CAMDEN COUNTY, Mo. — Locals voiced strong support on Wednesday for a proposed development by Shady/Lazy Gators owner Gary Prewitt that would include a satellite parking lot for the Gators complex, a general store and deli, and overnight rental cabins. However, a vocal minority at the March 19 Camden County Planning & Zoning Commission meeting resulted in the issue being moved to the commission’s April meeting agenda.

The commission moved the request by Gary D. Prewitt for the establishment of B-1 Office/Low Impact Commercial zoning on two acres, B-2 General Commercial zoning on 22-plus acres, a preliminary plat, and a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to the 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 16 meeting. All cases that have opposition during their public hearing routinely are moved to the next month’s business.

Prewitt has proposed to use the property, located on the north side of Bittersweet Road in Lake Ozark, for the purpose of a proposed retail general store—including a deli and outdoor dining area—and the construction of a satellite parking lot to handle overflow parking from his Shady Gators/Lazy Gators complex. A revision to his request, received Friday, Feb. 7, added B-2 General Commercial on the remaining 22-plus acres, for the development of 44 single-unit upscale cabins, for nightly transient rental use. The cabins, according to Andy Prewitt, would be similar to the Cedar Lodge cabins in Branson.

The property never received initial zoning due to being overlooked in initial zoning efforts by Camden County.

Andy Prewitt spoke to the P&Z Commission concerning the development saying:

  • The area is in need of parking and places to stay
  • A Planned Unit Development CUP would ensure the actual use of property to be in compliance with P&Z
  • Security personnel would be stationed on the lot for safety, along with additional lighting.
  • The parking lot would lesson traffic on Bittersweet Road
  • The quiet hours would be from 11 p.m. to 9 a.m.
  • There would be five buses to shuttle patrons to and from the Gators complex
  • Seventy percent of the Gators complex traffic is on the water
  • Approximately 100–150 people would be shuttled on a weekend evening
  • The cabins would be upscale, with an approximate rental cost between $200 – $300 per night, and higher costs on weekends
  • The cabins would sleep between four and six people and would be approximately 2,000 sq. ft.  
  • The development would be accomplished over a period of phases
  • The first phase would be the satellite parking lot
  • The parking area will have 152 parking spots
  • Five to six cabins would be constructed each year, depending on the market
  • The lighting would be installed in such a way as to not be a nuisance to neighboring residential properties
  • Prewitt was willing to move the cabin rental office farther away from the residences
  • Workers would clean up the area every weekend.
  • The development would retain much of the natural wooded vegetation buffer areas
  • There would be a trail system for golf cart type transportation for clients and staff to travel to and from the cabins

Public support

When asked how many in the room favored the Prewitt development, about 95 percent of the people in the standing-room-only crowd responded in favor.

Business owners and residential property owners spoke for the development saying:

  • Prewitt is a “shining alumnus,” and a success story; he has created jobs, built two large shopping centers, roads, bridges, restaurants and bars.
  • The Shady/Lazy Gators tax base is a great boost to the county.
  • Shady/Lazy Gators has become a Lake destination.
  • Judy Elliot, a former teacher of Gary Prewitt, said Prewitt does a good job with everything he does and he will ensure the area and the roads are safer.  
  • There is a parking problem at a successful business and it will only get worse.

Some, however, stood opposed to the project. Among the concerns cited:

  • There are a water drainage issues: a creek runs through the property and sewage will be an issue with the cabins.
  • The docks are already tight in the cove.
  • The property is surrounded by single-family homes in an old residential neighborhood, and B1 and B2 zoning do not fit.
  • Homeowners who purchased property in the area had counted on a planned area where they would not have to drive through a commercial zone.
  • There are 250 members in the area who will be affected.
  • Property values will decrease.
  • This is exactly the reason we need planning and zoning. People get carried away with building.
  • People will continue to illegally park on the road.

The variances and conditions that would need to be set forth on the development if approved include:

  • Distance from the venue to satellite parking greater than 400 ft.
  • Setbacks, buffer zones establishment, and widths.
  • Floor area ratio on cabin development.
  • A transportation plan as approved by the planning commission.

One business owner addressed the P&Z Commission saying, the Lake of the Ozarks is not Branson. This is an area where there is coexistence between retirement homes, residential neighborhoods and the entertainment sector. It is a constant struggle between these factions. There has been a major traffic problem ever since Shady Gators/Lazy Gators has become a successful Lake business and that is why there is a need for additional parking.” He concluded, “We hope we can continue to see progress on Horseshoe Bend and in the Lake area.”


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