Debate over future of land use near Concordia Seminary in Clayton

CLAYTON, Mo. – Clayton City Hall was filled Tuesday as the mayor and the board of aldermen continued discussions on the proposed Big Bend Overlay Zoning District. The plan sparked intense debate among residents and city leaders.

The overlay aims to regulate land use and development near Concordia Seminary, including athletic fields and facilities for Washington University in St. Louis. Mayor Michelle Harris emphasized that the meeting was solely to address potential amendments to the plan and not to decide its fate.

“To incorporate the very language from the conditional-use permit, which is very specific about what ever goes there is compatible with the surrounding neighbors and does not result in any depreciating effect on adjacent properties,” Harris said.

Key amendments discussed included reducing the number of facilities from six to five, limiting permanent seating, and tightening noise and light restrictions. But several residents remain concerned after hearing these changes.

“This is not an appropriate use of land use. We take a zoning change very seriously and there is nothing in our area that’s anywhere near six stories high,” resident Ann Martin said. “And it’s a building that you’re not replacing; you’re building something new.”

Mayor Harris assured residents the plan would balance the university’s needs with neighborhood preservation, adding that no vote will occur until early next year.