Florissant Moves To Repeal Pit Bull

Ban; Many Speak Opposing the Ban

By Carol Arnett

The Florissant City Council took the first step in repealing the pit bull ban at its meeting this week. The ban has been the target of several citizens, who have come to the last several council meetings to request that the city reconsider it and any breed specific legislation. Many spoke and sent letters at this meeting also

Two bills that would affect the ban were introduced by Council President Jackie Pagano and Councilman Jeff Caputa. The first bill would delete the section of city code titled Regulation of Pit Bulls. The second would amend the section on dangerous dogs. Pit Bulls could still be classified at dangerous dogs if they were involved in any violent situations.

Elizabeth Thurman, a veterinarian, said she

was for repealing the ban, but she also would like to see a law requiring that pit bulls be spayed or neutered. She noted that they are one of the breeds most often left at shelters. She said that a similar spay-neuter program in Kansas City resulted in the percentage of animals received at the shelter going from 40% pit bulls to 20% pit bulls. Spayed and neutered pets are less likely to get cancer, she added.

“There has been no breed of dog more likely to be abused, used for nefarious reasons, or abandoned than pit bulls,” Thurman said. “It has nothing to do with the breed. It is with irresponsible breeding and socialization.”

Hearings Held on New Restaurants

The council also had two public hearing

scheduled, both of which had to do with new restaurants. The first was about a Dunkin Donuts at 8115 N. Lindbergh.

“The petitioner has again requested a

continuance on this,” said Pagano. Councilman Joe Eagan moved to continue the hearing until the March 13 council meeting. His motion was passed.

The second public hearing was about a request to issue an amendment to an ordinance to allow for a McAlister’s Deli at 2180 N. Highway 67. The city’s Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval.

Mike Mueller, with MB Engineering, spoke to the council about the restaurant.

“This is the Bob Evans building that you all are familiar with,” Mueller said. “The existing restaurant is going to remain. McAlister’s would like to add a 700 foot patio on the west side of the restaurant, near US Bank.

“There is some existing landscaping in the location of the

patio which will be removed and new landscaping added” Mueller said. “We’re replacing the awnings. They were red when it was Bob Evans, and will be changed to dark green.”

Mueller said that the customer count of both restaurants was similar. The difference, he said, was that Bob Evans was busier in the morning, while McAlister’s expects more customers for lunch and dinner.

There will be no drive-through. The patio will only be accessed by going through the front door, and it will be smoke-free. The council held a first reading on the bill.

In other action, the council passed an ordinance that will allow Boain Dental at 1001 Dunn Road to change their sign and move it closer to Dunn Road.

Pagano moved to change the date of the next February meeting from Monday, Feb 27 to Tuesday, Feb 28 due to a scheduling conflict with a Valley of Flowers fundraiser.

The Pit Bull ban repeal could be considered at that Feb. 28^th meeting. Usually, bills are discussed and voted on at the meeting following their introduction.

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