As there has been interest expressed in receiving activity reports relating to city planning and economic development, here is the Community Planning & Economic Development Department report provided to the Mayor and Board of Aldermen for September 2014! To: Mayor Murry and Alderman From: William D. Osborne, AICP, CPED Director Re: Community Planning & Economic Development Department Report, September Date: October 14, 2013 • Attended Governor’s Conference on Economic Development the first week of September [detailed report available]; • Attended the Odessa Chamber of Commerce Membership lunch meeting of August 28th where a large audience of business owners and operators received a presentation and asked questions about the topic of exit strategies for closing, transferring or selling a business; • Worked with local food-service business to identify potential investors/purchasers for the business – the business recently sold and will remain in Odessa; • Attended preliminary inspection of former Red Rocket Saloon location being renovated by Holmes Osborne, Jr. for an upstairs office and downstairs restaurant/bar; • Coordinated letters-of-support from various stakeholder groups for 1912 Odessa School Building rehabilitation project tax credits; • Received input from Chamber boardmembers and a local business person regarding providing City tax incentives and funding to existing businesses (Nuts & Bolts was cited as example), and the desire to have staff attend Whiteman AFB Base Community Council meetings each month; • Attended Pioneer Trails Regional Planning Commission – Transportation Advisory Council (TAC) meeting – MoDOT staff reported that I-70 from Odessa to State Route 13 will be resurfaced next year, and that at-grade rail crossings are not required to be ADA compliant in rural communities without existing pedestrian/wheelchair/stroller facilities; • MoDOT staff will also be stepping up on updating entry signage into Odessa; • Contacted MoDOT regarding right-of-way width for Hwy 131 (2nd Street) north of Montgomery Street; • Action Flooring is now occupying the north building of the old Action Products site, and maintenance of the property preceded the start of business operations; • Attended the Missouri Municipal League Conference in Branson, September 15-18th [detailed report available] • Attended the Missouri Preservation Conference in Boonville, September 18-20th [detailed report available]. Sybille Wilson, Codes Compliance Officer, also attended to primarily cover sessions associated with building codes and hands-on work of historic preservation contractors; • Met with Downtown business owners about their interest in forming an organization based on Main Street principles. Reaffirmed that businesses and property owners need to be an internally-coordinated, committed, driving force for moving such an effort forward; • Attended the Pioneer Trails Regional Planning Commission Board of Directors meeting of September 24th. Very brief introduction about the expansion of Whiteman AFB and zoning of acquired property. Primary discussion in executive session featured administrative review of budget and staffing levels, as well as the PTRPC employee performance evaluation process; • Discussed the possible opening of a commercial youth entertainment venue in Downtown Odessa with a local resident, including operational requirements and market research; • Discussed the possible operation of a gas station with convenience store close to Downtown Odessa, and likely issues and considerations in zoning and development permit application review; • Coordinated an afternoon planning focus group visit from Mr. Lee Crockett and Mr. Joel Harris of the Entrepreneurship Roundtable held at The Mixing Bowl Bakery on September 25th [detailed report available]; • Drafted proposed code amendment language with the intent of unifying and clarifying the definition of ‘livestock’ in Odessa Municipal Code – the Planning & Zoning Commission held a public hearing on the issue on September 26, 2013 – the P&ZC recommends only amending OMC § 8.506(d) Other Nonconformities to include the words “…and poultry…”; • Drafted proposed code amendments for Planning & Zoning Commission discussion regarding driveways and off-street parking. The Planning & Zoning Commission will continue to discuss paving materials, off-street parking, and driveway construction, reconstruction, repair and expansion permitting at its October 24th meeting; • The Planning & Zoning Commission has decided to offer a recommendation relating to water and sewer connection fees without proposing substantive amendments to the Comprehensive Master Plan or Odessa Municipal Code; • Heard concerns from a citizen reported to be in violation of the number of dogs allowed in a single residence; • Invited two members of the P&ZC to join staff in attending the annual American Planning Association-Missouri Chapter conference, to be held October 16-18, 2013. For more information, please contact Will Osborne at (816) 230-5577.
Posted on: Tue, 05 Nov 2013 17:16:50 +0000