City Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening everyone. Welcome to the Alvette City Council meeting. Um this is March 10th, 2026. Can we please have roll call? Mayor Clark here. Chairman Prommo here. Council member Solammanov here. Council member Pashan Helman here. Council member Lewis here. Okay. Do we have any communications to share at this time? I have no written communications. Okay. Any of our council members have anything to share? All right. We'll go on to the uh city manager report. Uh good evening everyone.

Okay. So, a couple of things. We have a um some information about Olive Crossing. So, lot three uh Brass Tap, they opened last week. So, um I personally have not been, but I know a number of staff members have gone and I think a couple council members have gone. Um and it's gotten good reviews so far. So, uh, we certainly encourage everybody to go and and, um, patronize our newest, uh, open business, uh, Paris Baguette. Uh, the owner is in New Jersey learning how to make delicious, um, pastry items. So, she hopes to be open uh, midappril. So, we'll be excited to see that. And then Tropical Smoothie and Verizon, all three of those as well as Paris will get they are working on their tenant spaces. So, um probably this spring we will see uh a couple more new businesses opening their doors. And then we do still have one remaining vacant tenant space uh on lot three. Lot five um they are still working on negotiating the lease. So, uh, as we all know, that takes longer than we would like. Um, but they are, uh, they are making progress. So, hopefully soon we will be able to, um, to have an announcement there. And then, uh, lot six is the hotel. Um, and as you know, there's a lot of dirt that needs to be removed from the site before any construction of the hotel can happen. And so the developer has uh a lead on a on a construction company um that is working on a project uh up north and uh they may take all or most of the dirt

for their own construction project. So they are uh working with that construction company to see if uh the dirt here meets their needs. And so hopefully they should have an answer um by the end of the week. And then of course lots one and two are the Aldi uh they are complete as well as lot four uh which is the apartment complex. And then just one other note which is not related to Olive Crossing but if you have driven on the west side um of Olive and have seen the former party city uh tenant space and their paper uh on the windows. So that is um expected to be a Rick's Ace Hardware. They have submitted and received a demolition permit for the inside uh of the building. And so we'll be excited to welcome them to the city um maybe towards the end of this year, beginning of next. So, and then speaking of businesses, we have nominations for our annual business and restaurant of the year um open, we are taking those nominations. So, if anyone would like to nominate their favorite business or their favorite restaurant, um you're welcome to follow the QR code um to nominate those. And then if you have kids, I'm sure you may be looking for something for them to do this summer. So we again are offering Camp Five Oaks. This is 8 weeks of summer camp for kids who are aged 5 to 12. It starts June 8th. Um families are welcome to sign up for all eight weeks or sign up for uh any number of the individual eight weeks. It's located at Five Oaks from 8:00 am to 3M. Registration is open. You're welcome to

follow the QR code to uh to register your kids. Uh and then the newsletter, the spring newsletter should have come to mailboxes. Um and it's got all kinds of activities or information about things going on uh in the city for the spring. So, we would encourage everyone to um to peruse through the the newsletter. Uh if you have young drivers, the police department is still uh taking applicants for the understanding traffic stops. Uh this is a pretty popular program. Uh so, this will be in April. And then if you came out on Saturday for Holy Festival, um, channel 2 was there. Channel 5 was also there. So, um, there were lots of folks with the color despite the cloudy skies and, uh, wind and, uh, cooler weather. We think we had about 3,000 people who came. Um, the bus shuttles worked really well. Um, and so we thank um 9321 Olive for allowing us to to park vehicles on their parking lot and shuttle them over. Um, if the weather had been nicer, we probably would have gotten anywhere from four to five, but we're pretty glad of the the 3,000 folks who came out. Um, and by all accounts, everyone um from Littles to uh to senior citizens had a good time. So, And then again, the all of it weekly comes out every Monday. So we'd encourage everybody to sign up for that. And then we have a couple upcoming meetings. Of note, the parks parks and wreck meeting will be this week uh as

next week is spring break. So they will be holding their meeting tomorrow. Uh and the planning commission meeting that would be held next week has been cancelled uh because of spring break. And then that's it. Unless you have any additional questions for me. Any questions?

Okay, we'll go on now to our city council reports and I'll start to my right with C. Council member Solomonov. Uh, no report for me tonight. Okay, council member Pishon Helman.

Um, two things. On February 18th, I attended the air pollution meeting with representatives from St. Louis County. Um, it was a lengthy meeting. Lot was covered, kind of a little bit more than I can probably effectively summarize here. Um, but it was in large part to address questions and concerns around AZ um, galvanizing facility. And um I guess this the summary report from that is that from the county's um inspections and visits that they have done of the facility, they did not find evidence of the facility um violating anything in their permits. Um and I know that there's still ongoing concerns from residents. So I think this is an issue that I imagine we'll continue to follow in one way or another. Um, and then on February 23rd attended the EDC, Economic Development Commission meeting. And uh the economic development commission is moving forward with a brief survey of businesses to get a better sense of how businesses feel about doing business in ette and see if there are ways that we can improve our outreach and relationships with businesses throughout. And uh Don Dodie is has sent out emails uh to businesses and postcards will also be sent in the next two weeks with some additional followup to come by um commission members who will tentatively reach out to additional businesses if we haven't heard from them and really want to hear their their perspective on doing business in all of

