The Poplar Bluff City Council will vote March 19 on whether or not to allow a paintball business to operate on Main Street, after discussing the safety concerns of two council members Monday.
Barb Horton of Ward 3 and Robert Smith of Ward 5 are worried toy guns could be mistaken for real weapons on the streets outside the proposed business.
Resident Jeff Hovis has requested zoning be changed from residential to commercial on the southern portion of an 8.6-acre property at 2318 N. Main St., a former brick factory.
He is also asking for a conditional use permit to operate as an outdoor paintball business.
This is one of several new operations on the council agenda Monday zoning or permit matters, including a new Head Start facility on Herschel Bess Boulevard and faith-based rehabilitation housing on South C Street.
The paintball business would target individuals over the age of 16, Hovis told council members. Certain age levels will require a parent or guardian on site to play.
"People were concerned that young teenagers might be out on the street with a paintball gun and people think they're out there with a gun," Horton said, explaining she had received phone calls from residents.
Smith said he has also received several phone calls.
"I'm just really concerned about the safety of the young people and other citizens around that area," he said. "There have been several cases where they (toy guns) weren't quickly identified and there have been some fatalities."
The age limits should help take care of that, Hovis said. The facility will also rent and sell paintball guns, as well as allow individuals to bring their own, he said.
"I can't keep people from walking up and down Main Street of course, but with the facility we have, we are going to have guns available there to people. I hope that's never an issue," he said.
Facilities like this are located in cities in other areas, said council member Philip Crocker of Ward 4.
Branson, Springfield and St. Louis in Missouri have all had paintball courses located inside city limits, said Dusty Johnson, who along with Jason Courtney will assist with the business.
All three work for the Poplar Bluff Police Department.
"In my opinion, as far as any safety concerns, we have three outstanding police officers that are going to be working on this, on a daily basis, so they're going to take care of all of the safety concerns," said Mayor Ed DeGaris.
The business would be called Brick Mill Battle Field and be open initially from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
A business plan calls for a 100-foot buffer zone of woods between the paintball area and Oakhill Road. The paintball area would be located on the back of the property, behind the former brick mill and other buildings.
Paintball would be biodegradable, made from corn syrup and Tylenol casing.
The property is currently split between both commercial and residential zoning. The proposed change would make zoning uniform, said city manager Mark Massingham.
Permits for the property would be issued on the conditions that all business regulations be met and that any new operator would have to apply for a new permit.
Council members also discussed a request by the South Central Missouri Community Action Agency for a conditional use permit to operate a daycare center for up to 80 children at 1150 Herschel Bess Blvd. This would be located near a current Head Start facility.
The permit will also be a voting item March 19.
The Poplar Bluff Head Start was awarded nearly $2 million in 2017 in federal money to construct a new building and expand its programs.
Approximately $1.4 million was set aside for construction, with nearly $485,000 annually in additional operating money. The facility was expected to employ 15 people when it was announced.
The new building will allow Poplar Bluff operations to provide a longer school day for 3 and 4-year-old children already served by Head Start.
Council members voted to grant a permit to Jimi Waggoner of Crossroads Ministry for a new facility on South C Street.
Waggoner purchased the former Hentz Alternative School from Poplar Bluff School District. Members of his group are in the process of renovating the building.
The organization helps men with drug and alcohol addiction recovery.