Joplin Zoning and Planning Commission Meeting - May 8, 2023

The Joplin Zoning and Planning Commission met on Monday, May 8, 2023, to consider several public hearing items, including street and alley vacations, a voluntary annexation, and two preliminary plats. The commission was informed that city council required the meeting to end by 5:15 p.m.

Consent Calendar

• Motion to excuse Dr. Rosenberg (unanimous).
• Motion to approve the minutes of the previous meeting as written (unanimous).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Darcy Peterson (3114 East Ninth) expressed support for vacating a section of 9th Street, saying she has lived there 25 years and prefers the country setting without through traffic.
• Donna Stroop (1096 North Prosperity Avenue) opposed the voluntary annexation near I-249, expressing concern that industrial development could be built across from her property. Staff replied that the property would come into the city as R-1 single-family residential and no development plans were currently proposed.

Discussion Items

Case 023-23 – Vacation of a section of 9th Street

• Wayne Stevenson (302 South Surgent, GB Engineering) presented the request on behalf of applicant Rick Benson to vacate the street to allow duplexes to be built across it. The street is currently undeveloped. Staff explained that upon vacation, the north half would typically go to the north property owner and the south half to the south property owner. No opposition was heard.
• Motion by Mr. Jackson, second by Ms. Steele, passed unanimously.

Case 024-23 – Vacation of an alley between 508 and 512 South Virginia Avenue

• Jeff Neal (212 South Joplin Avenue, Suite 3) represented 200 Block Commons LLC. He stated that the property at 508 South Virginia would become a public green space, and 21 apartments would be built at 512–520 South Virginia with the main entrance off the alley. The alley was previously vacated in 1960. The fire department indicated no need for access, and trash companies said they could continue servicing from 6th Street. Questions from commissioners addressed trash truck access, dumpster placement/visibility, and pedestrian routes. No public comments were offered.
• Motion by Mr. Jackson, second by Mr. McCullough, passed unanimously.

Case 030-23 – Voluntary annexation east and west of I-249, south of Newman Road

• Staff representative Troy Bolander noted the city invested approximately $5–7 million in the I-249 corridor. Applicant Raymond Sharp agreed to voluntarily annex both sides of the corridor between Newman Road and 7th Street. Staff recommended approval. Commissioners asked about future land use (commercial near interchanges, industrial in between), utility extensions, and the fact that the property currently has no county zoning, so annexation would add land-use controls. Public opposition was voiced by Donna Stroop, who was concerned about industrial uses near her home.
• Motion by Ms. Steele, second by Mr. McCullough, passed 4–2, with Mr. Jackson and Ms. Warren opposed.

Case 010-23 – Preliminary plat of Yorktown Subdivision

• Joe Pace (1675 79th Street North, Olson) presented plans for a single-family residential subdivision west of South Oliver Avenue, west of 29th Street, and south of Adele Avenue. The development would include starter homes of approximately 1,200–1,400 square feet, with 65–70 lots (the plat indicated 66), two entrances off Oliver, a connection to Adele, and a detention pond for stormwater management. No public comments were received.
• Motion by Ms. Warren, second by Mr. Jackson, passed unanimously. Staff noted that the preliminary plat is an administrative approval and does not go to city council.

Case 062-22 – Preliminary plat of Wildwood Ranch Subdivision

• Logan Ellis (811 East Third Street, OWN/Anderson Engineering) represented the Patels for a mixed-use commercial and residential subdivision west of 32nd Street, approximately 3,500 feet west of South John Duffy Boulevard. A point of order was raised that the item was not on the posted agenda, though it was in the commission notebooks. Staff suggested proceeding because it was not a public hearing, noting it could be brought back if the official posting did not include it. No public comments were heard.
• Motion by Ms. Steele, second by Ms. Warren, passed unanimously.

Other Business

• Chairman thanked Commissioner Steele for her service; this was her final meeting. She said she enjoyed serving but was ready to retire.
• Motion to adjourn passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the consent calendar (excusal of Dr. Rosenberg and minutes) unanimously.
• Case 023-23: Approved street vacation (unanimous).
• Case 024-23: Approved alley vacation (unanimous).
• Case 030-23: Approved voluntary annexation (4–2, with Mr. Jackson and Ms. Warren opposed).
• Case 010-23: Approved preliminary plat of Yorktown Subdivision (unanimous).
• Case 062-22: Approved preliminary plat of Wildwood Ranch Subdivision (unanimous).
• Adjourned.