By Tim SchmidtRecord Managing EditorWright City officials may increase the notification distance for people living near property that is the subject of a public hearing.Currently, the city mails a notice to property owners within 200 feet of such property.At the July 24 board of aldermen meeting, Alderman Jim Schuchmann discussed extending the distance to 400 feet. It also was suggested that posting signs on the applicant’s property and other areas in the city may be helpful in alerting nearby property owners.Public hearings are held on a number of matters, such as changes or amendments to the city code, zoning map or other special uses. The hearings allow parties for or against a request to speak to the board prior to a vote being taken.At a recent planning and zoning commission, some property owners did not feel 200 feet provided a large enough area to contact nearby properties about a conditional use permit application.“The city attorney is taking the ordinance and revamping it to address those complaints,” City Clerk Christine Martin said.The revised ordinance is expected to be reviewed at a future meeting and could be ready for approval in September. A public hearing also will be held to gather feedback.“There is nothing concrete yet,” Martin said.In addition to the mailed notices, public hearing announcements are also posted at city hall and in The Record, the legal newspaper for the county.In other news• A conditional use permit was issued to Thomas Foster to allow a home office for his construction business at 125 Turkey Run Court. The permit stipulations allow only one work truck to be parked at the residence and no outside storage is permitted. The permit was approved by a 4-0 vote at the July 23 meeting.• The city is going to have the Warren County Soil and Water Conservation District review a drainage problem on the western boundary at the city cemetery.• The board decided to not seek bids for the city’s insurance and will remain with the Missouri Public Entity Risk Management Fund, or better known as MOPERM.Wright City