Melrose Council Approves Casey's Truck Stop Expansion With 12-Stall Limit

MELROSE — May 17, 2018 — Melrose City Council approved a Casey's General Store expansion permit allowing up to 12 overnight truck parking stalls after rejecting a stricter eight-stall alternative. The council voted down a first motion that would have capped truck parking at eight spaces and required a parallel parking configuration before approving a second motion matching Casey's proposed 12-stall layout, with a condition removed that would have dictated parking orientation. Neighbors on Meadowlark Lane and Par Drive Southwest testified that the 24-hour truck operation would reduce property values by roughly $20,000 per home and bring unwanted noise and traffic; a Casey's representative identified as Jim Scott said limiting the project to eight stalls "just doesn't make financial sense." The council also approved annexing the adjacent 4.2-acre parcel needed for the expanded site and rezoning it to C2 Highway Commercial, and directed staff to draft a recorded conditional use permit with a formal complaint-and-revocation procedure. Separately, the council approved up to $15,000 in tax abatement assistance for property owners James and Elizabeth Elias related to downtown fire-recovery improvements, with the city expecting reimbursement through state special legislation.