Economic Development Committee - Regular Meeting

to be live on YouTube collection on Oh yes. Have the fall. Is that the fall of last year? Is that the fall? This is the fall of I think 2024. Wow. Outdated. Vintage. Yeah. Vintage. Yes. All right. We are live chair. All right. Welcome everyone to the economic development committee meeting for Monday November 17th 2015 would you please call roll. Chair at Vice Chair Preston. Council member Alers here. Council member Bocker

present. Council member Farmer here. Council member Cray here. Council member McCutchen. Council member Traier. All right, that's it. We do have a forum. So, thank you very much. We will move along to approval of the minutes from the October 20th, 2025. Does anyone have any questions on those appointment? Then I will entertain a motion for approved made by second by council farmer. Any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor say I. I.

Opposed or abstensions? It's approved. Thank you. Moving on to public comment. I see no one here in the room. Uh do we have anyone online? We do have one person online. If you would like to make a comment, uh, if you would use the raise hand feature at this point, we can promote you to a panelist. All right, no public comment online. All right, public comment, then we will move on to discussion items. Starting off with four information update on business changes and other business news. City administrator, would you like to provide that update, please?

Thank you, chair. I just wanted to provide a couple updates here. I know we have in the um updates on business changes, we have items on the Wildwood business form. We'll get into that, do a summary here after uh as the next item, but wanted to quickly give a few updates and this was discussed briefly at the last council meeting, but Tableau Kitchen and Bar is not opening at that location. Um there was after the after we had initially received a business license application um and applications to receive a license, uh some information wasn't necessarily provided. Uh but then we had found out from the current tenant, the local house beastro, uh that that deal would not be proceeding. So, at this time, we are they were supposed to have a new business that was supposed to review it, a restaurant type company, uh was going to be going in there last week, and we're waiting to hear updates, but right now that is still vacant, and they are advertising it for space.

Tablo, it's not happening.

All right. And then did want to make quick note, we also did get a signed permit from the annex workplace uh workspace, and it's at 2646 state route 109. um our director of planning could give a little bit more details on their application, but it does seem like they are uh they bought the entire building or renting out the entire building and they'll be doing small uh 18 private office suites with shared amenities. It's kind of like a wei work spot. Uh so it's good to see that opened up. Uh just wanted to make a quick note about the Greenberg development and Mia Rose development. is currently working on the footing and the uh foundation that as an update has to be completed uh by July 16, 2026 in order to ma remain in compliance with our development performance agreement. So keeping an eye on that, but that is they are moving with pace. Uh and then a quick note too about the Wildwood Hotel. It's good to see this. uh the business of Wildwood recently met with them to do some cross promotion and the idea is to have a bunch of different business information locally uh provided to guests but also put up in the hotel itself and have it available in the rooms so that folks that are visiting Wildwood um or they're stopping in at the hotel they're able to take advantage of some of the things we have locally. Um and then last but not least, Chula Indian and Bar uh they are wanting to get their permanent sign up and they're located at 16721. uh they are fully open now they're wanting to get their permanent sign up but after that they are wanting to do a ribbon cutting ceremony so that should happen right at the beginning of the year but department is available for any questions if anybody has

perfect do you have any particular comments about the plan I think Tom did a very good job of describing it is a common workspace for shared amenities but they are dividing up some of the larger offices into small oneperson offices So, we have asked them to just update their parking ratios, make sure that we're not going to overwhelm the nearby tenant or other space. It looks good.

Any questions for uh but I on Greenberg just the the area towards the back where all the gravel has gone down. What what's what's going there? Is that where the substation will be or no? This or is this just I think it's just a Oh, is that all it is? Okay. Where I think you were trying to tell me when where would the substation be going? It's over in the southwest corner by the detention basin and the the circular trail. So, it'll be down below the elevation of the rest of the site. Okay. Which is southwest.

Southwest. Okay. And the area that they've been working on is um the construction access, the layown area for materials and other items. Yeah. They'll have the construction offices for the general contractor and subcontractors. So, we tried to isolate it all in one place so there's one point of entry and exit because again, we're requiring them to stay on Taylor Road and not use Main Street, which is our kind of major commercial area. and hopefully it'll work out. Keep the street clean, I guess. As best we can. Yeah. Oh, no. I know. Yeah. Okay. Thank you. Sure.

Um, just miss, did you notice that Mr. Friday is here? Yes. Uh, Council Member Farmer informed me by email and I appreciate that. Thank you very much. All right. Thank you. All right. Um, any other questions regarding the update from the city? Seeing none, we will move on to review of the October 2025 business forum report. So, I yet again turn things over to the city administrator.

