Based on sheer numbers, I think you’d have to call the Feb. 11 planning meeting held by the Maryland Heights Planning Department a success.  Almost 100 people attended the meeting at Maryland Heights Community Centre to discuss possible development options for a 40-acre tract of land at the northwest corner of I-270 and Page Ave.

For those who missed it, here is a short summary:

Under Discussion:  What are the best uses of a 40-acre parcel of land at the northwest corner of I-270 and Page Ave.?  Let’s be clear, this is not solely the decision of the city or residents.  In large part, it is up to the future buyer of this property, but both the city and residents will have a say.  In the eventuality that a developer is found, what would we say to a proposal?  That’s the point of a planning discussion.

Major Ideas: 

·         Use the land for updated residential housing, including apartments, condos
       or a retirement community.

·         Encourage small, independent businesses to serve the surrounding
       community.

·         Develop a park area.

·         Offer family-friendly venues and activities.

·         Create a gathering place (think: fountain, town square).

·         Make it pedestrian and bike friendly.

·         Have a community shuttle that connects different parts of the city, for visitor
        and residents alike.

·         Increase access to the area with tunnels or bridges to cross I-270 to Westport
        or Page Avenue to Creve Coeur.

Out of Favor:  Large-scale office or hotel (lack of demand regionally).  Big box retailers, which might threaten existing business in MH, such as those in the Dorsett/McKelvey area or Westport Plaza.  (A mix of independent and smaller chains was seen as a plus.)

Mixed Reaction:  Some considered MetroLink an essential or inevitable benefit, improving residential and business life in MH.  Others expressed such a lack of faith in Metro’s management they wouldn’t even entertain the possibility of MetroLink.  The pro-Metro audience held a slight majority in the room. 

Major concerns: 

·         Traffic access to the parcel is problematic to begin with, and development
        would bring problems with greater traffic volume.

·         Business development in this area might cannibalize business activity
       elsewhere in MH.

·         Lost habitat.  Many people appreciate the wildlife living in the undeveloped
        tract.

A successful discussion occurred because so many people showed up.  Thanks to you, we have a prayer of influencing how our future unfolds.  The city has promised a follow-up meeting, next time asking residents to get more specific about appropriate land use for that parcel.  Come join the discussion.

 

Tuesday, November 3, the St. Louis County Council is scheduled to make a final vote on rezoning farmland in North County St. Louis, adjacent to the Columbia Bottom Conservation Area. They are preparing the way for a 375+ acre casino and entertainment complex.

Why should Maryland Heights residents care?
There are a lot of reasons to object to this plan, but the one that will hit closest to home is MONEY. The building of yet another casino within a 15-20 minute drive of Maryland Heights will create a large hole in our city revenues. The City of Maryland Heights receives a good chunk of revenue from Harrah's Casino; a hit to Harrah's revenue is a direct hit to Maryland Heights' revenue. Just as it has been proven that building large big-box retail centers does not add new revenue or new jobs to our region, it just moves the same money and jobs to a new place. A new casino will not bring new revenue to St. Louis County.

The only thing missing from this misguided plan is an offer of TIF funds to help build the casino in St. Louis, a city who already has half the casinos in the state. I'm sure that will come if a casino license becomes available and if it is awarded to St. Louis.

Developing this area in North St. Louis County brings up all of the same issues that we have here with the Howard Bend development plans:

•   Increased taxes for all citizens to pay for infrastructure costs
•  Increased MSD storm water fees and increased flooding, increased   pollution and degradation of our drinking water source
• Destruction of wildlife habitat and wetlands, including disruption of a major international flyway for migrating birds
• The loss of local farmland and a secure local food source.                                                                                                                       
  

The Spanish Lake Community Association has formed a group called the Common Sense Coalition to fight the approval of this rezoning. For more detailed information on their efforts please go to Spanish Lake Community Association

Action is critical!
It is very important that everyone take just 5 minutes and either call or e-mail their St. Louis County Council representative and tell them to vote against rezoning this property for a casino. It is time they become responsible for their actions. They need to stop playing shell games with our revenue by supporting irresponsible developments that degrade our communities and shift money around the region instead of bringing new economic opportunities into the county. They need to start supporting smart, sustainable developments that actually grow our economy.

To find your St. Louis County Council Representative and their contact information go to: St. Louis County Council