Giving credence that economic times may be improving, Rolla’s Planning and Zoning Commission recommended for approval two zoning changes to commercial, two property subdivisions and a 5-foot vacation along Southbrook Drive for sign placement to an automotive shop displaced by Walgreens construction.

City Council members are expected to act on the recommendations at its meeting Monday.

In its first action, the Planning and Zoning Commission handed up for approval a request Monday to rezone the old Benton School property from R-3 (multi-family) to C-1 (neighborhood business district). The property, which  sits alone on .84 acre, is located at 400 East Sixth St., between Cedar and Walnut streets.

The request comes from landowner Tom Sowers of Tom Sowers Co., Inc., who plans to turn the 12,400-square-foot old school house into commercial office space or light retail.

“We’re planning some great things for this building,” said Sowers, who purchased the building in 2000 to preserve it. “At one time, all of Rolla’s fifth-graders went there,” he said recalling his time there in the early ’60s.

“I know that neighborhood. I don’t think there’s anyone around there who doesn’t want to see that building preserved. It’s beautiful. It’s got 12-foot high ceilings and hardwood floors.

“Next year, it’ll be 100 years old. Maybe we’ll have to plan some sort of huge celebration,” Sowers said.

Ironically, it was Sowers’ co-leadership that led to the closure of the building in 1976.
“Every time I passed that building, I felt guilty,” Sowers said. “I was on the committee the worked to get the bond issue passed for a new middle school. It’s a great building but it had no gymnasium and no cafeteria. We did what was best for the kids (in 1976), but it needs to be preserved. Too many old buildings are being torn down in Rolla.”

John Petersen, Rolla Community Development Director, called Benton School “a great old building.”

“It’d be a great place for professional offices or light retail,” Petersen said.

The second commercial zoning request comes from Timberline Land Co., of Lebanon, which is requesting a change from M-2 (heavy manufacturing) and C-2 (general retail) to C-3 (highway commercial).

The location of this property is 2100, 2120 and 2250 North Bishop Ave., commonly known as the Memoryville site, situated between Lowe’s and Steak ’n’ Shake restaurant.

According to Petersen, Timberline Land Co. is planning a restaurant, natural foods store and a tire store at the location, which includes 13.87 acres.

The commission also approved a subdivision of the same site as further commercial development is planned behind for the 8.19 acres behind the old Memoryville building.
A second subdivision request was heard on behalf of Dennis and Judy Peterman and Don James. The trio is requesting the redivision of Lots 1, 2 and 3 of Cowboy Subdivision.

The property is located on the north side of Missouri Route 72 between James & Gahr Mortuary and Redeemer Lutheran Church. Essentially, the request is to reduce the platted lines of a few years ago. The Petermans are seeking the reconfiguration to prevent future development.

On the final subdivision request, ROJO Properties is requesting to subdivide the two lots owned by Rolla 63 Properties.

The property is located south of Wal-Mart and north of Triad Office Products on the west side of U.S. Route 63 south. Previously, this site was platted as the new Kentucky Fried Chicken location, but ROJO Properties withdrew that request. For that withdrawal, ROJO was to pay fees for the subdivision.

There were two homes on the lots, which have been razed. The Commission recommended the subdivision for approval to City Council.

Kentucky Fried Chicken has yet to announce a new location in Rolla for the store that was razed on Kingshighway.

Autocraft Muffler and Brake Shop, now located at 409 West Missouri Route 72, is requesting the vacation of five feet of Southbrook Drive for the placement of a business sign. The Commission recommended the approval to City Council.