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Planning commission approves rezoning for 598 Animal Safari Road to allow apartments, conditioned on final plat
Summary
The Branson Planning Commission voted 8-0 March 4 to approve rezoning about 34 acres at 598 Animal Safari Road from Agricultural A to High Density Residential (HDR) for a proposed apartment development, with a condition that the property be platted and recorded prior to enactment.
BRANSON, Mo. — The Branson Planning Commission on March 4 approved an ordinance rezoning roughly 34 acres at 598 Animal Safari Road from Agricultural A to High Density Residential (HDR) so the site may be developed for apartments, voting 8-0. The commission required that the property be platted and recorded with the Taney County Recorder of Deeds before the rezoning ordinance is enacted.
Planning staff told commissioners the property, currently vacant, lies just west of Green Mountain Drive and Preserve Drive and is bordered by single-family homes, undeveloped land in unincorporated Taney County, and the existing Preserve Apartments. Staff recommended approval, noting the rezoning would allow an apartment development that staff considers compatible with adjacent uses. Staff also said the 2030 community plan designates the area as mixed-use but does not define “high density residential.”
Ricky Hawes, of Olsen Engineering, representing developer Duane Boggs, described a two-phase buildout. He said the east side of the lake — already within a planned development (PD) — would provide about 160 units, and the western area subject to the rezoning would hold about 224 units across roughly 35 acres. Hawes said the developer anticipates beginning the east-side construction in the first quarter of next year and the western portion “soon after,” potentially in the second quarter of 2026 if approvals proceed. He told the commission the developer expects construction costs of about $35–45 million for the western portion and $25–30 million for the eastern portion and plans to position the apartments as higher-end long-term rentals with amenities such as clubhouses, pools, courts and trails.
Planning staff explained a condition of approval: the ordinance and resolution should not be enacted until the final subdivision plat is approved and recorded with the Taney County Recorder of Deeds. Staff said the condition is intended to avoid creating a platted lot with multiple zoning districts.
Commissioners asked for clarification that part of the area east of the proposed rezoning lies within an existing PD that already allows apartment development; staff confirmed and said the rezoning request before the commission applies only to the parcel to the west. No members of the public spoke in opposition during the hearing; the developer’s representative provided the presentation and answered questions.
The commission’s roll-call vote recorded “yes” from Commissioner Richards; Alderperson Denham; Commissioner Hillis; Chairperson Grohman; Vice Chairperson Deager; Commissioner Moriali; Commissioner Martinowski; and Commissioner O’Day. The motion carried 8-0.
The commission set a special continuation date of March 18, 2025 at 6 p.m. for a separate preliminary subdivision item on the agenda (for 248 Parkway, Phase 3); staff and the applicant asked for the special meeting to provide additional easement clarifications for that separate case.
Why it matters: the rezoning clears the land-use hurdle needed to build a multi-phase apartment complex adjacent to existing apartments and other residential development; the condition requiring platting ensures legal lot lines will align with zoning before the rezoning takes effect.
What’s next: the rezoning ordinance will be forwarded according to city procedures; enactment is conditioned on the recording of the final subdivision plat with Taney County Recorder of Deeds.
