Gas station, restaurant proposed near city pool

Adam Rollins, Staff Writer
Posted 12/10/21

The city of Warrenton is considering an application to build a gas station and drive-thru restaurant at the corner of South Highway 47 and Warrior Avenue, on undeveloped land just outside the …

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Gas station, restaurant proposed near city pool

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The city of Warrenton is considering an application to build a gas station and drive-thru restaurant at the corner of South Highway 47 and Warrior Avenue, on undeveloped land just outside the Warrenton Pool Park.

The development would be on 2.8 acres, consisting of a four-pump fueling area, convenience store, restaurant with drive-thru, and a drive-thru car wash, according site plans submitted to Warrenton City Hall. The exact brand of gas station or restaurant has not yet been announced.

Because the proposal involves drive-thru amenities, city code requires developer Nirdosh LLC to receive a conditional use permit (CUP) for the project. The project application was discussed during a Dec. 2 hearing before the Warrenton Planning and Zoning Commission.

City Attorney Christopher Graville explained that this corner of Highway 47 and Warrior Avenue was already zoned for commercial development, and that a gas station fits within the mix of improvements that the city desires for the area. He added that the developer will have to ensure that stormwater controls are sufficient to prevent new runoff from the large paved area.

Members of the Planning and Zoning Commission didn’t express many concerns over the development itself, but worried that South Highway 47 is already notorious for traffic congestion that has outgrown the two-lane roadway. They pondered whether people trying to get in and out of the gas station area might exacerbate the problem.

Residents who live close to the proposed development area shared that concern, questioning whether the development would be beneficial.

“I’ve never been that good at math, but I know there’s five gas stations currently in town. Is there a need for a sixth one?” asked one resident of the nearby Forest Ridge subdivision. “Every time I’ve been to a gas station, I’ve never had an issue of getting gas or waiting on anybody.”

Other commenters asked if the gas station would be serving tractor-trailers or RVs. Project engineer Bart Korman with Lewis-Bade said there would be a small area of the parking lot with enough space for RVs or vehicles pulling trailers to park, but there wouldn’t be dedicated fuel or service areas for large vehicles.

Real estate agent Tony Gagliano, representing the developer, said the convenience store and restaurant aspects are the more important focus of the project, bringing those amenities to the less-developed southern end of Warrenton.

Gagliano said the developer also owns several other convenience stores and liquor stores in the St. Louis region.

Attorney Chris Graville later reiterated to the planning commission that a gas station and convenience store are already allowed at the proposed site. Only the drive-thru features require a conditional use permit.

Planning commission chair Rich Barton commented that the South Highway 47 area has been a target for commercial development for the last two decades, but he understands some of the concerns.

“As a city, we’re going to make sure that if this gets approved, we’re looking out for our nearby neighbors,” Barton commented.

The planning commission unanimously recommended approval of the gas station project on Nov. 2, including recommendations for hours of operation and visual barriers around the property. The Warrenton Board of Aldermen will consider the proposal for final approval on Dec. 21.

Planning and Zoning, Warrenton, Gas station, Restaurant, Car wash

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