Controversy Surrounding Wash-U Development in Clayton Sparks Debate

Clayton, Missouri – Tensions are running high in Clayton as residents living near Concordia Seminary continue to push back against a proposed development by Washington University. The contentious plan to construct baseball and softball fields near residential homes has sparked heated debate within the community.

Land Use Agreement Raises Concerns

Last week, Clayton’s board of aldermen revisited the proposal, prompting neighbors to once again voice their apprehensions. The crux of the issue lies in an 80-year land use agreement that would allow the university to repurpose the seminary’s student housing area for athletic facilities.

Mayor Michelle Harris empathizes with the residents’ worries and is actively seeking a middle ground. She acknowledges the inevitability of the project but aims to establish regulatory measures to temper its impact on the neighborhood.

“They are going to try to squeeze every inch out of that property,” Mayor Harris stated. “We want to reign that in legislatively, which is a very strong way to do it.”

Overlay District vs. Conditional Use Permit

Central to the discord is the city’s proposal to establish an overlay district for the disputed land, diverging from the conventional route of approving the project through a conditional use permit. While some residents fear that this approach diminishes the city’s authority over the development, Mayor Harris contends the contrary, expressing optimism that Wash-U will construct a facility harmonious with the area’s character.

Nonetheless, residents like Branko Marusic, a longtime Tuscany Park resident, remain apprehensive. Marusic asserts that the city should withhold approval until the university’s definitive plans for the land are disclosed.

“We love Clayton. We love Wash-U. But it is a residential neighborhood, and we need to keep it that way,” Marusic emphasized.

Hopes for Compromise

Amidst the conflicting viewpoints, Mayor Harris remains hopeful for a collaborative resolution that integrates the benefits of both the overlay district and conditional use permit processes.

“To come to some compromise, to come together, to get the best of both worlds,” Mayor Harris emphasized.

The city’s board of aldermen is scheduled to convene on Tuesday, December 10, to deliberate further on the proposed development and potentially conduct a vote. For those interested in reviewing last week’s meeting, a recording is available at this link.