The Metro on Manchester, a six-story (it was originally four), 80-unit apartment complex on 2.19 acres proposed for the northwest corner of Manchester and Hanley roads passed a hurdle Wednesday, when Brentwood Planning and Zoning OK’d the rezoning from PD (planned development) to UD (urban development).
The board of aldermen is due to vote on the rezoning at its March 28 meeting, at the Brentwood Community Center.
The planning and zoning sub-committee will consider the site plan on March 30, and the full commission will take it up at its April meeting; following that it will go to the board of aldermen for final approval.
Gary Hassenflu, president of Kansas City-based Garrison Development Company, presented the plan to the commission in December. He was not at the meeting on Wednesday; Larry Walker, an engineer with BAX Engineering, said Hassenflu had the flu.
City consultant planner, Todd Streiler, said the traffic study has been done and he’s waiting for feedback from St. Louis County and MoDot. He said he doesn’t believe there will be problems. He said the development would be create a “pleasing impression” for Brentwood at the east end at Manchester, also that residential is a better use for the property than retail because its location on the busy corner would make the required entrances difficult. One entrance to the complex is planned.
He said the building has been moved west, away from Black Creek and a flood zone. MSD plans to install a 72-inch sanitary line through the eastern part of the property as well, and sometime in the future the Hanley/Manchester interchange is planned to be rebuilt.
The commission approved the rezoning unanimously after about 20 minutes of discussion.
Manchester and Hanley is the fulcrum of the sprawling Hanley shopping center and the downtown Maplewood shopping district. It would be a great property to draw retail shoppers deeper into Brentwood, which is important because 55% of our revenue comes from sales tax. I’m not opposed to apartments being on the property, but we should at least consider a mixed use building with retail on the first floor and apartments above. Similar to what Kirkwood did on Lindbergh or what WashU just built on Delmar.
Gary Hassenflu, the developer of this project, owned the Majestic Hotel in Hot Springs Arkansas when it caught fire on February 27th 2014, After a week of inaction by Mr. Hassenflu the Governor was forced to issue an emergency declaration due to imminent hazard to public health and the building had to be partially demolished at a $35,000 cost to the local taxpayers. The building is still partially demolished a year later, Hot Springs currently has an open RFQ to demolish the remaining debris. Mr. Hassenflu left Hot Springs to hold the bag and now he’s offering that same bag to us. I’d prefer not to take it.
I guess there’s not enough traffic on manchester. Amazing how both rock hill and maplewood have been making strides in building livable communities. Brentwood hasn’t done anything to make it a place where people would want to live. Growth for growth sake.
It’s been sitting vacant for 12+ years. Beggars can’t be choosers.
Apartments? What kind of apartments aesthetically speaking, higher end or…..???
YES! As a MW resident I am very excited about this development layout. I love the changes made from the last layout – the car entrance/exit was moved further west joining with the offices and is no longer in front of the building. This plan should encourage foot traffic which MW will definitely see the benefit of. Looking forward to seeing the design plans. For those who were unhappy about the previous size, it also looks like they went down from 108 apartments to 80.
Why build? I would want to live there with all the traffic noise! Why not build a green space like a park that all Brentwood residents can enjoy?
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