Republic City Council reorganizes, stays the same

Republic City Council reorganized without any changes at its April 21 meeting, its first public meeting since the April 7 election. Council members also advanced three subdivision changes. 

The election contained only one contested race, in Ward 3, where incumbent Brian Fields won 55-33 over challenger Justin Snider. Elsewhere, Justin Shaw in Ward 1, Darran Campbell in Ward 2, and Daniel Harter in Ward 4 ran without opposition. Clerk Laura Burbridge administered the oath of office. 

Ward 1 alderman Eric Gerke was the only nominee for mayor pro tem and was re-elected to that job. 

Subdivision action

In the only completed subdivision move, the council renewed the preliminary plat for the proposed Walker Heights subdivision, covering almost 40.5 acres north of West Farm Road 182. Chris Tabor, principal planner for the city, said his office had been working with developer Oak Hills E-Commerce. Under city rules, all preliminary plats expire after two years, and this one ran out in January. The developer fully intended to move forward with this proposal for 101 residential single-family lots zoned for medium density, 9,000 square feet per lot, nearly five lots per acre. 

The plat, unchanged from its original submission, has three north-south streets, a looping east west street that crosses the bottom southeast corner, the other at the northwest corner, both ending in cul-de-sacs. Three streets will connect to existing roads: Irongate to the west, Highland Meadows to the north, and a new road going south into the county. No one lot will have access to Farm Road 182. 

Council members had no issues with the plans but asked several questions. Tabor noted the stormwater runoff plan had been reviewed with the county, not with the adjacent property owner. The plan called for maintaining the same amount of runoff after construction as before. Two stormwater detention basins were included in the plat. Next the developer would need to seek an infrastructure permit. 

Two proposals had a first reading and would likely come up for passage on May 5. 

RJR 1605 LLC asked to have two sections in what had been originally planned as the Eclipse Event Arena Development District, an equine show space, covering more than 900 acres in the Brookline area, rezoned back to agricultural, to fit the current use of the land. The original project was never completed. The land under consideration runs approximately 78.5 acres. The change would allow both agricultural and residential use, fitting similar usage in the county. 

Development of the land, south of Farm Road 97 and west of James River Expressway, located more than a mile from the city’s water mains and sewer, would require infrastructure extensions. The staff report stated, “The Agricultural Zoning District is intended for single-family residential development within the city limits that are not yet served by City of Republic water and sewer infrastructure, as well as agricultural or agricultural-related uses.” No plat for future land use was under consideration at this time. 

The other subdivision plan came from Westward Land Company, which is developing the Frisco Square. The change focused on two lots, a little more than five acres. Chris Winn, civil engineer for CJW Transportation Consultants, said the developer wanted to change the two lots in question from building two four-plexes to instead building two five-plexes. 

The density question would reduce each multi-family lot to 2.01 acres with 15 feet between the sides, front, and back. The fire chief said his office had been consulted and had no problem accessing the new arrangement. Winn added the developer also agreed to add more trees and bushes between residences and the adjacent police station as a buffer. 

Council members also approved a resolution adjusting land use on subdivisions. The specific change declared that full access roadway intersections shall be a minimum of 220 feet. Commercial driveway spacing will be made by the director of the community development department or the director’s designee. 

Other action

By resolution, the council authorized providing a local match for the installation of two flashing school zone beacons on Main Street, not to exceed $3,000. A grant from the Ozarks Transportation Organization would total $12,000. The north-south street in question runs west of Sweeny Elementary and Lyon Elementary, both schools serving approximately 400 students. Data from the Missouri Department of Transportation documented 47 crashes on Main Street, resulting in 11 injuries. The flashing lights were seen as a way to calm traffic. 

Reports

Mayor Eric Franklin reported upcoming meetings would include a budget amendment workshop on May 5, the Board of Adjustments on May 7, the Planning and Zoning Commission on May 11, and the second May city council meeting on May 19. 

Lisa Addington, chief of staff, reported City Administrator Colten Harris was on his way back from a meeting in Ohio. His primary focus was now on the wastewater treatment plant construction, which had also taken him to a meeting with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. 

The wastewater plant, Addington said, was now 85 percent complete. The next 15 percent would be the most crucial. In May, the commissioning process would begin with testing, starting processes, and transitioning treatment. Substantial completion was still expected in October. 

On the advanced metering infrastructure upgrade, Addington said that as of April 12, 1,216 new meters had been installed, and 3,252 lines surveyed. Updates would be posted on Facebook. Crews would continue the work over the next 12 months, including cutting holes for antenna mounts. 

Realignment, widening, and replacement work on Hwy. MM would see closures on Stone Falls Road from May 26 to Aug. 21 at North Stone Creek Drive (West Hwy. 60) and private drive Stone Creek Falls. The Missouri Department of Transportation and contractor Emory Sapp and Sons were managing the project. The city would post detour information on its website. 

Mayor Franklin extended thanks to Clerk Burbridge and the utility billing staff for transitions on the utility billing. Changes in rate increases have been adjusted for a more manageable pace. To the public, he said, “Thanks for your patience as we navigate these changes.” 

Franklin urged the public to mark June 26 on calendars for the 30th Have-A-Blast celebration.