Planning Commission questions video store plans

Independence Planning Commissioners Tuesday night rejected part of a proposal for a family video store planned for U.S. 24 and Jackson Drive in Independence. 

Following their no vote, commissioners then voted to reconsider the building’s site plan July 29. The vote sends the developer back to the drawing board to devise a more pleasing building plan. 

However, commission members approved a rezoning and comprehensive plan to make the area suitable for a commercial endeavor such as a video store. But members debated about zoning of the 2.25-acre tract of land in the residential area. 

“This is a heavy, heavy, heavy residential area,” said Commission member Karen DeLuccie, explaining that she had concerns about the zoning the property.

However, when it came time to vote for the site plan for the proposed building, commissioners balked at the building’s design.

“The building is really plain and cheap looking,” said Commissioner Lyn Westfall, referring to the construction of wood panels painted red-brown. The 7,200-square-foot store will utilize 6,000 square feet for a video store and the remaining 1,200 square feet will be used as leased retail space. The store, planned as a Family Video Movie Club, Inc., would house more than 4,000 movie titles of all genres.

“Even though the demographics of the area aren’t that strong, with the rising gas prices, people are going to build closer to the city,” said Levi Dinkla, regional manager of the store. 

Two area residents took the microphone to tell commissioners of their concerns about the proposed store. Grady Marcotte, who lives at 1408 Inca Drive, said the basement of his home already leaks following heavy rains and he’s concerned about more water entering his basement if some of the nearby dirt is covered by the building, creating more runoff. But Dinkla said a detention basin and nearby creek would be adequate to handle the water.

In an interview after the meeting, Marcotte said he’s concerned about children walking along heavily-traveled U.S. 24 to get to the store.

“I’m not buying that kids won’t cross 24 highway,” he said. 

Michelle Marcotte said she wonders why more construction should occur in a neighborhood where boarded up, vacant businesses are numerous.

She relented, referring to the July 29 continuation of the case, “Maybe we’ll get a little more done at the next meeting.”