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Council hears remediation plan, complaints about improper fill at 507 Sandrin (Stephenson Place)
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Summary
Bax Engineering presented a remediation plan for fill at 507 Sandrin Street and asked council to consider rezoning and a conditional‑use permit for 16 townhomes. Neighbors and a city public advocate raised serious concerns about improper fill, investigations and risks to foundations.
Jeff Simmons of Bax Engineering presented a proposal for Stephenson Place (507 Sandrin Street) on Feb. 12, explaining the developer’s plan to remediate previously placed fill and submit monitored replacement compacted to city standards with geotechnical oversight. The application seeks rezoning to CO so residential units may use the existing 30‑foot private easement rather than requiring a public street.
Simmons said Kiesel Excavating has proposed staged removal and recompaction, with SCI Engineering retained to monitor placement and compaction to city standards. He said a relocated parking lot and utility pole adjustments would create a wider entrance and that additional landscaping and a fence would mitigate lights and buffering concerns for adjacent homeowners.
Public commenters, including Arnie C. Deanoff, strongly opposed the rezoning and the site plan. Deanoff said the work was “almost done overnight in secrecy,” alleged the Missouri Department of Natural Resources is investigating the site, and warned the property could be 'undevelopable' without proper remediation. He said the city risks liability for future construction defects if remediation is insufficient.
Council members clarified process questions: planning and zoning had recommended against the project, so council could hear the case despite a negative P&Z recommendation; if the council approved rezoning and a CUP, a new site plan would need to go back to P&Z for review. Staff confirmed remediation plans and geotechnical monitoring would be required and said they would verify whether state funding or other agency approvals were involved.
Councilman Wexler and others moved to remove related bills from the table and introduced Bill 78‑19 (rezoning) and Bill 78‑20 (conditional use permit) for council consideration. No final approvals were recorded on Feb. 12; the matter remains before the council with contested technical and regulatory questions.
What happens next: the council will consider subsequent readings of Bills 78‑19 and 78‑20 and may require additional geotechnical reports, agency confirmations (including any Missouri Department of Natural Resources inquiries), and a return to planning and zoning for site‑plan approval if rezoning and CUP are granted.
