Kirksville council approves rezoning to allow Casey's at East Illinois and U.S. 63

The Kirksville City Council voted to rezone the northwest corner of East Illinois Street and U.S. Highway 63 to a C-3 extensive business district to permit development by Casey's, the convenience-store and fuel retailer.

Planning and community development staff told the council the Planning and Zoning Commission reviewed the application on May 13 and recommended approval by a 7'0to'0 vote with no abstentions. Consultant Keith Lagan, representing Casey's, said the developer performed a traffic study and submitted it to the Missouri Department of Transportation; "in general, the level of service stays well at where it's at now," he said.

Several council members expressed concerns about vehicle turning movements and pedestrian safety at the intersection, urging continued coordination with MoDOT and attention to any required improvements. "I worry about having more cars turning off and on that alternate route, and potential additional dangers," a council member said during the discussion.

Two citizens spoke during the public hearing. Resident Steve Montgomery urged the council to coordinate with MoDOT on planned improvements near the site and asked whether a fourth Casey's was needed in town. Property owner Steve Taylor, who owns land near the proposed development, said Casey's had done extensive due diligence and described the project as a positive addition to the east side of Kirksville.

The council approved the rezoning on both first and second readings; the ordinance as read in the meeting will be entered into the municipal record.

The decision clears the way for the developer to move to detailed site planning and permitting. City staff said the project will require any MoDOT approvals for state-right-of-way impacts and that further site-plan review will follow local permitting rules.