RAYTOWN REPORT

Amendments by Ward 2 Aldermen Jim Aziere to undo portions of the city’s new animal control ordinance are misguided. Aziere has suggested that tethering of dogs be allowed in the front of yard of homes, exotic birds exempted from the code, and that the breeding of dogs be allowed in residential neighborhoods. BREEDING: Last year three Aldermen spent over six months holding meeting and listening to over 20 hours of testimony from Raytowners on their thoughts about a new animal control ordinance. A good number of citizens who came forward complained about the breeding of animals in residential areas. The committee agreed that breeding the animals for commercial purposes was outside the definition of proper use in a residentially zoned area. The end result was the prohibition of breeding of animals in residentially zoned areas. It was a good idea then. It is a good idea now. No doubt some will come forward to claim it is just a hobby. Without exception, these “hobby breeders” are also ...

A recent ruling by a Federal Judge in Kansas City, Missouri about Raytown’s law governing distances between group homes is expected to have an immediate effect on Raytown neighborhoods. In the ruling the court stated that Raytown’s law requiring 1,200 linear feet between group homes was too restrictive. The court granted a permanent injunction barring the City of Raytown from denying licenses for group homes based on the 1,200 feet rule. The ruling is expected to have an impact on neighborhoods in Residential (R1) Zones - Nearly all of Raytown’s residents live in R1 Zoning (single family residential). According to city records there are four such homes, commonly known as group homes, in Raytown waiting for approval to open. They are located at: 8801 Gregory Boulevard 5568 Blue Ridge Boulevard 8308 Sterling Avenue 8958 East 59th Terrace Reports that another group home is expected to open up on Lake Shore Drive in the Wildwood Homes neighborhood have not been confirmed. The Raytown ...

The new addition to the Nelson Art Gallery is worth visiting. I did so this past week and was very impressed. Don’t get me wrong. The outside of the building is butt ugly at best – even if it glows at night -- it is still ugly during the daytime and that is when most people will see it. The inside is the treat. It is a marvel of architecture. Many of the exhibits have moved from the Nelson’s Modern Art section placed in the main building of the new wing of the museum. The expansive white walls and ceilings with their geometric shapes are a treat that add to the artistic values of the modern art sculptures. For those of a more traditional sense of art the rest of the new museum is well worth the visit. A word of advice – wear some comfortable walking shoes. It is a long slog from one end of the new Bloch Building to the other – and uphill all the way back. Parks and Police . . . Much has been written and said about the problems in Coleman Park. Most of it on this blog – but it appe...

Neighbors of Colman Park were handed half a victory when the Raytown Park Board finally addressed problems at their neighborhood park by agreeing to hire two police officers to patrol the park next Sunday evening. The patrols are in response to unruly crowds gathering at the park on Sunday nights. Complaints of public drunkenness, indecent exposure, fights, illegal vending, loud music and foul language were a common theme at the meeting held at Raytown Park headquarters on Monday night. The special Park Board meeting was a standing room only event as neighbors packed into park headquarters to discuss problems at the park with Park Board members. The night before (Sunday evening) Ward 1 Alderman Greg Walters had invited Park Board and City Council members to the neighborhood to view the Sunday evening activity. Three of the Park Board members attended the gathering on Sunday evening (Nancy Sheil, Carmen Nolke and Bob Smith). Also reported to be in the park that evening were Ward 3 Al...