Home builder given time to consider options before rezoning

North (left) of this corner, at 401 E. Second St., builder Joe Beard is trying to meet requirements to build two houses. The property, behind Atwoods, is currently zoned industrial.

A rezoning bill on the Webb City Council’s agenda Monday was delayed to give the home builder time to weigh his options.

Joe Beard seeks to build two houses on property at 401 E. Second Street, at the dead end behind Atwoods. The property is currently zoned industrial.

City Administrator Carl Francis noted Beard’s property is only wide enough for two 70-foot lots, whereas city requires 75-foot lots in single-family zones.

Suggestions included building a duplex (applying for R-2 instead of R-1 zoning) and buying an additional 10 feet from an adjacent property owner.

In conjunction with Beard’s rezoning application, the council did approve an ordinance vacating an 188-foot unused alley between First and Second streets.

Neil VanLue’s request to rezone the house in back of the Civic Theater, at 217 1/2 W. Daugherty St., was accepted on first reading.

Farmers market report

Council members were updated on the activities and finances of the Webb City Farmers Market during a presentation by Karen Scott, market board president, and Rachael Lynch, market manager.

The city has a stake in the market’s operation because it allows use of the market pavilion in King Jack Park, and it owns the market’s commercial kitchen. The  also receives a $20,800 subsidy from the city each year to help with staffing.

Scott said she and other market board members appreciate the city’s support.

Despite the pandemic, the council was informed that farmers and other vendors have continued to see their sales increase.

Mayor Lynn Ragsdale said he appreciates the market making the Snap (food stamp) program more of a bargain to encourage the purchase of healthy food. The market also adds value to the WIC (Women, Infants and Children) program.

Lynch encouraged more people in the community to volunteer at the market.

In other action, the council:

• Accepted a bid of $5,752 from Sutherlands for the purchase of 400 feet of galvanized chain-link fencing to install around the new soccer field that’s being developed where the radio fairgrounds used to be in King Jack Park.

• Allowed the police department to apply for a grant from the Missouri Department of Transportation to fund DWI saturation patrols. Police Chief Don Melton said that during the past 17 years the department has received $502,388 in such funding for the patrols, known as DWI Wolfpacks, and enforcement equipment.

• Accepted the resignations of:

– Mark Bond from the Board of Adjustments.

– Rhonda Thompson from the Planning and Zoning Commission.

• Approved Mayor Lynn Ragsdale’s appointments of:

– Clyde Thornbrugh to complete Bond’s term on the Board of Adjustments through May 2025.

– Kelly Braeckel to complete Thompson’s term on P&Z through May 2024.