Zoning and Planning Commission Meeting - March 11, 2026
STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE
Zoning and Planning Commission Meeting - March 11, 2026
The Joplin Zoning and Planning Commission convened on March 11, 2026, to consider five cases: a right-of-way vacation, a text amendment to reduce minimum lot sizes in R2 districts, annexation and rezoning of a proposed warehouse distribution facility, and a historic landmark designation. The meeting included public testimony, staff presentations, and commission votes.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes Approval: The commission unanimously approved the minutes from the previous meeting.
Discussion Items
- Case 009-26 – Vacation of Right-of-Way: Applicant (City of Joplin and Freeman Health Systems) sought to vacate unused right-of-way to align property lines with existing street improvements. Staff identified a legal description error and recommended tabling. The commission heard no public testimony and voted to table the case.
- Case 010-26 – Text Amendment (R2 Minimum Lot Size): Applicant Dustin Emelius (ProX Home Services) proposed reducing the minimum lot size for duplexes in R2 districts from 7,800 to 6,000 square feet, limited to infill contexts and multi-unit homes (outwardly appearing as single-family). Staff clarified the amendment would not apply to suburban-style duplexes and would require infill conditions. Public testimony: none. The commission voted 3 in favor, 4 opposed; the motion did not carry.
- Case 011-26 – Voluntary Annexation (Project Eagle): Applicant Ambrose Property Group requested annexation of 25 acres south of General Mills on East 32nd Street into Joplin. The site is currently unincorporated Newton County. The presentation described a planned warehouse/distribution facility with about 100 jobs (12 full-time, rest part-time), traffic mitigation, and compliance with MoDOT standards. Public testimony: Morris Glaze spoke in favor noting existing infrastructure from the Crossroads Industrial Park; James Bycroft and Donna Plittle opposed, citing traffic impacts on residential areas (30 homes outside city limits) and safety concerns. The commission approved annexation (voice vote, motion carried).
- Case 012-26 – Rezone from R1 to M2 Heavy Industrial: For the same property as Case 011-26, the applicant sought to rezone from single-family to heavy industrial to align with surrounding M2 zoning. No public testimony. The commission approved the rezoning (motion carried).
- Case 013-26 – Rezone from R2 to R2 Historic Landmark: Applicant Angela Hudson requested local landmark designation for the former Lloyd Rough grocery store at 612 West E Street (North Heights neighborhood). Staff Thomas Walters presented research and public support. Public testimony: Angela Hudson and her mother spoke in favor, emphasizing preservation and community engagement. The commission voted 6-0-1 (Ms. Phillips abstained) to approve and forward to city council.
Key Outcomes
- Case 009-26: Tabled due to legal description error; no vote on merits.
- Case 010-26: Motion to approve text amendment failed (3 in favor, 4 opposed). The commission noted it is a recommending body.
- Case 011-26: Annexation approved (voice vote, motion carried).
- Case 012-26: Rezoning to M2 approved (motion carried).
- Case 013-26: Historic landmark designation approved (6 yes, 1 abstention).
- All cases are scheduled for presentation to the City Council on April 6, 2026.
Meeting Transcript
We'll call to order the zoning and planning commission for Joplin, Missouri on Monday, March 9th, 2026. Would you please call roll? Mr. Kimball. Present. Miss Clue Michael. Present. Dr. Rosenberg. President. Ms. Phillips. Present. Miss Warren. Present. Mr. Spruce. Present. Miss Harrington. Present. Do we have a motion to accept in the minutes from our previous meeting? So moved. We have a motion from Dr. Rosenberg. Do we have a second? I'll second. We have a second from Ms. Phillips. All those in favor. Aye. Anyone opposed? Motion carries. These are our public hearing procedures. It is requested the persons wishing to testify before the zoning and planning commission. Please follow these rules. State your name and address clearly for the record. Please give your testimony as briefly and completely as possible. Please do not repeat testimony that has been given previously. We want you to state your facts, but limit your information to only new information. Everyone is invited to speak. However, if you have a spokesperson, please allow him or her to speak. When the public hearing is closed by the chair, no additional testimony is allowed except when invited by the board. Remember that this is a public hearing, and all sides have a right to give testimony or state one side of any issue. The zoning and planning commission of the city of Joplin, through this introduction, accepts into evidence the 2012 comprehensive plan, the development code of the city of Joplin being appendix 29A of the Joplin Municipal Code, resources, guides, and industry standards of the City of Joplin, complete street design guide, walkable neighborhood design guidelines, approved tree list, historic preservation regulations, floodplain regulations, and the wireless telecommunications facilities citing regulations being appendices A, B, C, D, E, and F of the Joplin Development Code. The written recommendation of the city staff and all of the written evidence presented at today's hearing. We appreciate your consideration and understanding. These cases will be presented to city council on Monday, April 6, 2026. The first case we're hearing today is case 009-26. A request to vacate right of way. The applicant is the city of Joplin.
openpublica.com