Principia Development Plans in Town and Country stir up controversy!

“Town and Country Residents fear the development may include big box retail, office buildings and acres of parking…”

Kirkwood MO doesn’t hold the monopoly on resident protests over new developments in Saint Louis MO. One can’t miss the white signs during a drive down Clayton Road near Principia school. Town and Country residents want to know one key thing – what does Principia plan for the large vacant parcel of land directly behind the school campus?

Fueling controversy are rumors which say it will be everything from large commercial development with big box retail to office towers to parking. Bottom line is residents of Town and Country fear it will be invasive and product excess traffic for the area.

According to an article in Central Newsmagazine this week, Principia has no plans for any of these uses and hasn’t finalized plans. Principia’s CEO, Stuart Jenkins said his vision is for the 175 acres…

“We want something in a village concept where people can live, work and play,” Jenkins said. “It would be something that enhances the neighborhood and the values of Town and Country.”

Principia School is located at 13201 Clayton Road and is, according to the school’s website, an independent private school for Christian Scientists.

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Town and Country residents value green space and the rural feeling of the area. The still unreleased plan for the site is drawing criticism from area residents.  Residential zoning for Town and Country requires an minimum of an acre for all home.

The main focus of the debate and contention is a change in zoning for the site. In order for the site to be developed, it would have to be changed from the current major educational campus zoning.

Town and Country, with a population of 10,894, has a median household income of almost $140,000 and a median home value of $463,000, making it one of the wealthiest communities in the county.