Council hears first reading for rezoning at 21 Steventale Court; approval conditioned on purchase of adjacent lot with Highway 72 access

The Rolla City Council held a public hearing and completed the first reading of an ordinance to rezone property at 21 Steventale Court from R‑1 Suburban Residential to C‑1 Neighborhood Commercial. The measure will return for a second reading and final vote at a future meeting.

Tom, city planning staff member, described changes the applicant has made since the prior council discussion: the applicant obtained the property to the west under contract to gain driveway access to Highway 72 (that adjacent lot already carries commercial zoning), provided a site plan showing roughly nine on‑site parking spaces, and reported outreach to nearby neighbors. Tom said planners believe the combined properties can provide vehicular access and parking that address earlier concerns about traffic using the residential street.

Plannin…