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City planner briefs Webster Groves commission on dark‑skies proposal; staff say next step is Plan Commission
Summary
John Wagner, the city’s new director of planning and development, told the Green Space Commission that a proposed dark‑skies ordinance (branded internally as the Responsible Lighting Initiative) would require direction from the city manager before staff advances it to the Planning & Zoning Commission and City Council.
John Wagner, director of planning and development for the City of Webster Groves, briefed the Green Space Commission on a proposed dark‑skies ordinance and recommended the city pursue the effort if the city manager and council wish to do so.
Wagner said he had sent a staff evaluation dated 09/30/2025 and that the package aligns with parts of the city’s comprehensive plan. “I had a recommendation that it would be worthwhile moving forward on the proposal,” Wagner said. He added the ordinance would first go to the Plan Commission and then to City Council if staff were directed to advance it.
Commission members asked about enforceability and implementation. Wagner cautioned that “you probably shouldn’t pass an ordinance unless you can actually implement it and enforce it,” and described enforcement and implementation details as a key part of the next drafting steps.
Commissioners agreed the item is at a staff‑review stage. Rory (commission member) summarized staff direction: the city manager must tell planning staff to proceed; if so, staff will revise the draft and forward it to the Plan Commission for formal review.
No formal motion or vote on the ordinance was recorded in the transcript. Commissioners said they did not need to take additional action at this time and would await further staff follow‑up.
The commission requested to be alerted when staff submits the draft to the Plan Commission and asked for notice of any public outreach dates once the process is scheduled.
