A three-month special use permit saga has come to a close, with the more than 25 residents attending the July Cassville City Council meeting feeling vindicated for their efforts to obtain the permit for a daycare facility at the Masonic Lodge on Main Street.

At the August City Council meeting, the Cassville City Council approved a planning and zoning recommendation to issue the permit, largely because a sewage issue present the month prior — when it was denied — had been remedied.

Richard Asbill, Cassville city administrator, said the issue arose when the Lodge, zoned residential, rented its bottom floor to Taba’s Tiny Town, a commercial establishment.

“When we have certain zoning and a new use in that zoned area, in this case a daycare, with the exception of rezoning, a special use permit allows a business to exist in that residential zone,” he said. “There are six things the planning and zoning committee looks at: the location and size; accessibility of the property; utilities and services, which is where the sewer issue came up; the location of the building and improvements to adjacent properties; adequacy of open space; and the general compatibility with adjacent properties because it’s in a residential area.”

Asbill said representatives from the Lodge attended the August planning and zoning meeting, held after more than 25 residents attended the July City Council meeting calling for the Council to reconsider its decision to deny the permit.

“The first round through planning and zoning, there were issues with the sewer, and all six of those standards have to be met,” Asbill said. “That issue was not resolved at the time the Council reviewed it in July, which is why it was denied.”

By the July City Council meeting, Lodge representatives had determined a sewage pipe was clogged by tree roots, and that the issue had been resolved. That point was made at the August planning and zoning meeting, satisfying that standard, and other questions about square footage, restrooms and staffing were all answered.

“Planning and zoning cannot make a recommendation unless all six standards are met, and once they were able to verify the standards were met, the issue was resolved,” Asbill said.

A neighborhood resident who works from home also inquired about the noise, and a discussion about the impact on property values was also part of the consideration.

“We made calls to other property owners in the neighborhood, and there were no concerns,” Asbill said. “Two or three did not reply or had no opinion, and with no concerns, planning and zoning pushes the permit through.”

Tabatha Madison, owner of Taba’s Tiny Town, said she appreciated the community’s support in keeping the daycare in the Lodge.

“I am extremely grateful for the support of the community, City Council and zoning board for recognizing the importance of childcare for families in this area,” Madison said. “The Masonic Lodge is a wonderful example of giving back to our community, and I’m thankful that together we were able make a difference. God is good!”

Reflecting on the process and community involvement, Asbill said he felt things went how they should.

“I thought, and the Mayor [Jon Horner] thought, if you look at how the process should occur, that was the appropriate path,” he said. “The Council made the right decision on the initial request because of the sewer issue. It was appropriate communication from the community on the impact the denial would have on the residents and the business. It was really the way city government is suppose to run.

“Usually, people don’t show up to meetings, so it was nice to hear from so many,” Asbill said. “That allowed the Council to come up with a plan and take appropriate action to resolve the issue. And, this process not only helps individuals who want something to occur, but also stops things from occurring without allowing others to have a voice.

“It was a great example of how city government works.”