Council holds first reading to rezone Meriwether Road site for RMU booster pump; accepts university easement for new water main

The Rolland City Council held a public hearing and conducted the first reading of an ordinance to rezone 931 Meriwether Road from the R‑3 multifamily residential district to the P (Public) zoning district to allow Rolland Municipal Utilities to construct a booster pump station. Separately, council approved staff’s request to accept a utility easement from the University of Missouri so RMU can install a water main across university property.

Staff said the property is city‑owned (held for RMU) and is currently wooded, with nearby multifamily development. Planning and Zoning recommended approval of the rezoning by a 4–0 vote. Staff said the pump and motors will be enclosed inside a building and that the project should have “minimal impact” on surrounding properties.

Chad Davis, engineering manager at Rolland Municipal Utilities, described the proposed structure as similar to other RMU well/pump buildings: “about a 12 by 20 building. Concrete block, metal roof. It’s a little bit larger, but similar in concept to a couple of our wells scattered around town.” He said pumps and motors will be contained inside to minimize noise and that the building will have no windows; RMU intends to use darker block colors so the structure blends in.

Council members asked about public notice and who receives written notice; staff said notices are mailed only to property owners of record, a sign is posted on the property and the item is advertised in the newspaper, but notices are not mailed to tenants. Council members also asked about access: staff and RMU said vehicular access will be from Meriwether Road only; the site fronts on White Columns Drive but will not be accessed from that street because of vertical grade differences. RMU said a narrow tree clearing will be needed to run electric and water lines to White Columns but the intent is to leave trees intact except where utility lines must cross.

On the consent agenda council approved acceptance of a utility easement from the University of Missouri to allow RMU to install a water line from Watts Drive west across university property; staff recommended acceptance to permit installation of the new water main. The motion to accept the easement was made and seconded and carried by voice vote.

The rezoning item received a first reading at the meeting; a final vote was not recorded in the transcript provided.