The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO

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August 5, 2012

Joplin City Council to hear plan for ball field for disabled children

By Debby Woodin Globe Staff Writer

JOPLIN, Mo. — A proposal by a Joplin civic club to build a ball field at the Joplin Athletic Complex for disabled children will be heard tonight by the Joplin City Council.

The Rotary Club of Joplin has been working for about a year to plan the field, which is called the Miracle League Field, along with a playground suitable for access by children in wheelchairs.

The field and playground are estimated to cost $495,185. Equipment for the playground would include two slides; a number of panels with handholds, periscopes, storefronts and bells; and bars such as a chinning bar, grab bar and others. There would be swings with harnesses, belts and bucket seats to accommodate a variety of special needs, and sensory play swings such as a wheelchair glider.

The playground and ball field surfaces would be rubber-coated for the safety of the children.

The Joplin Park Board approved the proposal for the project, and the city staff is recommending council approval.

In other business, the council will conduct a public hearing on a zoning request for property at 2605 E. 20th St.

Architect Don Ness asks that the tract be rezoned from residential to C1-PD for construction of an office for his business, Ness Properties. Ness plans to adhere to the city’s new corridor development standards designed to step up commercial use and the appearance of developments along 20th Street.

Ness told the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission that his current office on Fourth Street has outgrown the space there. He wants to build a residential-type building of 2,440 square feet that would be his home as well as his office.

Ness held a meeting for neighboring property owners that was attended by only one person. That neighbor favors the Ness request, according to city documents.

The council also will be asked to set a public hearing for Aug. 20 on the city’s proposed property tax rate. That levy amount will be announced before then.

Meeting details

The City Council meets at 6 p.m. today on the fifth floor of City Hall, 602 S. Main St. The meeting is preceded by an informal session at 5:15 p.m.

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