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By Carol Arnett

Wal-Mart has come before the city of Florissant’s Planning and Zoning Commission (P and Z)  recently to request approval for a rezoning to allow for a planned commercial development at 3350, 3400 & 3605 N. Highway 67 (east of the Lowe’s location)

At the February meeting, P&Z approved one request and denied another one. Both concerned subdividing three lots into one.  Any plans would need City Council approval.

Mayor Robert Lowery shared his thoughts about Wal-Mart in an interview. “I’m personally not for Wal-Mart. I don’t feel they’re good for the community,” he said. “When they come in, communities lose local businesses.”

Lowery also said that Wal-Mart could make a better effort at selling products made in the United Stated. “They need more US products,” he said.

However, Lowery said that regardless of his personal feelings, the city cannot legally ban a business such as Wal-Mart if they meet the city’s standards. “As mayor, if they meet codes and laws, they will go in.”

“I’ve been led to believe they are going to apply for a Community Improvement District (CID) for the project. A CID creates a taxing district in which a portion of the sales taxes collected help pay for improvements to the property.

“I’m bitterly opposed to a CID,” Lowery said. “The richest corporation in the world doesn’t need assistance, and I will not approve.”

Lowery added that the proposed project would need changes. “The plan so far is not meeting all the expectations of the building code,” he said.

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