The Rolla Planning and Zoning Commission voted to recommend that the City Council approve a conditional use permit to allow an agricultural-business golf driving range at 1905 Country Ridge Road, subject to conditions that include a three-year review, a pre-opening inspection by the community development director, a prohibition on outdoor lighting, limits on expansion to the existing 10 tee boxes, and a requirement that the applicant construct and maintain a 26-foot gravel access road built to International Fire Code Appendix D standards.

The proposal would allow a 10-stall concrete tee pad and a driving range of roughly 800–900 feet (about 233–266 yards) on a large parcel south of Highway 72 and adjacent to the planned Highlands/McBride subdivision. Tom, community development staff, told the commission the range’s shortest length is about 800 feet and that “the applicant is saying that that tree line should be good for if somebody did hit it exceptionally far or something like that, shouldn’t leave the property.”

Tom summarized the recommended conditions in the staff report and explained the rationale: the permit would be temporary subject to a three-year expiration unless extended, the site must be inspected by the community development director before opening to verify compliance, the use would be limited to daylight hours and “the addition of site lighting is specifically prohibited,” expansion (additional tee boxes, lighting, or new structures) would require an amended conditional use permit, and the gravel access road must be improved to a 26-foot width to meet the fire-code access compromise the fire department approved.

Why it matters: the site sits near platted but unbuilt subdivision lots and existing residences that use the same gravel access. Several neighbors said they supported the driving-range concept but raised concerns about traffic, maintenance of the long gravel access, safety (balls reaching nearby future lots or houses), signage and wayfinding, and how maintenance costs would be allocated if public access increased.

Public comment and staff responses: Tim Davis, who identified his address as 1858 Country Ridge Road and said his property adjoins the site, said, “We don’t really have a problem with the driving range. The road was a concern as far as traffic.” Amy Davis, 1858 Country Ridge Road, urged caution over traffic through nearby subdivisions and noted the gravel road currently “is not big enough for 2 cars to pass right now.” Tom said the right-of-way is 50 feet and that a 26-foot gravel surface should physically fit within the platted right-of-way. Staff and several residents noted the applicant owns the unbuilt subdivision to the north and that, if and when that area is developed, the road would be built to public-street standards and become a publicly maintained street.

Commission discussion focused on long-term maintenance responsibility and realistic expectations about paving. Commission members asked whether approval would obligate the applicant to pave within three years; Tom said the three-year condition is an evaluation point, not an automatic paving trigger: the commission would re-evaluate and could require paving, extend the temporary gravel authorization, or require other mitigation depending on observed impacts. Commissioners also proposed and the commission added a condition that the applicant will be responsible for construction and maintenance of the widened access road to address neighbors’ concerns about increased wear from public traffic.

Formal action: a motion to accept staff findings and recommend the City Council approve the request with the staff-suggested conditions as amended (adding applicant responsibility to maintain the 26-foot access road) passed on a roll-call vote. Commissioners voting yes were Sherman, Kreider, Commissioner Davis, Jordan, Martin and Morris (6–0).

Next steps and implementation details: the recommendation goes to the Rolla City Council for final action. If the council approves the conditional use permit as recommended, the applicant must complete the required road improvements to meet the International Fire Code Appendix D compromise (26-foot gravel road in lieu of mid-way turnaround), pass the community development director’s pre-opening inspection, operate only during daylight hours, and maintain the site per the permit conditions. Any expansion (additional tee boxes, outdoor lighting, buildings) will require an amended conditional use permit and public notice.

Votes at a glance: The commission’s motion to recommend City Council approval with amended staff conditions passed on a 6–0 roll-call vote: Sherman — yes; Kreider — yes; Davis — yes; Jordan — yes; Martin — yes; Morris — yes.

For the record: the applicant was not present at the hearing. Staff said proposed conditions had been shared with the applicant prior to the meeting and that the City Council may modify conditions if it chooses.

Ending note: The permit is structured as a trial-style authorization with a three-year review so staff and the commission can assess actual impacts — traffic, maintenance burdens, and whether golf balls are leaving the property — before any permanent infrastructure or expanded operations are allowed.