BELLE — Belle Planning and Zoning Commission considered moving into a closed session following discussion of a proposed rezoning request May 13 but ultimately adjourned after members acknowledged such a meeting could not legally proceed.

The issue arose near the conclusion of a lengthy discussion regarding a request to rezone property near Lehnhoff Drive from residential to commercial use for a proposed storage-unit and RV-storage development. Several neighboring residents attended the meeting and voiced concerns about traffic, property values, lighting, security and the project’s impact on the surrounding neighborhood.

After public comments concluded, a commission member suggested the board continue discussions privately.

“We’ve heard what you have to say. We’ll take that all into consideration from both sides, but maybe we need to go into closed session right now and discuss this further among ourselves,” Planning and Zoning President Bev Abel said.

The Advocate immediately noted that a closed session was not listed on the meeting agenda.

Commission member and Alderman Jeanette Struemph said, “We don’t have to have anything on there.”

“Not planning and zoning,” former Alderman Barb Howarth added.

“We’ve done it before,” Abel said. “So we can discuss what has been brought to us…so we can discuss among ourselves.”

After review, Abel said, “He’s right. We can’t go into closed session without it being on the agenda, so we’re going to close the meeting. We’re going to adjourn the meeting.”

The commission then adjourned without entering a closed session, however members stayed at the table.

“Are we still recording?” Struemph asked.

They were told that since the commission was still sitting at the table the recording had continued.

“Well, I’m bringing up something else,” Abel said. “It has nothing to do with any of this.”

“There is no expectation of privacy in a government building,” Alderman Rebecca Withouse said. Withouse was in attendance at the meeting so she could livestream it on social media at the request of a resident.

Members remained sitting and talking while recording continued.

“This has nothing to do with the public,” Abel said.

Commission members were told that if they wanted to hold a private conversation, they would need to leave the government building. Until such time, recording could and would continue. Members left shortly after.

The rezoning request remains in the preliminary stages. During the meeting, it was explained that any rezoning recommendation would still require a public hearing and consideration by the Belle Board of Aldermen before any zoning change could take effect.