Heated Debate Takes Center Stage at Planning and Zoning

The Commission appeared to be on course for a normal meeting of discussions and approvals until the last presentation of the Monday night meeting.

When the representatives of a special permit request for a new at 8400 N. Lindbergh Blvd. began their presentation, the meeting quickly turned tense between one of the representatives and lead commissioner, James Ross. 

The request centered on a request for an amendment to a current B-5 zoning business to replace an existing gas station with an automotive service garage. The Firestone would be replacing the current on Lindbergh in Florissant.

However, Commissioner Ross felt that it was inappropriate to approve the request when the QuikTrip as well as another Firestone on New Halls Ferry and Lindbergh were still in operation.

More specifically, Commissioner Ross said he needed firm dates of the QuikTrip  or of the Firestone closing before he would consider moving it forward.

The petitioners argued that it would be hard to provide that information without disclosing a lease or contracts drawn up between the companies. 

The 10-minute heated debate continued until Commissioner Richard Weller interrupted, and Ross said his last piece.

The rest of the commissioners continued to ask the representatives about plans for signs, parking, lighting and the timetable. The commission voted to continue the request until its April 4 meeting 

The commission also approved two other separate requests. The first request of the night would provide a special-use permit for the Papa John’s location on New Halls Ferry as a “paperwork clean-up” from the area being annexed 10 years ago.

The other was a request for a special use permit for China Garden, a restaurant, at 2131 Charbonier Road.