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BY NICOLE MOORE |
GUEST COLUMN
Zoning
Change Meeting
Draws Large Crowd
Years ago, Blue Ridge Nursery operated a Tree Farm and Plant Nursery at 53rd and Blue Ridge. The nursery has been closed for many years.
On
Tuesday night, a developer met with local homeowners at City Hall to explain his plans for
the property. Thirty-two neighboring homeowners were in attendance at the
meeting. The goal of the developer is to change the zoning of the property from
Single Family Residential to Commercial Zoning.
Without
the zoning change, the project cannot be built.
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GAS STATION AND OFFICES FACE FACE BLUE RIDGE |
The
developer’s spokesman told the 32 people that they had been working with City
Hall for the last four months on plans to develop the site.
Also in
attendance were Ward 1 Alderman Greg Walters, Ryan Myers, Mayor Michael
McDonough, Planning and Zoning Commissioner Steve Meyers and a candidate for
Ward 3 Alderman, Jeanette Gentry
Typically,
these meetings are limited to a representative from the developer and those
people who live within 180 feet of the property.
Alderman
Greg Walters told us “It is unusual for so many City officials to show up at
these meetings. It indicates a high level of interest coming from the Administration
at City Hall”.
“Make
no mistake about it,” continued Walters, “The intent of the application is to
change the zoning of the property in question from Single Family Residential to
Commercial”.
The
meeting lasted about one and one-half hours. Judging from the comments from the
public, home owners were unified in their opposition to changing the zoning to
commercial retail.
The
next official step by the City of Raytown will be a meeting before the Planning
and Zoning Commission. That will be followed by two Public Hearings before the
Raytown Board of Aldermen. The Board of Aldermen is the final authority on
whether or not to accept the zoning change application.
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BY GREG WALTERS |
RAYTOWN’S MOST VALUABLE ASSET
Raytown’s
most valuable asset is the people who have put down roots in Raytown and made
it their home. It is not a small step. For many, it will be one of the largest
investments they make in their lifetime.
So it
is understandable why people feel threatened by plans to build a gas station on
Raytown’s most iconic streets (Blue Ridge Boulevard). Local homeowners opposition
was clear. They cited the following reasons as to not allow the zoning
application to move forward:
CRIME: Gasoline stations are frequent targets of
strong armed robberies and violent shootings often through acts of “road rage”.
HOMELESS: The homeless population is migrating
south from 40 Highway down Blue Ridge Boulevard. The gasoline/convenience store
which will sell alcohol, tobacco and paraphernalia to the public will become a
gathering spot for the homeless. Nearby residents have already pointed to the problems
at a nearby CVS that has become a frequent gathering spot for the homeless
TRAFFIC: A former Police Officer told those
gathered the 53rd Street / Blue Ridge Boulevard intersection (where
the gasoline station/convenience store is proposed to be built) is one of the
most dangerous intersections in Raytown. He said the intersection does not have
curbs and is already over-burdened with traffic.
LACK OF NOTIFICATION: Homeowners complained
they were not notified of the meeting. Most in attendance said they found out
through Facebook postings. Others questioned why the meeting was held in the afternoon
when it was difficult for many to leave their job and show up on time for the
meeting. It was noted there were many late arrivals who could not get off work
in time for the first hour of the meeting.
Missouri
State Law requires the City of Raytown to follow a set procedure of all changes
in the zoning of land within City limits. Once this meeting (there may be
others) is completed by the applicant, the issue will go to the Planning and
Zoning Commission. The Planning and Zoning Commission will make a
recommendation on the issue.
The
recommendation is not binding.
The
recommendation will then be sent to the ten member Raytown Board of Aldermen
for final consideration. The Board of Aldermen will conduct two Public
Hearings. After which it will vote on whether or not to approve the zoning
application.
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