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Photography on Display at Raytown City Hall
For more information contact
Mecee Walters 816 358 1930
TRUTH WATCH RETURNS!
"Follow the Process"
TO VIEW A VIDEO OF THE MEETING USE THE FOLLOWING LINK:
At last Tuesday's Board of Aldermen Meeting three applicants applied to change the zoning of their homes from "commercial" to "residential" property. Their reason was simple. Changing the zoning from commercial to residential would save the applicants money on property taxes. The change would also expand insurance benefits for their property.
Their goal was to reverse a decision made by City Hall in 1972 when the property was changed from residential to commercial property.
The State of Missouri requires specific procedural processes be followed when changing the zoning of private property. The City of Raytown is subject to those procedures and State laws.
A Zoning Application is first reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Commission. The application is then reviewed by the Board of Aldermen. Under Missouri State Law the City is required to hold Public Hearings in both the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Raytown Board of Aldermen before a decision on the Zoning Application can be approved.
Ward 1 Alderman Greg Walters pointed out to the Board of Aldermen that he did not believe the Public Hearing requirement(s) had been met.
A check of the record shows the Board of Aldermen voted on the issue on Tuesday, December 2, 2025. Details of the Planning and Zoning Commissiion meeting were not published until two days later on Thursday, December 4, 2025.
Walters also suggested the number of Public Hearings had not been met.
Another Alderman stated that the applicants had met at a neighborhood meeting between prior to a meeting with the Planning and Zoning Commission . . . implying that a Public Hearing Meeting had been held.
Morris Melloy, was then recognized by Mayor Michael McDough to speak.
Melloy reminded the Aldermen the meeting referred to was in fact "a neighborhood meeting", not a Public Hearing. His point is valid. The City does allow for an informal neighborhood meeting between applicant and neighbors to clarify the complexity of the application.
A meeting disclosing the intent of the applicant is held. However, that meeting is not a Public Hearing per se. City Staff does not participate in the meeting. The purpose is for area residents to meet with applicants in an informal setting to become become familiar with what the applicant has in mind.
There are not any minutes or any other written record made of what transpires at the meeting. Witnesses are not sworn in to speak, nor are they recognized to give testimony.
Melloy told the Board of Aldermen the Neighborhood Meeting held with the applicants and the public was not a formal Public Hearing. He urged the Board to "follow the process" as layed out by the State of Missouri.
Shortly afterward the Mayor called for a vote on the application.
The Board approved the application by a vote of 8 YES 0 NO 2 ABSENT.
If there is a lesson to be learned from what transpired at last Tuesday's meeting it is this:
- Rules are made to be followed.
- States laws are not to be ignored.
Mr. Melloy was right . . . There is a process by which Public Hearings are to be held. The city would be wise to "follow the process" when considering changes to zoning laws.
USE THIS LINK TO Comment AND VIEW COMMENTS
1 comment:
I disagree with anonymous. If the mayor yells at people and we think its bad or embarrassing behavior (and it is) then why would we want to emulate the same bad behavior? No, it's not good enough for all of us. Someone else's bad behavior shouldn't be the standard for our actions. As for the time we live in, it's the only time we have.
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