it. And the EDC is also reviewing the five-year economic development plan. Um, so we're now, I think, going to regularly be getting homework for this commission and reporting back so that we can have a good review of that plan that was established some years ago. Okay. Uh, Council Member Lewis,

uh, PCDC met on March 5th and a couple of discussion items that were kind of of interest that the council could be aware of is, uh, further discussion on tree inventory protection. Um, obviously Bill coming forward or has gone forward on that, but just overall conversations about replacements. You know, right now we're talking about new construction, but what do we want to do anything with current construction? Because people right now can knock their trees down and there's really nothing stopping them. Um, but a new house would be, you know, demolition. We'd have to have that conversation. Uh, somebody brought up also a question on zoning. Um, if there's a if the federal government wanted to take over any of the properties we had for detention with uh, some of the activities ongoing. So, it was just an open question that got brought up, something that might come forward as an something to think about in the future. There's a lot of open questions around that in terms of would those facilities even have the proper, you know, plumbing and, you know, bathrooms and housing, electric, etc., etc., but something we hadn't thought of before. So, don't know how much of a risk it is, but something to think about.

Okay. Mayor Pro Tim Wild, I did not attend any extra meetings this past two weeks. Okay. I did go to the U Holly Fest. It was uh a lot more people there than I thought would have shown up considering the weather. It was very cold and damp

and very windy. The tents were blowing a lot and we had a few of the vendors that had to leave early. Um, but un it was understandable, but it was still very festive. Um, I'm glad I I took the time to walk up there with my wife. Um, I also went to the Brass Tap and the food is really good and the atmosphere is great. Um, I think this summer is going to be a very hot spot for this city and I really believe they're going to do well. I would recommend it to anybody. So, with that said, we'll go on to item number five, hearing from citizens. If there are any citizens in the audience or online that would like to speak, please do so. Okay, seeing none, we'll go on to item number six, bill number 3058. Can we please have that read?

Bill 3058, an ordinance establishing local regulations on hours of operation of businesses licensed to sell intoxicating liquor by the drink at retail for consumption on the premises for the duration of the 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament. Second reading. Okay. Can we please have a motion to approve the bill? I'd be happy to make a motion to recom to approve revise bill number 3058 establishing temporary regulations regarding hours of operations and the sale of intoxicating liquor for certain businesses within. Can we please have a second? Second. Can we please pull the council? Council member Lewis.

Yes. Council member Pashan Helman. Yes. Council member Solomonov. Yes. Chairman Promile. Yes. Mayor Clark. Yes. Motion has passed. Bill 3058 becomes Ordinance 2828. Okay. We're going on to item number seven, bill number 3059. Can we please have the title read? Bill 3059, an ordinance to amend the zoning ordinance of the city of Alvette being part of chapter 400 zoning regulations and chapter 425 community design. Both chapters being part of title four land use of the oliveette municipal code for proposed standards governing residential rooftop solar panels. First reading and public hearing. Mr. Treyo, you have the floor.

Good evening, mayor, members of the council. Uh my name is Carlos Tjo. I'm the director of planning and community development for the city of Alvette. And tonight I will be providing a public hearing regarding a proposed tax amendment to chapter 400, our zoning regulations, and chapter 425, our community design uh regulations. title general uh that are in regards to facilitate the placement of rooftop solar panels on residential properties. Uh the next slide will kind of give you an overview of the process. I believe the council had a discussion. Uh during a work session on November 4th directing the commission to to review their their uh their current procedures regarding the placement of residential rooftop uh solar panels. Uh we the commissions kind of had a um a process I think that dates back to 2013 uh in ways to help facilitate the placement of residential rooftop solar panels. Uh there were four components that we would take a look at. Chapter 425 given the finishes of of uh solar panels. Uh there were not considered what we term as an acceptable material which chapter 425 our community design regulations identify. Uh therefore they have to go to the commission for approval. I don't have authority to issue a permit if it's not uh considered an acceptable finish. Uh so that being said, the commission back in uh the early uh 2010s uh created a process that if they were uh parallel to the roof plane uh grouped together consisted of a standard color that would be compatible with the rooftop uh and uh and they they were not street facing that we can kind of place it or inform the commission through other business. So if the application came in, we would put it on the next scheduled meeting and just inform the commission this has come before us and is going through permitting. Uh if it faced the street, was over 45, you know, was not parallel with the roof plane or didn't meet any other conditions, we would place it as a

general item, which meant we would send out notifications to adj adjacent neighbors in the subdivisions uh to let them know that this was going before the petition, treat it just like a similar uh uh community design review. uh in there again council had some concerns uh back in November 4th of last year and asked the commission to review that to help expedite the process. The commission reviewed it and they discussed it at their meeting on January 16, 2025. Uh the process for a tax amendment of course no that is January 26. Yes, you are correct. Sorry about that. So in a process is some sometimes some that either comes from a when somebody's requesting a change to the code either comes from staff the council a commission member may bring it to their attention or we get a formal petition from a resident or an applicant uh that wants to to do that. Uh staff conducts research analysis and prepares a report. It goes to the commission and the commission uses three tools to assess that the 20 our comprehensive plan in this case our 2024 comprehensive plan update our our land use code which is title 4 which consists of chapter 400 our zoning regulations but has other aspects to that and then of course chapter 400 uh then they forward a recommendation to the council. You have to have a public hearing for consideration and then city council has ultimate say in that process. So, the commission discussed this on January 16th uh after uh reviewing staff reports and uh and information. Uh they had an analysis of uh Senate Bill 820 uh which was adopted or I think came into place in 2023 which limited uh homeowners associations from uh uh restricting or banning the placement of rooftop solar panels. Um they talked about the bans uh they talked about reasonable standards not to impact operations and performance of their their use. And that's what the courts kind of look at during the process. We also looked at other communities. We looked at Clinton,

