By Tim SchmidtRecord Managing EditorWright City officials, after months of discussions, have finalized the notification requirements for people living near a property that is subject to a public hearing.Aldermen adopted an ordinance keeping the distance at 200 feet and to have two signs displayed — one on the property and one at a prominent location, to alert nearby property owners. In addition, a building permit will expire at the end of six months as part of the newly adopted ordinance.Each property within 200 feet of a public hearing request is mailed a notice by the city. Aldermen noted that the distance does not restrict anyone from speaking at a hearing.“It doesn’t stop anyone from coming and talking about it,” Alderman Dan Rowden said.In July, Alderman Jim Schuchmann had suggested extending the distance to 400 feet. His comments followed a previous planning and zoning meeting where some property owners did not feel 200 feet provided a large enough area to contact nearby properties about a conditional use permit application.Public hearings are held on a number of matters, such as changes or amendments to the city code, zoning map or special uses. The hearings allow parties for or against a request to speak to the board prior to a vote being taken.In an email to city officials, contracted building inspector Robert Barclay recommended not changing the distance requirement since the 200-foot requirement is defined in the state statute. He said the change would be an additional burden to city staff ti identify and send out more notices to property owners.In addition to the mailed notices, public hearing announcements are posted at city hall and in The Record, the legal newspaper for the county.Wright City