Longview Parking, Solar Panels Top Town and Country Board of Aldermen Agenda
A vote for a grant may move the Longview Farm Park parking project ahead to the next step, while solar panels are back on the board of aldermen agenda.
At Monday's Town and Country Board of Aldermen meeting, a vote could come that would move forward the Longview Park parking lot expansion project.
(Read Previous Story: Vote Delayed on Longview Farm Parking Expansion Grant)
That board is set to discuss and possibly vote on authorizing the Parks and Recreation Department to apply for a $4,000 planning grant to prepare engineering construction drawings for the Longview Farm Park parking lot expansion project.
Some Town and Country residents who oppose to the expansion project have addressed the board of aldermen with their concerns and created an online petition. As of early Monday morning, it had 102 online signatures.
They've said they'll take the the results of the online petition to St. Louis County and urge the County Municipal Parks Grant Commission not to give grant funds to the city of Town and Country to fund the additional parking.
Former Town and Country mayor Skip Mange heads up the Longview Farm Park Ad-Hoc Committee which recommended adding 15 additional parking spots to the park.
He tells Patch that after that grant, an ordinance would later need to be approved to then contract an engineer to prepare the plans. Mange said the engineering costs are estimated at approximately $20,000.
According to Mange, another grant application would then be submitted for the construction costs.
"That grant covers 100% of the construction costs and 50% of any landscaping that is included," Mange previously stated in an email. "When the project is completed the total of the two grants would be about 80% of the total costs, resulting in a cost to the city of around $20,000."
Aldermen will also once again address solar panels in the community. It's an issue that previously sparked a lot of debate among residents
Check Town and Country-Manchester Patch Tuesday for new developments from Monday night's meeting.
READ PREVIOUS STORIES:
Vote Delayed on Longview Farm Parking Expansion Grant
Residents Oppose Longview Parking Expansion With Online Petition
Plan to Expand Longview Parking Lot Revealed
Longview Farm Parking Study To Start in May
Residents Speak Out About Expansion of Longview Farm Parking Lot
Longview Farm Parking Options Revealed Thursday Night
Does Town and Country Want a Dog Park?
Chris Andrews
5:41 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012
I will be anxious to see this Longview Park improvement passed and settled tonite. I am sure that the rest of the 10,900 Town and Country residents who will try to park and use this great park will now find a suitable spot to park with the limited number of new spaces provided. The 102 who object by petition need to understand that this park was created with an historic farmhouse, meeting and banquet rooms, horse riding, trail and shelter use as well as picnic and playground areas and will need these additional spaces. This is our Forest Park. It is certainly not convenient for everyone to commute to this park by foot or by bicycle. In order for this major park in our community to be enjoyed by all of the residents, we need to be realistic in providing proper access. These few spaces will be a great improvement. I will be there to support future additional spaces if the trusted people in our Parks department and commission feel that will be beneficial.