excuse me, Clayton, Glendel, uh, Fenton, uh, St. Louis County, and Collinsville. And then also through our associations with the American Planning Association, they there's a lot of reference material uh, on that. And then uh the next slide we looked at we've issued about 55 solar panel installation permits for residential properties since 2012. Uh the first one is up in the upper leftand corner in Crab apples corner of Crab Apple and Crab or Harvest Lane I believe. uh in there and that was a street facing one and that we didn't know how to uh treat or process that but we worked with the homeowner went through the commission process to get their approval. Glenn Mary was probably the second one uh back in 2013 2014 and the installation uh the person that lived at that house I'm not sure they still do they were actually a vendor of solar panels uh in there so they work closely with us and gave us you know kind of helped educate us and then we've had recent ones the lower leftand corner is planters that whole roof is a solar panel it's those Tesla uh solar panel shingles um and there and then the the evolution this is one at corner Berkeley and O Bonum where it's placed on an accessory structure. So that accessory structure you see at the end of the driveway has solar panels on top of that uh in there. We something like that definitely would run through the through through the commission process uh because it's something I wouldn't want my staff to to make that that type of decision or or review. The installation is okay but when it goes to chapter 25 and community design uh it's something that we take a look at. So the next bill or excuse me next slide talks about our comprehensive plan our community vision as we follow that uh flowchart on the uh on on the right hand side and look at what are the goals within our comprehensive plan you know to encourage sustainable practices housing being sustainable uh go D which is really

about city services but to make sure that we're advocating to inspire residents for further sustainability efforts and then go I which is about environmental sustainability. So, we know that these tie in uh with those and support those changes to uh uh to the installation. So, the next slide kind of goes over the uh the commission's recommendations. Your commission is recommending to amend chapter 400 uh and to consider the solar panels on residential property as an accessory and that as long as they're parallel with the roof plane, do not exceed 45° slope, are compatible with the exterior finish and limit direct glare and are grouped or centered uh that they could just apply for a permit uh in there. if they uh deviate from one of these conditions then that they would go through a commission process for its review uh in there. The 45 degree angle comes in both for structural support purposes and also about the glare glitter movement. This is something that we learned as we were going through that research in there. And then most importantly, we would also uh the commission recommended we need to amend chapter 425 community design to ensure that the finished material for solar panels is considered an acceptable material finish in there. That was a caveat that that kind of required that commission review um in there. Uh that is a recommendation from the commission. It was a unanimous motion uh to forward this to the council. They had really good discussions and mayor if I can before concluding enter some items in the record. uh in there that is of course our 2024 comprehensive plan update, our ette municipal code including title 4 which is our land use uh uh code which includes chapter 400 zoning chapter 425 community design and our zoning map. Uh the presentation and the memorandums and information that was given to the commission uh in January 15, 2026. I got that one right uh in there including the reports, the analysis, references and illustrations.

the public hearing notice. This is an amendment to our uh our zoning regulations or our land use regulations and it does require that we host a public hearing which we are doing today and we uh posted this in the uh in notice on February 23rd, 2026 in the St. Louis County and you have an affidavit copy uh in that in your packets and then this presentation tonight before the council. Um there were a couple of questions that were forwarded to me in advance. Uh if I can address that, mayor, real real quickly. I think there were good questions in in there. One was uh um the pro proposed amendment would remove conditions uh regarding restrictions on where the panels face. So if faces the street that it is okay to to facilitate that administratively uh and allows uh staff even to approve if they're on multiple planes or or facing the street uh in there. Um um the purpose for the 45° angle was to limit the glare component and most communities had that in place. And then at that point too structurally there's different kind of loads that that the inspectors are looking for. So it complicates things a little bit and the structural components are a little bit larger. Um and most of our homes they will have uh steeper slopes but they're generally smaller projections like the bay window and and smaller things. the primary slope of a house is usually at a 30 to 45 degree angle. Um in there um the other thing was that the inst the installations would go to the commission would be what if there are things that have to go to the commission it would be because they were unique. They didn't meet those qualifications. does not necessarily deter or say you can't do those is just administratively we're not authorized to uh to issue that permit unless the commission grants uh grants it and that's more for an aesthetic purpose. Uh so we do have like the one we showed you which was the uh the pergola uh and that installation that

was our first non-rooftop solar panel installation in in the community and I thought that one went pretty well and he did a really nice job uh with the pergola. We had one event at Foryia, the north, excuse me, the southwest corner for Cythia and Grand View, uh where they have a flat roof and they have 45 degree uh panels up on on top of the roof. It looks okay because they have a pretty good roof u uh I forgot what the term is, but a lid on top of the roof in there so it's not as visible, but in some cases, especially on commercial buildings, you can see how they just look a little bit awkward uh in there. And then how do you know regarding glare and addressing uh concerns from home homeowners, we do have concerns expressed uh over the the time period we have had people show up at meetings concerned about glare um in there. Now since the permits have been issued, we're we're not aware of any in which somebody complained that there were glaring or or uh protruding light inside the resident or so. uh and there. So, I just do want to make that distinction. We've heard concerns during the commission process, but we have not received any concerns after the installation was complete. Be glad to answer any additional questions.

