Mobil Expansion Passes Kirkwood Planning and Zoning

The Kirkwood Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously voted to approve the site plan for the Wednesday night but plans will have to be revised before they are submitted to the Kirkwood City Council.

For instance, the new station must include the addition of sidewalks on Geyer Road and Simmons Avenue near the station and recessed lighting. Also, products can only be delivered between 8 am. and 5 p.m. An 8-foot fence will be constructed on the south line of the property.

, which would increase the size of the convenience store and double the station's number of pumps.

Kevin Kamp, senior project manager with Civil & Environmental Consultants, told commissioners that residents' concerns were being met and every step would be taken to minimize light spillage, noise and trash overflow.

But after hearing Kamp's presentation, some residents said they still opposed the expansion.

"The connecting alley they want to install behind the station will connect Geyer (Road) and Simmons (Avenue), which is going to funnel people and cars behind my house into this alley constantly," said Roger Manwaring, of Geyer Road. "Noise, trash, these are all going to go up for us, and I think we have the right to object."

Manwaring said he would make a statement when the Kirkwood City Council holds a public hearing about the Mobil permit. The city has yet to schedule a hearing date.

Manwaring said that he did not receive any official notification from the city of any planning and zoning meetings concerning the station.

Kirkwood Public Works Director Todd Rehg said the city was required to notify residents only when matters come before the council for public hearing. When public hearings involve development or construction, Kirkwood is only required to issue notification to property owners within 300 feet of the site in question.

"For instance, the building that will be demolished, the building owner has been notified, obviously he's in a contract with Mobil to demolish the building," Rehg said. "However, the tenants don't have to be legally notified by us at all, which is unfortunate."

Chair of planning and zoning David Osborn said he wasn't sure if all the concerns of residents were met.

"I think we've addressed most of their issues," Obsborn said. "We are going to limit traffic in the residential areas. We are going to keep light and noise to a minimum."