Joplin Schools asks commission to vacate right-of-way near Royal Heights Elementary for safety and loading changes

JOPLIN — Dave Pettit of the Joplin Schools Facilities Department told the Zoning and Planning Commission of the City of Joplin on April 14, 2025, that the district is seeking to vacate a right-of-way at 2100 East Rolles Street adjacent to Royal Heights Elementary to improve student safety and reconfigure delivery access.

“We have a situation, actually a twofold situation, both safety oriented,” Pettit said, explaining the district wants to reconfigure stairs so students do not immediately disperse onto the street and to add a delivery dock on the west end of the building. He said the district previously removed a delivery dock from the south side to avoid trucks crossing the playground while students might be present.

The district representative said the change would not alter bus routes or the morning parent drop-off pattern. “It will not change. Our buses are currently delivering to the East Side…so it will not affect it in any way,” Pettit said in response to a commissioner’s question about bus loading.

Chair recognized public hearing procedures and confirmed the commission accepts the 2012 comprehensive plan and the Joplin Development Code appendices into evidence for the hearing. No members of the public spoke in opposition.

Doctor Rosenberg moved to approve Case 010-25, the request to vacate the right-of-way; the motion was seconded and commissioners voted in favor. The commission recorded the motion as carried and will forward the matter to the City Council for consideration on May 5, 2025.

The commission’s action at the planning stage does not itself change property ownership or final access arrangements; any changes will be subject to city council review and any required permits or easements.