I actually have a question. I was just always curious with these solar panels. What happens when you need to repair the roof or replace the shingles on the roof? Do they have to take those panels off? Yeah. Okay. And it just depends on the installer on how simple it is. But essentially, you are putting within those brackets, you're screwing them into the roof and more than likely a truss. So, you're going through uh through all that. Now, being now the the the shingles are somewhat covered so that they may have a longer life tenure and that process. But, does that add value to the house? The panels, the solar panels,

I think like any improvement probably. So, I couldn't tell you for sure, but I think uh uh you know, it it becomes a personal preference. I mean, I would I would see a benefit as as a home buyer to it, and I think it's worth uh but if you're not a fan or concern about, you know, the the roof part, it might not. So, yeah. Okay. Any questions from the public? I see one. Please come forward. Yeah. And please state your name and address, please.

Stephanie Todd, 7 Heather Hill Lane. and I just found out about that you were even having a hearing just like a couple days ago. So I didn't get a chance to talk to Car so I apologize Carlos and I didn't know PCDC was looking at this. So so I apologize but I do have some comments. Um and I first off I appreciate that you're actually that you are revising the ordinance to include solar panels because um yeah it's needed. Uh, but I have some questions on the proposed ordinance. It looks like there are five items that will require PCDC review and I have questions on two of them. My first item is it actually says this that the panels have to consist of comparable color to that of the existing rooftop covering. So I don't know what comparable means and I am confused why this is even a requirement because you don't you don't get to pick colors or anything materials. I mean the solar panels are what they are. So that's my first thing. What I don't I don't understand that requirement at all. And the second one that Carlos may have answered, the other my other concern is that they have to be grouped and centered within the roof plane in which they're being mounted. So my question here, well, first off, I don't know why they would have to be centered, but anyway, so my first question is, does this mean that that if you have two or three groups of panels on your roof, they have to go through PCDC? So because right at the end of the year we wanted to in install solar panels but our roof is so it has such little sections because of peaks they were going to be like at least two two blocks of solar panels. So that meant it

had to go through PCDC. It was at the end of the year adding at least it was going to take at least three weeks to get through. So, we couldn't put in solar panels because well, we could, but we wouldn't have met the deadline to get the government approval. So, again, I don't know. But looking at the at the bigger picture, I guess my question to Carlos is what's the objective of having PCDC review solar panel designs? Because, you know, they're not decorations and a lot of calculations goes into these panels. you have somebody come out for a quote, they take into account your utility bill. They take into account all this stuff like where trees are, how much where the sun is and and if and if the design itself, which that's what they're doing, oh, I don't like the material. I don't like the placement, then they you can install solar panels. It's all based on these calculations. So, I'm just wondering what the objective of this is. And um and I think the important thing that should be evaluated and maybe we are I don't know but by the building inspectors is to make sure all the electrical connections are are correct. So I think we should be focusing on more the the the installation is done properly than how it looks. So that's my comolog. Did you have any rebuttal or anything you wanted to say

the sure the the materials is to ensure yes and so far we haven't had anybody that's come in with the orange or pink type of solar panels and we hope that nobody does but that's to make sure we have a process in place

uh in there uh of the 55 that we've issued I think they've all been that to a bluish tinge to a gray to black in there and that's been okay anticipate that you know that most of those will be there I just want to make sure we have something in place uh for that uh for the grouping. Yeah, the the the it's not an issue but for the permitting process of that is that you can't put the panels like all on one end. Uh it is required that you have to have a perimeter around the area of that placement. And that's for safety purposes both for the owner to be able to go manage around if they're ever on the roof, but for firemen and and any you know emergency official that needs to go in there. And that's what the purpose of that center centering is to make sure again you and you can have multiple planes, but you got to center them within that plane uh in there. And there's there's an exact amount. I think it's 3 ft that you have to have a perimeter around there that make sure it's walkable that somebody can walk there without having to walk on the panels themselves uh in there. So, it's just more of a design aesthetic and it's going to be standard

in they're going to put them on with that border like you said.

And then finally, the the commission is an aesthetics review board. It's a community design reviewer. It's an architectural review board. That is their purpose until you know it's changed and in our code. uh you know other communities don't require them uh but all of it does uh and there and that's it's it's with it it was within their role the way that ordinance is written. This is to give it that that process to to limit those. Uh there are specific materials that the city has had in that definition that again that limit my authorization to issue a permit. It has to come to the commission uh for its review. uh and there and I understand that that aspect but until we change it or or or remove the you know the architectural review component from the plan commission uh it's a planning and community design commission till we get rid of that community design component uh it's part of their process.

Okay. All right. Any questions from the council? Yeah, I do. Go ahead. Um, so just to clarify with the color question, um, like if you have a light white or gray roof, a black solar panel or kind of the traditional looking solar panel, that color combination would be considered um, comp of comparable color. Yes.

