Outer growth, downtown plans among projects headed for O’Fallon City Council approval
Expansion of a downtown business and the addition of a new business at a growing development are among the new construction projects advancing for final approval to the O’Fallon City Council on Tuesday, Feb. 18.
At its Feb. 3 meeting, the council advanced the first application for a commercial development at the new Four Points Center at Scott-Troy Road, a new CC Food Mart with a 5,925 square foot convenience store with an attached car wash and the installation of 16 fuel pumps. It is south of the intersection across from the McKendree University RecPlex. The staff had recommended approval, with a few changes. The applicant is Marianne Wade for Pearl Family Limited Partnership.
Jon Greenstreet, owner of Bike Surgeon, is seeking a pour liquor license and planned use approval to serve food at his business, 201 E. State St., for onsite consumption.
Greenstreet plans to remodel the northwest corner of his existing space to create a kitchen and sitting area, which will be used for food and beverage service. He will update existing restrooms too.
“We’ve been looking at this for years,” Greenstreet told the Progress. “We wanted to have an area so that people could be more social — a sitting area. It’s all about attracting more people downtown, making them feel welcome, and getting them to connect. We’re trying to improve the social aspect. It’s a huge part of our business. It’s great for building relationships.”
He is also requesting an outdoor patio area with outdoor consumption of alcohol.
With the exception of the potential patio area, no exterior modifications will be made. Hours are expected to remain the same at this time (Monday-Friday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday: 8 a.m. to 5 pm peak season and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. off season). The applicant indicated hours may be extended in the future to meet customer demands. Staff recommended approval with some additional conditions, including that the patio area must be fenced.
In the ongoing development of the MidAmerica Commerce Center, the city andTristar have been working the past year on annexations, an annexation agreement, sanitary sewer project, incentives through the Enterprise Zone and zoning. Tristar recently has closed on 20 acres along Shiloh Valley Township Line Road to begin the development.
The city has already entered into an annexation agreement on the parcel in which Tristar is seeking to annex. The 300-foot path of annexation, consisting on 9.117, acres, will remain zoned agriculture per the agreement and the 20-acre parcel will be zoned to planned industrial.
Additionally, the council authorized a 12-month extension for Park Bridge Station Commercial, which is at Venita Drive and Taylor Road’s northwest corner, 1200 Taylor Road.
The project included construction of a new 11,378-square foot retail building when it was initially approved in January 2018. The planned use is only valid for two years and can be extended three times. The developer has requested a 12-month extension as they finalize the project.
Additional action take by the O’Fallon City Council
The council approved a Holliday Drive drainage improvement plan with Korte and Luitjohan Contractors for $262,585.00. Years of erosion has led to a history of drainage issues in the ditch behind the homes at the end of Holliday Drive. Existing storm sewer infrastructure is close to failing unless preventive action is taken to repair the area.
The council OK’d Visu-Sewer of Missouri for the 2020 Sewer Lining Program in the amount of $506,763.75.
The resurfacing of North Seven Hills Road between O’Fallon Troy Road and State Street/Old Vincennes Trail this summer is made possible in part through federal participation with the Illinois Department of Transportation for a portion of the construction costs of the resurfacing. Approval is needed prior to bidding of the project.
The council amended, on first reading, its snow routes after the last snow event when a resident in Witte Farms Estates inquired why Kings Ridge Boulevard is not a snow route. Upon review of the snow route map it was noted all other entry roads into residential subdivisions are designated as snow routes.
In order to be consistent, Kings Ridge Boulevard should be added as a snow route since it is the entry road into the Witte Farms Estates subdivision. This advances for final approval at the next meeting.
Additional council developments
Planning Commission Committee reappointments were approved: Larry Sewell, Ray Rohr, Al Keeler & Deborah Arell-Martinez for three-year terms expiring March 20, 2023, and Joe Rogers and Patricia Cavins for one-year terms expiring March 20, 2021.
Reappointments of the library board included Harriet Baker, Dennis Grimmer and Doug Distler for a three-year terms expiring Feb. 1, 2023.
The mayor will host Saturday hours from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, and evening hours from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19.
The next council meeting has been moved to Tuesday, Feb. 18, because of Presidents’ Day holiday. City Hall will be closed Monday, Feb. 17.