June 23, 1969 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Special Session 935, ~'iinutes June 23, 1969 Page 2 CITY ~iAI~AGER'S REPORTS: PUBLIC i{EARING - PROPOSED REZONIi{G OF ~,~STOVER--P~ITTER PROPERTY: ~yor Kaufman announced that a public hearing scheduled for this evening to consider request for rezoning of the Westover-Ritter property from R-6 to B-3 is now open, amd at his request, the City ~.~nager reviewed the matter briefly, calling attention to the recommendation of the City Plan Commission dated June 5, 1969, attached to the agenda item. ~. John Boeger, attorney, upon being recognized, stated he represents the Target Stores and the o~mers of the Westover and Ritter properties that are the subject of this zoning request. ~]e total acreage involved here approximates about 18 acres, ~Ir. Boeger said, and they are request- ing the rezoning so that the Dayton Corporation may cause this sub- sidiary, Target Stores~ Inc., to build a department store on the property. He reviewed the prior history of the property, and stated a great deal of time and money has been spent by the Dayton Corporation in investigations to ascertain whether the proposal is feasible and sound, l~. Boeger po~ted out that the ~Ilssouri Supreme Court has ruled that when property is all zoned commercial, it isn't right for a City Council to force residential zoning upon owners of the property which is adjacent to property that is all commercialg he cited the case. 1,~. Boeger turned the microphone over to ~fr. Richard T. Guidera of the Dayton Corporation (Director of Real Estate) - liinneapolis. ~. Guidera discussed the history and character of the Dayton Corporation and the Target Stores, number of units~ type of operation, financial re- sponsibility, etc., maintaining that a Target Store as proposed would be a very substantial addition to University City, and would increase values along Olive Boulevard. i-fr. Guidera introduced l~. Elvin E. Mundt, Vice President-Research and Real Estate~ who in a statement of philosophy discussed commitments, marketing, corporate relations and community relations. He spoke of their merchandising philosophy, policy and strategy, i.e. quality, fashion, one stop shopping, customer convenience, ample parking, leader- ship. He said new concepts and new ways of doing things are what Target is built on - their merchandise items are inventoried by computer co~ trol - they are proud of their quality personnel, and insist ou a good housekeeping program. He assured the Council that if the zoning request is approved they will do everything within reason as far as screening, landscaping, shielding the lights at an adjustable angle in the parking lot, and would make traffic fl~,~ and access studies to meet the require- ments of the City. The next speaker for Target Stores was L~. Russell Sandberg, District Manager of Missouri, who discussed operations in detail, pointing out his primary function is to ascertain that Target is a good neighbor and that all Target Stores in the State of ~issouri or in St. Louis operate within the guidelines of the Dayton Corporation - that they maintain the high standards and the ethics under which they hopefully will always operate. Ile said they have contracted to eliminate the incineration problem - they are going to compaction in all of their stores. He stressed the cleanliness of their stores, and the high caliber of their personnel. He said University City has been selected because this is one area in St. Louis County which they do not presently serve and this