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City Council OKs Cell Tower
Florissant Complete Streets Policy Approved
By Carol Arnett
The Florissant City Council met Monday at city hall. They had a light agenda, with no public hearings scheduled. The did, however, pass some bills and resolutions.
The council passed a bill approving the Florissant Complete Streets Policy. City Engineer Tim Barrett spoke to the council about the Complete Street Policy. Barrett stated that the policy states that all streets should be safe for all vehicles, including bicycles and wheelchairs. The city will partner with TrailNet to develop bike and pedestrian master plan for the city.
“A Complete Streets ordinance directs the city to routinely look for opportunities to enable safe access for all users,” Barrett said. He added that complete street programs are important when applying for grants.
“We want to thank Mayor Thomas Schneider and City Engineer Timothy Barrett for working with AARP, Trailnet and others on this ordinance. We also appreciate the entire council signing on as co-sponsors, signaling their commitment to improve the streets of Florissant for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists,” said Sheila Holm, AARP associate state director.
The ordinance comes on the heels of a survey released this month by AARP finding that one of the greatest unmet needs of St. Louis County residents (age 45 and older) is streets and intersections that are well-lit and safe..
Ralph Pfremmer, executive director of Trailnet, said in a press release: “we are excited to see Florissant join the ranks of more than 30 other Complete Streets communities in Missouri. These communities want their streets to accommodate people who walk and bike because they know such changes have the power to improve the overall health and economy of the region. This important policy will be a guiding principle as we work with Florissant to develop a pedestrian and bicycle master plan this year.”
Cell Tower on School Property Approved
The council also approved a bill that will allow for the construction of a telecommunications tower at 837 Dunn Rd. This is on the campus of North County Christian School. The council discussed this bill extensively at the last meeting. Some parents from the school and residents were opposed to the tower. The school would like the city to approve the tower; a representative from the school said at the last meeting that the school could use the money the tower would provide.
The third bill the council passed will approve the transfer of a Special Use Permit from Phat Boys BBQ LLC to Sho-Mo BBQ, LLC for the operation of a carry-out restaurant at 300 St. Ferdinand. The new owner said at the last meeting that the new restaurant will be very similar to the Phat Boys, with take-out barbecue.
The council also passed two resolutions. The first supports the city’s application to the East-West Gateway Council of Governments Transportation Improvement Program FY 17-20 for improvements to the intersection of N. Highway 67 at St. Ferdinand streets.
The second resolution passed by the council supports the city’s application to the St. Louis County Department of Public Health Waste Reduction Grand Program.
The council also passed a bill that would affect the redistricting commission. It would remove Bernice Foley and add Steve Podry. Councilman Mark Schmidt said that Foley had informed him that she would be unable to serve on the commission.
