Debate Stirred Over Apartment Plans On Church Sites

It may not compare with the race between developers in Chesterfield Valley to open an outlet mall, but there are now two proposals emerging with plans to build upscale apartment complexes on different former church sites on Old Olive Street Road in Creve Coeur.

The Vanguard at Creve Coeur, which would occupy the former Immanuel Baptist Church site, has already been before city planners and is scheduled to return next month to the Planning and Zoning Commission for a rezoning request.

The panel voted 5-0 Monday to approve a text amendment allowing the second developer to come forward with a plan that would call for greater density over the existing 20 units per acre limit on the former Hamilton Christian Church property on Old Olive.

The church held its final service on Easter Sunday and has vowed to pass along proceeds of any sale to community interests.

The proposal, by St. Louis-based Terra West Apartments, has not been officially submitted, but a representative for the developer said plans call for 161 "luxury" units, which like the Vanguard project, would seek to cater to housing needs brought on by the growth of nearby high tech interests including Monsanto, The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, BRDG Park and The Helix Center.

The Terra West project was opposed by residents of the nearby Briarcliff Condominiums who wrote city officials and showed up at the meeting. Kelly Mueller said she was concerned about doubling the density limits from 20 units to 40 per acre, citing the impact on traffic and the Ladue School District. 

The developer's attorney said they would not in fact, double the density in the actual proposal submitted for city review.

While the apartments range from 1-3 bedrooms, the attorney said the developer does not believe it will lead to families occupying the space, which would have rents ranging between $1200-1800 per month. Paul Langdon, the city's director of Community Development said discussions with Ladue School district officials at this point are not concerned about a potential influx of students. 

A city staff report supported the code changes, citing the fact that the changes would still put this project below standards set elsewhere in the city.

"Some residents have spoken for and against these proposals and the Planning Commission is aware of specific projects, both on Old Olive Street Road, that would be built to similar limits. Finally, Staff believe that simply allowing flexibility is not tantamount to changing the character of the city and these proposals do represent sound planning practice," the city staff report said.

The report continued by saying "There are several developments in the city that already exceed the standards being proposed and those projects do not appear to have harmed the character of the community."