An attempt to rezone residential property on Katy Lane faces opposition from residents, who fear this could mean the end of a quiet neighborhood.
Members of the Barbour family, who own the 1.75 acres in question, say this request for an office professional designation offers a good transition between commercial property and the homeowners.
The Poplar Bluff City Council heard from both groups Monday and is expected to vote on the matter at a special meeting at 5:30 p.m. Friday.
The regular July 3 meeting has been rescheduled. For a complete agenda, see page 6A.
The request has generated split votes from both the city council and planning and zoning.
The request was moved to the city council's voting session with two in opposition, Ward 3 council member Barbara Horton and Ward 4 representative Philip Crocker.
Planning and zoning commissioners sent the council a recommendation are in favor of the rezoning, with one 'no' vote and some stipulations, said city planner Dennis Avery. Mayor Ed DeGaris voted against sending the request to council.
"I appreciate all the comments from all the neighbors. You can see that they're talking from their heart, just as Mr. (Dan) Barbour is," DeGaris said. "My only reason was ... to stop the encroachment into our residential neighborhoods. I think that's very important. That's a beautiful neighborhood."
Avery and the Barbour family have worked to come to a compromise, added DeGaris.
The Barbours own a vacant lot that extends between Katy Lane and Barron Road.
They are requesting an office professional designation for the approximately 2 acres that adjoin Katy Lane. The northern portion, adjoining Barron Road, would remain residential and include a buildable lot for a future single-family home, according to city council documents.
Dr. Dan Barbour represented the family at the council meeting. Other owners of the property are Kevin Barbour, Jane Walters and Rose Ann Huck.
The property was inherited from his grandfather and has provided free green space for the neighborhood for about 70 years, Barbour told the council.
"We want to be good neighbors," he continued. "We're looking for a soft transition. I think that's what this type of zoning is for, between commercial and residential property. I think our proposal is reasonable."
Barron Road residents John Stanard, Emily Wolpers and Laura Clark spoke against the rezoning.
If this is approved, it will be very tempting for the neighboring property owners to also seek rezoning, Stanard said.
"I've seen it too many times," he said, telling the council that zoning needs to be for the best land use, not personal.
In her neighborhood, Wolpers said, she has seen Barron Road change piece by piece into commercial property.
Neighborhoods pock-marked with zoning other than residential represent poor city planning, Clark said.
"Progress isn't progress if it replaces something that can't be replaced," she said.
The majority of Katy Lane is in business use, so office professional would be the best use for the Barbour property, said Mayor pro tem Susan McVey, who voted in favor of moving the request to a voting session.
"I think by leaving the Barron Road side residential, the Barbour family is making a good compromise for the residents that live on Barron Road," she said.
Crocker agrees with the Katy Lane and Barron Road zoning requests, but says he cast a 'no' vote because the residential lot needs to be bigger.
"I just don't see how you could build a house comparable to others on Barron Road with that property configuration," he said.
Council member at large Steve Davis said he is still considering both sides of the request. While this rezoning could offer a good transition, he understands residents' fears that this could start a chain reaction of additional non-residential property use requests.
Like residents, Horton fears this request might lead to more rezoning requests, which would put the neighborhood in danger of becoming more commercial.
She believes, from calls she received, the Barbours and residents could come to an agreement to sell the property for residential use.
The request creates a natural transition and a buffer will be left for vegetation, said council member at large Ron Black, who was in favor of the move to a voting session.
Ward 5 representative Robert Smith said he preferred not to comment on the matter before the vote.
In other zoning matters, the council voted Monday to:
* Grant a rezoning request to Recycling Grace Ministries for a faith-based, not-for-profit women's housing program at 704 and 708 Kinzer Street. The property will be rezoned from central area residential to residential apartment, with a conditional use permit to operate the program.
* Grant a conditional use permit to sell liquor by the drink, as well as beverage blending and bottling at a proposed restaurant at 506 Vine St. The applicant was Bronze Owl Brewing. Davis abstained from this vote due to a conflict of interest.