Planning commission forwards Cross Street vacation to City Council for school expansion and FEMA storm shelter

The Poplar Bluff Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously May 11 to recommend that City Council vacate a 40-foot-by-275-foot developed portion of Cross Street running between Arthur Street and Nickey Street so the Poplar Bluff School District can build an addition and a FEMA storm shelter.

City Planner James Sisk said he would allow Dr. Aaron Cornman to explain the school board's decision. Dr. Cornman told the commission the board opted to keep the existing sewer easement in place and to "slip line" the sewer rather than relocate it immediately; the board's plan delegates control of Cross Street to the school district while preserving the city's easement rights. "The board was very appreciative of that offer and that is the direction they want to go," Dr. Cornman said.

A representative from Municipal Utilities, Bill Bach, told the commission he had not obtained a contractor's final bid but estimated the cost to slip-line the sewer at about $90,000 to $100,000 and noted electric lines would still need to be rerouted off school property. The commission recorded those costs and the need to coordinate utility relocation as conditions for approval.

Commissioner Jonathan Nauser moved to forward the vacation request to City Council with a recommendation for approval; Councilwoman Lisa Parson seconded. The motion lists several conditions: no permanent structures may be built over the existing sewer easement unless specifically approved in writing by the City and Municipal Utilities; the Poplar Bluff School District shall be solely responsible for all costs associated with lining the existing sewer line and relocating any impacted power lines; the vacation shall not be finalized until all required agreements, easements and documentation reflecting these conditions are executed and recorded; and Cross Street shall remain open to public use until project planning and funding are complete and construction is authorized. The commission recorded the motion as carrying unanimously among attending members.

The minutes record that a motion to adjourn was made and seconded by Councilwoman Lisa Parson; the meeting ended at 6:07 p.m. The meeting minutes were submitted by Recording Secretary Irene Morse and list Rodney Reagan as Secretary.

Next steps: the recommendation will be considered by Poplar Bluff City Council; the commission's action is a recommendation and does not itself vacate the street. Any final vacation will be contingent on the execution and recording of the agreements and utility approvals outlined in the commission's motion.