The city of Lake Ozark is taking action towards improving the city streets.
The board of alderman recently voted to enact the Use Tax, approved by voters earlier this year to the same rate as local sales taxes, which is 1%.
A second reading into the potential revenue bonds, upwards of $6 Million dollars towards street improvements, is expected to be voted on during the upcoming November 10th meeting.
Lake Ozark is also considering a Transportation Development District, which could impose an additional 1 cent sales tax towards purchases made at businesses inside the district.
A TDD Commission, separate from the city, is currently working towards finalizing that process.
Additional details from the city are below:
For Immediate Release
11/2/2020
Two important procedural steps have been taken toward improving City of Lake Ozark streets.
Both relate to voter approval of ballot issues in June, delayed from the regular April date because of COVID.
The board of aldermen recently approved an ordinance enacting a Use Tax at the same rate as the local sales tax rate – 1 percent — to fund transportation improvements.
The board also approved first reading of an ordinance that authorizes the mayor or his designee to explore the issues involving the issuance of revenue bonds in an amount not to exceed $6 million for street improvements. Second reading will be held at the next regular meeting Nov. 10.
Use Tax
The Use Tax only applies to purchases made online from businesses that do not have a presence within the City of Lake Ozark. It is not an addition to the local sales tax.
Prior to voter approval in June and the recent ordinance approval by aldermen, online purchases were only taxed at the state level. Cities that do not enact the Use Tax do not receive any tax benefits from online purchases.
Lake Ozark should begin receiving Use Tax income by the end of the year.
Approval of the Use Tax is one of three potential sources of income earmarked for improving 90-plus miles of streets within the city limits. Other possible sources are:
- Formation of a Transportation Development District (TDD) that could impose up to an additional 1 cent sales tax on purchases made at businesses within the development district. A TDD Commission, independent of the City of Lake Ozark, is finalizing that process.
- Increasing property taxes, which would be the final piece of the income puzzle if needed.
$6 million ceiling
Voters also last spring authorized the city to borrow up to $6 million over the next several years to finance improvements. The Use Tax and other sources of revenue would be used to pay off revenue bonds which would be issued – with board of aldermen approval – for street improvements.
The board’s recent decision authorized the mayor or his or her designee to explore the issuance of those revenue bonds. Again, the ordinance was required to begin the process.
Each of the street construction projects will require board of aldermen review and approval.
Street study
Improving the city’s streets has been a goal of city officials for several years. Completing a multi-million-dollar sanitary sewer system was first on the infrastructure agenda.
The city contracted with Cochran for a Road Assessment study in 2019. The engineering firm conducted a detailed study of the city’s streets and determined that to improve all 90-plus miles would cost between $4 and $6 million. Upgrading Bagnell Dam Blvd. would cost upwards of $3 million. The TDD, if authorized, would help pay for Bagnell Dam Blvd.
The city is also working on it’s Tiny Homes Project.
For Immediate Release
11/2/2020
The development of a tiny homes district in Lake Ozark to address an affordable housing crisis is one step closer to reality.
The Lake Ozark Board of Aldermen recently approved second reading of an ordinance allowing for the rezoning of property on School Road from R-1 (Single Family Residential) to C-2 (General Commercial) to allow for the homes.
The board’s interest in tiny homes dovetails with a recent Lake Ozark Planning and Zoning Commission recommendation to rezone a portion of School Road for the possible construction of tiny homes. A local developer has been working with city officials for several months to create a zoning district so he can build at least one cluster (4-16) of tiny homes.
The next step is for the developer to obtain a Special Use Permit (SUP). An SUP allows for permitted uses and what is allowed for special uses. Special uses are those that have a larger impact on the area than permitted uses, in this case tiny homes.
The P&Z would first consider the SUP and make a recommendation to the board of aldermen, which would have the final authority in approval. Property owners within 185 feet will be given notice of the SUP public hearing and would have the opportunity speak for or against.
Tiny homes/clusters defined
A tiny home is a detached, self-contained dwelling unit with basic functional areas that support normal daily routines such as cooking, sleeping and sanitation. The units must be between 300 and 800 square feet in total floor area, not including lofts. They must be built on-site on a permanent foundation and cannot exceed one story (excluding lofts).
A cluster of tiny homes is one that allows for the flexibility for creative design and superior scenic quality through preservation of sensitive environmental areas and efficient use of land. Instead of a conventional subdivision, which traditionally results in buildings spaced evenly throughout the site, cluster developments allow for individual lot and setback requirements to be reduced so a group or “cluster” of units can be developed on a portion of the site. A cluster must include no fewer than four nor more than 16 units.
The central space used by all occupants of the cluster should include storm shelters, mail receptacles and community recreational areas.
“This is a test project for us and the area,” Mayor Gerry Murawski noted. “We have a housing shortage and we need projects like this. I think the issues can be controlled by developer.”
Zoning expansion
The city’s zoning code has being expanded to include tiny homes in R-3 (multi-family residential) districts.
A tiny home cluster development can be approved by the P&Z Commission by Special Use Permit and must meet the following conditions including:
- All tiny homes must be connected to public utilities.
- All cluster developments must comply with lot setbacks
- Cluster developments must be retained under common ownership including all tiny houses and common open spaces.
- Each unit should include at least two parking spaces with no on-street parking within the development.
- Stairways must not be less than 36 inches wide.
- Units must meet structural requirements as defined in the adopted ordinance.
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