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Board approves multiple municipal code changes; farmers market and parking-lighting provisions amended
Summary
The Branson Board of Aldermen approved a package of first-reading ordinances covering alarm/sprinkler exceptions, farmers-market permits, parking-lot lighting, board-of-appeals procedures and permit time limits; several items were amended on the floor.
The Branson Board of Aldermen approved first-reading action Wednesday on several ordinances affecting building, zoning and event rules and carried a consent agenda including minutes and a personnel/board-removal ordinance.
The board voted to:
- Approve the consent agenda, including final reading of Bill No. 65-22 (amending section 2-201 of the Branson Municipal Code on removal of members of boards, commissions, committees and councils). Vote: 4–0; motion carried.
- Adopt Bill No. 65-23 on first reading, an amendment to Chapter 42 (fire prevention and protection) to create exceptions to alarm and sprinkler requirements for certain R-1 residential occupancies (stand-alone units ≤1,200 square feet with occupant load of six or fewer). Motion and vote taken at first reading; ayes recorded and the bill passed first reading.
- Conduct a public hearing and approve Bill No. 65-24, an amendment to Chapter 94 (temporary uses) updating farmers-market permitting. The planning staff recommended (and the planning commission had unanimously approved) changes that replace fixed vendor caps with a majority-agricultural-vendor ratio, allow farmers markets in agricultural zoning, and remove a 20,000-square-foot maximum area. Alderperson Marshall moved the amendment striking the 20,000-square-foot maximum; the amendment passed and the ordinance was adopted on first reading as amended.
- Approve Bill No. 65-25 on first reading, amending section 94-88(c) concerning parking-lot lighting to minimize illumination on adjoining properties. The measure passed on a 4–1 roll call (Aye 4, No 1; Alderman Schultz recorded a No vote).
- Approve Bill No. 65-26, changes to Chapter 18 to centralize and clarify the board-of-appeals process (including deleting Appendix A in the fire code and referencing Chapter 18 instead). During debate aldermen amended the ordinance to change the period to file an appeal with the Board of Appeals from 10 days to 45 days; the amendment passed and the ordinance advanced on first reading as amended.
- Approve Bill No. 65-27, revisions to Chapter 18 to standardize application and permit procedures. The changes include a one-year permit issuance period, automatic one-time 90-day extension after a passed inspection, the director’s authority to grant up to 180-day extensions (and up to three such extensions for justifiable cause), and deeming an application or permit abandoned after 180 days without substantial progress. The board voted to approve the ordinance on first reading; members asked staff and legal to review specific wording (for example, the phrase “continuous and substantial progress”) before final reading.
Most votes were routine first readings or unanimous voice votes; where roll call votes occurred the tally was recorded. Several measures were amended on the floor after public hearing or staff reports.
