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Madison County Board denies request to rezone Granite City parcel after neighbors raise complaints
Summary
The Board voted 12–16 to deny a rezoning request (Z19-0038) to change a parcel at 1082 St. Thomas Road from R-3 to M-1; neighbors testified about junk vehicles and burning while planning staff said a recent inspection found the property in compliance.
The Madison County Board on Jan. 15 declined a petition (Z19-0038) to rezone a property at 1082 St. Thomas Road in Chouteau Township from R-3 (single-family residential) to M-1 (limited manufacturing). The motion failed on a roll-call vote of 12 ayes and 16 nays.
Neighbors who filed objections and several residents who presented to the Board said the site resembled a junk yard and cited unlicensed vehicles, mattresses and recent burning on the property. Don Moore, speaking for concerned neighbors, summarized the public objections: "There was mention of an 18-wheeler tractor that will be taken off the property at the end of December" and other complaints that, in Moore's view, suggested ongoing nuisance conditions.
Planning staff supervisor Chris Doucleff told the Board he inspected the site with a code enforcement officer and found the property in compliance as of his visit the previous Friday. Doucleff said the owner and tenants provided written commitments (including prohibiting dismantled cars and keeping truck beds empty of parts), and he pledged weekly drive-by checks and prompt citation if violations occur: "There was no junk or debris on the property currently and I let him know that any violations will be cited immediately. He has given us unfettered access to the property to make sure the property is in compliance at all times."
Board members split on how to proceed. Supporters of denial cited longstanding resident concerns about activity and odors and a reported burn barrel incident; advocates of approval said the business predated some nearby homes and that Planning had verified compliance. "If Planning and Development tell me it’s under compliance and that it’s been cleaned up then that’s what I have to go on," said Planning & Development Committee chair Mick Madison.
The rezoning motion failed 12–16. Planning and Development staff and code enforcement said they will continue monitoring the property and enforce standards should violations recur.
