Council Still Attempting

To Reach Solution on Noise

Reduction at Old Town Bar

By Carol Arnett

   The Florissant City Council had a busy meeting Monday, with four public hearings on the agenda that included two requests for business expansions, one at a local bar and another at a popular barbecue restaurant.

The first public hearing was a continuation of the hearing regarding Smoke and Sip, on 411 rue St. Francois. Tony Bowlson, the owner, spoke to the counciland would like to amend his special use permit to allow for the enclosure of the patio at his cigar bar.

The council had asked Bowlson to provide a report from an audiologist about the sound produced by the bar. Bowlson said that he was unable to get the report.

Councilman Gerard Henke asked if the bar had done anything to reduce the noise. Bowlson said they had removed the TVs from the patio and stopped having live music there.

“We had the police department put together some statistics for three bars near there,” said Mayor Tim Lowery. The three bars were Bunker’s, the VFW Post, and Smoke and Sip. “From May 4, 2018, to June 10, 2019, we had 86 calls to Smoke and Sip. We’ve had three calls for the VFW Post. At Bunkers, we had three calls for service in that time,” Lowery said.

“It seems that no matter what we do, that this is not being taken seriously,” Henke said. He said that since Bowlson had come before the council a few weeks ago and they discussed noise, they have still had noise complaints.

“Most of the time, it is not noisy,” Bowlson said. He said that on one day, a police officer responded to a call and said he did not hear excessive noise. Henke responded that on the day in question, there were several cars with music playing, so a resident called, and the cars left before the police officer arrived.

“I don’t think that this is a good use of our resources with the police babysitting Smoke and Sip every weekend,” Henke said. Bowlson strongly disagreed that the police were babysitting the business.

Councilwoman Jackie Pagano again brought up the heat issue, which several council members questioned at the last time they held a hearing. “You’re going to have to open it,” she said. She said that the plastic curtains would magnify the heat. Bowlson said that he could cool the area if it was enclosed.

Henke asked City attorney John Hessel for advice on what the council could do next. Hessel said that he had seen reports from audiologists that do provide a prediction of noise levels after changes. Henke said that he would like to continue the hearing again until the council got a report. Hessel said he could provide names of audiologists that could provide the report.

The council voted to continue the public hearing until the July 8 council meeting.

 IN A SECOND HEARING, Chris Alexander spoke to the council about a request to expand his Barbecue restaurant, Hwy 67 BBQ, at 1752-1754 New Florissant Road.

Alexander wants to add a stage for bringing in bands. There will also be a small dance floor. “We’re not going to be a dance club,” he said. He said the floor could be used for couples to dance.

“I appreciate what you do for the community,” said Councilman Tommy Siam. He said he had met with Alexander and approved of the expansion.

The council held a first reading on a bill that would approve the expansion.

FLORISSANT

CONSIDERS

ZONING

CHANGES

   The third and fourth public hearings dealt with zoning code issues. The first was about updating the code regarding the definition of adult day care establishments. The change would disallow the centers in shopping centers. City Building Commissioner Phillip Lum spoke to the council about the change. The Planning and Zoning Commission studied the proposed change and recommended approval.

Councilman Robert Parson asked what research the staff and commission used to help decide on the change. Lum said that the staff studied other nearby communities. Parson asked if there were any safety issued related to having the centers in shopping centers. Lum said they did not find any.

The Council held a first reading on a bill that would authorize the zoning change.

Lum also spoke about a zoning change regarding medical marijuana establishments. He said the Planning and Zoning Commission looked at two questions: where the establishments can go and how far from each other and other businesses or schools they need to be.

Hessel explained that the zoning change came out of the recent vote in Missouri that legalizes the establishments. He said that state law prohibits cities from banning the establishments or making it too difficult for the establishments to open.

The council held a first reading on a bill that would authorize the zoning change.

IN OTHER ACTION, THE COUNCIL:

• Passed a bill that will allow a new dialysis center at 13015 New Halls Ferry Road. This is just south of Plaza Madrid at the intersection of Parker Road and New Halls Ferry Road.
• Approved a request for a package liquor license for Dollar General Store at 15275 New Halls Ferry Road.

Passed a bill amending the code to allow for the regulation of parking commercial vehicles on residential streets.

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