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BY CAROL ARNETT

The Florissant City Council Monday voted to allow the rezoning of property at 209 rue St. Louis. The property is at the corner of St. Louis and St. Ferdinand and currently is an empty lot. Ace Learning Centers has proposed building a two-story office building on the site for their corporate offices.

The residents along St. Louis St. opposed the rezoning. Stanley Turner, who recently purchased the house next door, spoke against the rezoning. Turner said that after he retired from the military, he and his wife decided to settle in his hometown of Florissant.

“I did due diligence,” Turner said. He said he knew the property next door was for sale, but he also knew that it was zoned residential. “Put a house there, fine,” he said, “but I don’t want a dumpster next door.”

“I’m at a loss for words,” Turner said, “I’m flabbergasted.”

Andrew Podleski, who represents Ward 6, in which the property is located, was the only vote against the rezoning. He said he was concerned about the rezoning setting a bad precedent, with other properties being rezoned. He also noted that the property owner applied for a rezoning a year ago for a day care center, and the rezoning was recommended for denial by a 6-0 vote on the Planning and Zoning Commission.

This current proposal was recommended for approval by a 5-0 Planning and Zoning Commission vote.

Podleski said that the city had a comprehensive plan, which called for the area to remain residential.

“I am for progress,” Podleski said. “but I’d think we should adhere to the plan rather than put a building up just because there’s an open lot.”

IN OTHER MATTERS, the council postponed for two weeks a request for a dance hall license for Club Situation at 2950 Derhake Road. Mayor Robert Lowery asked the council to postpone the license, saying that he had met with Sherlie Wilson, the club’s owner, and she was working on additional soundproofing for the club. A dance hall license allows a club or bar to charge a cover charge to get in.

Several residents who live near the club have complained about the noise at the club. Paul Horn, who has spoken previously about the club, said the noise was better, but still audible in his neighborhood.

One problem, Council President Tom Schneider said, was that the club faced the residences, not the nearby businesses. He said he was concerned that even if the building was soundproofed, the noise would reach the residences every time the door was opened.

Lowery said the police were keeping an eye on the club, and would be checking to see if the new soundproofing measures Wilson was taking were effective.

•Appropriated $25,000 from the Park Improvement Fund for overtime for park employees. Lowery said the overtime was needed because of the wet weather this spring and summer.

•Appropriated additional funds for the sewer lateral program.

•Passed a bill authorizing a special use permit to Interstate Auto Groups for a used car lot at 12895 New Halls Ferry Road. This site was formerly a Steak N Shake. Lowery said that the city attorney and city administration were working on an ordinance to place a moratorium on used car lots in the city. “But this one got in under the wire,” he said.
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