Thank you, chair. Uh, quick update here and this comes back to the October 23rd, 2025 business forum, uh, where chairenberg and, uh, myself were actually given a presentation to the local business community. We had a decent turnout about 15 or so businesses came out to support the event, learn a little bit. Um, some of the noteworthy, we had Miss Becky Salsa Shack, who's always with us here for our events and also as part of the Wildwood, uh, business, businesses of Wildwood organization, uh, Ecoin Assisted Therapy, Magnolia Open Bath Company, a lot of the local businesses, Fox Company yoga, uh, which was really actually I think it was a very positive meeting. and go over a couple of things they brought up uh during that meeting to give us some ideas. There were discussions about the Y Wildwood series u that was started up by our former communications economic devel manager position. We're looking to revamp that but possibly uh scale back on the frequencies of publications. We kind of went through quite a few businesses right at the front end, but we do plan to do a special holiday version uh coming up where we have two businesses that have already been selected for that role. Uh and then also the just the idea of continuing some of those efforts which really the Wild Wildwood series was one that was poked on. Um another item was the forum layout. There was a request to have a longer section of the meeting be dedicated to just introductions and general uh what people do and how they're how they started business here in Wildwood. And the other side of it was potentially adding allotting some time for networking at the front end of the actual forum itself. So something we can definitely speak about tonight when we review the schedule for 2026. Uh also just we this was actually the cooler thing that was discussed at the meeting. U a lot of the businesses showed some appreciation for some of the work that's taking place here in town center. Uh and just some of the things the village green that's going on quite a bit of construction right now too. Um, and they there was

definitely an expression that they they see quite a bit of activity and they're thinking that will translate into some more foot traffic. So, wanted to make sure we call out a positive feedback when we get it. Uh, also the there was a mentioning of the Route 66 Centennial and the city's plans. Right now, we currently have a scavenger hunt uh kind of in its preliminary stage on the front end of 2026, but the idea will be to tie most of our events that we do in 2026 to that centennial. Uh and then also there was support for potential QSR on state route 109 where we'll be talking about tonight. Uh we brought that idea to them and then uh there was a general expression that the business forum itself is a good opportunity and folks wanted us to continue it. So overall I think it was very important to to keep having that. Um we have two planned in 2026 as we'll see later tonight. Uh but overall the feedback was pretty positive and uh there's a lot going on in Wildwood. So there's a lot to appreciate. department's available for any questions.

All right, thank you very much. First item to charge.

All right. Uh thank you chair. So really quickly wanted to go over uh what was talked about at the last meeting and then also what's at the current level at city council. Uh there was a review by the planning and zoning commission to approve and potentially create a new subd district within the the current workplace district for 10 properties that currently either have a structure that has a uh has a drive-through facility or could have a drive-through facility in the future if it was either built out or converted. Uh, and the idea would be to in this new subd district, you would be able to build out a structure that you utilizes a drive-thru as long as you get a conditional use permit. Uh, when we had that discussion, we also kind of focused in on, you know, whether or not we had Zach's that had given us a look, uh, as a potential destination. And as part of that, we wanted to see if there was an opportunity to really kind of leverage those properties along 109 for potential QSR in the future. And overall it was received some pretty positive feedback both from the planning and zoning commission thus far at council and the public uh but also here at the committee and there was discussion that we should potentially pre-zone u these targeted sites along specifically 109 is where we have recommended it tonight. Manchester and Main Street as their specific addresses. But, uh, the idea tonight would be kicking that process officially if we're going to go ahead and proceed with pre-zoning um, six of the 10 sites with two of them being located on Main Street and one being located on Manchester, but all of them being very close and practically on top of uh, State Route 109. the two properties that are located on State Route 100, uh the four properties, uh those are either a gas station currently or they have structures that are not really outfitted to be uh used for QSR. So, tonight the idea is does the committee want the

department staff to begin its process for putting together uh actually a pre really prezoning the property. This would go through planning and zoning commission. Um, it would set standards for what the city's looking for, obviously basing off our architecture review board. I mean, our architecture, our town center architectural guidelines is a backbone for it, but we'd almost design before it happens what the city's looking for in a QSR development within some of these properties. Uh, it is going to require a little bit of change in the the zoning, I would assume, and the actual properties themselves. But I thought I would have our director of planning here who is willing to come and give a little bit more background on the process if they were willing to do that today. Joe, would you mind giving a little bit more background on how it go about?

