During the April 13 Creve Coeur City Council meeting, officials presented a bill proposing to rezone a 4.42-acre parcel located at the intersection of Olive Boulevard and Graeser Road from General Commercial (GC) District to Planned Mixed-Use Development (PMD).
Cecilia Dvorak, representing Steadfast City Economic & Community Partners, outlined plans for the Graeser Station apartment complex, a four-story building with 147 units. She explained that the development aims to “reinforce Olive Boulevard as the corridor creating a walkable environment and a transition down respectfully toward the residential neighborhood to the south.”
The mixed-use complex will feature ground floor commercial space tailored for neighborhood needs, a covered pedestrian passage linking rear parking to Olive Boulevard, and a public plaza at the corner. Most parking is positioned behind the building, with additional parking available in front. According to Dvorak, the project includes a setback and 35-foot landscape buffer designed to “soften the transition to the neighborhood to the south.”
The project was initially presented in April 2025 and has been refined through several public meetings to address concerns from both current and prospective residents.
During the meeting, residents voiced concerns regarding the development and its potential traffic consequences.
“Traffic’s bad enough on Olive now,” resident Mark Huck stated. “It’s difficult enough for us to make a left hand turn out of our lane the way it is, and we’re certainly not looking forward to another 260 or so cars every day.”
Resident Albert Lee expressed concerns that the proposed development’s “intensity” would alter the community’s character.
“When you look at Clayton, I think everyone here is aware that it is very much a high-rise mecca for St. Louis County,” Lee noted. “It’s the county seat, and there is a lot of intensity in that area. The kind of development that is proposed here would fit very well in Clayton. The proposed development here is in a residential area. The people who live here do not want it.”
Linda Niedringhaus, a 40-year Graeser Road resident, questioned whether the data supports the need for additional housing in the area, particularly considering the Olia Village project currently under development in the city.
“Do we have a lot of people in Creve Coeur needing more housing like this?” she asked. “I don’t see any data presented that this is true.”
Bernard Feldman spoke in support of the apartment complex.
“I’m really concerned about what our neighborhood looks like economically and financially,” Feldman stated. “I think this property is consistent with other properties along Olive. There are two apartment complexes just to the east. I support this project and hope you will also.
“I think if you turn it down, a lot of investors and builders will be very hesitant to invest in our city, given this constant denial of a reasonable project that would enhance and really make our neighborhood a more attractive one.”
The proposal will be presented again at an upcoming council meeting.
