Zoning Battle Erupts Over Controversial Adult Store Proposal

In a recent government meeting, the proposal to rezone 8801 East Truman Road from local business to general business was a focal point of discussion. The applicant aims to redevelop the site, which previously housed a bookstore that has been closed since 2019, into a retail space that could potentially include an adult novelty store and a laundromat.

The zoning change is necessary due to the expiration of a 180-day period during which the bookstore operated as a legal non-conforming use. According to the Unified Development Code (UDC), once a non-conforming use is discontinued for this period, the property must be used for conforming purposes. The proposed adult store, however, cannot proceed as it would violate regulations prohibiting such establishments within 1,500 feet of schools or churches, with the nearby Blue Summit Baptist Church falling within this radius.

Despite the withdrawal of the conditional use permit application for the adult store, the property can still be rezoned to general business, allowing for a variety of other commercial uses. The plan commission's vote on the matter ended in a tie, indicating ongoing community division regarding the proposal.

City officials clarified that even if the rezoning is approved, the adult bookstore cannot be established at this location without undergoing a public hearing process for any future conditional use permit. Concerns were raised by community members, including Wesley Pepperson, who expressed opposition to the zoning change due to its association with the adult bookstore.

The meeting underscored the complexities of local zoning laws and the community's apprehensions about potential developments in their neighborhoods. Further discussions and decisions regarding the zoning change are anticipated as the city navigates these regulatory challenges.