Paradise Lost? Council Quietly Rejects Eden Village Rezoning Proposal

Excelsior Springs, MO–On Monday, May 20, 2024, A proposal to rezone property at 1112 Tracy Avenue that would have potentially allowed the construction of a new community living facility for individuals experiencing homelessness in Excelsior Springs was quietly rejected by the City Council. The project, organized by Eden Village of Excelsior Springs, required the rezoning the vacant property from a “C-3” commercial designation to a medium-density “R-4” residential designation.

The proposal for rezoning has generated significant community discussion, with over 200 residents attending the April 29 meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission. With a large number of community members speaking both for and against the rezoning, the commission ultimately voted against the application, citing concerns about the potential future demand for the commercially zoned land as the city experiences growth. Several members of the audience were visibly frustrated by the decision, with one individual noting that the property in question had remained largely vacant since the 1970s.

During the council meeting on Monday, Janet Aldrich, representing her family, who own the property, argued that the site’s characteristics, including a narrow driveway, make it less suitable for commercial use. She also noted that the property has a retention basin on site suitable for residential property, the lack of which was noted as a concern for some planning and zoning commission members.

Kelly Anderson, president of Eden Village, implored the council to approve the rezoning of the property, stating that her organization had explored the alternative properties suggested by the planning commission, but none were currently available. She emphasized that Eden Village would make good use of the vacant property while addressing the community’s need for affordable housing, a concern identified in recent city-wide surveys.

Doug Hermes, the City’s community development consultant, presented the planning commission’s findings to the council and restated the initial staff recommendation that the application for rezoning was consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. The council conducted no discussion on the topic during the meeting nor did they have any further questions for the applicant. A motion to approve the rezoning was introduced by Councilman John McGovern but was met with stony silence and consequently died due to lack of a second, effectively ending the proposal’s advancement.

Following the meeting, members of Eden Village gathered outside the Hall of Waters to discuss the outcome of the vote or lack thereof. Although it is assumed the organization will continue to look for property within Excelsior Springs for its project, members of the organization declined to comment on their future course of action.