West Newsmagazine News

West Newsmagazine is West St. Louis County's exclusive direct-mailed community newspaper.

Creve Coeur nixes moratorium on development in unincorporated areas

By Ted Dixon Jr.

The Creve Coeur City Council on June 23 voted 3-2 against a proposed moratorium on all new projects on properties that are located near or just outside the city limits for a period of six months.

Creve Coeur City Councilmember Beth Kistner (ward 1) introduced the proposed six-month moratorium on new development projects on properties adjoining the boundaries of the city.

City officials have been embroiled in a bitter dispute regarding buffer zone requirements on projects that include or affect unincorporated areas. Currently, the buffer for developments within the city is 20 feet. A recently rejected proposal involving a Walgreens near an unincorporated part of town would have placed that store within 5 feet of a residential property.

Several Creve Coeur Councilmembers and residents have spoken out against the project. City officials are debating about the definition of a buffer zone to include areas located outside the city limits, where the 20-foot buffer rule does not currently apply.

During the June 9 City Council meeting, councilmember Jeanne Rhoades (ward 4) walked out before a vote could be taken on the moratorium issue.