Citing a number of concerns raised by nearby residents, the Sedalia City Council rejected a special use permit Monday, July 7 for a proposed residence for women recovering from drug addiction.

Recovery Lighthouse had sought a special use permit to establish transitional housing with ten beds for a location on the 1800 block of West 10th Street. The council agreed with the recommendation of the planning and zoning commission and voted 8-0 against granting the permit. City Administrator Matthew Wirt says the vote came after an extensive review and two hearings before planning and zoning.

After the vote, residents provided comment for about 20 minutes on the proposal. Members of the Newell family expressed concern about the impact on the safety of their children who live near the proposed site, as well as a lack of response to their concerns from representatives of Lighthouse. Several woman associated with Lighthouse spoke about the need for transitional housing, many of them providing testimony about the ministry’s role in leading them away from a life weighed down by addiction. Wirt says the council acknowledges the need for such housing.

The Sedalia City Council also rejected another a rezoning request at Monday night’s meeting. Owners of a vacant lot on the 800 block of East 19th Street had sought to build a duplex, which would a rezoning from R-1 to R-2. Despite a positive recommendation from planning and zoning, the council unanimously denied the proposal.

Fourth ward councilwoman Rhiannon Foster (right) visits with two members of the Recovery Lighthouse ministry after the Sedalia City Council meeting Monday, July 7, 2025. (Photo by Kyle Hill, KMMO News)

Sedalia City Administrator Matthew Wirt (left) visits with members of the Newell family, who spoke during the July 7, 2025 meeting of the Sedalia City Council. (Photo by Kyle Hill, KMMO News)