Council approves two Olive Boulevard site plans, including C17 commissary and WashU parking expansion

City council members approved two site-plan applications for properties on Olive Boulevard during the Jan. 27 meeting: a commissary kitchen and restaurant/retail project at 8021 Olive Boulevard (C17 Commissary Kitchen) and a parking expansion at 6262 Olive Boulevard owned by Washington University.

Director Wagner described the C17 project as 16,775 square feet total, with 13,275 square feet dedicated to a commissary kitchen and 3,500 square feet for restaurant and retail. The use is permitted in the general commercial district and the council approved site-plan SPR25-02 to allow construction to proceed subject to standard permitting.

For 6262 Olive Boulevard, Wagner said Washington University will not change the building footprint but will expand the parking lot in the rear, increasing spaces from 30 to 60 by adding 30 spaces and replacing an existing chain-link fence with a 10-foot landscape buffer. Jeff McGee of St. Louis Design Alliance stated the building will be used by Quadrangle Housing Property Management for offices and storage of maintenance equipment.

Council Member Timan used the WashU site-plan vote to urge expanded community partnership from Washington University, noting the university’s large property holdings and tax-exempt status. He said he would vote for the parking expansion while reminding the university of the fiscal impacts of property tax exemption, and he encouraged WashU to become a fuller community partner.

Both site plans passed by voice vote; staff and applicants said demolition and construction timing will depend on related site work and tenant moves at adjacent properties. Standard permit reviews and inspections remain required before work begins.