Developer presents Scenic Avenue plans

Developers Howard Bailey and Mark Gardner have a sale in place for Gardner’s 18.4 acres on South Scenic Avenue, so long as council rezones the land.

The rezoning request was presented to council during the Aug. 7 meeting.

Bailey wants to build an apartment complex on Scenic, south of Sunshine Street. He told council that the multifamily development made sense because the property is too narrow for a through street that would be required for single-family housing.

Bailey would be required to add a center turn lane on Scenic Avenue from Sunshine Street south of Cherokee Street, but neighbors Tammy and Steve Brown said they are among several in the neighborhood still concerned about the additional traffic.

“Putting in a turn lane is a wonderful idea – it will relieve the traffic that’s on Scenic right now,” Tammy Brown said. “But that is not going to deal with the additional traffic.”

Harold Bastin, senior traffic engineer for Great River Engineering, spoke at the meeting on behalf of the developer. He said a traffic study of Sunshine and Scenic concluded that there is “still capacity in that intersection.”

The property would be managed by The Wooten Co., which also manages Bailey’s Tall Grass apartment complex on West Battlefield Road.

Wooten Co. Director Karen Cowan said the quality of tenants for the proposed development – another concern expressed by the neighbors – should not be an issue.

“People are worried about noise and crime and security,” Cowan said. “We have police area representative officers assigned to each of the properties we manage.”

Bailey said he’s not certain of the cost or the number of units in the development, as he is waiting until a rezoning decision is made before proceeding with detailed site plans.

Council is expected to vote on the rezoning request at its Aug. 21 meeting.

Also on the agenda:

• An ordinance authorizing $615 million in bonds for City Utilities had first reading at the meeting. Approved by voters in June, the bonds will fund most of the $697 million construction cost for an addition to the Southwest Power Station.

Council will hold a special noon luncheon Aug. 14 to finalize the terms and rates of the bonds.

• Council authorized $6.7 million in municipal facilities revenue bonds. The bonds, which will fund several high priority storm-water improvement projects, are covered by the level property taxes approved by voters in 2001 and 2004. The projects are expected to be completed within 18 months.

• Council approved closing Park Central Square for several hours on Aug. 27.

The street closings are in preparation for the Developmental Center of the Ozarks’ Wine Barrel Derby, which will feature downtown restaurants and their corporate partners racing vehicles built from empty wine barrels.[[In-content Ad]]