Zoning codes hamper efforts to revamp Ferguson's downtown

Joe Scott

of the Suburban Journals

Hazelwood-Bridgeton Journal, Northeast County Journal, Northwest County Journal, Overland-St. Ann Journal

08/30/2006

When Rebecca Buckley noticed a vacancy in the 100 block of South Florissant Road in downtown Ferguson, she thought it would be a great location for a new business she had in mind: vintage clothing.

"The look would be young and trendy," said Buckley, of Ferguson. "This would not be a junk store. It would look more like a boutique in a mall."

She would offer name-brand clothes at bargain prices.

"I would offer Abercrombie & Fitch all sorts of name brands that kids are looking for," Buckley said. "Normally, they would buy American Eagle jeans for about $40, but they might get a pair here for about $4."

Ferguson and downtown officials were welcoming, she said. In fact, a vintage store is in the city's Downtown Vision Statement.

Despite wanting a vintage store in the downtown area, officials had to turn it down at least initially. Ferguson's zoning ordinances prohibit used clothing stores in the downtown area, although city officials wanted the vintage store.

"Essentially, it would be ‘used clothing,' so it's treated as a used clothing store by the zoning ordinances, no matter how upscale it is," said Shannon Howard, executive director of Ferguson's City Walk, the downtown business district.

"I was confused, because I looked at the Ferguson Downtown Vision Statement before I started this, and one thing listed was vintage store," Buckley said.

It's an issue that has frustrated Ferguson officials as they try to revitalize the downtown area.

City Manager A.J. Krieger said the city's zoning ordinances "gets into excruciating detail."

The intent was to prevent downtown from attracting low-rent thrift stores or flea markets. At times, such as in Buckley's case, it can backfire.

"It's very specific and cumbersome, and at times a use is only permitted if it's specifically stated in the code," Krieger said.

For instance, the code requires first-floor retail use for the northern part of the downtown district, said Chuck James, president of the Downtown Ferguson Special Business District, which oversees City Walk.

That requirement made it more difficult to place studio space for the University of Missouri St. Louis' art department in the 100 block of South Florissant Road.

"We had to be creative in how we approached it," James said. "There's a retail element in there, but initially they just wanted to use it for art professors' offices and art classes."

Instead, the university agreed to house the North Gallery in the space. The gallery will feature some artwork for sale.

James and Krieger said the issue is being studied. James said there is no question the zoning will be changed.

"We'll undertake a review of the zoning ordinances downtown," James said. "We're going to try to make sure the vision plan and zoning are coordinated."

Krieger said the zoning codes should focus on environmental issues and quality issues rather than specifics such as prohibiting used clothing stores or requiring retail.

"We need to focus more on land uses rather than land users," Krieger said. "We can place appropriate restrictions and buffering and other assurances for compatible uses."

Meanwhile, the vintage clothing store may be shelved, but it's not dead.

"I may try it again later this winter, or even next summer," Buckley said. "If it doesn't go in that location, there are other places in Ferguson it could work."