. . . . Democracy in Action . . . . 

At a recent meeting at Raytown City Hall homeowners of the 53rd Street/Blue Ridge Boulevard learned City Hall had been meeting with a local developer for over six weeks to negotiate the construction of a gas station in their neighborhood. Homeowners were united at the meeting when they voiced their opposition to City Hall's plans. Their complaints were many and included the following concerns:

• Untimely notification by City Hall of nearby neighborhoods of developer plans.
• Increased crime and blight that would bring problems to their peaceful neighborhoods. Gasoline stations are frequent targets of strong armed robberies and violent shootings often through acts of “road rage”.
• The lack of a plan from City Hall to address storm water run-off that would be created by covering green space with concrete and buildings.
• The fact that there are already two gas stations within one mile of the proposed gas station.
• A retired Raytown Police officer told those gathered the 53^rd Street and Blue Ridge Boulevard intersection is already too small for the increased traffic a gas station would bring to the area. He described the intersection as “the most dangerous traffic intersection in Raytown.”
• Noise, light pollution and a destination for the indigent population to hang out in an established residential neighborhood
• Higher ozone levels created at the gas station can lead to asthma, while benzene, a known cancer-causing chemical, can be released into the air, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Children are especially at risk to exposure.

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PRESS RELEASE FROM RAYTOWN CITY HALL

Residents interested in the next steps for the proposed rezoning of the property at 5348 Blue Ridge Blvd should tentatively mark their calendars for March 2 at 7 pm, which is when the Planning Commission will hold a public hearing to consider the rezoning application.

City staff has advised the applicant to hold a second neighborhood meeting.

Concept Plan and Traffic Study can be viewed on the City's website under Departments, Community Development, the Planning and Zoning Commission Meetings, March 2.

USE THE FOLLOWING LINK TO VIEW THE TRAFFIC STUDY

 - http://ow.ly/G67P50MCyHP

The Raytown Report Congratulates the

The Kansas City Chiefs

AMERICAN FOOTBALL

CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS

2022 - 2023

On their spectacular victory over the Bengals. They certainly taught Cincinnati not to laugh too soon!  Heal up. Philadelphia will be tough, but the Chiefs are up to the task . . . GO CHIEFS! 

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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 53^rd 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.

GAS STATION AND OFFICES FACE FACE BLUE RIDGE

The developer’s spokesman provided conceptual drawings of a gasoline station with a convenience store behind the gas pumps. The drawing also showed space for approximately five private office entrances to the building. The entire building faced east on Blue Ridge Boulevard.

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.

BY GREG WALTERS

Our View . . . 

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 53^rd 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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