Meetings and Agendas
MINUTES
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
JULY 2, 2007
TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
Announcements/Comments Page 2
Under New Business
3401 North Highway 67
Ace Learning Center Page 3-5
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
The Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Florissant met at the Florissant City Hall, on Monday, July 2, 2007 at 7:00 p.m., with Jim Ross presiding.
On roll call the following members were present: Dick Weller, Jack Gallagher, Jim Ross, Daniel Call and Jane Boyle. Also present was Deborah Carter, Court Reporter and John Morgan, Building Commissioner.
A quorum being present the Chair declared the Planning and Zoning Commission was in session for the transaction of business.
Pursuant to the Missouri Sunshine Law, Jim Ross made a motion to adjourn the public meeting and go into Executive Session. Seconded by Daniel Call. On roll call the Commission voted: Ross yes, Weller yes, Gallagher yes, Call yes and Boyle yes. Motion carried.[Whereupon, the public meeting was recessed at 6:30 p.m. to reconvene this same day at 7:00 p.m.]
[Ron Goodhart arrives at 6:35 p.m. and Daniel Call leaves the meeting at 7:00 p.m.]
Jim Ross stated that the next order of business would be approval of the minutes for June 18, 2007. Jim Ross asked that page 9, paragraph 3, which reads, "Michael Meyer made a motion to approve the addition of a storm shelter," be amended to read, "Jim Ross made a motion to approve the addition of a storm shelter". Jim Ross made a motion to approve the minutes as amended. Seconded by Jack Gallagher. All parties concur. Motion carried.
ANNOUNCEMENTS/COMMENTS:
Jane Boyle made a motion to reconsider the vote made on Item 2, of June 18, 2007 meeting; PZ061807; 2315, 2355 & 2375 Charbonier; Rezoning. Seconded by Jack Gallagher. On roll call the Commission voted: Ross no, Weller no, Gallagher yes,
Goodhart yes and Boyle yes. Motion carried. VOTE: 3 TO 2: MOTION PASSES.
Ron Goodhart made a motion to continue this item to the July 16, 2007 meeting. Seconded by Jane Boyle. On roll call the Commission voted: Ross yes, Weller yes, Gallagher yes, Goodhart yes and Boyle yes. Motion carried.
John Hessel informed the Commission that this issue was now on the table for reconsideration of the RDD. He then asked the Commission if they would like the Petitioner to be present at the July 16th meeting? The Commission asked that the Petitioner be present.
Dick Weller questioned whether the Commission would be allowed to amend their opinions during this meeting? Mr. Ross stated that they would be allowed to do so.NEW BUSINESS:
Item 1 3401 North Highway 67
PZ070207-1 Ace Learning Center
RECOMMENDED APPROVAL - Ward 9
Request Approval of a Special Use
Permit to Allow for Tutoring Service.
Zoned B-3.The Chair stated Item Number One on the Agenda, Ace Learning Center located at 3401 North Highway 67. Request approval of a Special Use Permit to allow for tutoring service. Zoned B-3.
Jane Boyle announced that Mr. Reynolds had previously been a client of her husband, however currently, they have no such relationship.
Gene Reynolds appeared before the Commission and stated that currently he operates three learning centers, one located in Florissant at 420 North Highway 67, and was seeking to open another location. He stated that his company is under contract with the Hazelwood School District to assist students in graduating that have not been successful in a regular school environment. Mr. Reynolds stated that they also maintain contracts with most of the North County School Districts, including St. Louis City and North Kansas City. The program has been in operation for seven years and consists of three, three hour sessions.
Jim Ross asked the Petitioner for the total number of students per session? Mr. Reynolds stated that there is 20 students and 4 teachers. The first group of students arrive at seven o'clock, leave at ten o'clock; the second group arrives at ten o'clock and leaves at one o'clock and the third group arrives at one o'clock and leaves at four o'clock. Mr. Reynolds stated that during the remainder of the day most students perform community/volunteer services or are employed. Mr. Ross asked what type of transportation was utilized? Mr. Reynolds stated that students provide their own transportation and that most of them are dropped off. Mr. Ross asked for the hours of operation? Mr. Reynolds stated 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with no activities on weekends or evenings.
Mr. Ross asked for the age of the students? Mr. Reynolds stated that the ages range from twelve to twenty.
Jane Boyle asked the Petitioner if there had been any issues with traffic congestion within the shopping center? Mr. Reynolds stated that most students furnish their own transportation and typically, only three or four will drive. Students are requested to park as far away from the center as possible to avoid any congestion.
Dick Weller asked Mr. Morgan if this new facility would have enough parking to accommodate the students? Mr. Morgan stated that the center itself, meets the minimum parking requirements, although twenty additional cars might pose a problem. Mr. Reynolds noted that there was also parking in the rear of this facility, which is where the teachers will park.
Mr. Weller asked if the age groups were combined together? Mr. Reynolds stated that they were. Mr. Weller asked if any of the children had arrest records? Mr. Reynolds stated that they were not privy to such information, however, students are sent to this program because the school district feels that doing so would be worth their tuition dollars; the district pays Ace tuition to tutor the students. If a student breaks that trust with the school district, then they are removed from the program.
Mr. Weller asked if students were placed in separate classrooms? Mr. Reynolds stated that each student has his own individual workstation; there is no interaction among the students; no recesses and no lunches.
Ron Goodhart asked the Petitioner if there was a specific criteria that each student had to meet prior to graduation? Mr. Reynolds stated that the software used by this program is state-of-the-art and does not allow a student to advance to the next objective until they have mastered 80 percent of the material.
Jim Ross asked if there were any further questions or comments to the Petitioner? Being no further questions or comments, Jim Ross made a motion to recommend approval of a Special Use Permit to allow for a tutoring service for the property located at 3401 North Highway 67; Ace Learning Center. Seconded by Jack Gallagher. On roll call the Commission voted: Ross yes, Weller yes, Gallagher yes, Goodhart yes and Boyle yes. Motion carried.Jim Ross asked if there were any further questions or comments? Being no further questions or comments, Jim Ross made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Jack Gallagher. All parties concur and the meeting is adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
