Council gives first two readings to Betty's Books conditional-use permit amid parking questions

The Webster Groves City Council received a presentation and held first and second readings April 1 on an ordinance that would grant a conditional-use permit to Betty and Matt Baer of Betty’s Books to operate a bookstore with an on-site coffee shop and a small event/flex space at 8772 Big Bend Boulevard in the Crossroads business district.

Planning staff described the application as a relocation and expansion of an existing Webster business (Betty’s Books, currently at 10 Summit) into a vacant building at 8772 Big Bend. The Planning Commission recommended approval with conditions, including adherence to the city’s decommercial regulations and limits on hours for events.

Applicant Betty Baer said the proposed use is intended to support the bookstore business and provide a small, flexible event space for author talks, book clubs, role-playing nights and similar gatherings; she emphasized the business will not seek large wedding-style bookings. “I think the banquet hall use sounds a little scary for people because it sounds like you might have, like, a 100-person wedding there, but that’s absolutely not our intention,” Baer said.

Council members questioned traffic and parking near the Crossroads block of Big Bend, and planners noted the area has had a long-standing districtwide parking shortage that is not created by this applicant alone. Staff pointed to two nearby public lots—one immediately behind the block and another a half-block north—that provide public parking in addition to four spaces dedicated to the applicant at the rear of the building. The proposed CUP includes conditions on hours and on litter/trash pickup.

Council members and the applicant discussed hours for the bookstore, coffee shop and event space. Betty’s Books currently opens later in the day at its existing location; the applicant said adding a coffee shop would likely mean morning hours. The applicant and council agreed to consult between meetings about whether to extend the event-hours limit from 8:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.; council members said small flexibility could be acceptable while larger changes would require a return to the council.

Actions and next steps The city attorney entered planning materials into the record. Council member Hassenmeyer called for the first and second reading of Bill 9278, “An ordinance granting a conditional use permit to Betty and Matt Baer (Betty’s Books) to allow banquet facility and coffee-shop uses at 8772 Big Bend Boulevard.” The bill had both a first and second reading on April 1; third reading and final council vote are scheduled at the next council meeting.

Ending Staff will follow up with the applicant on the event-hours question and finalize the CUP ordinance language for third reading.