Planning and Zoning Approves Murphy Oil

The Stuttgart Planning and Zoning Commission met last week with two members absent, but still having a quorum to do business. Following the opening of the meeting, the previous meeting minutes were approved.

In New Business, the commission passed over the variance from Murphy Oil, due to Mr. Gassiott not having arrived yet. He had called to let Chairman Lana Roth know he would possibly be five minutes late. They moved on to review and approve the Holy Rosary Catholic School’s request to place a modular building for a proposed addition to the school so that they may begin offering a PreK and lower level program. A rendering of the plan was given for the Day Care/Preschool plan. Approval to move forward was granted. With the closing of Noah’s Ark day care in the last couple of years and the closure of Jacob’s Ladder, the city is in need for more day cares.

By this time Sam Gassiott, with Murphy Oil had arrived. Gassiott is with Pan American  Engineers, who are requesting the Variance and Special Exception associated with the Murphy USA fueling station to be located at 305 E. 22nd St. in Stuttgart. The proposed development will be an unmanned fueling operation with fuel sales, associated fueling canopy, parking, site improvements, and signage. Fuel sales are permitted within the proposed development area. The requested variance pertains solely to the proposed freestanding monument/pylon sign and is necessary to provide adequate site identification and fuel pricing visibility for motorists traveling along East 22nd St.

The variance request will permit a 40 feet sign where the ordinance limits freestanding signs to 20 feet in height. Discussion regarding that nearly all of the signs on 22nd St. are over 20 feet.  Gassiott gave the members a photo rendering of the sign in question. The fuel station would be where the current Dixie Furniture Store is. After having a few questions asked and answered, the commission voted to allow the variance for the sign.

The last item on the agenda was for permits for April and May and the Code Enforcement Officers report. Elizabeth Hoskyn mentioned that she had received several complaints about the tall grass on Michigan St. Some discussion was made regarding this, and Code Enforcement will be informed. The CEO gave a report listing 79 door tags left for violations of code, 59 violation letters were mailed, as well as phone calls and emails.Seven citations were given out and three abandoned vehicles were removed. 24 Total permits of building, gas/plumbing, HVAC, and electric have been issued. Several different inspections were also performed.

With no other business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned.