Commission backs amended town‑center plan for Hawthorne Village site; requires upgrades to access and architectural changes

The Planning and Zoning Commission voted June 25 to recommend amending the governing planned commercial district (C‑8) for a vacant parcel in Hawthorne Village to allow a 5,000‑square‑foot warehouse/office and limited outdoor storage, subject to conditions including architectural materials consistent with Town Center guidelines and improvements to the access road.

Planning staff initially opposed a metal primary building in Town Center, the department said, but the petitioner revised plans to emulate town center materials (siding and pitched metal roof with architectural treatments) and to convert previously proposed gravel/aggregate surfaces to asphalt. Planning Director Eric Vinich noted the site’s constraints — a Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District pump station occupies part of the lot and the parcel sits at a lower elevation behind an existing convenience store — which have limited prior development options.

Under the department recommendation the petitioner's plan would restrict outdoor storage to vehicle‑type equipment and prohibit bulk materials such as rock, sand or gravel. The petitioner also agreed to upgrade the internal access drive to make it passable and safe for the pump station operator and the proposed business. Staff noted that the driveway has been in place for two decades and said upgrades could be a significant expense the petitioner should expect to bear.

Commissioners asked about water and sewer connections; staff said the project would likely use private well and septic or private mains in the near term because municipal water infrastructure is not available at this site. Commissioner Clayton moved to approve the department’s recommendation; the motion carried on roll call.