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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Residents Get Chance to Weigh In on Kirkwood School Tax Rate

A public hearing will be held Monday before the Kirkwood School Board sets the 2012 tax rate. Two scenarios presented to the board during a work session would lower homeowners' tax bills.

During its annual tax rate work session Monday, the Kirkwood School District administration presented Kirkwood School Board members with two scenarios for setting the 2012 tax rate. Both scenarios slightly lower the rate on residential property within the district, but one ups the rate on commercial and personal property taxes. The current school tax rate for residential property is $4.2878 per $100 of assesed value which is about a 2 percent rise from the 2010 rate.  The Kirkwood School District provides the following information to residents on its website.  In Scenario 1 the tax rates will generate $830,000 in new revenue at the 96 percent collection rate. The $830,000 increase is attributed to new construction within the District and …

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