The Independence City Council on Oct. 6 approved a special-use permit and a change to the city’s Unified Development Ordinance that together allow a travel-center development known as Wally’s at 4023 South Nolan Road.

The council amended the special-use permit to require the applicant to “construct all improvements to the street network provided for in the recommendations of the traffic impact study, including but not limited to South Nolan Road, Lynn Court Drive, and Canterbury Place,” and then approved the ordinance 7-0.

The UDO amendment (ordinance 25-086) removed a citywide 750-foot separation rule for gasoline and motor-vehicle-repair uses within 400 feet of the interstate; the special-use permit (ordinance 25-087) grants site-specific approval to operate a gas station with more than 25 pumps at the former Kmart site. The planning commission had recommended both actions in August.

Council members and staff discussed traffic, infrastructure and the scope of administrative authority to approve future changes. Council member Fears asked if the change to the UDO was measured and whether a site‑specific waiver would have been possible; staff said the UDO did not allow the use in that location without the amendment and that the subsequent special‑use permit is the site‑specific approval.

Council members debated a proposed provision that would have required any “substantive” modification to the permit conditions to return to council. That clause was added but then stripped after developers and other council members said it was ambiguous and could cause delay. The council instead left the traffic‑improvements language in Section 2 of the permit conditions and removed the additional requirement to return all substantive changes to the council.

City planning staff said the applicant and its traffic consultants had provided a traffic impact study and that the added language names the roadways for which recommended improvements will be required. The applicant’s representatives were present to answer questions during the meeting and said they agreed the listed roadways were appropriate to address.

The council’s approval concluded the public hearings, and the clerk recorded a unanimous vote in favor. City staff will work with the applicant to ensure the traffic‑study recommendations are implemented as listed in the permit conditions.

Council members also noted public comments for and against the project made during the meeting; speakers raised concerns about traffic, benzene and nearby property maintenance, and other residents urged the council to approve the project for jobs and tax revenue. Those concerns will be part of staff review as traffic and environmental permits proceed.

The approval does not itself authorize any city incentives; council members said future requests for incentives would be considered separately if and when they are brought forward.

What happens next: with the ordinance and special‑use permit approved, the applicant will proceed to the administrative steps required by the permit, including construction plans and required street improvements. Any substantial changes that exceed staff authority will be brought back to council for action.