City Beat: Council considers higher fees for eateries, construction

The city restaurant permit fee would range from $100 to $325 depending on the establishment’s risk category, according to a proposed city ordinance. Risk is assessed based on handling of potentially hazardous foods, business volume and previous violations.

Health Director Kevin Gipson said Springfield is the last metropolitan area in Missouri without a fee for restaurant permits; he noted that fees in Kansas City range from $275 to $500, while St. Louis County fees range from $193 to $451. Even areas closer to Springfield charge fees – Christian County charges $2 per seat, while Polk County charges $100 to $200.

“We don’t believe that we’re doing something that isn’t done elsewhere,” Gipson told council, noting that the fee would be assessed annually, regardless of the number of routine inspections required for the business. “It’s never a pleasure to add these sort of (fees), but we’re in a position where we have to do that.”

Several restaurateurs were upset by the possible fees, including Anton’s coffeehouse owner Anton Tasich, who noted the other obstacles his industry is facing.

“People aren’t going out to eat as much because of higher gas prices, grocery bills are higher, companies are adding fuel surcharges to everything, minimum wage has gone up and is going to go up some more, and now we’re adding another inspection fee to restaurants to detract from their bottom line,” Tasich said. “Restaurants are faced with enough costs as it is.”

The bill estimates the restaurant permit fees, which would apply only to restaurants within city limits, would generate about $230,000 for the Health Department’s general operating budget.

Several fees in Building and Development Services also are under the gun. The costs to file preliminary plats and sign permits, for instance, could increase by 10 percent each, plus the cost of living – calculated this year at 2.38 percent, said Springfield Finance Director Mary Mannix Decker. By law the city can increase fees by no more than 10 percent annually plus cost of living, unless they are less than $30 apiece.

The new fee schedule seeks a 12 percent increase on preliminary plats to $885 per plat. Building permits would not be increased in the proposal.

Council could vote on the fee schedule at its June 16 meeting.

Square design

Despite arguments about the historic nature of Park Central Square’s interior area, council approved a resolution at its June 3 luncheon that gives the green light to redesign the square’s perimeter.

The resolution authorizes design firm Butler, Rosenbury & Partners Inc. to begin work on construction plans for the outer portion of the square, mainly the sidewalks in front of the buildings and possible narrowing of the streets.

The outer square was originally Phase II of BRP’s three-phase design; Phase I called for renovating the inner square by bringing it up to grade, adding greenspace areas and renovating the existing fountain. Phase III would include installing four media towers and a pavilion in the center of the square.

Phase I, however, is on hold because of the potential historic designation of the inner square’s design by prominent architect Lawrence Halprin.

Council’s approval allows the city to pay BRP $53,700 to design the outer square; final designs should be complete by the end of June.

Money for the design comes from streetscape improvement funds and counts toward the city’s required match for a Federal Highway Administration grant.

That will allow the city just enough time, according to Economic Development Director Mary Lilly Smith, to break ground on the square improvements before the Aug. 1 deadline in the city’s contract with St. Louis-based Blue Urban LLC, which is redeveloping the Heer’s building on the square’s west side.

Blue Urban principal Kevin McGowan bought the vacant landmark last November and plans to renovate it into 38 upscale condominium lofts above a Mike Shannon’s Steaks and Seafood Restaurant. McGowan planned to begin work this month, but he now says that work probably won’t begin until mid- to late summer.

“Our tenants and our investment are dependent on the square,” McGowan said. “I’m very supportive of the action the city has taken, and I’m thankful that they’re continuing to go forward with their commitment.”

Fee Schedule

Among the city fees that would increase in the proposed fee ordinance:

Sidewalk café permit: up 11.6 percent to $530

Conditional use permit: up 12 percent to $1,120

Zoning request: up 12 percent to $1,120

Preliminary planned development: up 12.3 percetnt to $1,595

Preliminary plat: up 12 percent to $885

Final plat (administrative): up 12.1 percent to $370

Final plat (commission/council): up 11.9 percent to $845

Annexation request: up 6.3 percent to $670

Street name change: up 11 percent to $555

Source: Springfield City Council Bill No. 2008-153[[In-content Ad]]