Save Big Bend Rezoning - AGAIN!

The Kirkwood City Council will soon vote on a rezoning of 11204-11224 Big Bend (the five contiguous lots south of Meramec CC, between the Phillips 66 gas station and Montessori school). The owner of these contiguous lots is pursuing a rezone from R-3 (detached, medium single-residential) to R-5 (high density multiple-family residential). In 2009, Kirkwood City Council denied retail and office building development at 11204-11224 Big Bend Road.

We strongly oppose rezoning these properties. The present zoning and use is appropriate. The EnVision Kirkwood 2035 City plan indicates this property is within "general residential" area. A large apartment complex is not harmonious with our neighborhood. Mature tree-canopy lots (including a specimen post oak) would be bull-dozed. Future land use maps in the EnVision Kirkwood 2035 City plan low or medium density residential for this area.

R-5 zoning is designed to " . . . to provide a transition from single-family residential districts to commercial districts" (Kirkwood City Ordinances Appendix A Section 440.1). If this R-5 rezone is approved, we believe that unwanted and unnecessary development will creep westward on Big Bend.

The residential property along Big Bend from Geyer to Marshall is well kept and many new additions and home improvements have occurred in recent years. A zoning change to R-5 is likely to severely impact property values of these homes. The present zoning for this property should remain so that south Kirkwood preserves its residential character.

We believe there are also very serious public safety concerns related to increased traffic on Big Bend which high density housing would cause. If you share our concerns, please sign the petition opposing the R-5 rezone and come to the City Council meeting on February 7, 2019 at 7pm at Kirkwood City Hall.