The St. Ann Board of Aldermen voted 5-3 on Aug. 4 to grant a special‑use permit for a proposed lounge at 10900 St. Charles Rock Road, after a legal review clarified that the board need only a simple majority to approve the permit despite a negative Planning & Zoning recommendation. The public hearing and vote took place at City Hall.

The permit applicant described the business as a 35-and-older lounge called Ziggy's Lounge and said the venue would include security and limited food service at opening. “We thought the location at 10900 St. Charles Rock Road would be a good location,” the applicant said during the hearing. The applicant said the business would initially sell pizza and add a kitchen later, that his son — a police officer — would work security when available, and that the business planned to open with about four employees.

A resident who spoke against the permit said social media showed “the majority of those against it” and warned that adding another bar could increase assaults, DUI incidents and strain on law enforcement. “Opening a bar … may discourage family‑friendly businesses from coming,” the resident said, and cited concerns about property values and a concentration of bars on St. Charles Rock Road.

During roll call the board recorded five votes in favor and three against. Alderman Naysinger, Alderman Thomas, Alderman Murphy, Alderman Jimenez and Alderman Groening voted yes; Alderwoman Marino, Alderman Sparks and Alderman Shy voted no. After the initial tally the board paused while members questioned whether a supermajority was required when the Planning & Zoning Commission recommended denial.

City Attorney Lee told the board that he found no provision in the city code requiring a supermajority in that circumstance and noted state law generally permits a simple majority unless a statute provides otherwise. “If a super majority was going to be required at any place, it would be in this section. It wasn’t here,” Lee said, referencing Section 400.77 of the municipal code on special‑use permits. Following that legal clarification, the majority vote stood.

Board members asked procedural and operational questions during the hearing but did not adopt additional conditions on the permit in the public record. Members and staff noted the applicant will need to return for approvals related to food service and to meet any applicable permit, safety and occupancy requirements before operating.

The Planning & Zoning Commission had issued a negative recommendation on the application; the board’s consideration and the attorney’s opinion make the permit approval notable for how the city interprets the interplay between commission recommendations and final aldermanic votes.

No final capacity or detailed floor‑plan limitations were recorded in the hearing; the applicant said capacity had not yet been determined. The board did not adopt any new local code changes during the hearing, and the attorney’s review focused on existing city code and state statutory principles regarding voting thresholds.

The applicant thanked the board and said he looked forward to developing the business in St. Ann. The city will require the applicant to obtain applicable health, building, fire and occupancy permits before the lounge opens to patrons.