Central Newsmagazine News Briefs

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

Webster Groves

Assisted senior living facility planned

At the May 6 Webster Groves City Council meeting, the council considered plans for an assisted senior living facility that would fill a vacant lot across the street from City Hall.

Sunrise Senior Living has proposed a three-story, 72,460-square-foot senior living facility on the 1.5-acre lot at the corner of E. Lockwood and N. Maple avenues.? Sunrise, which currently has similar facilities in Clayton, Des Peres and Chesterfield, has plans for 80 residential units, a parking lot, restaurant and beauty salon on the property.

But the lot borders 17 North Maple, where there is a home awaiting historical designation. Mary Roberts, who owns the home, is concerned about parking, which representatives of Sunrise have said is hardly an issue with none of their residents having cars.

“I’m concerned about holidays and Sundays when there could be multiple visitors,” Roberts said.

Laura Hester, senior vice president of development for Sunrise Senior Living’s Midwest Region, said they had adjusted previous plans in order to accommodate Webster Groves’ requirements for parking. The plan was 48 parking spaces.? Additionally, a right turn lane onto East Lockwood from North Maple would be added and overhead utility wires would be buried as part of the project. Roger Grow, director of Planning and Development for the city, said this was an opportunity to bury the last of the overhead lines along Lockwood. ? In order to conduct the work, the Ozark Theater, 103 E. Lockwood, had to be in agreement. Dan Stevens, owner of the Ozark, told the council at the meeting that he was in support of the plan.? The Plan Commission approved the plans at an April 7 meeting and recommended passage. The council is expected to have a final reading at its next meeting.

Creve Coeur

Public forum

The Creve Coeur-Olivette Chamber of Commerce will hold a public forum regarding the economic development sales tax (EDT) proposal from 6:45 p.m. until 9 p.m. on May 22, at the CityPlace One Auditorium. The Creve Coeur City Council will be on hand to answer questions. The half-cent tax proposal will be on the June 3 ballot.? If approved, the EDT would generate about $2 million a year toward downtown projects. The sales tax was approved by the Missouri General Assembly in 2005 to give voters the option to authorize a supplemental sales tax for developmental initiatives in their municipality.

Reservations can be made with the chamber by calling 314-569-3536, e-mailing memberservices@crevecoeur-olivettechamber.com, or visiting the Web site at ccochamber.com.

Seeking nominees

The city of Creve Coeur wants to recognize property owners for their beautiful gardens. Nominations are currently being accepted for the fourth annual Beautification Awards Program. The Recycling, Environment and Beautification Committee, an 11-member citizen volunteer group, will judge photos of spring gardens over the summer and announce a winner in August

“We want to encourage people to do things to beautify the city and we recognize that there are people who already do this,” said Jaysen Christensen, assistant city administrator for Creve Coeur. “This is the fourth year and in the past we’ve had some people really go all out to win this.”

Beautification categories include residential, subdivision/condominium entrance and/or commons areas, small commercial, large commercial, institutional, container garden, and best use of native plants. Two new categories this year are best use of space and spring garden. ? Nominations are due by July 6 and should include four digital or print photographs. Nomination forms are available at the Creve Coeur Government Center or on the city’s Web site at creve-coeur.org. For more information, contact Jaysen Christensen at 314-872-2516.

Brentwood

Six propositions on August ballot

The Brentwood Board of Aldermen voted, May 6, to place six items on the Aug. 5 ballot. Propositions A, B, C, D, E, and F seek fee hikes in business license fees and would establish an annual license fee for ATMs. Four of the measures would impact banks and credit unions.

“The city has been looking for about a year and a half at the bank fees and they felt they paid a lower business license fee than most other businesses in Brentwood,” said City Administrator Chris Seemayer.

If all six measures are approved by voters, Seemayer estimated an additional $51,000 would be generated annually. The additional funds would not be designated for anything specifically.

The greatest impact will be felt by banks, credit unions and savings and loans with over 700 square feet of space, paying flat fees between $2,500 and $3,000 annually. ? The fee hikes are designed to impact businesses only and not residents. A proposed ATM license fee of $100 a year is not meant to trickle down to consumers, officials said.

Ladue

Sorry. Only for emergencies

Emergency vehicles will have an easier time getting through traffic along designated I-64 detours thanks to the implementation of the emergency priority traffic control system. Last month, Ladue approved the placement of the devices on traffic signals along Clayton Road.

A transmitter is placed on emergency vehicles which allow them to transmit a signal to the traffic lights that will start a chain reaction of green lights.

“This will allow fire trucks and ambulances to get through intersections quickly during the construction,” said Michael Wooldridge, assistant to the Mayor of Ladue.

Andrew Gates, spokesperson for MoDOT, said the system was requested by St. Louis County and municipalities along the detour routes. A similar system has already been installed on Olive Blvd. and I-270.

Rock Hill

Stroup Field rededication

After about $151,000 of renovation last year, Stroup Field in Rock Hill is ready.

The city rededicated the park, which was named after former Mayor Jesse Stroup, on May 10.

The athletic field, located at the corner of McKinley Avenue and Old Warson Road, received a new perimeter fence, safety fencing, backstops, two sets of bleachers, player benches and soccer goals. The project was paid for by the Municipal Park Grant Commission.

Al Hayden, parks director for Rock Hill, said the renovations were needed because the field was showing its age and because of increased use. Stroup Field is the only athletic field in Rock Hill.

St. Louis County

County considering tax proposals

St. Louis County is debating which of four tax proposals would have the best chance of winning voter approval. Each proposal is expected to generate $428.7 million over the next five to seven years for highway improvements, new buildings including a new family court building in Clayton, and parks and public safety.

A 15-member commission is researching the options with plans to address the council with their opinion later this summer.

The four proposals are:? • A yet-to-be-determined sales tax increase for Metro’s buses and MetroLink. While the revenue generated would go directly to Metro, the county would reduce the money it provides to Metro by $5 million a year. The county would then use the $5 million for road projects. ? • A $120 million general obligation bond issue for new buildings and building improvements. This would not require a property tax increase, but instead extend the payment for bond retirement by 15 years to 2028.

• A one-eighth-cent parks sales tax. Annually, it would produce $7 million for park improvements and $7 million for operations. This tax would replace the current one-cent local sales tax for parks and provide $6 million for the general operations.? • A 1.85-cent countywide use tax. One half would go to park improvements, public safety and economic development while the second half would finance local government services. The tax would raise $30 million a year.

St. Louis

Returning veterans to be honored

The Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in St. Louis will honor returning combat veterans with an outreach and education event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., May 17. The Welcome Home Celebration will be held in front of Soldiers Memorial Military Museum, 1315 Chestnut Street in St. Louis. The formal program will begin at 10:45 a.m.

The Welcome Home Celebration offers enrollment and eligibility services, health and mental health screenings, benefits advice and a wide variety of other services to military personnel and veterans who recently served in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Global War on Terrorism (GWT) theaters of combat.? The program is designed to provide valuable information, education and support that will assist combat veterans and their families in transitioning into civilian life. A wide range of community service agencies specializing in employment and housing assistance, vocational training, spiritual support, family counseling and recreation will be represented, including: Troops for Teachers, Small Business Administration, Army Wounded Warrior and Team River Runners.? The Welcome Home Celebration will include up to 500 veterans, with music and entertainment for the families, a barbeque lunch, kids play area and giveaways.

Service personnel are strongly encouraged to pre-register if they wish to attend. ? Information and the registration forms are available on the medical center Web site, stlouis.va.gov. Registration forms should be mailed or faxed to the medical center.