After significant pushback related to possible development along Sunnyside Road, Warrenton city leaders have extended the time for public comment in order to allow an in-person hearing.

At issue is a proposal to rezone 12 acres of agricultural land on Sunnyside Road and allow construction of dozens of new homes.

Warrenton’s board of aldermen voted to continue a public hearing on the proposed rezoning from Sept. 1 to Sept. 15 at 6 p.m. The Sept. 15 hearing will be held in Warrenton’s soon-to-be-finished annex building at 202 W. Walton St. (formerly a city pavilion).

Written comments and video conference participation will also be allowed.

Warrenton had previously switched all its public hearings to a video conference format because of COVID-19. The city’s relatively small meeting chambers provide limited room for social distancing.

The online format didn’t sit well with a group of Sunnyside property owners who want to come in-person to voice their objections to the rezoning proposal. Mayor Eric Schleuter addressed that frustration Sept. 1 while requesting that aldermen continue the hearing.

“As everyone is aware, with the COVID-19 pandemic and safe social distancing requirements, it’s been a challenge conducting public meetings, and especially public hearings,” Schleuter said. He apologized for having to delay the hearing, but said holding it in the new, larger building will allow in-person testimony.

“The board of aldermen takes ... public hearings seriously, and we want to hear from all interested parties with regards to the (rezoning) petition,” Schleuter said.

The new meeting building will have room for 40 people while practicing social distancing, said Director of Operations Brandie Walters. She said any in-person public meetings will be held at the new location going forward.

Public confusion

The decision to extend the time for public comment also followed significant confusion about whether property owners on Sunnyside Road would even be allowed to participate in the discussion at all.

In letters sent to Sunnyside residents notifying them of the Sept. 1 hearing, city officials stated there would be no open forum during the meeting. The public was instead invited to send written testimony ahead of time.

However, a day after those letters were sent, the city announced that public comment would be accepted using the Zoom video conference app. Anyone unfamiliar with the app could also come to city hall and use an iPad there to participate in the video conference.

Property owners opposed to the Sunnyside development complained that it initially seemed like the city was trying to keep them out of the discussion.

Mayor Schleuter said that isn’t the case.

“We’re doing the best we can to make sure all voices are heard, without jeopardizing anybody’s safety or the safety of our staff,” Schleuter said.

Proposed development

Developer Keeven Family Partnership is asking Warrenton to change the zoning of 12 acres of land to allow for dozens of homes to be built between Sunnyside Road and the Country Lake Golf Course. The agricultural property was annexed into city limits earlier this year at the developer’s request.

The rezoning could allow construction of nearly 60 new homes, although a representative of Keeven has stated the developer is planning on 37.

During an initial planning and zoning hearing in August, current Sunnyside residents expressed concerns related to increased traffic on the winding, rural road, which is also used by farmers moving large machinery or pulling livestock trailers.

Sunnyside Road is owned and maintained by Warren County, not the city of Warrenton. Residents along the road said they would be less concerned if the zoning change only allowed for low-density housing development.

Warrenton’s Planning and Zoning Commission, a citizen advisory board, recommended rejecting the proposed residential rezoning after a 4-4 vote.