Blog

By Carol Arnett

The Florissant City Council held two public hearings on new businesses at their last meeting, and rejected a request for a satellite car dealer on Lindbergh and Loyola after extensive debate.

The first new business to come before the council in a public hearing was EMB Tire and Auto Service. Eddie Buckley spoke for the business, which would like to locate at 1940 N. Highway 67. Councilman Jeff Caputo asked about old tire storage. He said he was concerned because the old tires can become a breeding ground for mosquitos and other animals. Buckley said that new tires would be stored in the basement and he was still working on storage options for old tires.

The second business to come before the council was Pro-Tech Dent Company. Laura Love represented the business, which would like to open at 8465 B N. Lindbergh. She said she has been doing this paint-less dent repair for the last 15 years, usually renting space from other repair shops.

The business plan  that was rejected by the council was presented by  Platinum Motors. The council voted “no” on a bill that would authorize the business. Real estate agent Melanie Mcilroy spoke to the council. She is trying to sell the property, which was formerly used as an office for McCafferty Chiropractic.

Platinum Motors wanted to use the site as a satellite location for their business on Dunn Road. They would sell cars from the property.

Mcilroy said that the property was difficult to sell because of its locations. She said that most of the calls she got inquiring about it were interested in leasing it, not buying it. The property is a house reconfigured as an office.

Councilman Tim Lee agreed, saying, “this is a very very difficult piece of property.” However, he added, “I think this is a terrible use of this property.” Lee said the property needed a low impact, low customer traffic business.  He also noted that the lot was very small, holding around eight cars.

The owner of Platinum Motors said he had talked to several residents in the area, who all said that they did not mind an auto dealer there.

The council rejected the business, with Mark Schmidt the only member voting “yes”.

In other matters , the council:

•  passed a bill permitting a Chimi’s Fresh Mex restaurant at 520 N. Highway 67. The council also approved a request for a liquor license for the business.

• approved a request for a transfer of the special use permit from Elite Car Sales to Hertz Car Sales for the used car sales and car rental business at 1275 and 1285 N. Highway 67.