Thank you, Mr. Lee. Thank you.

As Tom mentioned, we want to focus on Route 109 because we believe first and foremost those are vacant tracks of land and are very suitable for what QSR would provide. The others are redevelopment opportunities along Route 100. If something were to go out of business and we had interest, we would have something in place almost immediately for that entity to consider. Two of the properties of the six are already zoned CA plan commercial district. So in that instance, if we were to proceed forward, we would amend the existing C8 district to accommodate QSR quick service restaurants or fast food restaurants with drive-through facilities. The other four are not well, excuse me, the other three others are not. They're NU non-urban resident district. So we would reszone those to the CA plan commercial district. The one that Tom and I kind of struggled with was the outlot that's part of the reserve and we want to make sure that we do that correctly. It is zone C8 plan commercial district but it has a very broad range and very limited set of uses. So we were thinking maybe that's the last we tackle and see how we do on the first five. And the intent too would be on a few of these we could even consider the conditional use permit because they are for all intents and purposes were set up to accommodate something like this. We thought fast food restaurants without drive-through facilities nobody was we thought maybe financial institutions which allow fast drive-through facilities no one was interested. So, we kind of took the approach that these would accommodate it and those are on the east side of Route 109 at the intersection of Main Street

at the roundabout and then on the northwest corner of Manchester Road and Route 109. So, if with your all's endorsement of Tom's proposal, we could get started right after the first of the year if you wanted. Um, I'd rather see restaurants, right? I only referenced that because we when we were when we were when we were working with Payton family homes and doing the out lots that front on the route 109 at Main Street.

They wanted a broader set of options, but this would be more so than anything. We want to try to get a restaurant. Right. Now, was there a change in our master plan? That's already been done. Okay.

Yeah. And the town center plan is a subset of the master plan. So, the planning and zoning commission at its meeting in November granted the new subcategory in the workplace. You all introduced and read the bill to ratify to endorse and ratify the change. Um just trying what I mean I know they don't really have any plans what do they think they want again it's like a broad thing but I think about those other lots that are across the street on Main Street like I don't know what else could possibly go in it Mr. Bossworth has been he's the broker for the two lots on the east side of Route 109 at Main Street,

right? He's had Lion's Choice, Dunkin Donuts, and thought there was one other um Well, Dunkin Donuts were the most was the most recent Lion's Choice had that was previous, but there was Yeah, that's correct.

And they are still interested. If you talk to Mr. Osworth, they had a great circumstance in the Philips 66 that they just it was too small. And so, so I'm thinking that those two lots and potentially the corner Manchester Road 109 will get almost immediate interest. Not saying that they'll develop overnight, but I think we can peique the interest of some. The numbers in terms of traffic volumes from the 2018 study that Tom researched, they're they're not above 20,000 vehicles per day, but it's it's a high volume corridor business. I think the plan's great. I just, you know, I always think about when developers are like, well, we want to have the most possible options. It's like, sure, but what realistically this if you guys want to take some more time to do that sense, but I just I don't know what else. Yeah, it's difficult too. I mean

actually I think we'd be underutilizing the property with a a sea store and gas pumps and a car wash. Yeah.

I I really think after the pandemic that's one of the things we consistently heard Tom and I just you don't understand when you've got kids and you want to get something quick because you're coming home late from work. You pick the kids up from after school and you get home and you got to make something. And so I think just society, it's great that we want to do new urbanism and recreate the old main streets where people walk to get things, but practically speaking, you know, we need to we need to listen to our residents, at least in this case, I think more so than anything. But I would just say I think if we got one business going in one of those areas, people would see the success in the other ones would fill up right after that. I I think you know

that seems to be consistent with the feedback that was given too is that you know it it's kind of difficult to be the first one to jump off the diving board if you will but once everybody one business gets in then they they do want to partner up which I think that's why it could be important when maybe soliciting input or you know folks that might be interested potentially offering uh maybe these partials are developed in tandem with two so then it's almost like a small corridor which it could be accommodated but the both the partials off Main street. Uh there is some issues, not necessarily deal breakers, but the with the tributaries running both through the current existing property on 109 and the one right off Manchester there, that will be something to work around, but I think if you plan it correctly, uh it can be possible. That was one of the comments that the general tax which is that when they choose a location to try to choose location some similar background to point off that

other comments I think the close point we got to get one right now that's what we're here to do right yes sir That's correct. Very much so. Right now that there's Yeah. Right now, one would be permitted though. So, that's that's the idea is that we're going to set we're going to make it as easy as possible for someone that may be interested in opening one of these in the future to come in and know exactly where the bar is. No goalpost being. It's you meet these thresholds, then you can open you can open QSR here. One through two. Yes. You need a motion to

