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Aldermen hear request to rezone 9.5 acres near Ozark High School; public hearing held and item carried to a future meeting
Summary
City staff and the planning commission recommended rezoning about 9.5 acres at 809 North State Highway NN from single‑family to general commercial; the board opened public comment, heard from the property owners’ representative, and held the ordinance for later action.
The Ozark City Board of Aldermen opened a public hearing on Bill 3645, a proposed ordinance to amend the zoning map for a 9.5‑acre parcel at 809 North State Highway NN from R‑1C (single‑family) to C‑2 (general commercial). City staff summarized planning review and the planning‑and‑zoning commission’s recommendation to approve the rezoning, and the board accepted public comments before holding the item for a future meeting.
City planning staff said the property, adjacent to Ozark High School facilities and near other commercial zoning to the north, is largely undeveloped and has topographic constraints that reduce its attractiveness for single‑family development. “General commercial is a more appropriate development type,” said Paul Baldwin, describing available water and sewer and the site’s frontage on State Highway NN, a roadway the city classifies to serve commercial traffic.
The owners’ representative, attorney Chris Ball, told the board the family that owns the property is exploring the “highest and best use” for the site and is open either to participating in a commercial development or selling it. Ball said there are no immediate development contracts or plans on the property. Resident Buddy Huggins asked about subsurface conditions and whether bedrock or other constraints had been investigated; staff replied that those questions are typically addressed by future developers and engineers as part of project due diligence.
Why this matters: the rezoning would change the parcel’s permitted uses and could allow commercial development adjacent to school facilities. Staff and the planning commission recommended approval after considering surrounding zoning and the city’s planning guidance; the Onward Ozark corridor study and the 2018 comprehensive plan were both discussed during the hearing as guidance documents that the board considers alongside the five standard rezoning factors.
No final action was taken. After public comment and staff responses, the mayor announced "bill 3645 would be held over to future meeting." The item will return for a later reading and vote after the board has time for additional review and any requested follow‑up from staff.
Ending: The aldermen requested no additional formal actions tonight; the board held Bill 3645 over so members can review all materials and any additional input before voting on rezoning the site near the school complex.
