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Planning Commission backs East Village preliminary plan; Costco to anchor mixed‑use project with traffic conditions
Summary
The commission recommended approval of the East Village preliminary development plan (approx. 130 acres) with an amendment removing one parking‑setback modification; Costco is proposed as the anchor (≈166,000 sq ft) alongside two apartment complexes and multiple retail pads, prompting public concern about traffic and access.
The Planning Commission recommended approval of the East Village preliminary development plan on Nov. 13, with one change: commissioners voted to remove a requested modification that would reduce the parking setback from 20 feet to 10 feet along parts of the 291 frontage.
The project, led by Drake Development, proposes a 13‑lot phase featuring a Costco anchor (~166,000 sq ft), a member fueling facility, two multifamily residential buildings (about 320 and 250 units), and multiple retail pads and restaurants. The applicant outlined planned road improvements that would accompany construction, including an Oldham Parkway extension, new traffic signals, added turn lanes on 291, and local street upgrades.
Why it matters: The East Village plan will add a major regional retailer and hundreds of housing units, generate substantial employment and sales tax base, and trigger significant roadwork and coordination with MoDOT. Nearby residents and small businesses raised traffic, safety, and staging concerns during public comment.
Key facts from the hearing: Costco’s representative said the warehouse would sit on roughly 24 acres, include about 888 parking stalls and a 24‑pump fuel facility, and employ an estimated 175–200 people. Applicant Matt Slish (Engineering Solutions) and traffic consultant Mark Sherfy presented a traffic impact analysis showing trip generation for the mix of uses and proposed signal and lane improvements to mitigate congestion.
Public concerns: Residents and area business owners asked whether the traffic study accounted for school dismissal, weekend/holiday peaks, and potential queueing at the gas pumps and driveway entrances. Debbie Giddings and others urged careful coordination with MoDOT. Watt Acres resident Chad Bixby urged the commission to consider the long‑term community impacts and to notify small existing communities in the project area.
Commission decisions: Commissioners supported the development’s overall plan and its infrastructure commitments, but removed the proposed reduced parking setback as a recommended modification. They asked staff and the applicant to continue coordination with MoDOT and to require monitoring/escrow mechanisms to address any future intersection issues that arise as development proceeds.
Next steps: The Planning Commission’s recommendation, including the amendment, will be conveyed to City Council. The applicant will proceed with final engineering, permit applications and ongoing coordination with MoDOT and city departments.