Okay. Um, I didn't even know there were hot pink or other color solar panels out there. I guess I shouldn't be surprised by that. Um, and then I also just wanted to clarify this because it came up in the comments that the things that are listed here under 3A um under chapter 400 for the accessory structures that those conditions that are there that doesn't mean that those conditions that's the emission has to evaluate those. It's those are the those are the parts that you or your team, your staff would be evaluating under an administrative review. And if they met those criteria, it would only need an administrative review. It would not need to go to the commission. Correct.

Correct. Okay. Do we have any other questions from the council? Yeah, I have a few. Um, go ahead. Just to add to what Kate just said, if if someone has a brown roof, is there a comp compatible solar panel color they could use?

We look at a there's like a an acceptable color chart wheel which kind of gives you like what are compar comparable or excuse me, I'm using the wrong term compatible colors and things of that nature. Uh but if it becomes one in which you know especially one of my staff members if they're concerned about the the the color it would come to me to make that decision and if I'm concerned I'm going to take it to the commission. I mean because odds are it's it's going to generate calls or or concerns in that process uh in there. But I think, you know, I can speak for myself and the flexibility in and looking at that, but I know you have to look at 5 10 years down the road to make sure that this the person's being consistent. Uh I think this is the best we can and we use that commonly throughout chapter 425. Is it compatible or comparable?

Okay. And then just taking advantage of these updates and maybe putting that out there for our city. Are there any other grants or anything the city can take advantage of that we could make solar panels more accessible to residents? Are there any government grants or is it more personal? No, I understand. You know, either through I'm not aware of any as yet. I know Amaran had had a program out there, but I think it all depends in the current administration. Federally has not been as supportive to to a lot of the enders that the previous one was. So, I'm not sure that's more in terms of the times that we're in.

Uh, but if they do come available, we'll make sure we inform them and we can always use the communications manager to get the word out just like we did with the uh the the storm water grants that are available through the Deer Creek and uh and MSD. So, We have one more question. Yeah, I'm just um realizing I'm and I'm not sure. Does would mounted solar panels also include solar roof tiles or would solar roof tiles be a separate?

It gets into the you know that technology change. We looked at the one if if you go two slides back at uh on planters. I mean it I mean if you look at a um like a composite roof or a uh like a terracotta type of roof if you wouldn't have known. I didn't like pick it up quickly that that's not a standard roof material. So yeah, you know it's a good question. it it's not a you know I don't know if I would treat that differently because that there is no roof underneath that is the roof you know and when the commission when it went to the commission you know it is what they saw as part of their the the design concept so it was it kind of was it was a unique one because it went through a process on its own because it was part of the house uh in there I would think again the way it's set like there there are no asphalt shingles underneath that that is and like a full finished roof material and it falls you know you know close to to that. So I

yeah I guess they get in a bit bigger hole. I don't know. That's a good question. If and maybe it's something that we we you know look at what we have now as as a great improvement um and then think a little bit more about whether or not to and that's how this process started in 2012. And I think that's one of those that makes you go hm

but that's why that commission process is there. not to delay or extend the time they gets to our residents to be able to put these in, but so we can make a thorough decision and make sure that there's some input in that process. Again, we do try to expedite it as best we can and and not wait to, you know, you miss the deadline. We try to get them on as as soon as as possible, but you know, it's us being trying to be consistent with that, too. Yeah. Okay. Well, thank you very much, Mr. Trey.

Thank you. Um, at this time we're going to go ahead and close the public hearing and we're going to have the second reading on March 24th. We're going to go on to item number eight, which is bill number 3060. Would you please have the reading? Bill 3060, an ordinance to amend the zoning ordinance of the city of Alvette being part of chapter 400 zoning regulations of title 4 land use of the Alvette municipal code for proposed standards to govern data centers. First reading and public hearing. Mr. Trey, you have the floor.

All right, mayor. Again, I want to note my name is Carlos Trejo. the director of planning and community development for the city of Alvette and I'm here to moderate a public hearing regarding a proposed text amendment to chapter 400 our zoning regulations to establish standards and regulations for data centers. uh in there these would uh would be a use that would be under our zoning regulations of course chapter 400. I'll go to the next slide kind of go over the process we previously discussed is the process for a tax amendment is somebody brings it to to the city's uh attention in this case I think there was discussions uh at the commission level staff level and even council uh in there so we put it uh on for discussion uh in an agenda we did research we do analysis and then ultimately provide a staff report to the commission the commission reviews the proposed tax amendment in terms of it further the goals and objectives of our comprehensive plan, is it consistent with our land use code and of course is it further our zoning regulations. Uh after that they forward a recommendation to the council but before the council can consider it you host this public hearing. The public hearing is a process where again you know if there was ever a a challenge to any amendments in there you know uh one were you informed of the process uh where were was evidence submitted and you know were we properly notified the uh you know the public hearing and all that and that's what this kind of provides. So the commission began this discussion back in November 20th 2025. uh they directed staff to do a review and discuss you know uh what's going out there regarding data centers and at that point especially through December January it was all over the papers uh different communities uh facing different uh u uh proposals for for data centers throughout the region and nationally. Um uh by February 19th of PCDC finally finalized a recommendation. Uh so we went ahead and pursued the process of uh posting this

