Commission recommends mixed‑use neighborhood zoning for St. Charles Road parcel after applicant drops corridor request

The Planning and Zoning Commission voted Thursday to recommend that City Council approve a rezoning from Plan Development to Mixed Use Neighborhood (MN) for a roughly 2.92‑acre property at 5717 East St. Charles Road. Staff said the application was amended after the item was tabled at an earlier meeting: postcards were not reissued but notification letters were sent; the applicant changed the requested district from the more intensive Mixed Use Corridor (MC) to MN after Commission feedback at the June 5 meeting. The site is north of the East St. Charles/Rem Drive intersection and abuts a mix of county RM residential and planned commercial parcels. Staff told commissioners MN better aligns with prior county review plans for the adjacent Lakewood commercial area and provides by‑right uses suitable to a neighborhood edge while giving staff greater control over potentially disruptive uses through conditional use provisions. Staff also noted that pedestrian connectivity remains limited in the area (sidewalk gaps) and that traffic improvements would be considered at development review if a traffic impact study (TIS) were needed. Caleb Culbert, attorney for the applicant, said the applicant revised the request in response to the commission’s feedback at the June meeting and was available to answer questions. Commissioners thanked the applicant for the quick amendment and responsiveness. Commissioner Stanton moved to approve the request to rezone the site from PD to MN; Commissioner Gray seconded. The motion passed by roll call with all commissioners present voting yes. Staff will forward the recommendation to City Council.