Attorney Speaks Out Against Possible Restaurant Proposal

In the main hallway at the government center, there are pictures highlighting the city's past. Photos show how parts of the area looked as early as the 1800s. One of those photos depicts the Wehmueller home as it appeared during those times, near what is still Olive Boulevard. 

Today, the home remains there, in unincorporated St. Louis County, within shouting distance of the former Walgreens drugstore, which moved down the street earlier this year.

Monday night, an attorney representing Bob and Pam Wehmueller left Creve Coeur Planning and Zoning Commission members with another vision. James Heffner painted a picture of concern over how a proposed Chick-fil-A restaurant would impact their family's property and the safety of the area.

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The restaurant proposal has not been presented to the city for approval. Monday, Community Development Director Paul Langdon said city staff met with the developers connected to the project on May 31 and told them it would likely require a text amendment, as current zoning requirements wouldn't allow for a fast food restaurant with a drive-thru to be located on less than three acres. The lot in question, which would also house a bank, is approximately 2 acres.

Langdon also told P&Z members he gave project representatives "No comfort level" with the chances for success.

Reached Wednesday, Peter Sheahan, representing Chick-fil-A, said he was unaware of the comments made by the Wehmueller's attorney and repeated that nothing has officially been put before the city for review and those involved in the planning were "working through some internal processes."

Bob Wehmueller said their appearance at Monday's meeting was not part of an organized effort in the neighborhood, but when asked if having an attorney speak before city planners was a sign of a legal battle to come, Heffner said they were "exploring options at this point and time."

In official business Monday, Planning and Zoning Commissioners:

Gave approval for a rezoning request on property at 13150 Olive Boulevard that would make the property eligible for general commercial uses. A site concept submitted with the city laid out possible plans for a restaurant and a bank as possible uses, but an engineer representing the property owners said there were no prospective tenants in line yet.

Commission members gave the project approval with the proviso that City Council outline a more specific set of uses under the "General Use" code.

Panel members also gave approval to move forward with a sidewalk and road improvement plan for Conway Road between Mason Road and Interstate 270. That project, which will be 80 percent funded through a federal grant, could begin later this year.