public hearing and pursuing you know forwarding a recommendation to the council. Our analysis include again using uh the American planning association for research. There's a lot of uh data that that is uh put together by a lot of planners uh through the association. Uh east west gateway council of governments uh has one STTO. There's a lot of data regarding data centers. They have an own their own dedicated site in there. uh creeps had just adopted uh regulations regarding data data centers. Clayton had uh adopted theirs before creas was considering theirs and then the city of St. Louis is working on theirs and then we also looked at you know across the river at St. Charles and Warrenburg as they were tackling issues regarding data centers even to a point of prohibiting them uh in in in those discussions. The next slide. So we created our own little uh pocket of information on data centers to allow our residents to access one STL uh to the documents we presented to the commission and this draft ordinance uh in in that process. So we we because there's been a lot of input and discussions regarding uh this uh we are fortunate we have not received any petitions or applications or inquiries regarding the placement of a data center. We're just being proactive in this process. Uh and again it's it's one that you hear a lot in in in the the region right now. The next slide kind of goes over um we the the commission ultimately considered a uh you know a a buffer approach to to data centers. And what you see in this map is uh the properties that are xed that have the the the little X's on them uh are properties that are 500 ft from any res residentially zoned parcel or any public activity which would be our parks, churches, and schools uh and including our government uh uh facilities. That's 500 ft. So the commission kind of looked at, you know, where where would these be

providing the 500 foot foot buffer uh permitted to make sure that we they weren't solely called out through through the through the process. Uh the next slide I'll get into the details of what the commission said uh in there. Again, we use our comprehensive plan. Uh in this of course you know our comprehensive plan talks about you know our environmental sustainability and that's a lot of concerns that we hear about data centers. But then I have to balance it with goj which is about economic development and that's a lot of things that we hear about data centers. So this the goal of this process was to make sure that we're balancing both of these uh to the best interest as possible for our residents and our community. Uh the next slide kind of goes over the PCDC recommendations. First and foremost we needed a definition for data centers. right now uh the closest thing uh under chapter 400 our zoning regulations is a u is a computer processing and data data facilities I think is the term and that is permitted by right in our light industrial district meaning that somebody could come to and essentially if they find a facility uh all they have to do is get an occupancy inspection pull a permit if they need to if they're doing any modifications but and then start a data center in in the city. It doesn't have to go to the commission and it doesn't have to go to the council at all. Uh again, we were fortunate we hadn't received any petitions or applications. Uh what the commission suggested is that we should create a definition within that definition. They tied it to our North American industrial standard classification standards. And that is a a list of business establishments we use been put together by the federal government that identify every possible business uh that the census tracks and uh and in those they provide definitions for what type of services or or commodities that business conducts and they have one called data centers in there. So we're using that definition. In addition to that, um, it

gave us an opportunity to tier the data centers from one being an accessory that somebody like Emerson may have in the back area that they have a small data center that they, you know, or computer room uh, in there something larger than our server room uh, in there to small data centers which they call micro which is up to 10,000 to midsize data centers from I think 10 to to uh, uh, 999,000 ft² and then these big macro data centers that you hear a lot uh about. And then within that definition, we make a decision that these super macro centers are just not a good fit in our community. They're not consistent with our goals. They're not consistent with the community vision and our comprehensive plan. But the others can be made uh compatible if and only if they follow these specific standards and rules and regulations. And we'll go through those uh in in just a second. So in there, we amend our LI district. One is to make sure that data centers as defined uh would require a special permit meaning they require to go before any permits can be issued. They have to be reviewed by the commission a recommendation forwarded to the council with the council having the final say uh in there and then the council has much more flexibility than the commission to make those final decisions. The commission would review it in in accordance with our comprehensive plan and of course the standards that we're that are being recommended for the council to consider. Um, we have a facility called our networks operations center by charter. It's operated by charter. Uh, that's been there was there well before I started. So that you're looking back uh into the 1990s of some sort and never had any issues that I'm aware of uh with that facility. It's a centralized area where I think all our internet stuff goes through there. It's different from a data center because it's kind of like the highway or the veins of the process. It's not the city or it's not the heart uh in there. they just distribute the traffic. It's not where they hold the traffic uh in there.

We wanted to make sure and right now they're permitted by right. Uh they've been a good business and we wanted to make sure we didn't disrupt those operations. So we wanted to distinguish network network operation centers from data data centers which the NICS code does and this would continue that that process. Um, and it's funny when you talk about comprehensive plans back in our old comprehensive plan in 2006 that that that plan actually advocated for uh data centers to be located in all of that to take advantage of the network operations centers and all the the Wi-Fi we had there. And it's interesting how things kind of change over time and as the you know these processes became more larger and and there's a lot of issues regarding their operations. uh in their the current comprehensive plan I think is was much more restrictive in in those placements because it looks at from a sustainable side also uh with that lens put in place. So we wanted to make sure that it was distinguished again going back to not impacting charter and their current operations. And then we developed specific conditions that would be applied to data centers. One is that there has to be lot area minimums and we use the 80,000 120,000 square feet. These are standard square footages that we use throughout our our our zoning code uh that they provided the buffers. In this case, the commission went with 500 and we were all over the park with buffers uh in there. I think the final cons consensus was 500. Um in there they established performance standards that included uh an analysis and evaluations of you know power usage, water usage and noise. you know those issues we're putting up front that if somebody comes in they need to be discussed they need to be analyzed and we expect you know more you know uh uh uh that those issues are important as part of the decision process we place building design building and design requirements including you know requiring 50% of that

