Eye on Local Government

Public Hearing Set for U-Gas Coming to Kirkwood

The Kirkwood City Council will vote on a proposed station and convenience store at 915 North Kirkwood Rd.

Even though a U-Gas did not find the favor of the city's planning and zoning commission, it's not stopping the business from pursuing development of a station and convenience store near the corner of Manchester and North Kirkwood roads. A public hearing for the proposed U-Gas at 915 North Kirkwood Rd. has been placed on the Kirkwood City Council's Feb. 7 agenda. When the city's planning and zoning commission denied recommending a special use exception permit for U-Gas, homeowners opposed to the development considered the decision a victory. U-Gas expressed an interest in appealing the commission's decision months ago, but the city was waiting for the business to submit a revised site plan before it could set a public hearing. During the …

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Business Spotlight

New Kirkwood Gym Moves Step Closer to Opening

BARx Crossfit gains the support of Kirkwood's planning and zoning commission.

BARx Crossfit, a fitness facility that focuses on high-intensity training, moved a step closer to opening in Kirkwood Wednesday night. The city's planning and zoning commission approved the development of the fitness facility that would fill a vacancy at 11216 Manchester Rd. At the meeting, commissioners recommended that BARx replace the property's aging lights on the rear and side of the building. Other conditions for the facility include adding an ADA accessible ramp and re-striping the parking lot, according to Kirkwood Zoning Administrator Ryan Spencer. BARx will need to submit a revised site plan before the new business goes before the Kirkwood City Council for approval. The business has yet to be put on a city council agenda.  Past …

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Eye on Local Government

Kirkwood Looks at Tightening Requirements for New Liquor, Tobacco Stores

A proposed amendment to Kirkwood's zoning code would give the city a chance to review all development. Car washes also would be subject to review.

In an effort to gain more control over development, the City of Kirkwood is proposing tightening the approval process for new liquor stores, tobacco stores and car washes. The Kirkwood City Concil will hold a public hearing Thursday at 7 p.m. about an amendment to the city's zoning code that would require business owners to secure a special use permit before developing the types of businesses. If passed, business owners would need to go before the Kirkwood Planning and Zoning Commission and Kirkwood City Council before regardless of how a property is zoned. "This would give citizens some sense that something is not going to be stuck in their neighborhood without an opportunity to express concerns if they have some," Kirkwood Mayor Art …

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Business Spotlight

Is Andy's Frozen Custard Coming to Kirkwood?

The restaurant is seeking a permit to open its first store in the St. Louis area in Downtown Kirkwood.

Downtown Kirkwood's shopping district could see an Andy's Frozen Custard in the coming months. The popular dessert chain is asking the City of Kirkwood for a special use exception permit to open a restaurant with a drive thru at 311 South Kirkwood Rd., next to Grapevine Wines & Cheese and across the street from Culpeppers Grill and Bar. (For more Kirkwood news, Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.) If development is approved, the restaurant would be the first Andy's Frozen Custard in the St. Louis area, according to a map of store locations. Andy's has 10 locations in Missouri, three in Illinois, three in Arkansas and one in Texas. A petitioner for Andy's Frozen Custard will present plans for the store to the Kirkwood Planning and…

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Business Spotlight

Task Force Aims to Grow Kirkwood Economy

Three organizations are joining forces to speed the process of starting a business in Kirkwood and attract new development.

Members of three organizations have come together to speed the process of starting a business in Kirkwood. Jim Wright, president of the Kirkwood-Des Peres Chamber of Commerce announced the formation of a new task force at the Oct. 18 meeting of the Kirkwood City Council. The task force is called the Center for Economic Progress (CEP) and is made up of representatives from the chamber, the Downtown Kirkwood Special Business District and the Kirkwood Business Development Corporation. According to a statement given to the Kirkwood City Council, the mission of CEP is "to explore and create opportunities to facilitate economic growth that will stimulate future sales tax revenue and contribute to the quality of life for the Kirkwood Community …

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750 North Taylor Development Wins Council OK

The Kirkwood City Council approved a three-home subdivision at 750 North Taylor Ave., Thursday evening.

The Kirkwood City Council approved a subdivision at 750 North Taylor Ave., despite objections from local residents and a recommendation from the city's Planning and Zoning Commission to deny plans for the development. Development of the subdivision, discussed in detail by John Pitcher at Thursday's meeting of the city council, would demolish the 1884 W.F. Warner home that stands on the property and replace it with three homes accessible by a private cul-de-sac. ________________ Do you agree with the Kirkwood City Council's decision regarding 750 North Taylor Avenue? Vote in our poll below. ________________ Pitcher's plan calls for several waivers that deviate from the standard city ordinances for subdivisions. Waivers, exceptions to city …

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Mobil Expansion Passes Kirkwood Planning and Zoning

The Kirkwood Planning and Zoning commission voted to approve the site plans of the proposed expansion of the Mobil gas station at Manchester and Geyer Roads.

The Kirkwood Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously voted to approve the site plan for the Mobil gas station at Manchester and Geyer Roads 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. Residents have expressed concerns about the expansion, 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…

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