Poplar Bluff City Council rejects rezoning request for Barron Road property

A Barron Road property owner plans to make a new proposal for business zoning of acreage in an area near May Street.

This follows a decision Monday by Poplar Bluff City Council members, who declined to approve the rating needed to add possible new medical offices.

Owners David and Sandy Donley of Cape Girardeau had asked that approximately 20 acres be rezoned from residential to office professional.

The matter was presented to the council in February with a recommendation by city personnel to approve, and a recommendation by the Planning and Zoning Commission against approval.

Residents organized a petition against the change, and also attended the February meeting to express concerns over potential traffic problems and storm water drainage.

The Donleys have said they will modify their request, city planner Matt Winters said. It would be to rezone a smaller area, three parcels, including about 3 acres close to Barron Road and 13 acres set back from Barron Road.

Mayor Susan McVey asked if the owners would have a waiting period before they could reapply.

It requires a one-year wait to bring back the same proposal, said city attorney Mark Richardson. There is no waiting period if, as in this case, the request is amended, he said.

The Donleys have told the council they have been unable to sell the property with a residential zoning, saying the acreage sits close to two nursing homes.

In February, McVey said the city is running out of residential property and she would hate to see it lose more.

Council members did vote to approve a request to rezone 2250 and 2604 Russell Road, near Holiday Inn. Owners Connie Hurt, Teresa Heiuser and Stacy Medley of Fairdealing asked it be changed from residential to general commercial for future sale.

The council also voted to:

• Update the stormwater management program, a document which city planner Matt Winters said in February will be dated 2016-2021. The previous plan expired in 2016.

• Amend city ordinance to create a new section mandating continuing education requirements for electricians.

• Appoint the following people to the Sycamore Street Community Improvement District Board of Directors: Brad Goodman; Jeralyn Goodman; Morgan Taylor; Amelia Taylor; and Jennifer Cooksey.

The council also discussed:

• Bids for hay baling and the lease of farmland, both near the city airport. These will be voted on March 18.