Planning commission backs rezoning at 21 Steventale Court with access condition

The Rolla City Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of a map amendment on 21 Steventale Court that would change the property’s zoning from R-1 (suburban) to C-1 (neighborhood commercial), with the commission conditioning the zoning change on the applicant acquiring adjacent property or recording an access easement.

Tom, a staff member, told the commission the property fronts Highway 72 but the house faces Steventale Court, a cul-de-sac lined with single-family homes. He said the applicant had approached the Missouri Department of Transportation and was told direct driveway access to Highway 72 would not be permitted; the applicant has the adjacent parcel under contract and proposes to use that parcel’s existing driveway for access. "This property is located at the corner of Highway 72 and Steventale Court," Tom said, and the applicant provided a site plan showing on‑site parking and a side drive that would exit onto Highway 72 through the neighboring lot.

Tom said the city’s comprehensive plan designates the Highway 72 corridor as appropriate for neighborhood commercial uses and that the subject lot is adjacent to existing commercial zoning and uses. He added that the applicant reported outreach to nearby neighbors and submitted a site plan (not required for a rezoning) to demonstrate parking and vehicle circulation.

Commissioners asked about parking, driveway configuration and whether the adjacent parcel would be preserved as a separate lot or combined; staff said the approach could be either a lot combination or an access easement depending on the applicant’s ultimate plan. The commission heard that neighbors had signed a petition opposing the proposal at the city council hearing; the petition did not meet the threshold for a protest petition that would alter the required council vote.

After discussion, a motion recommending approval subject to the zoning not becoming effective until the applicant had purchased the adjacent parcel or recorded an access easement carried on a roll call vote. Roll call recorded affirmative votes from the chairman and members Kreider, Jordan, Morris, Shields and Martin; the motion passed.

The recommendation now goes to the Rolla City Council for final action. The commission noted that if the rezoning becomes effective, the zoning designation would allow any uses permitted in C-1 unless the council adopts an independent, more specific condition on the council’s ordinance.