St. Clair board approves ordinance to exempt routine site‑plan review for already‑zoned properties

The St. Clair Board of Aldermen on Jan. 26 approved an ordinance (bill 2026‑01, recorded as ordinance 2251) to remove a routine site‑plan review requirement for properties already zoned for a proposed business use.

City staff told aldermen the change is intended to streamline permitting and reduce redundant reviews. "We have this slogan that says we are open for business... and yet we have an ordinance on the books that says that even if your zoning is exactly the way you want it... you still have to come before PNZ and then before the board of alderman," the staff presenter said, recommending approval.

Staff said they compared St. Clair to 46 other Missouri cities and found none required an additional approval step when zoning already permitted the proposed use; staff argued the ordinance will let contractors and business owners proceed with occupation or construction without returning to the board so long as there are no boundary changes or special‑use requests.

The ordinance language authorized the change to Appendix A, Zoning, Article 7, Section R (site‑plan review). Board members read the bill for first and second reading and approved it on a roll‑call vote; the clerk recorded the ordinance number as 2251.

Supporters framed the measure as a small regulatory reform to encourage investment and reduce delay for ordinary business openings. No amendments or conditions were recorded in the meeting discussion. The board took no additional action beyond passage; staff did not provide an implementation timetable at the meeting.

What happens next: the ordinance was adopted as read. Citizens and applicants seeking to use the exemption should contact the city planning office to confirm whether their specific project meets the ordinance conditions (no boundary changes, no special uses).