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Resident tells council he collected 32 signatures opposing 2026 road project
Summary
Don Coler told the Independence City Council he canvassed homeowners in the 2026 road-project area, submitted a petition with 32 signatures and said about 90% of homeowners he spoke to oppose the project, raising concerns about homeowner fees and how project counts were compiled.
Don Coler, a resident who identified himself during the Jan. 26, 2026, public-comment period, told the Independence City Council he had knocked on most doors in the area affected by the city’s 2026 road project and collected signatures from homeowners opposing the work.
Coler presented a sheet to the council and said, "32 signatures on the sheet." He told the council he had spoken with homeowners on the streets involved in the project and estimated that "90% of the people are totally against" the project among homeowners he contacted. Coler said renters could not sign the petition and that some streets in the area are largely commercial or contain institutions (a church and a senior center), which limited homeowner signatures on those blocks.
Coler urged council members to check the numbers and suggested the project-count totals the city used might include residents of a large nearby apartment complex or renters who cannot legally sign petitions tied to property ownership. He also said several properties in the area were for sale and one homeowner had conditioned sale documents on having the work completed.
Council members asked Coler to wrap up when his allotted five minutes expired and thanked him for the petition. Council asked staff (Mac) to distribute copies of the signatures to members.
What the council did: the council accepted Coler’s submission and noted the petition and concerns; no formal action on the road project was taken during the meeting.
Why it matters: resident-collected petitions can inform council discussion or prompt requests for additional outreach or clarification of homeowner cost responsibilities if the project moves forward.
