'Vanguard' Apartment Complex Advances

The Creve Coeur Planning and Zoning Commission Monday night gave unanimous approval to a change in city zoning codes that will allow a developer to take the next step in pursuing high-end apartments on Old Olive Street Road.

The "Vanguard At Creve Coeur" proposal has been before city planners for several months now. It would place apartments on the former Immanuel Baptist Church property.

A change granted Monday makes it easier for the proposed 3 and 4-story apartment complex to be located adjacent to the existing Carriage House condominiums.

Carriage House residents and other opponents of the project again showed up to voice their displeasure, citing the potential for vandalism, traffic and noise concerns, a loss of privacy and an impact on property values.

"It is a profound change, but ask yourself what we're changing from," said the city's Planning and Community Development Director Paul Langdon, who pointed to the long-standing interest in re-investment and redevelopment of properties in the area. 

The commission delayed a vote on rezoning the property from General Commercial to Core Business and approving a conditional use permit for the site until September. Langdon noted that the change approved Monday doesn't eliminate the need to review concerns over some aspects of the project, including traffic, which can be addressed in the conditional use permitting process. 

David Braswell, the developer on the project said he's already made changes to the plan since it was last before the Planning and Zoning Commission, including moving a parking structure so that it doesn't run up against the Carriage House condominiums.

The potential housing comes as developers look to cash in on expansion at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center and the growth of other high-tech employers on the eastern side of town. 

Another zoning change tied to another apartment complex in the works for the area will likely also be in front of City Council members next week along with the text amendment approved Monday. That change would allow for greater density but would have no impact on the Vanguard plan.