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Monett council adopts Monett Core Conservation District to preserve historic neighborhoods
Summary
At its June 11 meeting the Monett City Council approved Ordinance 9157 creating the Monett Core Conservation District (MCCD), which breaks existing 'B' multifamily zoning into B1–B3 tiers to limit building height and density in the historic single‑family core while allowing owners to seek rezonings for higher density.
The Monett City Council on June 11 approved Ordinance 9157 to create the Monett Core Conservation District, an overlay that divides the city’s existing B (multifamily) zoning into B1, B2 and B3 tiers and restricts higher-density development in the historic core.
City staff told the council the MCCD would cover roughly the area north of U.S. 60, west of 13th and Kyler, south of Sycamore and east of North Eisenhower and would convert most B‑zoned lots inside that boundary to a new B1 designation. Community development staff said the change limits the number of principal structures per lot, sets square‑footage limits that scale with density tiers, and imposes a 20‑foot height restriction in B1. Staff said property owners could request rezonings to B2 or B3 through the Planning & Zoning Commission if they seek higher density.
The measure’s proponents said the overlay balances property rights with preserving the character of historic single‑family neighborhoods. “It will limit the higher‑end density and still let people do what they want with their property,” a city staff presenter said, describing the path to request higher density through reasoned rezoning review.
A member of the public asked where the city would draw a “red line” to prevent two‑ or three‑story apartment complexes and whether contractors could still propose taller projects; staff replied that the one‑principal‑structure rule, square‑footage limits by tier and the 20‑foot height limit in B1 are the primary tools, and any exceptions would require a formal rezoning before Planning & Zoning.
Council members moved, seconded and approved the ordinance on second reading. The clerk recorded the roll call as Mayor Randy Burke: Yes; Commissioner Darren Deina: Yes; Commissioner Ken Gaspar: Yes.
The new overlay will be incorporated into Chapter 400 of the municipal code as section 400.065 (Monett Core Conservation District). Staff and the Planning & Zoning Commission retain responsibility for reviewing rezoning requests and permit compliance; the council did not alter the process for applying for a change to B2 or B3.
The council’s action closes a multiyear effort by staff and the Planning & Zoning Commission to refine the city’s multifamily zoning structure while keeping avenues open for property owners to seek higher density through regular land‑use review.
