The construction of a new Wendy’s restaurant in Warrenton is on hold pending MoDOT’s approval of an entrance on North Service Road. Brandon Harp, representing St. Louis-based Civil Engineering Design Consultants, told Warrenton city officials that Wendy’s representatives have indicated the project would be killed if an additional entrance is not approved. Harp made the comment at the Jan. 18 board meeting. Wendy’s is looking to open a fast-food restaurant at 905 East North Service Road, the former site of the Sinclair gas station. MoDOT officials are concerned about the entrance’s close proximity to the Highway 47 intersection according to Harp. If MoDOT doesn’t approve the entrance on the North Service Road, the only other access into the restaurant would be from Bush Avenue. The property’s developer, Wendy’s International Inc., has proposed constructing a 3,451-square-foot restaurant, while meeting the minimum requirement of having 27 parking spots. Harp said a meeting with MoDOT officials was held Jan. 14 to discuss access onto the North Service Road, but no decision has been reached. He said MoDOT staff would not commit to anything more than allowing motorists a right-hand turn in and out of an access onto the North Service Road. “Wendy’s is telling us that is not acceptable,” Harp said. “. . .Wendy’s position is if there is no full access, they will kill the project. That is what I have been told.” Warrenton aldermen unanimously approved the site plan at their Jan. 18 meeting by a 5-0 vote. A minimum $200 contribution will be paid to the city’s stormwater management fund due to a negligible increase in stormwater run-off from the property. Also, the developer will contribute $6,600 to the city’s sidewalk fund in lieu of building sidewalks because of the small lot size. Should the development move forward, Mayor Greg Costello proposed the sidewalk funds be used to build sidewalks along Bush Avenue to encourage pedestrians to walk there rather than on the North Service Road. The site plan was previously approved by the planning and zoning commission by a 8-0 vote at its Jan. 6 meeting. Two members were absent. SNbSSite Plan for Church Facility Approved Also at the Jan. 18 meeting, aldermen voted 5-0 to approve the site plan for a new multipurpose building to be constructed next to College United Methodist Church. The new 8,254-square-foot building will house church-related events and will be constructed just east of the existing church structure. To meet parking demands, one of the conditions agreed upon was that the church sanctuary and multipurpose facility will not be in use at the same time. The new development is slated to have 53 new parking spaces to go along with 47 existing spaces located in a lot across from Steinhagen Avenue. Not included in the parking calculations was the existing parking along Steinhagen. The city requires one parking space for each three seats in the auditorium or general assembly room equaling to 100 spots. Also as part of the city’s approval, due to a negligible increase in stormwater run-off from the property, the church will be required to make a minimum $200 contribution to the stormwater management fund in lieu of a detention. The planning and zoning commission approved the site plan at its Jan. 6 meeting.