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Commission recommends rezoning and preliminary plan for East Village Phase 2 despite resident traffic concerns
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Summary
The Planning Commission recommended approval of rezoning PI→PMIX and the preliminary development plan for East Village Phase 2 (about 50 acres south of Bailey and 291) featuring mixed‑use lots, a 220‑unit apartment, 100 townhomes and off‑site infrastructure; one commissioner voted no on the motion, and residents raised concerns about traffic spacing, access and stormwater capacity.
The Planning Commission on Dec. 11 recommended approval of rezoning and a preliminary development plan for East Village Phase 2, a roughly 50‑acre project south of Bailey Road and east of Highway 291 that includes nine lots with mixed commercial uses, a 220‑unit apartment building, about 100 townhomes and a central park/retention feature.
Developer Matt Slish and Matt Pennington of Drake Development described the project scope, expected phasing (a 6–8 year build‑out horizon), and off‑site infrastructure work including sanitary sewer and water‑main extensions, roadway and signal improvements at Bailey, and a network of 10‑foot trails to link the development to the city trail system. Staff senior planner Hector Soto Jr. said the PDP is consistent with the Ignite comprehensive plan’s mixed‑use designation and that staff supported a parking setback modification from 20 feet to 10 feet along 291 while maintaining required landscape square footage.
Public commenter Debbie Giddings opposed the plan at the hearing, saying the number of multifamily units and restaurant pads will generate excessive trips, noted several intersections that she said do not meet spacing requirements, and questioned whether required turn lanes and right‑turn accommodations had been fully provided. She also raised concerns about retention basin capacity and the potential for costs to be borne by taxpayers.
Commission discussion addressed signal placement (moved east for safety and to coordinate with MoDOT), driveway spacing, screening, and the balance of housing types in light of the Ignite plan’s goal to increase 'missing middle' housing. Commissioners generally praised the added green space and trail connectivity but some expressed reservations about the requested setback modification and long construction timeline. The motion recommending approval passed on a roll call vote with one 'No' (Commissioner Dana Arth). The recommendation goes to City Council for final action.
