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Florissant City Council: City Attorney Concerned About County Intervention at Cigar Bar
By Carol Arnett
A cigar bar, a cocktail lounge, and an adult day care were all on the agenda at the last Florissant City Council meeting.
The council held a public hearing about allowing cigar bars as a special use in an HB – Historic Business District. There has been a request to open a cigar bar on rue St. Francois in Old Town.
City Attorney John Hessel spoke to the council about the proposed change. He said that there was some confusion about whether the city could allow a cigar bar because of St. Louis County’s Clean Air Act. A court has ruled that the county can enforce the act in cities in the county.
Hessel said that the county will enforce its clean air act that prohibits smoking in bars. “St Louis County has the authority to come in and issue citations and shut them down,” Hessel said.
“There have been several cigar bars across the county,” said Anthony Bowlson, one of the owners of the proposed cigar bar. Hessel said that while that was true, there was no guarantee that the county would leave his proposed business alone. He said that Bowlson could try to get written assurances from the county about the business being allowed.
“I understand your frustration,” Hessel said. “I don’t like to deliver bad news.”
Councilman Gerard Henke said that he would like the business to succeed. He suggested Bowlson open as a cocktail lounge while the issue is resolved.
Hessel recommended that the council continue the public hearing while he did more research on the subject. He said he would consult with some other city attorneys so see how those cities could open the bars.
The council continued the public hearing until the next meeting.
Cocktail Lounge, Day Care Center Planned in City
A second hearing addressed the request for a special use permit to Privilege Lounge to allow the operation of a cocktail lounge at 129 Flower Valley Shopping Center.
Diane McNutt spoke about the business. She said the bar would have music. She said that alcohol would not be leaving the premises. “I have a mature clientele,” she said. The bar will not serve food and will be open seven days a week.
The third public hearing was about a request that adult day cares be allowed as a special use in a B Zoning district. They are currently allowed in other business districts. City Business Commissioner Phil Lum spoke to the council. He said that this change would allow adult day cares in the same zoning codes in which child day cares are allowed. The city’s Planning and Zoning Commission recommended the change.
The council held first readings on bills that would allow the cocktail lounge and zoning change for adult day care.
Siteman Cancer Center Plans
The council also heard from representatives of BJC Healthcare about the proposed Siteman Cancer Center on the former Christian Northwest site at 1225 Graham Road.
There have been changes to the original plan, but that BJC is still committed to opening a full Siteman Center on the site.
The three major changes are landscaping changes, the removal of a skylight, and the use of a cheaper material on the outside wall in the back of the building that will be designated as the area for building expansion. The center’s typically expand in three to five years, the BJC representative said. The walls are on the back of the building.
The council approved a bill that would allow the changes.
In other action, the council:
- Passed a resolution supporting the PowerPlex Sport Complex at the St. Louis Outlet Center in Hazelwood.
- The council also held a moment of silence for former Councilman Keith English who died recently. He was also a former state legislator and long-time activist in Florissant.
