Judge finds in favor of Ellisville on conditional use permit, News Briefs

BALLWIN

‘Consent items’ indicate construction is coming

They’re referred to as “consent items” on the agendas of many public and private boards – matters of a more or less routine nature that often have been discussed or agreed to earlier and now require a final approval. Because there are no surprises involved, such as a higher-than-expected price for a product or service, the consent items usually are approved en masse with a single motion and vote.

The consent items at the Ballwin Board of Aldermen’s Feb. 25 meeting fit that description. At the same time, the Board’s approval of them set the stage for a number of projects and activities with an impact on residents throughout the community during the upcoming construction season and warm weather months.

The following bids for highly visible projects were approved by the Ballwin Board on Feb. 25.

• N. B. West Contracting was the low bidder for asphalt overlaying on Seven Trails Drive from Vlasis Park to Holloway Road, Twigwood Drive Phase 1 from New Ballwin Road to Ballwood Drive, St. Joseph Drive, Treasure Cove Drive, Camarago/Golfview Drive and Glenmeadow Drive.

The firm was awarded the contract with a price of $322,000. The projects were budgeted at $391,774. The low bid of $899,014 for concrete pavement slabs and sidewalk replacement where needed on the same streets, as well as on Iron Lantern Drive, came from M&H Concrete Contractors.

• Crowns & Curbs was the lowest of three bids received for street sweeping in April, June, September and December.  The bid was $24,900, with any interim sweepings required after a storm or special situation billed at a $90 hourly rate. The firm handled the work for the city last year.

• Pool and Electrical Products will install a pool lift at The Pointe swimming pool and three of the devices at the North Pointe complex for $13,974, the lowest of 12 bids received. The lifts are required to comply with the aquatic component of the Americans with Disabilities Act’s accessibility guidelines for new and existing pools.

• Simpson Materials Co. will supply an estimated 2,200 tons of hot mix asphalt for various projects throughout the city. Simpson’s bid of $96,250 was the lowest of four received.

The firm also submitted a low bid of $12,690 for some 1,400 tons of crushed rock, used as a base for concrete pavement slabs, curbs and gutters and sidewalk replacement.

 

 

CHESTERFIELD

Liquor sales approved for CVAC

On Feb. 20, the Chesterfield City Council approved on a vote of 6-2 a liquor license that would allow the sale of wine at the Chesterfield Valley Athletic Complex.

Councilmembers Derek Grier (Ward 1) and Connie Fults (Ward 3) voted against the measure.

The CVAC already has a license to sell 5 percent beer by the drink.

 

 

 

CREVE COEUR

Officers honored

The Creve Coeur-Olivette Chamber of Commerce held its annual Gala Awards Dinner and Auction on Feb. 22 at Orlando’s new Maryland Heights location and honored the service of Creve Coeur and Olivette firefighters and police officers.

Creve Coeur Fire Protection District Firefighter/Medic Paul Vessells was recognized as 2012 Firefighter of the Year.

Vessells was honored for his tireless dedication to his profession both on and off duty and for his lengthy training and victorious win in a Guns ‘n Hoses boxing match that supports the Backstoppers’ organization.

Detective Thomas Rich, of the Creve Coeur Police Department, was honored as the 2012 Police Officer of the Year.

Rich has provided the department with 26 years of exemplary service. He also was honored for solving many high profile cases last year, including many residential burglaries, and for coordinating a retail sting operation in which high-end camera equipment was seized.

Firefighter/Paramedic Private Justin Schulte, of the Olivette Fire Department, and Detective Edward Delaney, of the Olivette Police Department, also were recognized as 2012 Officers of the Year.

 

 

DES PERES

Landscape renovation

SWT Design has been given a contract for up to $58,500 by the Des Peres City Council to design a monument with landscape features to replace the one currently located on the southwest corner of Manchester and Ballas roads.

Funds reserved from the close of the Manchester/Ballas Tax Increment Financing District for West County Center will be used to cover the cost of the improvements.

The suggested design, presented during a pre-Council work session, includes a waterfall similar to the one located at Chesterfield City Hall and will provide a “park-like” setting to the busy intersection.

 

 

ELLISVILLE

Judge finds in favor of city on conditional use permit

On Feb. 26, a ruling handed down by St. Louis Circuit Court Judge David Lee Vincent III found in favor of the city of Ellisville and its City Council in approving “Walmart Stores, Inc.’s and Sansone Group, Inc.’s application for a conditional use permit and site development plan approval to allow the construction and operation of a general merchandise department store over 50,000 square feet with multiple tenant space, a structure over 30 feet in height with a drive-through, and the sale of every class of liquors by the package, including Sunday sales.”

In November, Ellisville resident Thomas DeBold challenged the legality of the conditional use permit, contending that the city had ignored community welfare in issuing a permit for the development of a Walmart to be located on Manchester Road at the site of the Clarkchester Apartments.

 

 

WILDWOOD

New appointment

The Wildwood City Council on Feb. 25 appointed Dr. John Gragnani (Ward 1) to the Board of Public Safety for an unexpired term until June 2015.

 

Alcoholic beverage amendment

The Wildwood City Council on Feb. 25 approved an ordinance to amend the city code regarding alcoholic beverages in order to conform to changes in Missouri law.

The changes broaden the types of establishments eligible for issuance of a liquor license to serve alcohol on Sundays.

The Missouri legislature, by House Bill 1498, in August 2012 amended its laws pertaining to certain aspects of its liquor control laws.

 

Better planning

The Wildwood City Council on Feb. 25 approved a resolution to endorse and ratify the Gateway Bike Plan, as an addendum to the city’s already adopted Mobility and Access Plan, which is intended to encourage regional cooperation in the expansion and improvement to bicycling facilities, along with promoting education and enforcement of current rules and regulations for safety and awareness.

The resolution also includes the implementation of the provisions necessary to create “complete streets.”

Complete streets are defined as roadways that are constructed with all users in mind – including bicyclists, public transportation vehicles and riders, and pedestrians of all ages and abilities.

As the network of facilities has grown, the need for better planning of future extensions and connections became necessary, particularly when seeking grant funding.

With the city’s Mobility and Access Plan, the city has been following its recommendations and guidelines in planning, developing and constructing new facilities.

Under direction and funding from the Great Rivers Greenway District, a regional plan for bicycles was developed to address the goals and recommendations that are consistent with the city’s Mobility and Access Plan.

The Planning and Zoning Commission held a public hearing on the matter and recommended that the Department of Planning and Parks prepare a favorable report, which would then be forwarded to the City Council.