Housing Urban Development and Zoning Committee Meeting - October 21, 2025

The Housing Urban Development and Zoning Committee convened on October 21, 2025, to review and vote on key agreements concerning the revitalization of a downtown lot, a boundary adjustment in Benton Park, and the expansion of clean energy financing options. The committee approved the minutes from the previous meeting, discussed amendments to Board Bill 82, and successfully passed three major legislative items: Board Bill 82 (a land sale agreement), Board Bill 63 (a boundary adjustment), and Board Bill 80 (enabling participation in the Missouri Clean Energy District).

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes from the Tuesday, October 7th, 2025 meeting with six aye votes.

Public Comments & Testimony

• John Berglund (Property Owner/Developer): Stated that the former Post Dispatch building owner has invested $75 million in the adjacent property and expressed a desire to improve the fenced-off INECO Plaza. His position for converting the lot to a parking surface was driven by tenant demand for parking; however, he expressed full commitment to complying with stormwater runoff ordinances, maintaining existing mature trees along Tucker, and softening the landscaping to address urban heat island concerns.
• Marty McCabe (Bank of Springfield): Represented the lending perspective and expressed strong support for Board Bill 80, arguing that the current single-administrator structure for CPACE financing creates friction and discourages participation. He stated that allowing multiple qualified administrators through the Missouri Clean Energy District (MCED) would strengthen the market, increase competition, lower costs, and provide property owners with greater choice without sacrificing standards.

Discussion Items

• Board Bill 82 (INECO Plaza Sale):

  • Alderman Browning expressed disappointment regarding the conversion of a vacant lot into a surface parking lot, citing concerns over the loss of permeable space. However, she stated she is leaning towards supporting the measure due to the lack of available land and the need to meet parking ratios for the Post building, provided the developer mitigates stormwater impacts.
  • Alderman Sweitzer expressed concern that the parcel might be legally considered "held out" as a public park, which could trigger a charter requirement for a public vote. She requested a legal opinion to confirm no public vote is needed before the bill is perfected. The committee accepted this request, and the motion to move the bill forward was made contingent on receiving said legal opinion.
  • Alderman Aldridge stated that while he is "not the biggest fan of a surface parking lot," he supported the bill, emphasizing that the area has been neglected, fenced off for years, and that the new use aligns with the influx of workers into the adjacent Post building.
  • Legal counsel confirmed that the land was never legally designated as a park by ordinance, though Alderman Browning noted the charter language regarding land "held out" for park use requires further legal clarification.

• Board Bill 63 (McNair Street Boundary Adjustment):

  • Discussing a 40x10 foot strip in Benton Park, the presenter clarified that the land has functioned as a walkway access point for a residential unit but was misaligned with the property line.
  • Alderman Sweitzer expressed appreciation for the work involved in such seemingly simple boundary adjustments, noting the complex history behind them.
  • Committee members expressed unified support for the amicable agreement between property owners to correct the boundary and ensure continued walkway access.

• Board Bill 80 (Missouri Clean Energy District):

  • Alderman Aldridge advocated for the bill as a fair mechanism to expand access to capital for energy efficiency improvements, stating that every other major CPACE market operates with multiple administrators to drive competition and better results.
  • Alderman Browning expressed support for the measure, characterizing it as an authorization of a new pathway that does not remove existing programs but expands options for developers and residents.
  • Discussion confirmed that the program involves no taxpayer dollars, is voluntary, and aims to address energy inequity in the city.

Key Outcomes

• Board Bill 82 (Amended): Passed with six aye votes. The bill authorizes the sale of the remaining portion of the INECO Plaza to the property owner group. The committee agreed to request a legal opinion regarding the "held out as park" charter language before final perfection.
• Board Bill 63: Passed with five aye votes. The bill establishes a boundary adjustment on the 2800 block of McNair to correct a property line error and secure walkway access for a residential unit.
• Board Bill 80: Passed with six aye votes. The bill repeals the existing ordinance and enacts a new one to allow the City of St. Louis to join the Missouri Clean Energy District, enabling property owners to choose between multiple authorized CPACE administrators.
• Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned after excusing Alderman Cone for necessary absence.