attending the meeting.

Zipperlen said he is the owner of Veteran Heating and Air Conditioning.

A story the Gazette did when Zipperlen first opened his business in McCook can be found at “Small town living attracts new HVAC firm,” https://www.mccookgazette.com/story/2254924.html and more recently, “Planning Commission to consider special exception for former grocery store,” https://www.mccookgazette.com/story/2631750.html

The council thanked him for his service as a veteran and Zipperlen talked about the work he’s currently doing in the building to get it ready for his business, such as tearing down interior office space walls and remedying termite damage.

In his special exception request, Zipperlen detailed plans about the location that includes cargo trailer parking on a rock bed, loading/unloading area for deliveries; install overhead door for equipment delivery and wall mounted signs.

However, one McCook citizen who has a family member living next door to the location expressed her concern about a pickup truck full of dirt that has been parked in the parking lot.

She asked if that would be removed and Zipperlen said it did not belong to him and it would be removed.

Councilman Gene Weedin asked if parts would be stored inside, rather than outside, the store and Zipperlen confirmed parts would be inside and that any fabricating would be done inside.

He added that the lot would be cleaned up, the outside painted and new exterior lighting installed.

After the public hearing, there was no discussion and the city council unanimously approved the special exception.

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