Fenton to convert three city‑owned floodplain parcels to Parks & Recreation zoning

FENTON, Mo. — The City of Fenton Planning and Zoning Commission on Aug. 5 recommended rezoning three city‑owned properties on Ops Lane from OT‑5 Old Town District to PR (Parks & Recreation). The parcels — 80 Ops Lane, 92 Ops Lane and 98 Ops Lane — are vacant and located in the Merrimack River floodplain, staff said, and the rezoning is intended to include the sites in the city parks system to reduce future flood damage. Amy Stark told the commission the three parcels are city‑owned, vacant, and currently zoned OT‑5; because they are in the floodplain the city is requesting PR zoning “to be included in the city’s parks and recreation system. And that’s part of the city’s effort to mitigate future flood damage,” Stark said. Commissioners voted in favor of the recommendation after a brief discussion; Commissioner Glover seconded the motion. Chairperson Youneman moved the item. The roll‑call vote was unanimous among members present. Staff said the action was straightforward and that the rezoning will proceed to the Board of Aldermen for final adoption if the board concurs. During public comment, residents asked whether the rezoning would change existing special permits or adjacent land uses; staff clarified that the city‑owned parcels becoming part of the parks system would not alter individual special permits for nearby properties and that further planning for the parcels will proceed through the parks and recreation department. The rezoning recommendation will be forwarded to the Board of Aldermen for final approval and inclusion of the parcels in the city parks inventory.