U-Gas Vote Postponed After Public Hearing Raises Questions, Youthful Opposition

Developers of a proposed U-Gas Convenience Store returned to Kirkwood City Hall to press their case as part of a public hearing on a bid for a special use permit Thursday, but may have met their match in the form of two young girls.

Samantha and Carter Radman, identified by The St. Louis Post-Dispatch as being ages 11 and 7, brought the house down during the hearing with their argument against the proposal, including the fact that light from the development would hurt their ability to see lightning bugs and impede campfires.

Samantha suggested the land at 915 North Kirkwood Road be developed instead into a park, a historical center, or a skybridge and said she was prepared to help fundraise for it. 

Ann Jones, who said she's a crossing guard in the area, voiced concern that children in the afternoon could end up walking into oncoming traffic on North Kirkwood Road.

Mark Kamphoefner was the only resident who spoke in support of the project, arguing that the proposal would be a "big improvement for Kirkwood" compared to what is currently there. But Ron Ruzicka suggested that there are other locations available in the area and that nearby streets can barely handle the traffic they currently see now, even without what would be generate by the C-store.

Given the concerns raised over traffic and property values, Councilman Bob Sears moved to postpone a first vote on the project until the next Kirkwood City Council meeting February 21.

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