JOPLIN, Mo. —
Zoning of eight former residential properties on Highview Avenue for the proposed expansion of the Bel-Aire Plaza won a recommendation for approval on Monday from the Joplin Planning and Zoning Commission.
The commission agreed unanimously to advance the proposal to change the zoning from single-family residential to a commercial-planned development for lots at 1805, 1809, 1813, 1817, 1823, 1903, 1909 and 1915 S. Highview Ave. The proposal includes a zoning change for the shopping center’s existing site at 1900 S. Range Line Road from C-1-PD to C-3-PD.
At a public meeting on Thursday for neighbors, the owner and developer of the property unveiled a site plan with renderings of the buildings they propose to construct to replace the shopping center that was destroyed by the May 22 tornado.
The shopping center is owned by Dr. Hish Majzoub and his family, of Joplin.
Developer Mike Mellinger of Springfield told the planning commission that the redevelopment of three commercial buildings for storefronts with a freestanding, sit-down restaurant, a LongHorn Steakhouse, is planned to meet new design standards adopted by the City Council last month.
The property will be edged on Highview Avenue and 18th Street with 25-foot landscaped and fenced buffering zones.
Mellinger said C3-PD zoning is sought rather than a more stringent C1-PD because the restaurant business will apply to sell alcohol and that is allowed only with C3 zoning.
No one opposed the request before the planning commission and no protests have been filed, the commission was told.
The panel also voted to recommend a special-use permit for Majzoub property at 2926 E. 17th St. Mellinger said that an AT&T store is to be rebuilt at 17th Street and Range Line, and this property would be used for additional parking behind the store.
Neighbor Joe Landrith, 2914 E. 16th St., asked that a masonry wall rather than a wood fence be built to separate the parking lot from his nearby home. He said the masonry reduces traffic noise better than a wood fence.
The panel also agreed to recommend rezoning requests at 1825 S. Connecticut Ave. from single-family residential to C3-PD. Builder Charles Kuehn said he does not have a plan yet for the site.
Kuehn also seeks rezoning of three adjoining properties near 16th Street and Range Line Road. A change from single-family and non-retail commercial to C-3 commercial zoning is sought for 1602 S. Range Line Road, 2918 and 2920 E. 16th Rezoning was denied several weeks ago by the City Council, but Kuehn told the zoning panel Monday he now has a tenant and a site design.
Landrith filed opposition to the request and told the panel that “until we hear what they are going to build, we’re against it.” He said he is concerned a restaurant will be built there that would generate a traffic increase in his neighborhood.
The zoning panel agreed to advance the proposal for rezoning to the council with a recommendation to approve.
Groundbreaking
If the Bel-Aire Plaza proposal receives council approval, construction is to start in June, with completion planned for early 2013.
May 2011 Joplin tornado
Bel-Aire Plaza plan wins zoning advance
- May 2011 Joplin tornado
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Community gearing up for two-year anniversary ceremony this afternoon
With the playground full of children, it could be any other day at Joplin’s Cunningham Park, but the white tents popping up and neat rows of white chairs lined up nearby indicate something more is happening today.
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SLIDESHOW: One year later, One day of unity, updated
Photos from a day of events commemorating the May 22, 2011 tornado anniversary
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Farmers Insurance teams up with Rebuild Joplin
Farmers Insurance announced Tuesday that the company will team up with Rebuild Joplin for an initiative to help the community complete its recovery efforts. The company already has placed one of its executives in Joplin, and it is pledging additional funds and volunteer hours by company workers to go toward the city’s recovery.
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Joplin man continues struggle to recover two years after tornado
As the Joplin tornado passed overhead, sweeping the house at 2430 S. Pennsylvania Ave. away in its wake, there was a moment of calm. Delbert Mcguirk was on his back in the basement, where he had sought shelter along with his wife, daughter and two grandchildren. In that moment of relative quiet, he stared up into the eye of the tornado.
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Storms cause damage throughout the Four States
Four-State Area residents hunkered down twice Monday to ride out tornadoes and powerful spring storms, then went to work cleaning up. The worst damage from Monday night’s storm was being reported in Ottawa County, Okla., near Wyandotte. That followed a report of an EF-1 tornado early Monday morning near Carthage.
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Two plead guilty to post-tornado wire theft
Two defendants pleaded guilty Monday to stealing copper wire from utility poles in the wake of the May 22, 2011, tornado that struck Joplin. Timothy M. Silveria, 45, of Joplin, and Nycoa K. Kracht, 32, of Laurel, Ind., entered open pleas of guilty in Jasper County Circuit Court to felony counts of theft from a public utility.
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FACES OF RECOVERY: 176,869 volunteers help put Joplin together again
They initially came in droves, pouring into Joplin by the thousands during the months following the May 2011 tornado to clear debris, clean up damaged homes and businesses and distribute donations of food, water, clothing and other necessities.
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Therapy dogs
Any question that Louie was bred to put people as ease is put to rest when the golden retriever trots over to where a visitor sits and puts his head on their knee, the dog’s eyes filled with a gentle affection.
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Nova Kluseman and Jeanne Morrow
Nova Kluseman has staked her claim on Wednesdays at the Mercy medical office clinics where she volunteers. The staff at Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri will know it’s Thursday when they see Jeanne Morrow walk through the door.
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Greentree Community Church
Every two months, Joplin plays host to some now-familiar faces. They’re members of Greentree Community Church in St. Louis, and they have “adopted” the city as one of their mission projects since the tornado.
- More May 2011 Joplin tornado Headlines
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