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Hazelwood board and neighbors ask county to reconsider rezoning that allows sober-living facility next to Twilman Montessori Elementary
Summary
Multiple Hazelwood School Board members and nearby residents told the council the approved conditional-use permit for a transitional sober-living facility operated by Impact Agape Ministries was not adequately noticed to the district and poses safety concerns; Councilwoman Webb said she is convening stakeholder meetings and will circulate planning records to address concerns.
Residents and Hazelwood School District officials on Aug. 12 urged the Saint Louis County Council to reconsider a rezoning and conditional-use approval that allows a sober-living/transitional housing facility next to Twilman Montessori Elementary School.
Sylvester Taylor, president of the Hazelwood School Board, told the council the board learned late about the proposal and that the planned facility is "right next to an elementary school." Taylor said the board supports sober living in principle but not "next to an elementary school," and pressed the council for safeguards for children. (Sylvester Taylor, Hazelwood School Board president.)
Andrea Gregory, vice president of the Hazelwood School Board, said the facility — operated by Impact Agape Ministries — would house up to "15 women" in "8 to 10 bedrooms" and that the district had not received timely notice of the application. "I implore this council to reconsider their rezoning approval and reverse or void the conditional use permit for Impact Agape Ministries," she said. (Andrea Gregory, Hazelwood School Board vice president.)
Speakers also detailed inconsistencies they heard from project representatives about whether residents could leave the facility at will or would be secured on site. Clem (Clint) Smith, a local resident and Hazelwood board member, said he believed inaccurate statements about community support and school-district support were used in the approval process and urged the council to stop the facility opening next to the elementary school. (Clint Smith, Hazelwood School District board member; resident of Spanish Lake.)
Councilwoman Webb responded that the planning department followed notification procedures targeting occupants of nearby properties and that the school address (11831 Bellefonte Road) had been on the list of those notified. Webb said she has convened two stakeholder meetings and will hold another, and she will circulate planning-department documentation (the posted sign, lists of contacts and the planning-commission presentation) to other council members and to stakeholders. "We want to move forward positively and correct things that we can do better," Webb said, while acknowledging community concerns. (Councilwoman Webb.)
Why it matters: Residents and school officials said the facility's proximity to an elementary school and a child-care center raises safety and supervision concerns. They also questioned the transparency and adequacy of notifications to the school district and nearby neighbors.
What happens next: Councilwoman Webb said she would continue stakeholder engagement and share the planning-department records. Residents asked the council to reconsider or void the conditional-use permit; the council did not take immediate action to reverse the rezoning during the meeting.
