Owensville aldermen and the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission have rescheduled for Thursday, April 30, a public hearing for comments on a request by LSC Communications to close off and vacate portions of two roadways to accommodate a proposed plant expansion.

This hearing will be conducted through the Zoom video conference meeting platform and is designed for “comments for the board to take into consideration,” according to City Clerk Bobbi Limberg quoting the city’s attorney.

This online only conference is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. and will also include two requesting for zoning changes — both from residential (R-1) to residential R-1A — to allow for construction of smaller homes on existing city lots. One is for the small home being constructed for Ronnie Geisler at 410 Plum. The other is for a planned rebuild by Danny Branson at 510 Cherry Avenue.

Neither was expected to bring any opposition. Geisler’s small house was under roof as of the weekend through local volunteer efforts.

To access the Zoom meeting, those planning to observe or comment should log into the conference online at https://zoom.us/join. You will be prompted to enter the meeting identification number which is 6276501438. The access code to join the meeting either by telephone, cellphone, digital device or on your computer is 653187. By connecting your devise to the audio link, which will appear in a box, will allow you make comments to aldermen who are also scheduled to participate remotely.

You will likely be asked to identify yourself for the record when called upon to speak. If your device has a camera screen, aldermen will be able to see your face or an image you select to represent you. Otherwise, your log in name should appear to those conducting the hearing which will allow them to call on you when it is your turn to speak.

You will need to have the audio component of the meeting program activated if you wish to be heard.

Public comments on either of these issues are also being accepted now until April 30 via email to Limberg at citygov@cityofowensville.com. Emails should be received by city staff by 5 p.m. on April 30 to be included in the public record.

LSC Communications is requesting the city close the section of Springfield Road where it connects across the former Rock Island railroad bed with Old Highway 19. The section of Industrial Drive where it turns off of Springfield Road and enters the industrial park will also be closed up to where it veers to the left and connects with Commercial Drive as you travel east.

A complete story on the LSC proposal to expand its Owensville printing plant with a 60,000-square foot addition to the west end of the facility first appeared in Feb. 26 edition of The Republican when a March 23 public hearing on the request was first scheduled. That hearing was postponed at the onset of the coronavirus threat.

The LSC project has an anticipated price tag of $2 million.

There will be no votes taken at this hearing which is being held by the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Owensville Board of Aldermen.

The complete story from the February meeting for you to review, which includes the process for deciding such a request, is found online at www.gasconadecountyrepublican.com.