Webster Groves Resolution in Works to Oppose North-South Connector

The Webster Groves City Council will draft a resolution that expresses its concerns about proposed South County Connector routes as outlined in the project's environmental impact statement (EIS).

The decision to draft the resolution follows a , which sparked an outcry from residents who fear homes in the northeast section of the city could be seized via eminent domain.

The presentation was of such concern that Mayor Gerry Welch and councilors insisted on drafting a resolution to express their unhappiness with the plans to St. Louis County officials.

"I have yet to see the one study or piece of information that expresses why we need this so bad," Welch said.

The connecting road has several proposed routes. City and state officials say the goal of the South County Connector is to provide better traffic flow between Interstate 170 to the north and Interstate 44 and Interstate 55 to the west and south, respectively.

Councilor Toni Hunt said the process was frustrating because "people from the County have scared residents."

Welch said that the County had not provided enough evidence, nor given residents and city officials enough time, to make an informed decision.

The County is collecting comments about the EIS on the project's website until Friday to measure public opinion on the proposed routes.

Councilor Ken Burns said that the Council should communicate with Shrewsbury and Maplewood in order to present a united opinion on the issue to the County.

"Let's get other cities behind us on this, and tell the County, 'Don't touch the residential neighborhoods,'" Burns said.

The resolution, which may be drafted in time for the council's next regular meeting July 19, will inform the County that Webster Groves residents do not want to lose any homes as a result of the South County Connector project and that the County has yet to provide sufficient evidence to move forward with the project.