P&Z puts off decision about commercial development BDN

P&Z puts off decision about commercial development

By Cliff Sain
BDN Staff Writer
The Branson Planning & Zoning Commission decided this week to table a decision about a hotly contested commercial subdivision.

Wehr Industrial Center Developments, LLC, had requested the approval of a preliminary application for a group of commercial lots along Missouri 248 and James F. Epps Road. However, several residents of adjacent subdivision Branson North objected.

"I have concerns about compatibility with Branson North," said Branson North resident Eric Farris. "Branson North is a special area. It's a unique and treasured subdivision."

According to Planning Director Don Stephens, the development would include approximately 20 lots for commercial use along 248 and a second road that would run from Epps Road west, to 248 east, approximately 400 feet from the entrance into Branson North.

Jim Rader, who spoke on behalf of the developer, said he anticipates the development will bring another medical building to 248, which has seen several similar facilities spring up in the last couple of years. He said the developer is also looking at a financial institution and "maybe a restaurant."

"I see nice stuff - upper-end stuff," Rader said. "They'll have to be (upper end) to be able to afford it. (Missouri 248) is going to be a main corridor."

Much of the commission's concern with the development had to do with traffic. With an entrance several hundred feet from Branson North's entrance, there were safety concerns. In addition, the entrance from Epps Road raised concerns because of the amount of school traffic from the Branson School District's Cedar Ridge campus.

Rader said the eastern entrance could be eliminated from the plan, but he was less concerned with the Epps traffic because he said school traffic is congested for only 20 minutes, twice a day and will be reduced when the district moves the fifth- and sixth-grade students to a new building next year.

In other business, the P&Z Commission:

€Approved language for an ordinance regulating when and how search lights can be used at a business. The ordinance now has to be approved by the city aldermen.

€Approved language for an ordinance to regulate the brightness of computerized message boards. It also needs aldermen approval.

€Denied a request to change zoning of property along Hugo Drive from single family to apartments.