Yes. a motion to uh proceed with the prezoning process for the properties. I can read them off here tonight, too. But the properties off 109. Uh 2521 State Route 109. Uh two and that that one is the one we're going to have to look in. I mean, uh sorry, we'll get to that one. Uh 2521 State Route 109. 2601 State Route 109. 17120 Manchester Road. 2431 State Route 109, which is going to have to be looked at closely considering that's the outlot within the RE reserve development. Uh, and we'll just need a little bit more care just considering that the fact that there's homes being built right next to it. And then the two parcels, 1719 Main Street and 17194 Main Street to pre-zone those properties to include uh QSR as a possible use with CUP addition as the needed for the drive-thru portion of it. Are you making motion?

Yes, I would make that motion as just described by Mr.

All right. Any um discussion on this topic at this moment? Seeing none, all those in favor say I. Iensions motion carries. Mr. here. If I could just add one kind of sidebar of trivia fact. As long as we don't have to go back and change. No, St. Louis County very seldom pre-zone property. They preferred to watch it incrementally go from east to west. They did in the Chesterfield Valley in 1970 and 1971. It's been a success. So,

you got good memory. All right, we're ready for action. We'll move on to the next item, review of the 2026 of business forum schedule.

All right, so picking up where we left off with our discussion about the business forum. It does seem that the business community is appreciative of these opportunities to speak candidly with their elected officials, but also uh just to learn what's going on here in the city and hear, you know, how they can get involved. So the department does believe that the two the bianual approach to these meetings is sufficed and wanted to lock in the schedule for promotional reasons here tonight. Uh we're proposing to have a very similar schedule to last year with the first one uh being scheduled for Thursday, January 22nd from 7:30 to 8:30 and then Thursday, October 22nd uh from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. So both would still take place here at the at city hall, but the idea would be to possibly this is where the feedback and approval tonight. The department is requesting approval of that schedule for 2026, but also uh getting feedback on the idea of possibly uh either adding 30 minutes after or before for folks to be able to network uh and just how that we're going to introduce the introduction portion where folks are going to be able to go around and also we're going to get name tags for everybody. Those slip-on name tags as requested uh by one of the gentlemen that participated in the meeting. But wanted to get feedback on adding the kind of the networking component which will almost serve as its own separate meeting attached to the business forum presentation.

That's takes place now certain extent. So did anyone suggest doing it before the meeting? No, it was almost that when we it was what was discussed by a couple of the attendees was hey, you know, they were actually after the meeting asking if they could set it up and promote this event, having it it could be after the meeting. It was just having a dedicated time slot to say, "Hey, if you come in, even if you're not able to make it to this meeting, come in afterwards where you can kind of talk with other businesses." I know uh the owner of Spirit Bank was asking uh Bank of Houston was requesting that because he wanted to kind of get to know some of the other business owners that

we're just memorial memorializing it in agenda. Yep. That that's that's correct. having it be on the the items that go out on social media and our e newswsletter and uh where we actually do a special e newswsletter for the business community just putting in you know networking from 8:30 to 9 and having that you know we'll have the foyer still open coffee will still be available we'll keep running it for an extra 30 minutes

all right second we have the networking session at 8:30 9 comments. None. All those in favor say I. I opposed extensions carries. Very good. All right. We had uh Colleen, did you have something? Yes. I have no idea who made that motion. That was Mr. TRA was a was the first and who was the second? Mr. Okay. All right. Thank you.

Okay. Moving on to not ready for action. No items there. However, I would entertain a motion at this time that we cancel the December meeting. I would like to make a motion that we cancel the meeting on December 15th. Okay. Do we have a second for that? It's December 7. Okay. Mr. Second discussion say I I December meeting whatever it is December 15th is 15 I'll make a motion we cancel the 15th and

15th is correct but not covered all you on the 16th don't threat with a good All those in favor I opposed extensions any miscellaneous. All right. Next meeting will take place sometime in January. Do we have a date for that yet?

We'll have the calendar for the the full meeting calendar at the city council meeting in December. So it has not been established just yet, but we'll be consistent with the Tuesdays. Uh we we'll be shooting for the Tuesdays last third or last week of the month as we've done in previous years. Good. All right then. Uh think we set a record tonight. Anyway, I will entertain a motion for the motion. Mr. Farmer seconds. All those in favor say I. 10 opposentions. None.