Board of Aldermen Meets Virtually, Approves Old Towne Rezoning

     It was business as usual for the March 23rd Board of Aldermen meeting, even though the Council Chambers was empty. Due to COVID-19 concerns, the Board of Aldermen for the first time conducted business via tele-conference, with public access to the meeting available through dial-in access. Despite the occasional dog bark, the meeting proceeded in usual fashion.
     The Board approved an ordinance changing the zoning on approximately 1.2 Acres from Downtown Transition Zone to R-3P (Multi-Family Residential District Planned Overlay District) and approximately 1.9 Acres from C-1 (Central Business District) to R-3P (Multi-Family Residential District-Planned Overlay District), approving the preliminary development plan for the Lofts at Old Towne Marketplace.
     The development, located at 201 SW Eagles Parkway, will consist of 154 rental units and a mixed-use indoor amenity center.  The development includes demolition of the building that previously contained the former Patricia’s Foods and Hardware store.  A new four-story building (Building A) includes the first-floor mixed use amenity level and 64-rental units in three additional floors.
     There will be three mostly identical three-story apartment buildings (Buildings B, C, and D) containing a total of 90 units on the vacant tract to the west.
     COVID-19 concerns were on the agenda as well, with the Board approving an ordinance to establish procedures outlining processes for the City to declare a state of emergency in certain situations. This paved the way for a proclamation from the Mayor addressing the current state of emergency in the City of Grain Valley.
     The next Board of Aldermen meeting will be held April 13, 2020.