Florissant TDD Public Hearing for Walmart Draws Small Audience

A small crowd including Florissant city officials turned out for the brief public hearing for the traffic development district (TDD) Tuesday night.

A hearing officer led the meeting, which included solely comments from the public about a TDD for Florissant in regards to the Walmart project development.

Mayor Tom Schneider addressed the officer with a prepared statement on behalf of the administration and council.

"As the mayor of the City of Florissant and speaking on behalf of the city council and the citizens of Florissant, I would like to share our disappointment with the developers and owners of the proposed Newco Transportation Development District as they continue to seek public assistance for their project after it was made clear to them that this community feels strongly that they should build this project with private money," he said. "...We expected THF to proceed without public assistance."

Ward 4 Councilman Keith English also addressed the officer, agreeing with Mayor Schneider that the TDD should not be passed, and that the Walmart developer or property owner should pay for the placement of the traffic signal near the development. In a traffic study presented to the administration and City Council, THF Realty presented information that a traffic signal would be needed for the development along Lindbergh and near Sunswept.

Florissant City Attorney John Hessel said that the decision remains in the court’s hands, more specifically 33rd Division Court Judge Brenda Stith-Loftin, who will decide whether to approve the district based up on the statutory requirements. Hessel said the decision could come in the next 60 days.

He also said that judges have approved all TDD requests with the exception of one. Neither the Florissant City Council nor the administration make a decision about the TDD.

If passed, the district would probably impose a sales tax for to help pay costs for ingress, egress loading and some costs of the parking area of the Walmart development, Hessel said.

What do you think? Would this change how you support the Walmart development coming to town?