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Garden Plaza of Florissant Denied by P & Z, Council Will Require 7 ‘Yes’ Votes
IN LIMBO: Trees and bushes rise above the unoccupied duplex at the proposed Garden Plaza development off Parker Road. A previous developer built a few duplexes, but had to abandon the project leaving an eyesore in the views of area neighbors. Some came to the Florissant Planning and Zoning Commission last week where the P&Z recommended denial for a new retirement and nursing home development.
Story and photo By Carol Arnett
The Florissant Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended denial of a subdivision of the property knows as the Garden Plaza of Florissant on Parker Road.
The property, at 2300-2302 Parker, was formerly the site of a church. A previous developer constructed a few duplexes on the property, and now a new developer is trying to develop it as a senior living center.
The proposed development would consist of a nursing home, assisted living center, and independent living center, each in their own building. The existing duplexes would remain.
Michael Vonderheide, with Cole Associates, told the Commission that the developer would like to subdivide the property into seven smaller lots. Each of the large buildings would have its own lot. The layout of the plan would remain the same as the plan submitted to the city last fall.
Some commission members asked about the current condition of the property. The duplexes are currently boarded up and bushes have grown over the porches. Developer David Weiss apologized for the condition of the property. “We have not kept the property up to a high standard,” he said.
In an interview this week, Mayor Robert Lowery said that the city has been issuing summons to the property owners about the condition of the property. Lowery stressed the importance of the project. “This is a $52 million development,” Lowery said. “I look to Planning and Zoning to be open-minded.”
Because the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended denial, the city council will need a supermajority of seven members to approve the subdivision. The council will likely hold a public hearing in the next month about the issue.
