Drive Thru Restaurants Will Be Subject Of Monday Night Creve Coeur Public Hearing

Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing Monday night to consider feedback as part of a developer's request to for fast food restaurants in the city.

The change, in the form of a text amendment, would allow drive thru restaurants on not less than one acre of land, and a distance of not less than a half mile. Current code calls for three acres of property, with no mention of a restaurant's distance from other restaurants.

The developer requesting the change has a proposal for a Chick-fil-A restaurant and a bank to be located on 1.9 acres at the former Walgreens property on Olive Boulevard at Graeser and Dautel.

Debbie Cole has lived nearby on Graeser Acres for four years, and last week launched a petition drive that she hopes will encourage the Commission to say no to the change. "It could really change the overall makeup of Creve Coeur in a hurry," she said. Cole said she was among residents who met with restaurant backers in June, and that she had immediate concerns. She was hoping to hit the streets on Saturday and Sunday to shore up support.

Much of the opposition to the idea thus far has hinged on the idea that the character of Olive Boulevard could take the shape of Manchester Road, which is one of the conclusions city staff reached in deciding it was opposed to the change.

A staff report said if the amendment were allowed, the city could see as many as 15 drive-thru restaurants as a result.

Monday's meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the Creve Coeur Government Center. Creve Coeur Patch will have a report Tuesday, along with live updates on Facebook and Twitter