BELLE — Belle Planning and Zoning spent much of its May 13 meeting discussing a proposed rezoning request that drew extensive public comment from residents living along Lehnhoff Drive.

The largest portion of the meeting involved a rezoning request from resident Tony Geick seeking to change part of his property near Lehnhoff Drive from residential zoning to commercial use. He told Planning and Zoning he hoped to build storage units along with covered RV and camper storage.

According to discussion during the meeting, the proposed development could include approximately 40 storage units and space for roughly eight RVs or campers. The applicant said the RV storage area would not be enclosed but would include covered parking.

Several nearby neighbors voiced concerns about the proposal, particularly regarding increased traffic, lighting, noise, security issues and potential impacts on property values.

One resident said, “I didn’t buy in a subdivision, in a nice subdivision, for somebody to come in and decrease my value of my home.”

Another resident expressed concern about traffic entering near existing homes, saying the area they chose to live provides a more rural atmosphere despite being inside the city limits.

Supporters of the proposal argued that Belle already has multiple storage facilities that remain fully rented and well maintained. Some speakers said storage units meet a growing demand for camper and boat storage and suggested the project could be operated responsibly with fencing, lighting controls and landscaping buffers.

During discussion, residents and Planning and Zoning members floated possible compromises including restricted access hours, motion-activated lighting, tree lines and relocating the proposed entrance road farther from neighboring homes.

Planning and Zoning members repeatedly emphasized that no final decision will be made until the proper procedures are followed  and that the meeting represented only the preliminary stage of the rezoning process. Members explained that any rezoning recommendation would still require a public hearing, newspaper publication and eventual consideration by the Belle Board of Aldermen.

Earlier discussion centered on yard waste, debris and trash accumulation around homes. Members discussed piles of branches and debris being left for extended periods, with some residents voicing concerns about snakes and overgrown properties. One speaker noted that previous cleanup efforts had been organized to help elderly residents dispose of debris.

Commission members discussed the possibility of issuing warnings similar to grass ordinance enforcement and noted that burning yard debris is currently permitted unless a burn ban is in effect.

The commission also revisited an alleged previously adopted ordinance preventing residential use of ground-floor buildings on Main Street. Members said they believed the ordinance had been approved years ago but could not currently locate the documentation following the loss of some records in a fire. Discussion indicated the ordinance prohibited residential occupancy on the ground floor of Main Street businesses while still allowing second-story residential use. Existing properties would likely be grandfathered in if the ordinance is rediscovered, according to Planning and Zoning members.

Additional ordinance discussions included regulations surrounding tiny homes and swimming pool fencing requirements. Members said Owensville requires newly built homes to contain at least 1,200 square feet and discussed whether Belle should establish similar standards for tiny houses, including permanent foundations instead of trailer-based structures.

The commission also reviewed existing pool fencing ordinances requiring barriers and locking access points for pools. Members noted some older pools had been grandfathered in under previous regulations.

The meeting concluded after commission members determined they could not enter a closed session.