Planning and Zoning denies application for rezoning; Board of Aldermen meeting recap

by Sara Unrein and Grain Valley News staff
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The Planning and Zoning Commission met Wednesday evening, approving a conditional use permit for a marijuana dispensary and denying a change of zoning request that would have allowed a convenience store and gas station to locate near Hoot Owl Estates at Duncan Road and Buckner Tarsney Road.

Elevation Onyx Dispensary was granted a conditional use permit for a proposed marijuana dispensary with drive-thru on an approximately 1.37-acre lot. The property is zoned District DTZ (Downtown Transition Zone). The 1.37-acre proposed marijuana dispensary is generally located a quarter of a mile west of Buckner Tarsney Road, on the south side of Jefferson Street, just west of the Quik-Trip. 

The bulk of the meeting consisted of residents voicing opposition to a proposed rezoning request to allow for a convenience store and gas station 

DBL Architecture, Inc. requested a change of zoning from District C-1 “Central Business” to C-2 “Central Business District” and R-3 “Multifamily residential district” for a convenience store with fueling station and two lots proposed as R-3. This property is located less than a quarter mile south of Duncan Road on the east side of Buckner Tarsney Road near the Hoot Owl Estates subdivision. 

Residents expressed a number of concerns over approximately 30 minutes of public comments, including environmental and health concerns, lighting and privacy disruptions of residents bordering the proposed business, as well as concerns over increased traffic and crime. 

The Commission ultimately voted to deny the rezoning request. 

Board of Aldermen meeting recap

The Board of Aldermen met briefly Monday evening for their regularly scheduled meeting.
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The Board appointed Ellen Greenberg-Jacobs as the new prosecutor. 

The Board also approved the second reading of a bill allowing the city to take donation of a lot located at 513 NW Gregg in the alleyway behind downtown businesses located on the west side of Main Street. 

The next Board of Aldermen meeting will be held at City Hall on Monday, September 22nd at 6:30pm.
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