St. Louis Housing Urban Development and Zoning Committee Meeting - February 10, 2026

The Housing Urban Development and Zoning Committee met on February 10, 2026, with Chair Clark Hubbard presiding. The meeting began with a roll call showing five members present, and the committee unanimously approved the minutes from February 3, 2026, by a 5-0 vote. The primary agenda items were Board Bill 147, renewing the Central West and South Special Business District (SBD), and Board Bill 128, creating the Kingsbury Place HOA's Capital Improvement Tornado Recovery Community Improvement District (CID). Both bills were passed with amendments and recommended for full city council approval.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: Minutes from Tuesday, February 3, 2026, were approved by a motion from Alderman Browning, seconded by Alderman McCone, with all five present members voting aye.

Discussion Items

Board Bill 147 – Central West and South SBD Renewal

• Sponsor: Alderman Browning. An amendment to move the renewal to the August ballot was introduced and adopted by a vote of 7-0.
• Presenters: Bill Keeling (resident and SBD board member) and Matt McBride (legal counsel). Mr. Keeling described the SBD's flat revenues and a $7,000 tax cap per property that creates disparate taxation and legal concerns. Removing the cap is projected to increase revenue by approximately $100,000 annually, with the possibility of rolling back the tax rate. Funds primarily support public safety (including the Central West End Neighborhood Security Initiative), homeless outreach (including those discharged from nearby hospitals), and beautification. The amendment also removes the 80% spending requirement for security, allowing greater flexibility for outreach and other projects.
• Committee Questions: Vice Chair Saye inquired about the most recent annual report, which is delayed but expected within two weeks. Further questions addressed the projected revenue increase and potential tax rate adjustments. Mr. Keeling noted his own building would see more than a doubling of the tax due to the cap removal.
• Outcome: After the amendment passed, the committee voted unanimously to pass Board Bill 147 as amended with a due pass recommendation.

Board Bill 128 – Kingsbury Place Tornado Recovery CID

• Sponsor: Alderwoman Clark Hubbard. The fiscal note amendment was adopted by voice vote.
• Presenters: Multiple residents of Kingsbury Place spoke: Bill Danius, Jamal Seward, Steve Stogel, Marin Fiord, and legal counsel Scott Riley. The tornado occurred on May 16, 2025 (270 days prior), causing severe damage to the private street's trees (175 lost), infrastructure, and homes. 49 of 61 households (roughly 80-85%) support the CID, with three not voting. The residents are not asking for city funds; instead, they will self-assess through liens on their properties. The project is structured in three tiers: Tier 1 ($2 million) replaces water and sewer lines originally built in 1902/1906; Tier 2 addresses deferred maintenance (road, curbs, sidewalks); Tier 3 restores tornado damage (gas lamps, trees, etc.). Total project cost not to exceed $6 million, financed through a local bank ($4 million) and an SBA disaster loan ($2 million). Construction could begin as early as March 2026 and be completed within 18 months.
• Committee Questions: Alderman Aldridge asked why the scope focused on infrastructure rather than individual home repairs. Speakers explained that individual home repairs are being handled separately, and the CID focuses on shared infrastructure to ensure long-term resilience. Mr. Stogel noted that the street has water main breaks yearly and that the sewer is unlined brick from 1906. The committee members expressed strong support for the residents' self-help approach and the potential for this CID to serve as a model for other tornado-affected areas.
• Public Comments & Testimony: No additional oral public comments were made, but one written testimony in opposition to Board Bill 128 was received (content not specified).
• Outcome: The committee voted unanimously to pass Board Bill 128 out of committee with a due pass recommendation, moved by Alderwoman Clark Hubbard and seconded by Alderwoman Keys.

Announcements

• Chair Clark Hubbard announced that Mayor Spencer's STR Recovery office (STL Recovers) has extended the deadline for the personal property assistance program to February 28, 2026. Residents are encouraged to apply even if unsure of their needs.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes approved (5-0).
• Board Bill 147 (SBD renewal) passed with amendment, due pass recommendation (unanimous).
• Board Bill 128 (Kingsbury Place CID) passed with amendment, due pass recommendation (unanimous).
• The committee adjourned by motion of Alderman Aldridge, seconded by Alderman Browning, with all members voting aye.