After a long battle between Chesterfield Village residents and Life 360 Church, City Council last night approved the rezoning of the old Palace theater to a general retail district.
A public hearing for the bill was held at the
July 10 council meeting, where eight out of 10 speakers attempted to sway council against the change.
Before last night’s vote, councilman Mike Schilling voiced concern on the loss of sales taxes.
“I hate to see that escaping,” he said.
Mayor Ken McClure recognized the concerns, but said it wasn’t applicable at this point.
“The theater is out of business and the property sits vacant,” McClure said. “I’ll miss it, but I also know I don’t like a vacant building there.”
The rezoning passed 7-1, with Schilling in opposition, and councilman Craig Hosmer absent.
A prescription drug monitoring program also passed, 7-1, along with a complimentary bill, passing 7-1, allowing St. Louis County to act as Springfield’s PDMP administrator. Councilwoman Kristi Fulnecky voted in opposition to both bills.
“I don’t think the answer is putting people in a database; the answer is supporting law enforcement so they can track the illegal activity,” Fulnecky said. “I think we need to recognize where it’s coming from and not punish law-abiding citizens.”
Councilwoman Jan Fisk voiced a different opinion on PDMPs.
“I don’t think there’s been any other time in my five years on council that I’ve been able to place a vote that has potential to save a life, and if we save one life, then it’s been worth it,” Fisk said.
The Greene County Commission voted this morning in favor of a countywide PDMP. On the statewide level, Gov. Eric Greitens signed an executive order July 17, directing the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services to begin work creating a statewide PDMP, according to a news release. MIssouri is the last state in the nation without a PDMP in place.
