Council hears conditional-use request for auto repair on US 71; resident raises runoff concerns

The Board of Aldermen opened and closed a public hearing July 8 on a conditional-use permit application to operate an auto repair business at 13118 South US 71 Highway.

City staff said the property is zoned CS (Commercial Service and Wholesale), where auto repair businesses require a conditional-use permit. The applicant, Big C Transmissions LLC, applied after contacting development services in April; staff reviewed the property and reported it is a single-story building with four vehicle bays and that it meets the nine criteria staff uses to evaluate conditional-use requests. The Planning Commission held a hearing July 2 and unanimously recommended approval.

During the board’s public hearing, nearby resident Barbara Daiter asked whether runoff from oil and other fluids could affect water on the highway’s nearby side. In response, a city staff member said sanitary and hazardous-material rules would apply and that neighborhood services would enforce the city code. The staff member added that, if contamination or hazardous-material concerns arose, the city would contact the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and/or the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and that the fire department enforces requirements for certain chemicals.

The board did not vote on the conditional-use permit at the July 8 meeting; the item was taken as a public hearing and closed. Staff recommended approval and will return the item for any required board action and permit conditions consistent with city code and environmental safeguards.