St. Clement's Church Expansion Causes Parking Woes For Neighbors

April 27, 2001

Construction at St. Clement's Church, 1510 Bopp Road, is causing parking problems on neighboring streets in Bayberry Subdivision.

Jennifer Janson, subdivision trustee, told the Des Peres Board of Aldermen on Monday that some residents along Kendon Drive had asked her to bring their concerns to the board.

"There is a walkway between the neighborhood and the parish. Many people are parking along Kendon and using the sidewalk to go to church. Also, during the week, parents are picking up and dropping off their children," Janson said.

Janson suggested that maybe the city could just allow parking on one side of the street.

"I would just like a solution that works," she said.

Des Peres Public Safety Director Bill Bridges said his department had gotten other complaints about the parking situation.

Denis Knock, director of public works, said the new addition and auditorium which the church was building, would take another year-and-a half to complete.

"With the construction, this is a quick way to drop off and pick up the kids, and leave the church on Sunday. We'll be looking into this and will make a report to the board," Knock said.

Janson also asked the board about the possibility of putting a sidewalk in an easement area between the subdivision and Harwood Hills.

Janson, who said she had just lived in the subdivision for two years and had no background on the former sidewalk request, said residents who would like the city to put a sidewalk on the easement had approached her.

"Now, they're afraid to use the easement. The gentleman who lives next to that property has hung a 'No trespassing' sign at the end of the street and has planted some bushes, and this really is an easement," Janson said.

Knock said the property in question was an old "paper street."

"One time we had approved the sidewalk, but the property owner who abuts that property said he didn't want it. No one else showed up at the meeting to speak in favor of the sidewalk, so we let it go," Knock said.

Knock said the city would take another look at the files.

"It may be that we'll have some more meetings on this matter if other residents want the sidewalk," he said.

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St. Clement's Church Expansion Causes Parking Woes For Neighbors