Republic rezones 91 acres for huge subdivision

Wilson’s Valley PDD along U.S. 60 includes 160-plus homes, commercial lots
 
Second verse, same as the first. Setting the table for another impressive subdivision, Republic City Council was asked for and granted permission to rezone a large acreage in east Republic along U.S. Highway 60. By a tally of 7-0, the council, May 3, voted to accept a rezone request of 91.55 acres from agricultural and light industrial to Wilson's Valley Planned Development District. The district, located in the 6500 block of West U.S. Highway 60 just east of Old Stone Apartments, will include eight commercial lots on 11.785 acres; 27.196 acres of multi-family dwellings; and 28.785 acres of single-family residential lots (160 lots).
The board also voted 7-0 to:
- Rezone 4.92 acres at 1022 North Republic Commons Drive from general commercial to multi-family residential;
- Approve a special use permit for Wilmoth Oil Company to operate a self-storage facility on 14 acres located just north of the Republic Police Department, at the southwest termination of West Civic Boulevard;
- Approve the final plat of the Oak Hills Phase 1 subdivision;
- Authorize the city administrator to execute an intergovernmental cooperative agreement with Greene County for the expansion of a portion of Highway MM between the I-44 interchange and Route 360 interchange;
- Budget amendments as presented by finance director Megan Cook;
- A resolution expressing support for the Ozarks Transportation Organization and Missouri Department of Transportation for grant applications to improve I-44 from U.S. Highway 65 to Kansas Expressway;
- A resolution to purchase four 2022 Ford Escapes which were already in the budget, per BUILDS Director Andrew Nelson.

Council agrees to $78k generator
As part of the consent agenda, the council agreed to accept a bid from Cummins Inc. for the purchase of a new standby generator for the new BUILDS Department at a cost of $78,737. The bid was the lowest of three offered. The others were submitted by Fabick, for $86,450; and NPS in the amount of $110,415.

Grooms out, Pool back in
Opening the meeting, Council Member Shane Grooms resigned his position as he will be leaving, not only Ward 3, but Republic altogether, and reportedly heading to Nixa. Grooms left council chambers following his announcement.
Returning to council, however, from a months-long absence was Council Member Gerry Pool, Ward 2.

City Employee Week
Also in the early moments of the meeting, Mayor Matt Russell read a proclamation for Republic City Employee Week, set for May 9-13, 2022.