power be be um from um uh from uh the term

renewable energy thank you apologize um on that um that they recycle water uh that they uh create uh storm water uh facilities to accommodate both the the building impact and also what they use that they have strict lighting standards and uh I'm not sure why I put the the lighting uh twice. I apologize uh about that in the slide. And then uh that there was restrictions on the generator and its operation hours and finally on the battery storage on that facility. Uh and there and those are the recommendations going before you to tonight as the council. Uh in there again the intent here is that it does not prohibit data centers. Uh one it sets a definition for them. It establishes um you know four criteria. they're um an accessory, uh a minor, a medium, you have the square footages within your packet, and then a major. Uh in those definitions, it looks both at the building area and the lot area in there. So, it's it's, you know, it's it's understanding that there's also, you know, square footage to the building, then that building has to be in a specific lot area. Uh the previous slide kind of illustrated the map of what would be available uh within our community, so we're not solely uh batting out. uh we would allow only one uh um medium data center and three parcels that could accommodate a minor data center uh within our community uh in there. After that, I would like to enter some items for the record, make sure they're in the record, and then answer any questions. Uh those items being of course our 2024 comprehensive plan update, the oliveette municipal code, including title 4 or land use chapter 400 uh chapter 400 zoning regulations and zoning map, the staff presentation and memorandum to the PCDC dated February 19th, 2026,

including all our reports, analysis, references, and illustrations, the public hearing notice with the affidavit of publication of February 23rd, 2026, and then this presentation before the council tonight. Sorry for the long winded everybody ready to answer any questions. Do we have anyone in the public or online that would like to ask any questions? How about from my council members? Do we have any questions? Nope. Go ahead. So, just to make sure I I heard you correctly, we don't have any parcels big enough for the 100,000 square foot data centers. Yes, sir. That's all we're prohibiting them.

We're Well, you know, we're we're calling them outright just incompatible. And there the I have probably my largest building is 145,000 square feet. And to give that up to a single user, you know, that that's not a that doesn't have we we look at things as uh the best and highest land use and we like the density, you know, especially people that that would be inconsistent with our goals or the vision of the comprehensive plan of creating this this vibrant type of area and to to release a building that big. We're we're saying anything over 100,000 just, you know, just isn't, you know, it's not reflective of our character and values.

And we're saying no, we're not even giving it an area or anything like that. We're just saying that's just too big. Okay? Because from a sustainability standpoint, I've I've talked to several people about this and they said they've gotten way more way better, way more efficient, recycling water and less use of power and a lot of renewable energy like you said. So ju just want to make sure that's not the only that's not the main No, it's not. I think again it's just and and again, you know, something that would be coming to the council, but if I came with you to you with a you know, 150,000, you know, square foot target, I mean, I think there would be a lot of concerns about that type of size. Okay. Thanks. Please go ahead.

I was wondering if Jennifer Jennifer, I was wondering, Miss Lelay, I was wondering if you could go down two more slides. the one that showed the maps. Yes. So, while Mr. Lewis is asking his question, I just wanted to digest this a little more.

Yeah. I was just going to call out because the PCDC when you know I was there for it, you know, discussion. There was debates on is it 500 foot buffer, is it 300 and things like that and we settled on this and it did open up you know some that would be viable. Now these are all already um you know booked or things like that. So and again as Mr. TJO said, "We haven't actually had inquiries, but I think it was proactive of PCDC and the council to look at this and say, okay, if it were to come, which ones would we accept and which ones we not?" So, I think it was it's a balance because you can't prohibit, you know, everything and specifically, but this was a good compromise. And it's a by looking at this, it helps me understand that we're setting boundaries. Yep.

Which is important. The buffer the buffer was important for that. No, I think it's it's better because if you come and we're being proactive that when people come to us, it's like if someone had come to us, it wouldn't be like we'd first start discussing it and get into heated conversation with them. We've already set the standard. So, I think it's a good thing. So, thank you for putting this back up. It was helpful to me. Kate, do you have anything?

Yeah. Um, two things. One is just a little bit sticky on the word renewable. Um because there are some people who would argue that fossil fuels are renewable just over very long periods of time. Um so I'm only say stating it because I have heard this argument from people. Um I think you know gen generally the science community would say that fossil fuels are not a renewable resource. My only question or concern would be if we might if we're going to ask people to provide 50% of their power over the course of five years from a renewable resource, do we need to call out solar, geothermal, or I'm just wondering if we may need to be more specific there or if in the process of the special permit the council would I don't know. I'm I'm trying to think through this down the line. Um if if greater clarification and detail might be helpful or if it's overkill,

we'd have the ability to say no, they're obviously not using renewal and reject the special permit based off kind of our feelings on what they considered renewable. I would imagine. Is that true? I mean, it would be something that would be questioned. I I you know, I couldn't tell you for sure. And you know, it's not something that I could try to answer for you. I try uh if if that is something else that that that if those discussions have been going on or or challenges to the term renewable, it's I know in the literature I looked at it was pretty much standard with that assumption.

Yeah. Um, but in terms of whether there's been challenges to that, uh, we could look down the future to add a term renewable uh, in our zoning code and define it as saying, you know, anything non fossil fuel or or be broad enough to say, you know, solar, water, hydrogen, you know, sure or so. And that might be a component down the road. Uh, in terms of addressing it like at the spotter tonight, I you know, I I don't know. I don't know if you've if legally there's a term for renewable or what that.

