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Revised Wal-Mart Plan Calls For Store on West Side Of Property, New Entrance
By Carol Arnett
The Florissant City Council held a first reading on the bill that would rezone the property where Wal-Mart wants to locate. The property, near the intersection of New Halls Ferry Rd. and Lindbergh Blvd., is south of Lindbergh, between Lowe’s and Coldwater Creek. This bill represents a revision of the plan originally approved by the council
The new zoning would be a B-5 Planned Commercial District, which would allow for the construction of the store. It is currently zoned B-3 Extensive Commercial District and M-2 Industrial District.
Wal-Mart first came before the city with this project four years ago. The corporation originally submitted a plan that used Tax Increment Financing (TIF). The city and council was not in favor of any TIF for the project.
Wal-Mart most recently submitted the current plans, which call for a Transportation Development District (TDD). This financing plan allows the developer to sell bonds, and then levy a tax at businesses in the district to pay them off. The funds raised can only be used for transportation improvements. The TDD was approved by the Circuit Court of St. Louis County.
The plan calls for the store to be on the west side of the property. Customers will enter at a new light that will be put in on Lindbergh. A new entrance to businesses on the other side of Lindbergh will be created so they can share the light.
Wal-Mart has said that delivery trucks will enter only from east-bound Lindbergh and exit to the east, where they will travel on Lindbergh to Hwy 367. This was after concerns from the city about trucks making left turns impacting traffic on Lindbergh.
The store will be approximately 170,000 square feet. It will have a minimum of 852 parking spots, including 24 handicapped accessible spaces.
A few people Monday night spoke in favor of the project. Two were residents who said they would like to shop locally at a Florissant Wal-Mart. One owned property across Lindbergh. He said he thought the store would be good for nearby businesses. On resident whose property backs up to the site had concerns about flooding possibilities and retaining walls. The council should hold a second reading and vote on the bill at the next council meeting.
