U-Gas Station Receives Thumbs Up from Planning Commission

The Chesterfield Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended approval for a U-Gas convenience station, car wash and drive-thru restaurant on Chesterfield Airport Road that received some opposition from local business owners during a public hearing last fall.

The decision of the commission was unanimous and the zoning amendment request will now move to the city council for a final vote. Chesterfield Planning Director Aimee Nassif said the city has also received one additional letter raising concerns regarding traffic issues.

The station is planned for a 2-acre tract located near the intersection of Chesterfield Airport Road and Long Road at the site of a former hardware store. It would be situated on the north side of the road across from the BP/McDonalds and just west of Lou Fusz.

Currently, city staff is asking that access to the development be limited to one bi-directional curb cut that is placed as far east on the parcel as practically possible. The developer is also asked to add a 12-foot wide right turn deceleration lane on to Chesterfield Airport Road.

If the project does require that the existing median on Chesterfield Airport Road needs to be extended, possibly to address traffic concerns, the developer will be responsible for all costs.

During the public hearing in November, three nearby gas station owners told the commission that allowing the U-Gas to be built would have negative impacts on their own businesses. The city’s attorney replied by saying that the commission is not allowed to pick “winners and losers” and is prohibited by law from considering economic impacts on surrounding business in making its decisions.

U-Gas has not yet announced what restaurant will be operating the drive-thru portion of the project. No date has been set for when the project will be voted on by the city council.