Planning commission backs 60-unit Prestwick mixed-use project for Downtown Main Street

The Forest Park Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of a conditional use permit for a 60-unit mixed-use development by Prestwick Land Holdings in the Downtown Main Street District and approved related variances with conditions, forwarding the applications to mayor and council for final action.

Staff presented the application, noting the site is roughly 1.62 acres in the traditional downtown core and that the proposed 60-unit development exceeds the district's by-right density of 6–12 units per acre, which requires a conditional use permit under the city zoning ordinance. Staff recommended approval of the CUP with conditions and recommended several modifications to the applicant's variance requests, including maintaining minimum unit sizes and a taller ground-floor retail height than the applicant requested.

The warrant for the project and the variances drew both support and opposition during the public comment period. Councilwoman Dolores Gunn (Ward 2) opposed the project, citing traffic and parking concerns, saying, “Main Street is 2 it's a 2 lane street… 60 cars on Main Street,” and urging the commission to focus first on filling empty retail…