by Mark Cheffey
The Marion County Planning & Zoning Commission held the first public hearing last Thursday for a zoning request that if approved, would allow an unattended fueling site south of Palmyra.
MFA Oil Company is seeking rezoning of three acres of land along the west side of U.S. 24 on the Browning Property south of the Livestock Sale Barn from A-1 Agricultural to C-3 Highway Commercial District.
Will Reneker, representing MFA Oil, told zoning commissioners during the hearing held at the Marion County Courthouse in Palmyra, the company plans to install a Petro-Card 24 unattended fueling station for both gasoline and diesel fueled vehicles on the site and that it would be open 24-hours a day, 365 days a year.
He said there would be two pumps for gasoline as well as pumps for clear and red diesel.
And, he indicated the fuel would be stored in three above-ground, completely encapsulated tanks for better protection.
He also noted the site has already been approved by MoDOT for a single access to U.S. 24.
The estimated time for it to become operational, if approved, he said, is sometime next spring.
Reneker was asked by the commissioners how the site might be effected by the possible future widening of U.S. 24 to four lanes.
He indicated it should not be a problem since the storage tanks will be placed at the back of the property.
There were no objections made against the rezoning by persons present for the hearing.
The request will receive a required second hearing Thursday, Sept. 14, at which time zoning commission members are expected to make a recommendation to the Marion County Commission which has the final say-so on the matter.
