Florissant Planning and Zoning Hears Two Special Use Amendments

Two presentations at the Florissant Planning and Zoning Commission meeting had two different outcomes on Monday night.

and each presented during the meeting and faced concerns regarding sign changes as well as an almost one-hour conversation regarding masonry and the exterior insulation finishing system (EIFS) of Dairy Queen's building.

Dennis Caldwell of Dale Signs returned on behalf of Commercial Bank to present his design to overhaul the current sign to become a 10-by-10 foot digital sign outside of the bank on Washington Street.

Caldwell had originally presented the renovated sign to the commission at its Aug. 15 meeting but requested that he be allowed to discuss the concerns of the commission before receiving the final recommendation.

On Monday, he asked the commission to make a final recommendation based upon what he had previously presented, which would include an electronic sign with scrolling capabilities and a color range.

Previously, Building Commissioner Phillip Lum told the commission that he and the staff had put together a recommendation to council regarding an ordinance for digital signs. The ordinance could regulate size as well as brightness of digital signs that all businesses—including those with them currently—would have to comply with the new law.

However, on Monday, Lum said that city council had not taken action on the item as it was requested more research be done. Lum said that other recommendations might be made to council, which could take time before being submitted.

Caldwell said he would like to proceed with the vote, and the bank would comply with whatever changes the city instituted.

The commission recommended approval with a vote of 6-0. Commissioner Jim Hessel was absent from the meeting.

Sweet sound of nothing

Dairy Queen owner David Greer presented his plans for exterior renovations to the Lindbergh Boulevard store.

Greer explained to the commission that the changes to the restaurant would be a part of modifications made by the corporate office to franchise locations.

The renovations included a new logo with “DQ” and “Grill & Chill” as well as the painting of the building in a dark brown and light brown color as well as additional signs placed along the building.

Building Commissioner Lum informed the commission that the existing building comes as a “non-comforming use,” meaning that it stood before other ordinances were passed.

The painting of the brick as well as the EIFS concerned the commission the most.

Greer said that windows on the front of the building would be removed and replaced with EIFS.

The commission voted 3-3 on the presentation, which means the motion failed. Lum said four votes would be needed for it to have passed.