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BY CAROL ARNETT

The City of Florissant has made the first move in a bid to annex Paddock Estates subdivision. At an executive meeting before the last council meeting, Director of Public Work Lou Jearls advised the council on the area involved.

The area has 588 people in 274 homes, Jearls said. It is partly surrounded by the city’s golf course, and is 98% residential. The area does not include the Marietta subdivision.

Jearls also explained how the annexation process would work. The council, he said, must pass an ordinance allowing the city staff to prepare a proposal for the St. Louis County Boundary Commission and submit it. The Boundary Commission will review the proposal and hold public hearings before determining if they will allow an annexation vote.

“The process can take many months,” Jearls said.

“We’re asking Paddock Estates to join the city because they keep asking us,” Jearls said. Councilwoman Karen McKay said that the city has previously tried to annex a larger area, Paddock Estates along with Marietta, and was turned down, largely because of opposition from Marietta residents.

Jearls noted that the city goes into Paddock Estate with golf cart paths. “We think this is a good fit,” he said.

Suspended Driver’s Licenses—

The council also heard from Judge Tim Kelly about drivers who are driving in the city with revoked or suspended licenses. Kelly asked the council to approve $7,500 for jail fees so he could order these drivers held.

Mayor Robert Lowery explained that the city had to pay St. Louis County to put these people in jail. “We don’t have a jail,” he said, “we have a holding.” The county, he said, charges $35 per day in jail fees.

Kelly also said that the city was not collecting on all the red light tickets issued by the new cameras. He said the city would start running the names of red light violators who don’t pay on the city cable channel.

Vote Postponed on Rezoning—

At the regular council meeting, the city postponed voting on a rezoning of property at 209 rue St. Louis. This is at the intersection of St. Louis and St. Ferdinand Streets. There was opposition from several residents of the area at the public hearing held at the last meeting.

Several people again spoke in opposition to the rezoning. Rosemary Davison, who has been active in historical preservation in the city for years, reminded the council that after rezoning, any use that is allowed in the zoning category will be allowed.

“St. Louis is one of the most historically significant streets in the city,” Davison said. She also addressed criticisms of the Turners, who live in the house next door.

“Some have criticized the Turners and said they should have known the lot would be developed,” Davison said. “They bought a historic home in a historic district next to a lot zones residential historic,” she said.

In other matters, Council President Tom Schneider moved to reconsider his vote on a dance hall license for Club Situation, at 2950 Derhake Road. He then moved to postpone a final vote on the license.

Several residents came before the council to complain about the club. Paul Horn, who lives nearby, said he and his wife were awakened by the noise from the club and it had only been open one week.

“We went through this for ten years before we were annexed by the city,” Horn said, saying that four or five other clubs had been in the building through the years, and all were loud. “The problem is that the building faces residences, not other businesses,” Horn said.

The council postponed a vote on the dance hall license.
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