Republic City Council considers rezoning flap

By: 
Ryan Squibb

The future of this noteworthy Elm Street home in Republic will be decided at the Oct. 2 Republic City Council meeting. If the current owner gets his wish, the council will grant a rezone allowing him to operate his real estate business out of the two-story house.

Neighbors speak out against zoning change at highly trafficked intersection A classic craftsman home on the northeast corner of the intersection of Elm and Lynn streets in Republic was the center of attention at the Sept. 18, Republic City Council meeting. The owner of the home since July, realtor Alex Clark wants the city to rezone the house to a commercial property, thereby allowing him to operate his real estate business out of the charming old home and its nearly half acre lot. More specifically, Clark is requesting a rezone to commercial office-institutional, which only allows administration offices. Although Clark, who spoke at the meeting, stated his ambition to fix up the house, many neighbors pushed back at the request. Five community members, mostly neighbors, spoke against the rezone, citing concerns about traffic, lighting and future businesses to follow. Republic Community Development Director Garrett Tyson also addressed the council, sharing approximate traffic numbers at the location. From studies conducted at the already busy intersection, Tyson said that daily traffic is between 5,000-7,000 vehicles. He added that an average home creates 10 trips per day, and an average administrative business adds 30 trips per day. Meaning, the traffic increase from the rezone would be approximately 20 vehicles daily. To complicate matters, while the city staff recommends the rezone, the city’s planning and zoning committee voted 4-3 against the change. “I have no plans to disturb the property,“ said Clark. “If anything I want to bring it back. I want to make it a landmark that is here for a long time.” The final vote on the rezone is set for the next council meeting, Oct. 2. Also during the meeting, the council heard the first reading of an ordinance that would amend the billing code to allow residents to opt in or out of summer averaging. In action during the meeting, the council voted 8-0 in favor of accepting a bid for a materials purchase for the water improvements for Valley Trails. The city accepted the only bid submitted, which came from Fortiline in the amount of $54,139.65. In the absence of Mayor Jeff Ussery, Mayor Pro-tem Charlie Brashers presided over the meeting,

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Lawrence County Record

312 S. Hickory St.
Mt. Vernon, MO, 65712
www.lawrencecountyrecord.com

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