Independence council approves two rezonings, street name change and temporary easements for sidewalks project

The Independence City Council on May 5 approved four measures affecting land use and a sidewalks project, voting unanimously on all items.

Rick Arone, assistant director for the City of Independence, told the council that the city-initiated rezoning covering 32 lots along East Zahn Avenue and North Hawker Avenue would correct zoning where single-family homes are currently located. “These are zoned I-1, but these are single family homes, so this would basically be a corrective rezoning, to better align them for what they are currently being used for,” Arone said. The council passed Ordinance 25-023, rezoning the properties from District I-1 (Industrial) to District R-6 (Single Family Residential), by a 6-0 roll call vote.

The council also approved Ordinance 25-024, a second-reading rezoning of the properties at 20201 and 20221 East Jackson Drive from O-1 (Office Residential) to C-2 (General Commercial). Arone described that rezoning as city-initiated to “better align with the customer service and public assembly use of this site” and to match the C-2 designation across Jackson Drive in the Hartman Heritage area. The ordinance passed on second reading by a 6-0 roll call vote.

On a separate vote, the council approved Ordinance 25-025, changing the name of a segment of Necessary Road to South Pop Warner Drive. Arone said the application, filed by Heart of America Pop Warner, would rename the segment of Necessary Road between East Artie Mize and Little Blue Parkway. The ordinance passed on second reading by a 6-0 roll call.

Finally, the council approved Ordinance 25-026 on second reading, which declared the necessity of acquiring temporary construction easements for the Sidewalks Program Phase 2 project (Project Number 112209), authorized negotiation with property owners, and authorized initiation of eminent domain proceedings if necessary. The ordinance passed by a 6-0 roll call.

Why it matters: The Zahn/Hawker rezoning corrects a mismatch between zoning and current single-family residential use across 32 lots, reducing future land-use conflicts. The Jackson Drive rezoning and street-name change are intended to align zoning and addresses with existing commercial and community uses in that corridor. The sidewalks ordinance empowers the city to acquire easements needed to proceed with Phase 2 of the city’s sidewalks program, including negotiation authority and the option to initiate eminent domain if negotiations fail.

Actions taken (roll-call outcomes): - Ordinance 25-023 (Zoning: I-1 to R-6 for properties along Zahn Ave & Hawker Ave): Passed 6–0. - Ordinance 25-024 (Zoning: O-1 to C-2 for 20201 & 20221 E Jackson Dr): Passed 6–0. - Ordinance 25-025 (Rename segment of Necessary Road to South Pop Warner Drive): Passed 6–0. - Ordinance 25-026 (Declare necessity; acquire temporary construction easements for Sidewalks Program Phase 2, Project No. 112209): Passed 6–0.

Speakers and sources in the meeting: Rick Arone, assistant director, City of Independence, introduced the rezonings and street-name application; the City Clerk conducted roll-call votes; Mayor Roy Rowland presided. The planning commission had previously recommended approval of the rezonings, as noted by staff.

What was not decided: The Sidewalks Program ordinance authorizes negotiation and eminent-domain authority if needed but does not document completed easement acquisitions; any specific takings would require follow-up actions and notices to property owners.