Incoming Ash Grove parking lot concerns neighbors

Ash Grove School District is currently building a parking lot next to their high school and elementary campuses, where once stood two residential properties. The move was made without informing neighboring property owners, much to their chagrin.

One of those neighbors is Nedra Bouling, who said that this project was undertaken without her knowledge, only finding out about it from a picture in the Commonwealth. 

The lot was conceived by the school district in order to provide more parking space as part of their current parking lot at the high school and elementary buildings is being taken up by the construction of a new saferoom. 

The district began clearing the lot without informing neighbors such as Bouling. Along Maple Lane, on the lot’s east side, residents say that the new project could bring many unwanted nuisances. 

“I want to be able to sleep,” said Jeanette Taylor. “I don’t want lights shining in my face or in my kids’ rooms and I don’t want people to think oh we can just park [at my house].” 

Bouling attempted to fight the project. Being told that a petition was not yet necessary, she decided to make her case to the Ash Grove Board of Aldermen. She attempted to get an item placed on the agenda but the item never appeared before the board.

According to Shane Medlin, superintendent of Ash Grove School District, many possibilities were discussed for the building inhabiting the two lots at 103 and 105 Maple Lane, with one of those being a parking lot. A water line broke in January causing extensive water damage according to Medlin, damaging the house beyond repair. Following this, the decision was made to make the two properties into a parking lot. 

For another owner, transforming a residential parcel into a parking lot would have been a challenge. The entity would have to apply to have the properties rezoned from a residential lot. This, however, does not apply to the school district, according to Medlin. 

“Under Missouri state statutes, as a public entity, school districts are subject to different city zoning ordinances compared to private residences,” said Medlin. “To our knowledge, the school has completed all necessary paperwork with the city.”

The parking lot is set to be completed in the summer, leaving Bouling without a clear course of action to prevent the project. 

The parking lot will, however, be of use great use to the school, said Medlin. 

“With the addition of the Ash Grove Elementary saferoom, we are losing parking spaces and changing car circulation,” said Medlin. “This new parking lot will allow for staff and event parking to ease the congestion during the school day and for school activities.”