Residents against the rezoning of a portion of Eugene Boulevard have secured enough signatures to force a change in the number of Poplar Bluff City Council votes needed to approve the project.
A five-vote majority will be needed to pass the request for a proposed housing complex, rather than the normal four votes, according to city officials. This is a workshop and voting item Monday for the council.
If a minimum of 30 percent of the landowners within 185 feet of a zoning request oppose it, a higher degree of council approval is needed.
Opponents of the project collected eight signatures from property owners who represent 53 percent of the lots closest to land owned by the Missouri National Guard Foundation. The petition was submitted by landlord Greg West.
The foundation has proposed constructing a 48-unit complex of income-based apartments. Preference would be given to veterans, according to representatives, who have promised to work with the local VA hospital and veterans groups.
The organization has asked that about three acres of undeveloped property be rezoned from commercial to residential apartment.
Opponents of the project have said the loss of commercially-zoned property would harm the city. Residents of the area have also spoken out, saying the complex could lower property values and be unsafe for nearby neighborhoods.
Veterans speaking at an April 17 city council meeting said affordable housing is very much needed in the Poplar Bluff area.
It is a disgrace for veterans to come home and be unable to find a decent place to live, former service members said.
The foundation has received $10.5 million in tax credits to construction the complex.