Council approves multiple redevelopment projects, tax abatements and zoning updates

The Excelsior Springs City Council approved a slate of redevelopment and land-use ordinances, including two tax-abatement agreements, a residential development standards zoning-text amendment and a final plat for Museum Row on East Broadway.

409 East Excelsior Street (Ord. 25-10-01): Staff neighborhood specialist Laurel Mize presented a residential rehabilitation project at 409 E. Excelsior St., a contributing house in the Boarding House District. Staff reported the Historic Preservation Commission had approved proposed exterior repairs and that required permits were obtained. Projected expenditures were listed as $9,857.84. Staff said the project met criteria for a Chapter 3.53 tax abatement that provides 100% abatement for up to 10 years or until the cost of the project is recovered, whichever comes first. The council opened and closed the public hearing (no public commenters recorded), took the ordinance to second reading, and approved Ordinance 25-10-01 on second reading by unanimous roll call.

311 South Thompson Avenue (Ord. 25-10-02): Staff presented a commercial redevelopment application for 311 S. Thompson Ave., a contributing building in the Hall of Waters District planned for an interior remodel to accommodate retail space and exterior repairs (window work, stucco and masonry repair, filling an overhead door, exterior paint). Staff reported the roof was already replaced, the Planning Commission had approved the proposed work, and the applicant had obtained required permits. Estimated expenditures were $433,019.75; staff said that qualifies the project for Level C abatement under Chapter 3.53 (100% abatement for 10 years followed by 50% for five years, or the cost of the project, whichever comes first). Council opened and closed the public hearing with no public speakers, took the ordinance to second reading, and approved Ordinance 25-10-02 on second reading by unanimous roll call.

Zoning text amendment — Title 4, Chapter 400 (Ord. 25-10-03): City planner Joshua Garrett presented proposed edits to the residential development standards in Title 4, Chapter 400, describing three categories of edits: formatting and minor corrections; removal of redundant provisions; and primary substantive changes to R-2 and R-3 lot standards to align them with R-1 and current market trends. Garrett said the Planning Commission recommended approval. Council moved the ordinance to second reading and approved Ordinance 25-10-03 on second reading by unanimous vote.

Final plat — Museum Row on East Broadway (Ord. 25-10-04): Garrett summarized the Museum Row final plat as clarifying city access to Circle Drive, resolving property-line issues along East Broadway and formalizing rear-yard access used by adjacent commercial properties. The Planning Commission recommended approval and the council approved Ordinance 25-10-04 on second reading by unanimous vote.

Votes at a glance - Ordinance 25-10-01 (409 E. Excelsior St.): Approved on second reading; project expenditures listed at $9,857.84; qualifying for 100% Chapter 3.53 abatement for up to 10 years. - Ordinance 25-10-02 (311 S. Thompson Ave.): Approved on second reading; estimated expenditures $433,019.75; Level C Chapter 3.53 abatement (100% for 10 years then 50% for five years, subject to the ordinance language). - Ordinance 25-10-03 (Title 4, Chapter 400 amendment): Approved on second reading; text amendment updates residential development standards (R-2/R-3) and removes redundancies. - Ordinance 25-10-04 (Final plat — Museum Row on East Broadway): Approved on second reading; clarifies access and property lines for businesses along East Broadway.

All recorded roll-call votes on the above ordinances were recorded as unanimous 'yes' for the council members present; no public speakers were recorded during the hearings.