2024/03/26 - Mayor's Column: Answering Your Questions Regarding New Developments
“AN OPEN DOOR TO O’FALLON”
A WEEKLY NOTE FROM MAYOR HERB ROACH
I have been asked in the past about the timing, type of business and locations for new commercial and residential developments. So below is a brief explanation of what goes into them:
- Who does the bulk of the work?: Our Community Development Department works to recruit businesses, coordinate with developers, businesses, property owners, city, county and state agencies and departments. You can see all the upcoming and recently completed projects going on in our City at https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/3f141fcb564c4a629b30cf56febfb15a
- Why do we have certain businesses and not others?: Each business and developer have criteria that they use in evaluating where they want to be and the type of facility they want, including income levels, population within a 2-mile, 5-mile and 10-mile radius. While the City of O’Fallon may have some of the requirements for a company like Trader Joe's, we don’t have enough population at the income levels they seek when locating a business. The city works to attract a diverse group of businesses, but ultimately a business choosing to locate here is that business’s decision.
- Does the City screen out developments?: Yes, there are many developments that are turned down for various reasons.
- How long does it take to get a business to locate in O’Fallon?: It can easily take over a year and in many cases, we work with them for 2 or 3 years to get everything worked out between Governmental Agencies, Developers, Businesses and Property Owners.
- Why is the State or County involved?: Any time a development enters or exits onto a county or state roadway they do a separate traffic study that is in addition to what the city requires. As a result, the County or State may require additional improvements to the roadway, including stop lights, additional lanes &/or adjustments to the development.
- Why are apartments/ multi-family built?: Our staff keeps abreast of what types of residential styles are needed. Many new families can’t afford to buy a home, many older citizens don’t want the upkeep of property so you either offer a diversity in residential styles or people will relocate to other cities. Our studies, with feedback from our citizens, have asked for more diversity in types of housing. This does not mean rundown housing. It just means different types. Developers are seeing these in nationwide trends as well.
- Why can’t the City move businesses to other properties?: Businesses know what locations are best suited for their business and in some cases the property is not suited for some structures and in other cases the owners of the property have too high of a price or to many restrictions on the property.
- What about Citizens input on new developments?: The city has no less than 5 open meetings which agendas and notices are available to the public at least 4 days in advance, citizens living near the developments receive written notices and all the council committee and full council meetings are made available for public participation both remotely as well as in person.
As residents of O’Fallon, you should always be able to reach out to your elected officials and ask questions about what is happening in O’Fallon. Having open communications is important to me and something I care very deeply about. Thank you for reading, and please remember, my door is always open.