Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Planning And Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Planning department outlines code updates, demolition totals and HUD limits on home repairs
Summary
Planning & Development staff told the council the department is nearly fully staffed and is preparing a sign-code review, a vacant-and-dangerous-building ordinance for summer adoption, annexation planning, and RFPs for a downtown master plan; staff also reported housing-program progress and HUD funding caps that limit per-home repair amounts.
Bolander, who presented on behalf of the City of Joplin Planning & Development Department, told the council on Feb. 2 that the department now has 27 positions with one vacancy and that staff are using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds alongside use-tax projects to complete several neighborhood initiatives.
He said the department is concentrating on three near-term projects: a sign-code review to tighten monument/sign standards on higher-speed corridors; drafting a vacant-and-dangerous-building ordinance (staff expects to bring a draft to the council after legal review, targeted for late spring/early summer); and an annexation program plan to guide future annexations.
Bolander previewed special projects including a downtown master plan and an updated comprehensive plan; the department is preparing an RFP for consultant selection. He also reported that the citywide broadband rollout is nearing customer signup and that JATSO (the region’s metropolitan planning organization) remains the coordination point for federal transportation funding and project alignment.
On housing programs, Joanne of Neighborhood Services summarized multiple initiatives: the JHAP intake period is open with applications due Feb. 13 for revisions; the rehab program received 131 applications, 77 homes have been completed and about $1.3 million has been expended to date; the ARPA demolition program has led to roughly 54–55 residential demolitions or homes in the pipeline; the housing revitalization program (a city investment of $1,000,000) has seven homes under construction.
Joanne said a HUD-funded home-repair program includes a per-home cap of $30,000; for projects expected to exceed that cap, staff must submit individual requests to HUD for approval, which increases administrative work and slows repairs, she said. Joanne also noted HOME-ARP plans for 10 units at New Hampshire and 20th (permits pending) and a historic-preservation survey process for North Heights with phase 1 consultant responses received.
Councilmember Koppel asked whether the Tool Lending Library is offsite; Bolander confirmed it is (at Public Works) and agreed to explore partnering with the recycling crew to help with check-out paperwork and make the tool lending hours more accessible.
Bolander and Joanne provided no recommended ordinance text at the meeting; staff indicated they would return with drafts and RFPs for council consideration. No formal votes or binding decisions were recorded during the informal session.
