Planning and Zoning Commission Discusses Storage Facility, New Bar

The agenda for Tuesday’s Planning and Zoning Commission wasn’t very long, but that didn’t mean there wasn’t anything to talk about.

Two items on the agenda, one item of old business and one piece of new business, took up a bulk of the time at the February meeting of the Commission on Tuesday at the Justice Center. The Commission listened to public complaints on both issues, but didn’t side with the public each time.

The first item on the agenda for the night was a request by JMO Holdings, LCC, owners of . In January, the for a special use permit to turn several parking spaces into storage spaces for trailers and small trucks.

Residents in nearby Spencer Hill subdivision, Stauder Technologies and the owners off the building at 255 Spencer Road expressed concerns about the plan. The surrounding homes and businesses were worried about the potential for an eyesore. JMO Holdings has only owned the property since August 2010, but the residents and business owners were concerned based on issues with the past owners.

The Planning and Zoning Commission decided in January to table the request so the owners of Spencer Road Storage could meet with residents and business owners to address concerns.

Tuesday night Joel and Michelle Otto, owners of Spencer Road Storage, were back again to request a special use permit. The two spoke about all the changes and improvements they have made to the property since taking over in August.

Despite trying to appease the residents, the public comments showed that some people still were not a fan of the proposal. Jerry Stauder, owner of Stauder Technologies, said in January that he would be fine with the proposal assuming a few conditions would be met. Tuesday night, he was singing a different tune.

Stauder changed his position on the project after Spencer Road Storage continued to store trailers on the lot without a permit. In January, the Planning and Zoning Commission said the trailers needed to be moved as soon as possible, but Stauder provided pictures showing the trailers never moved.

The Commission, led by Chairman Keith McNames, thought the proposal didn’t account for security. The trailers would be exposed and accessible at all times.

Because of security concerns, and the concerns of the residents, the Commission voted to deny the petition. 

The first item of new business was a request from Jeff Britton to open up a craft beer bar in St. Peters. Britton was looking to open the bar, named Exit 6 Pub and Brewery, in the Promenade Center on the south side of Mexico Road and east of Devondale Place.

Britton said the plans are for an upscale bar that is unique to St. Charles County. The bar won’t sell liquor or any common beer, but rather craft beer. He said the plans are for no live music and no DJ. His said his vision was a low-key place for people to come and drink beers they can’t get anywhere else.

“This is not your happy-hour-type place,” Britton said.

The problem, at least according to the public complaints, is the location. The shopping center Britton plans to build open in is located in front of. City ordinance says that a bar can’t be within 100 yards of a school. The planned bar is at least 200 yards away.

The public complaints said building a bar so close to a school sends a mixed message with the school preaching D.A.R.E education. Also, parking issues and unsafe drivers were of concern during the public hearing. 

Britton said that the bar would only be open from 5 p.m. until 1:30 a.m.  Britton also the center where the bar will be located has plenty of parking and he will pay for cabs for any customers that are over-served, however, he said that won’t be an issue because he plans to strictly monitor consumption.

The Commission modified his request so that the hours of operation can’t be changed and Britton is only allowed to serve craft beer—two conditions Britton agreed to. Despite some objection from the Commission, the motion carried and the petition was approved.

OTHER BUSINESS

• Mid Rivers Trade Park Storage Lot had its site plan approved.
• Premier Parkway South is now just Premier Parkway. The construction of Highway 370 has eliminated Premier Parkway North.
• An amended plat of Kindred Hill was approved.
• The site plans for American Eagle Credit Union, a bank to be located on the south side of Queensbrooke Boulevard, East of Woodstone Drive, was approved with some changes. The Commission wanted more brick siding in the project.