Ellisville council approves 15-year tax abatement, redevelopment plan for 309 Clarkson Road (Wasabi Express)

The Ellisville City Council approved an ordinance on March 4 authorizing a redevelopment plan and a 15-year tax abatement for 309 Clarkson Road, where a Wasabi Express restaurant is planned.

Mayor Roemerman opened a public hearing on the proposal and the city entered exhibits including the development plan and notices to taxing districts. Bond counsel Mark Grimm said the proposed tax abatement term would be 15 years. When the mayor polled the room, no resident or property owner voiced support and two registered opposition to the petition.

Council Member Sanborn introduced Bill #3866, which the council considered and perfected on first reading. On the second reading the motion to adopt received five "AYE" votes from Council Members Sanborn, Hildebrand, Boggs, Roemerman and Niebling; Council Members Cahill and Compton voted "NAY." The bill became ORDINANCE #3633.

Mayor Roemerman said the site "has been difficult to develop and that this would allow for a small break for property taxes," framing the action as a tool to encourage redevelopment. Mark Grimm, the city’s outside bond counsel, confirmed the 15-year term for the abatement.

Resident Benjamin Kay had raised concerns during public comment about the tax abatement on the agenda. The ordinance approval does not record any conditions in the council minutes beyond the development plan and the development agreement; the record before the council did not state financial details such as the estimated tax impact by year or the total value of the abated taxes.

The ordinance passed as ORDINANCE #3633. The council did not record any subsequent motion to modify the agreement during the meeting. The next official step will be administrative implementation of the development agreement and any required notifications to taxing jurisdictions.