O’Fallon City Council Approves Plans For Elaine Road Project, Dog Daycare

O’Fallon City Council approved steps to move forward with the Elaine Road Improvement Project at Thursday’s meeting.

Director of Public Works Steve Bender said the project calls for improvements— including widening the road to three lanes from West Terra to the railroad tracks.

The project also includes the addition of enclosed storm sewers and a sidewalk along one side of the road.

The council voted unanimously to allow city staff to seek the acquisition of right-of-way easements from adjacent property owners.

Ward 3 Councilman Rick Battelle was absent from Thursday’s meeting.

Changes to City Fireworks Ordinance

The council also approved an ordinance Thursday that amends the city’s regulations for professional on the Fourth of July.

A city ordinance prohibits fireworks displays after after 10 p.m. on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. It also prohibits fireworks displays after 10:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. 

O’Fallon City Council President Pro-Tem Jeff Schwentker, of Ward 4, said the amendment approved on Thursday will allow for July 3 and 4 to be treated as a Friday or Saturday. This means no matter what day the holiday falls on, professional fireworks displays are allowed until 10:30 p.m.

The ordinance applies only to professional fireworks displays. The sale, use and possession of personal fireworks in the city limits of O'Fallon is illegal, according to city ordinance 215.690. 

Dog Daycare Coming to O’Fallon

City Council also voted 8-1 to approve a conditional use permit for a dog daycare center at 1082 Bryan Road.

Ward 1 Councilman Bill Gardner voted against the use permit. 

At the Feb. 9 City Council meeting, Susan Sadich spoke about her plan for the dog kennel during a public hearing.

She said she and her husband have owned the building at 1082 Bryan Road since 2007 and have been unable to sell or rent the property.

Sadich said her vision for the kennel is to house dogs during day, while people at work. She said she also plans to hire a groomer and trainer.

During citizen comments at Thursday’s meeting, two speakers raised concerns about the zoning and location of the dog day care.

A.C. Dienoff told the council that he is not opposed to the concept of the business— but is opposed to the location and possible negative impact it would have on the 130 adjoining properties.

He also expressed concerns with lack of parking spaces at the location and its proximity to .

Attorney Cherlyn Crosby spoke on behalf of residents near the property on Bryan Road. She said her main issue with the plan is the rezoning of the property from C-1 to C-2, adding that most businesses in that area are C-1.

“My major concern with this issue is the property value in the area,” she said.

She added that if the business plan for the daycare doesn’t work, then this will open floodgates to all businesses that are allowed in C-2 zoning to be able to come in and diminish the property value of the area.

At Thursday’s meeting, council voted 7-2 to approve rezoning of the dog daycare business from C-1 to C-2.

Ward 1 Councilmen Bill Gardner and Rick Lucas voted against the ordiance.

O'Fallon Director of Public Relations Tom Drabelle said C-2 zoning is a less restrictive version for zoning code for commercial property.

He said even though the dog daycare is not an overnight kennel, the best category for zoning the business is as a kennel. Kennels are not allowed in C-1 zoning, but are in C-2 with a conditional use permit.