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Neighbors press council on lighting and stormwater as Lifetime seeks 50‑space parking expansion
Summary
Lifetime Fitness, owner of the former Creve Coeur Racquet Club, asked to amend its conditional use permit to add a 50‑space parking lot and landscaping; neighbors raised concerns about lighting visibility and stormwater runoff and staff said Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD) approval will be required for a stormwater connection.
Creve Coeur — Council members heard extended public comment and technical presentations April 14 on a request from Lifetime Fitness to amend the conditional use permit for the former Creve Coeur Racquet Club to allow a new 50‑space parking lot and related exterior work.
Jason Gegg, director of community development, said the application proposes a permanent 50‑space lot east of the service drive, additional landscaping and a widened sidewalk to meet city code. PNZ recommended approval with conditions including a six‑foot sidewalk, additional evergreen screening and irrigation for the new landscape.
Natalie Nye, representing Lifetime, said the company will preserve a neighborhood scale and limit special events. "We're not going to have any events up until midnight. We're going to shorten that to 10PM," she said, noting that Lifetime will operate within the event limits of the prior racquet club.
Engineering consultant Josh Barkin described stormwater controls for the new lot and said the plan would capture runoff in a swale and tie it into an existing storm pipe that connects to the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District system. Several council members and residents pressed for details about detention, volume and where the water would be routed.
Resident Jim Steger said his house will have direct sightlines to the new lot lights and criticized the lack of a firm landscaping plan on the east side. "My most significant concern with this project is the total absence of landscaping plan on the East Side," Steger said.
Staff responded that the proposed design complies with the city's zoning code (including a 16‑foot maximum for light standards and no light spill on adjacent properties) and that the city will not issue a site improvement permit until MSD approves any connection to the public storm system.
Because this was a first reading, the council did not take final action; staff said the item will return for a second reading and formal vote on April 28.
What happens next: Applicants will revise plans as needed to meet PNZ conditions, coordinate with MSD on stormwater connection and return to council for final action.
