Planning commission approves Founders Park upgrades after residents raise lighting and safety questions

The City of Lake St. Louis Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of a major site plan for Founders Park at 7 Freymuth Road, which would add a new restroom facility, a basketball court, an expanded parking area and a widened and reconfigured drive aisle to the rear of the park.

During the public hearing, nearby resident Karen Kempff asked "when the construction would begin and how long it would take once it started" and expressed concern about LED parking-lot lights and safety if bathrooms are closed and locked at night. Brian Lindemann questioned whether the Lake St. Louis Police Department would need additional resources to police the expanded park, and Lucan Russel asked to see where the new parking area would be located.

Community Development Director Andrew Stanislav provided a brief description of the plans and did not provide a firm construction schedule during the hearing. Chairman Pearson Buell and commissioners acknowledged the questions and said a parks representative should be present to answer operational questions about locking bathrooms and policing. Commissioner Tom Mispagel said the LED fixtures proposed "can be dimmed during certain hours so they would still provide safety lighting but not be as bright as when the park is open," noting a practical mitigation for residents' brightness concerns.

Commissioner Judith Westermann moved to recommend approval of the site plan as submitted; Commissioner Rhonda Ferrett seconded and the motion passed (vote tally not specified in the transcript). The recommendation will be forwarded to the Board of Aldermen for final action. The staff report and any conditions referenced by staff were not detailed on the record.