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Rezoning spells relief for rural residents PDF Print E-mail
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Written by Brian McCauley   
Wednesday, 24 December 2008 08:00

Paola Planning Commissioners hope to solve the zoning issue of about 240 acres east of U.S. Highway 169 in the city’s growth area in one swift swoop, but the final decision will be up to the Miami County Commission.

Paola planners last week unanimously voted to rezone the property, which is wedged between the highway and Wea Creek, from Business Park to Thoroughfare Access.

Several residents in the area have previously complained of the Business Park zoning, including Keith and Ava Allen, who received a conditional-use permit for an addition to their home and a new barn; Jeff and Elizabeth Sweeney-Reeder, who have had a difficult time obtaining a loan to remodel their home; and Barb Brandt and her siblings, who have concerns about selling their mother’s property, according to planning documents.

Part of the area in question includes about 13 acres near the intersection of U.S. 169 and Baptiste Drive southwest of Miami County Medical Center, where a series of retail lots could be developed if the Thoroughfare Access zoning is approved. Taylor Design Group has already proposed a concept plat that maps out eight lots in phase one and two larger ones in phase two, according to city planning documents.

Residential housing and most retail developments are not allowed in the current Business Park zoning.

The commissioners voted to rezone all of the property with one exception. Taylor Design Group requested a 20-acre tract near the intersection of Baptiste Drive and U.S. 169 not be rezoned because the group is not sure what future development will take place at the site.

The commissioners agreed to leave the tract, much of which is in a flood plain, out of the rezoning. The commissioners initially expressed concern about creating spot zoning, but they were told the tract was large enough to be rezoned at a later time.

Because the land is outside the city limits, the rezoning must go before the Miami County Commission.

In other business at the Dec. 16 meeting, the commissioners:

   Approved a variance from the 85 required number of parking spaces for a structure zoned Assembly and Worship for a youth worship center for Lighthouse Presbyterian Church at 1101 Industrial Park Drive. The center will be required to have 26 parking spaces and one handicap space. The commissioners also approved a preliminary and final site plan for the building under a series of conditions, including that the parking lot be paved. The city will replace anything that is torn up during future improvements to Industrial Park Drive, according to the planners.

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