Independence City Council approves rezoning, sells city lot and adopts budget amendment

The Independence City Council on May 26 approved a package of land-use and financial measures, including the third and final reading of a zoning ordinance that rezoned the McDonald property from heavy industrial (M-2) to commercial (C-2), awarded the sale of 204 3rd Street Northeast to Jared Donnelly for $5,000 and adopted an amendment to the city’s fiscal year 2026 budget.

The rezoning ordinance cleared its third and final reading after Planning and Zoning recommended approval. The presiding officer said the change moves the McDonald parcel from “manufacturing … to C-2 which is commercial,” allowing uses that can include residential development. A council member supporting the rezoning said the owner had held the land for years and that changing the designation to C-2 “makes more sense to allow for that” residential use.

Why it matters: rezoning a property changes permissible uses and can enable new housing or commercial projects on sites previously limited to heavy manufacturing. The council approved the ordinance by a roll-call vote of 7-0.

On the sale of city property at 204 3rd Street NE, the council awarded the bid to Jared Donnelly, who submitted the highest of two bids at $5,000. The chair said Donnelly intends to make the site available for the 2027–28 building-trades school project. Council members clarified that a separate development agreement and additional permitting will be required before any construction; demolition is required within 90 days, site preparation is expected in early summer 2026 and construction would start in fall 2027 with completion in spring 2028, according to the packet and staff remarks.

The resolution to sell the property passed 6-1; Council member Appleby voted no and a council member raised concerns about ongoing maintenance at the site, specifically mowing and snow removal.

The council also adopted an amendment to the FY2026 budget intended to reconcile revenues and expenditures as the fiscal year ends June 30. The chair summarized packet figures showing an increase in revenues of nearly $500,000 and additional expenditures of roughly $344,442; the amendment passed on a 7-0 roll-call vote.

Other approved items included a lot-combination for Steel Guard Inc. (aka Gator Manufacturing) — consolidating three parcels to secure proper setbacks for a future building addition — and two commercial rehabilitation grants to Wapsi Realty: $9,043.61 for 119 1st Street East (the Nanny Franks building) and $7,265.39 for 121 1st Street East (the Indie Area Gymnastics Academy). Both grants represent roughly one-third of the total repair costs and passed 7-0.

The meeting opened with a moment of silence for community member Joe Olson. Council members delivered brief reports and the chair reminded residents about the June 2 primary and early-voting schedule. The council adjourned after completing the agenda.

Votes at a glance: - Ordinance (rezoning, McDonald property): passed 7-0. - Resolution (sale of 204 3rd Street NE to Jared Donnelly, $5,000): passed 6-1 (Appleby no). - Resolution (FY2026 budget amendment): passed 7-0. - Resolution (lot combination, Steel Guard Inc.): passed 7-0. - Grant approvals (commercial rehab, Wapsi Realty — 119 1st St. E and 121 1st St. E): both passed 7-0.

What’s next: sale of 204 3rd Street NE requires a development agreement and subsequent council approval before any building permits are issued; the council did not schedule further public hearings on the other items at this meeting.