Board of Adjustment continues Community Women parking appeal after neighborhood asks for time to negotiate

The St. Louis Board of Adjustment voted to continue an appeal by Community Women Against Hardship seeking an occupancy permit to expand programming at 3963 West Bell Place.

Andy Powers, the City zoning plan examiner, told the board the building is in a C multiple-family district and that places of public assembly must provide one parking space per three seats; with an occupancy load of 99 that yields 33 required off-street spaces. Dr. Tamara Cross, CEO of Community Women Against Hardship, said the center rarely approaches full capacity and cannot finance permanent on-site parking. "Our capacity can hold 99 people in the building, but not at any time are we hosting 99 individuals in the building," Cross said.

Neighbors and Alderwoman Sharon Tias urged a pause so the group and residents can pursue on-street solutions and shared-lot options before the board rules. "So, if we could have a continuance for 1 month or whenever the next time, I think we could work this thing out," the alderwoman said during public comment.

Board member Mel Desimone moved to continue the case to allow negotiations with the alderwoman and neighborhood groups; Mona Parsley seconded. The motion carried. The board instructed the petitioner and the alderwoman to meet and report back within the continuance period. The board also entered the file the city planning memorandum, exhibits from the petitioner, and letters of support and continuance from neighborhood leaders.

The continuance leaves the legal question of required off-street parking unresolved; planning staff noted the property was a lawful nonconforming community center but that an expansion typically triggers conditional-use review. The board said it would notify the applicant of the written decision by mail following deliberations.