1987-09-16 - Laserfiche WebLink

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. . Minutes - Plan Commission Page 3 September 16, 1987 purchases would consist of grocery items in conjunction with adult gasoline purchases. Mr. Michenfelder stated that, in his opinion, Mr. Goldman's proposal for a 100 square foot kiosk would likely attract more children and allow exclusively snack-type food sales. Shell Oil Company had requested Polk & Vouga to conduct a study in response to the Planning Director's concerns for pedestrian safety and vehicular movement. Shell conducted a study of traffic at 13 stations with food marts in the St. Louis area. Four stations located adjacent to residential districts reported no conflict between pedestrian and vehicular movement. No accidents or complaints had been reported to local police. Mr. Michenfelder stated that the Shell Oil Company maintains a policy pro- hibiting video games on their premises, a practice which generally reduces child pedestrian and vehicle conflict. Mr. Michenfelder cited a similar site development proposal by the Shell Oil Company in Richmond Heights which the City Council denied because of perceived conflicts between children and traffic. He stated that the denial was overturned by the Circuit Court in St. Louis County because no evidence of such conflicts had been cited by the Council. Mr. Michenfelder stated that if Plan Commission members or members of the audience had any questions regarding the develop- ment that he would be glad to answer them. Chairman McCauley called on those representing Shell to answer questions by Commission members. Mr. Rice asked if any personal injury claims had been filed against Shell for pedestrian/vehicle accidents occurring at Shell locations in the metropolitan area. Mr. Jeff McCall of Shell Oil stated that no personal injury claims had been filed against the Shell Company since he began his job in the St. Louis Metropolitan area on March 1, 1987. Mr. Marsh asked how long Shell had been including food marts in their site redevelopments. Mr. Don Sissel I explained that Shell had included its first food mart at a St. Louis location in 1981; Shell had experimented with many designs and sizes of food marts in the interim and concluded that the 800 square foot size best served the public convenience. Mr. Marsh asked about the proposed operating hours for the station. Mr. Michenfelder stated that the gas pumping facilities would be open 24 hours; the food mart would be open between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. and that the car wash was available for use 24 hours a day. Mr. Washington asked about any complaints or problems with children or teenagers asking customers to pump gas in exchange for tips. Mr. McCall stated that during his inspections of Shell Oil sites in the metropolitan area he had never observed any unsupervised children or teenagers pumping gas. Ms. Kreishman reiterated Mr. Washington's question and stated that she had seen stories of such incidents reported in newspapers. Mr. McCall stated that this was not a practice Shell would condone. Mr. McCauley asked if restrooms would be provided on the site. Mr. Tupper stated that restrooms would be provided in the carwash building.