Circle K Moves Forward With Plan to Re-Open After January Fire

Ironing out the design of one side of the building was the lone hiccup for Circle K in its quest to re-open the fire-damaged convenience store.

Two-and-a-half months after a fire significantly damaged the roof and the interior of the building,  Circle K, located at the intersection of Mexico and Spencer Roads, was in front of the St. Peters Planning and Zoning Commission on Wednesday. Because the store originally opened before city codes changed and because the fire was so damaging, the city required Circle K to run the gamut like it was a new business. Part of that process required applying for a special use permit and presenting and updated site plan to the commission. 

The hearing for the special use permit went smoothly for Circle K. The convenience store had no problems meeting revised St. Peters codes and the commission agreed to recommended approval of the permit at the April 25 meeting.

The site plan, however, required a bit of a debate. Circle K's plans to replace the roof and get rid of the mansard—the heavy awning that fell during the fire—were approved by the commission. Circle K's plans to move the door and replace the chain-link fence around the dumpster and replace it with a concrete enclosure also were seen as good improvements. The lone issue was with the west side of the building.

Commission member Steven Bailey said that the side, which drivers heading heading down Mexico Road will see was too plain. Design work for the front of the building stopped on the sides and Bailey said the side facing traffic was just too white. 

Circle K agreed to work with city staff to make adjustments to the side—options talked about were some different paint, paneling or something else. With that condition met, the commission approved the site plan.