Councilman Barry Greenberg Answers QuikTrip Questions, Urges a YES Vote on April 2

Two recent articles in Maplewood-Brentwood Patch on QuikTrip, and the Maplewood ordinance which would allow it to move to the northwest corner of Manchester and Big Bend, have generated comments and questions. Those articles are:

The ordinance is the subject of a referendum (Proposition Q) that Maplewood residents will vote on in the April 2 general election.

The Prop Q question on the ballot reads:

Shall Ordinance No. 5689 (Ordinance), authorizing and approving on the terms and conditions stated therein the Planned Unit Development District for QuikTrip Corporation for property generally located at the northwest quadrant of Manchester Avenue and Big Bend Boulevard, be reaffirmed? Voters wishing to affirm the Ordinance, vote Yes. Voters wishing to repeal the Ordinance, vote No.

Ward 3 Councilman Barry Greenberg contributed the following in an attempt to answer some questions raised by the recent articles. Some have been about the property at 2601 Big Bend Boulevard being bought by QuikTrip and deeded to the school district, added to the ordinance. That is the first item Greenberg addresses.

I would like to address a few questions that have been brought up concerning the amended QuikTrip Planned Unit Development ordinance.

When the property located at 2601 Big Bend became available after the original PUD was proposed, it was seen as an opportunity by the QT development team to address several concerns expressed by the School Board and opponents of the relocation.

1. It provided an opportunity to create an entrance to the District facilities located off of Big Bend at a safer distance from the intersection of Manchester and Big Bend. No details have been worked out with the St. Louis County Highway Department, but it has the potential for reducing several of the safety and traffic concerns associated with the Martini Avenue entrance.
2. This location would alleviate some of the traffic problems that local residents thought would be caused by the previous location.
3. The building itself is in good shape and can provide 7,000+ square feet of program space that can be utilized by the School District for any use they deem appropriate.
4. The property, with or without the building, can provide additional parking spaces that the District explicitly said they need.
5. The property is immediately adjacent to another property currently owned by the School District and the lots could be combined to provide a more advantageous layout.
6. The property would be deeded directly to the School District at NO COST TO TAXPAYERS for whatever use that the District determined was in their best interest.

In addition to the change of property, there were other modifications made that that would increase safety. They are listed below:

“Martini Avenue will have a permanent barrier constructed to block northbound traffic located at the northern end of the QuikTrip property. Southbound Martini will be open to traffic.”

“If the traffic at the intersection of Martini and Big Bend is found to be a problem, QuikTrip will work with the Missouri Department of Transportation and the City of Maplewood to find a solution.”

“The present no left turn restrictions on Martini Avenue at Manchester will remain in place (Monday through Friday 7:00am to 9:00am and 4:00pm to 6:00pm for southbound Martini traffic).”

“QuikTrip will provide solar powered flashing signs at all exits/entrances to the QuikTrip property.  Signs will have a flashing light that says 'Watch Out for Pedestrians and Children.' Signs will be installed on QuikTrip property.”

These provisions addressed a majority of the concerns that the School Board expressed in the meeting held which included representatives of the School Board, City Council, QuikTrip development team and referendum committee. There were no comments made or concerns expressed by the referendum committee, and I felt that everyone had an opportunity to convey their viewpoint and the result was a proposed ordinance that came extremely close to meeting everyone’s needs.

The City Council will vote a third and final time on the revised PUD ordinance at our next meeting on Tuesday, March 26th at City Hall and I urge everyone to go to the polls on Tuesday, April 2nd and vote YES on Proposition Q in favor of the QuikTrip relocation.

Barry Greenberg

Councilman, Ward Three

City of Maplewood