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Florissant Council Approves Sale of Lady of Fatima Convent
BY CAROL ARNETT
Meeting in temporary quarters last week, the Florissant City Council approved an ordinance authorizing the lease purchase agreement for the city-owned property at 4500 Washington Street, which was the former Our Lady of Fatima convent.
The meeting was held at the JFK Community Center in Koch Park while the normal council chambers in city hall are refurbished. The second March meeting will also be held at the JFK Center.
The city purchased the Fatima building for $1,000 from Johnny Londoff Chevrolet after the dealership bought the entire Our Lady of Fatima site. Lindenwood University occupies the former church and school building, and Londoff uses the rest of the property for automobiles.
Councilwoman Karen McKay requested that her name be taken off the ordinance authorizing the lease purchase. Normally, the council person in whose ward the property is in would sponsor the ordinance, but McKay said she did not want to sponsor the bill.
“A public hearing notice was not posted in the property,” McKay said, stating that citizens are used to seeing the signs for notice of public hearings. McKay also said she would abstain from voting, saying she could not give her full support to the project.
Councilman Tim Lee said he would sponsor the bill for the Fatima purchase.
Prudential Alliance Commercial is purchasing the building from the city. At a previous meeting, a spokesperson for the company said the building would be marketed for offices. He said the company believes there is a demand for office space in the area. Prudential Alliance Commercial is paying $171,000 for the property. The contract requires that the company purchase the property after leasing it for one year.
The council voted to approve the bill, with all members except McKay voting yes.
In other business, the council held a public hearing on a request by Adelina Reddick to expand Pirates Cove Bar and Grill at 468, 470, and 472 Howdershell. The expansion would allow a sit-down, carry-out restaurant.
Councilman Tom Schneider, in whose ward the business is located, told the council that he had received no complaints about Pirates Cove since the current owners took it over. “I’m pleased that the site next to you will be occupied,” he said. “We can always use another place to eat.”
Councilman Keith English asked the council to give the ordinance allowing the expansion three readings at the meeting. “The petition was delayed because of vacancies on the Planning and Zoning Commission,” English said.
McKay said she supported the expansion, but was against three readings on the same night as the public hearing. The city council normally holds only the first reading on the night of the public hearing and holds the second and third readings, along with a vote, at the next meeting.
“I feel the public needs time to respond to any issue raised at the hearing,” McKay said. McKay did not vote for a third reading. The vote needed to be unanimous, so the third reading was not held. The council will take up the bill again at the next meeting.
McKay said she supported the expansion, but was against three readings on the same night as the public hearing. The city council normally holds only the first reading on the night of the public hearing and holds the second and third readings, along with a vote, at the next meeting.
“I feel the public needs time to respond to any issue raised at the hearing,” McKay said. McKay did not vote for a third reading. The vote needed to be unanimous, so the third reading was not held. The council will take up the bill again at the next meeting.
