BELLA VISTA — The City Council approved a rezoning Monday night even though city planners earlier pushed for its denial.
The parcel at 1610 Forest Hills Blvd. was zoned commercial after being changed from residential in 2011 at the request of the landowner. The lot has been on the market for eight years, Realtor Lou Kauffman told the council. The 2011 switch was done to attract buyers. A current offer is dependent on the rezone to fulfill loan requirements.
Alderman Jerry Snow asked Planning Director Chris Suneson what was the harm in rezoning the land. Suneson said the change would go agains policies put in place years ago, Suneson said.
Alderman Dick Rooney was concern about spot zoning in the future, but Alderwoman Becky Morgan said she believed the rezone would be the best direction for the resident, and saw no benefit to the city for the property “to remain unsold.” The motion passed 4-2, with Rooney and Alderman Larry Wilson voting against it.
The city buying two dump trucks was denied after a tie vote. The proposal was to buy two Kenworth single-axle dump trucks because. With only two bids in for the trucks, something must be wrong, Snow said. Street Superintendent Mike Button explained the bid process. “It’s not up to us to beg,” Alderman Jim Wozniak said.
Snow, Wilson and Alderman Allen King voted against the contract.
“Motion defeated. No trucks,” recorder Jane Wilms said, adding Button will have to redo the bidding process.
Morgan asked what the city had accomplished with the back-and-forth discussion about the bids. "Nothing," Wozniak said.
Snow said he would contact companies that didn’t bid on the trucks to see why.
The group also approved three road resurfacing contracts that will provide hot-mix asphalt, chip and seal and slurry seal material.