Yes. So what would happen is um if it is in your standards and it says that you must use 50% of uh renewable energy um and if they did not meet that in what you as to how you interpreted it um then you could deny the permit. Now if an ordinance or a statute is ambiguous then what you do is you resort to rules of statutory interpretation and you take the plain and ordinary meaning of the term. So if you didn't otherwise define renewable energy then you would look at the the prevailing literature case law that might have interpreted it um have you interpreted that in other chapters of your municipal code that kind of thing. So if the prevailing thought and if there is authority to say that fossil fuel fossil fuels are not renewable energy then um then you can rely on that definition and I think that a court would accept that. Is is there a reason not to call that out now? Just say non fossil fuel and just

I'm not sure that would be an amendment or Yeah, you could do a simple motion to amend to include a definition of renewable and maybe Carlos, you could bring that back at the next meeting where they could do a motion to amend the the ordinance to include that. Yep. Would you like to make that motion then? Oh, I think he would bring it back to us and then we would make the motion at the next meeting when we have the second meeting. Okay. Did you guys agree? I just clarification because like you took a deep breath. I'm just curious your reaction. Yes.

I mean, but if she agrees with it, I know it's good. So, here's here's where my brain goes because of the way I think about these things is that there are also other sources of energy that people would fall in this gray area. Uh, like landfills that burn waste. It's waste to energy. Not really what most people think about as a renewable resource, but waste is certainly constantly renewing itself in our world. Methane is another one. Um, anorobic digesttors like there's lots there's.

So, I think perhaps the better the better thing to do is is leave it at renewable and understand that as a council whatever the application is, it would come to you and there would be a reasonable expectation that the applicant would explain how they are going to meet this standard. um when we when you try and get super specific then technology changes and then you you have a you have a conundrum. Um so I think perhaps renewable is going to work

and I feel comfortable with you know what what our attorney stated about the um I forget the the prevailing thought the prevailing thought about a definition of a word. I think, you know, there's enough literature, scientific literature. I don't know about case law, um, but I think there's probably enough there that would support us. Okay. Are there any other questions from the council? Not a question, but just um, Carlos, on page, hold on, let me pull this back up again. It's page two of the actual bill, but page

where it says ordained. Yes. What's that? Where it's be ordained. That's section one, two, three. That's up now. Yes. Okay. Section two there 13. Uh I just noticed a couple capitalization uh spelling and then NACIS I think is supposed to be N AI CS and then it says wired telecommunications carries. I think that's supposed to be barriers. Sorry about that. Yes, you are correct.

And then just a consistent capitalization for those. That's all I have. Anyone else has any more statements or questions? Okay, at this point we're going to close the public hearing and we will do a second reading on March 24th. Mr. Trail, thank you very much. Thank you for taking All right, we're going to go on to item number nine.

You ready? Okay. Bill 3061, an ordinance amending section 125.090 090 commission membership of article 3 economic development commission being part of chapter 125 commissions committees and boards of title one government code of the alvet municipal code first reading and public hearing there's no public hearing there's no public hearing required for this no public hearing just first reading we are opening the public hearing there is no public hearing I'm just reading what I saw here that's all this particular um amendment is not within the zoning code and so no public hearing is required. Okay. Mr. Trey, can I put this thing away then?

Yes, please do. I'm just here if there's any questions or not. They read it already. Okay. So, uh this particular text amendment relates to the economic development commission. This is cleaning up that uh kind of phantom language that was left the last time the city amended um the voting uh and the section 4 EDC. Uh and so it removes the sentence that says uh the commission needs to have four votes of its members. There are currently only uh five members of ED EDC. So um this is what that text amendment does. And we're just doing a first reading tonight.

Just first reading. Okay. So that does require a second reading. Yes, it is an ordinance. It will require a second reading. Thank you. Okay. You have the floor set up. Thank you. Thank you very much. All right. So now we need to go on item number 10. I just want to make sure that somebody doesn't start reading it before I say anything. U do we have any hearing from citizens there? I see none. Do we have anyone online? Okay. Okay. So, we're going on item number 11, review and acceptance of minutes. Um, are there any cor uh corrections or anything you saw that needed to be corrected? I did not see anything. Okay. Can I have a uh motion to approve?

Like to make a motion to approve council minutes from February 24th, 2026. Second. Okay. Can we please poll the council? Council member Lewis. Yes. Council member Pashan Helman. Yes. Council member Solomonov. Yes. Chairman Prom. Yes. Mayor Clark. Yes. Motion has passed. So, we have the city manager report. City attorney. City, excuse me, city attorney's report. Thank you very much. No report this evening, but I am asking for a close session for personnel matters pursuant to 61021 subsections 3 and 13. Can I have a motion to do so?

Just a long one. I will make a motion make a motion to hold an executive session pursuant to the revised statute of the state of Missouri section 610.021 legal actions or litigation attorney client privilege matters referencing 610.0213 personnel. Can I have a second? I'll second. Okay. Wait, I got a p. Uh, can we council member Lewis? Yes. Council member Pashan Helman. Yes. Council member Solomonov. Yes. Chairman Prom. Yes. Mayor Clark. Yes. Motion is passed.

Like to make a motion to adjurnn or do we need to start? I pulled the Sydney in me.