Florissant City Council Hears Proposal for Vacant Value City Lot

A public hearing for seemed to bring points of excitement and points of deliberation to Florissant City Council.

Monday, Rich Obertino, a representative of TRI Architects, presented the sketches for the building and out lot to the council on Monday night.

The more than 108,000-square-foot building would feature five retail stores, as well as an out lot retail building. The front of the renovated building would feature awnings as well as a great deal of exterior insulation finishing system (EIFS), which has caused quite a stir recently with several businesses proposing the building material for its buildings.

Florissant’s masonry ordinance requires all walls to be 100 percent masonry, in which case the front of the building would be in compliance. Council has the power to make exceptions to developments.

The overall biggest concern amongst councilors for the development was the front of the building being redeveloped with a vast amount of EIFS.

“I’m excited about the project, but I’m not a fan of EIFS,” Ward 3 Councilman Joe Eagan said. “Anything you guys could do to limit EIFS would be appreciated on my end.”

Several councilors requested for the EIFS to be immensely reduced on the front to include more masonry, but the tide seemed to change as the discussion proceeded.

Ward 2 Councilman John Grib pointed out to council members that with so many projects and developments presenting EIFS, it might be time to revisit building materials in the city’s ordinances.

Ward 7 Councilwoman Karen McKay agreed that the planning and zoning commission might need to look at revisiting the update of building materials to see if changes need to be made before the hearing was closed.

Voting for Area 13

The Council swiftly approved an election for the annexation of Area 13 in the April 3 election.

The council unanimously approved an ordinance that puts the issue on a ballot to residents of whether to annex an area that is west of Old Halls Ferry Road and northeast of the property line of the and City of Florissant and south of Coldwater Creek.

Candidates for Ward 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 will also be featured on the April ballot.