Planning and Zoning Approves Solomon’s Porch Project, Short-Term Rental and Tallgrass Estates Plat

The Lebanon Zoning and Planning Commission approved several development requests Thursday night, including plans for a new Solomon’s Porch Ministries facility on Murphy Road, a short-term rental on Tower Road, changes to Lebanon High School property and the next step toward a 30-home residential development near Ostrich Drive.

The commission met Thursday, August 13, at Lebanon City Hall. The original agenda included seven public hearing items, although a proposed replat at Harwood and Lynn was removed from the agenda at the beginning of the meeting. The meeting packet indicated that replat was connected to plans for construction of a new Casey’s General Store.

Solomon’s Porch Plans New Facility on Murphy Road

Much of the meeting focused on two requests involving property at 517 Murphy Road.

Solomon’s Porch Ministries requested approval to combine seven lots into one and receive a conditional use allowing construction of a rehabilitation/halfway housing facility for women and their children working toward independent living.

During the public hearing, representatives presented preliminary plans for the new facility. The proposed building would measure approximately 140 feet by 80 feet and would be developed in phases.

The first phase would include a workshop, store and donation area. Plans also include a heated room where donated items could be treated at 140 degrees for 24 hours to address bedbugs. The workshop would provide opportunities for residents to learn skills while producing items that could be sold to support the ministry.

According to the presentation, the first phase is estimated to cost approximately $300,000. A second phase, estimated at $1.2 million, would add the residential portion of the facility. Plans discussed during the meeting call for six families to be housed on the first floor, with a future second-floor expansion providing space for up to 15 additional families.

The project could also tie into future improvements to Murphy Road. City officials said the project presents an opportunity to improve access to Gasconade Park and the Hughes Senior Center. The city has approximately $50,000 budgeted for design work, with the possibility of using city crews for future road construction. The improvements could also help create better utility connections in the area.

Commissioners unanimously approved both the seven-lot-to-one-lot replat and the conditional use for the facility.

Short-Term Rental Approved on Tower Road

The commission also approved a conditional use for a short-term rental at 730 Tower Road.

According to city staff, the property has completed its required pre-inspection and meets the requirements for a short-term rental, including parking and exit requirements. The property is also more than 1,000 feet from a school or daycare.

Owner Addison Maynor told commissioners she previously lived at the home for approximately five years and hopes to eventually move back. She said she plans to use Airbnb and has previous experience helping manage short-term rentals in Lebanon.

Commissioners unanimously approved the conditional use.

Changes Approved for Lebanon High School Property

Two requests involving Lebanon High School property at 777 Brice Street also received approval.

The first rezones recently acquired property from RS-2 residential to RS-1 residential, bringing it into the same zoning classification as the majority of the school property. City staff described the change as a way to clean up and create consistent zoning across the property.

The commission also considered a plat for what is being called Yellowjacket Acres. The original request described combining four lots into one, but discussion during the meeting clarified that the final action would combine three lots into one.

An additional issue involved Jacket Junction. The plat presented to commissioners showed the street as vacated, but city officials said the city does not intend to vacate Jacket Junction at this time.

The commission approved the plat contingent upon it being revised to show Jacket Junction remaining a city street.

Both the rezoning and revised plat were approved unanimously.

Tallgrass Estates Moves Forward

The commission also approved the final plat for Tallgrass Estates near 20800 Ostrich Drive.

The preliminary plat was approved by the commission in July. The development is planned as approximately 30 new single-family homes, with the first phase moving forward following final plat approval.

Stormwater drainage was the primary topic of discussion Thursday.

A neighboring property owner told commissioners he already receives runoff from the property and was concerned that additional rooftops and paved streets could increase the amount of water flowing toward his land.

The developer said a civil engineer is working on the drainage system and that the development will include a detention area designed to control runoff. During final commission discussion, the developer said a berm and temporary detention area would be constructed during the initial phase, with the possibility of a permanent detention area as future phases and another street are developed.

City Public Works will review the stormwater plans before construction begins.

The final plat for Tallgrass Estates was approved unanimously.

Harwood and Lynn Request Removed

One item originally scheduled for Thursday’s meeting did not move forward.

A request to divide property at Harwood and Lynn from one lot into two lots was removed when commissioners amended the agenda at the beginning of the meeting.

According to the city’s meeting packet, the property owner is seeking the replat for construction of a new Casey’s General Store. Because the item was removed, the commission took no action on that proposal Thursday night.

During commission and staff discussion at the end of the meeting, commissioners also raised a question about construction on or near Lee Street involving property previously considered by the commission. Staff agreed to check whether the project has the appropriate building permit and meets setback requirements and report back to commissioners.

Please stay tuned to Lebanon Now for continued coverage of local government, community projects and the decisions that could impact Lebanon. We’ll continue following these developments and bring you updates as they move forward.