Planning Department

• Capital Improvement Program
• University Place Subarea Plan
• Historic Preservation Design Standards Update
• Planning Commission applications in Progress(PDF, 85KB)
• Administrative Approvals
• Applications Submitted Last Week(PDF, 64KB)

The Planning Department's responsibilities include:

• Developing and maintaining the Comprehensive Plan for Lincoln and Lancaster County
• Preparing Lincoln's Capital Improvement Program (CIP)
• Managing the operations of the Lincoln Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), the entity overseen by city and county elected officials which is responsible for the planning and management of federal transportation funds for road and bridge improvements and maintaining the city bus system
• Maintaining and updating the zoning and subdivision codes of the City and County
• Processing hundreds of development applications each year for annexation, zoning, special permits, land subdivision, and vacation of street and alley rights of way, most of which are required to be reviewed at public hearing and approved by one or more official boards
• Managing the City's historic preservation program, which includes design review for alterations to designated landmarks and building in designated districts, plus research and education on local resources
• Design review for building projects in other particular parts of the city -- the environs of the state capital building, the Downtown/Antelope Valley district, and new construction in older residential neighborhoods, and for all city and city-assisted building projects
• Maintaining and updating information on land use demographics and development trends, as well as a variety of digital maps, aerial photographs and related geo-based information.

The Lincoln/Lancaster County Planning Department promotes and facilitates the efficient, high-quality development of the City of Lincoln and Lancaster County resulting from meaningful interaction with our customers and the community.

Mission Statement Guiding Principles

• Recognize that our customers include elected and appointed City and County officials and staff, affected outside agencies, the development community, and the public
• Work with our customers to develop high quality planning solutions
• Employ a planning process that is fair, friendly, and timely
• Encourage efficient use of land and community resources
• Actively pursue input from interested and affected parties throughout the entire community
• Facilitate economic development opportunities
• Consistently implement adopted plans and policies
• Practice professionalism in our interactions with others
• Protect and enhance the community's unique natural and cultural resources
• Nurture the community's sense of unity and oneness
• Anticipate future community needs
• Utilize technology in the delivery of information and services

• Provide meaningful access to all opportunities and establish a culture of belonging, regardless of a person’s identity - economic status, race, ethnic background, culture, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, or mental, physical, or linguistic ability - as a core principle in the planning, decision-making, and policy development processes.