Democracy on the Front Lines
City Administrator’s Blog
Walter Denton
July 18, 2007
The O’Fallon City Council took a final vote on the Creekside Promenade retail center located at the NE corner of Kyle Road and Lincoln. The ordinance was amended by the Council and the project was reduced to four acres and 15,000 square feet to conform with the Comprehensive Plan’s definition of Neighborhood Commercial. In addition to the reduction of the development, the ordinance also includes conditions protecting the riparian corridor and restricting the hours of operation. The ordinance does not address the remaining four acres of developable land, but it cannot be commercial. The item on access points was removed, because a smaller development most likely will not need three entrances.
The Council Chambers were full again with interested residents. The presentations made by the developer and residents were professional and civil. While the crowd was here to oppose the project, it was truly democracy at work. The residents expressed their opinions to their elected officials and all sides were considered before the City Council made its decision.
From here, one of four things will happen:
1. The developer can redesign the project within four acres and 15,000 sq. ft. The revised site plan requires City Council approval, so the public will have an opportunity to review and comment on the project.
2. The developer can request a variance to expand the development greater than 15,000 sq. ft. but less than 40,000 sq. ft. This would require City Council approval.
3. The developer can file a lawsuit to force the City to allow the 40,000 sq. ft. plan.
4. The developer can walk away from the project and not build anything at the site. In previous meetings, the developer stated that a 15,000 sq. ft. development would not be cost effective.
We have not heard from the developer since Monday’s meeting, so we do not know what he intends to do.
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