Discussion paves way for future of Masonic Temple

After more than an hour discussion at last week’s Mountain Grove City Council meeting, a 6-2 vote officially paved the way for the Masonic Temple on N. Maple Ave. to become an upscale apartment complex in the future.
The City Council took the vote after Planning and Zoning provided no action after a presentation from prospective buyers regarding the building owned by the Mason Lodge Association two P&Z meetings ago.
Attorney Jason MacPherson, who was joined by Russ Lawson representing the MLA, reminded the Council that when the P&Z provides no result or recommendation, the item is considered to be denied per the City’s ordinance. The ordinance then requires for City Council to affirm the P&Z or override the no decision.
Since the noted P&Z meeting, the Masonic Temple was inspected by Don Lutes, a respected structural engineer in the area.
In a report presented to the Council, MacPherson said Lutes, in his letter, stated the building is structurally sound for the purpose the prospective buyers intend to use it for.
A lengthy discussion then took place regarding specific concerns addressed in the previous P&Z meeting that featured Council members and appointed P&Z members.
It was determined that the Masonic Temple would need to be rezoned from its current R-2 status to an R-3.
Discussion then turned to a height requirement not to exceed 24’, but could be approved up to 36’. The ordinance does also allow for additional height when it comes to the lot size, giving this building approval for up to 56’. Currently, the back of the building is 30’, but front, with decorative elements and a sloped roof pushes things to 48’.
“I think we got distracted by the height,” said P&Z member Dale Crandell, who is also a mason. “And right or wrong, my perspective is we let it lay hoping they would come back with more information, in which they have.”
He also noted that it was an opportunity to correct its residential zoning code away from the current R-2 duplex code.
Parking for the complex was then discussed as the ordinance requires two parking spaces per dwelling unit, which would result in 28 needed parking spaces.
The prospective buyers, Jason and Shari Quantrell, who were mentioned by name several times during the public meeting, have already purchased a home set for demolition across the street to create most of the required parking spaces.
The lot size was another discussion point as multi-family dwellings being at the Masonic Temple’s lot was not wide enough as the size of the building was too big.
A need for a proper collapsed zone on the given lot was also discussed.
Some discussion compared decisions made for recently approved dwellings on the square. Discussion noted, however, that those locations are Air BNB locations.
Further discussion showed that the Masonic Temple building was one time on the condemn list due to windows falling out and being in disrepair. Those items were addressed and the building was taken off the list.
“It’s a building that’s sitting vacant; it’s an historic building,” said Council member Tamra Kuster. “I think this is a no brainer to me. We’re just worried about every single nook and cranny in a zoning ordinance. I’m not sure that applies to everything.”
City Council member Jamie Davis, who sits on the P&Z, quickly answered, “ I don’t think that’s fair.”
Davis went on to note how P&Z is tasked to look at ordinances, safety of the community, consulting with the fire department to determine what needs to be done all while considering the future of the space.
“I think that re-purposing this building for this use, I don’t really see a problem with it; however, I just want to make sure that we consider all of these other facets of yard space...,” Davis said. “These things aren’t created just to put words on paper. They have a purpose so we have to effectively evaluate all of those things.”
Several supporters for the potential sale of the building also spoke at the meeting.
“The masons have been members of this community and supporters of this community for over 100 years,” said Phil Sullivan. “What they’re trying to do here is bring an improvement to this community by having this building approved, which is also going to allow them the opportunity to put in another lodge, a newer lodge, in this City, to enable us to continue our support to the community, to the schools and to the people of this community.”
Council member Carolyn Mitchell noted that since P&Z did not have all of the same material the Council was seeing at last week’s meeting. She felt that perhaps the P&Z should get an opportunity to see the material that was now being presented. MacPherson noted that sending things back to the P&Z would restart the notice process.
City Administrator Becky Davis noted how the P&Z did not have all of the information. It was also noted that there was an expectation that the item might have come up again for discussion at the last P&Z meeting.
Shari Quantrell said in the P&Z meeting she attended, she was told it didn’t matter how much extra work they did since members told her they did not want to spot zone. This is why the matter was taken to the City Council and not back to the P&Z.
Council member Webb Friend said it was not fair to force the prospective buyers to have to start the process all over again.
Mayor Fred VanBibber said he felt the Council was “kicking the P&Z people in the teeth.” Both Friend and Kuster said they didn’t feel that way.
Mayor VanBibber said when their was no action, it was a no. “Well, then that is why they are here tonight. To them it was a no,” Friend said.
The 6-2 vote approved to have the building rezoned from R-2 to R-3 with the exceptions of lot size, building size, green space and the six month requirement on the plans.
The results of the vote showed former Fire Chief Mark Bushong and Council member Jamie Davis voting no. Yes votes were cast by Carolyn Mitchell, Tami Kuster, Webb Friend, Brenda Clark, Zach Hurtt and Dale Atchison (by phone).