Clayton Residents Don't Want Bank Drive-Throughs Near Homes

Aldermen want the city's Plan Commission, in cooperation with city staff and developers, to explore alternate arrangements for development on Maryland Avenue. Fifth Third Bank and Green Street Real Estate Ventures are interested in building on two section

Clayton aldermen have returned to the city's Plan Commission a proposal that would amend zoning code to permit bank drive-throughs near homes in some neighborhoods. They also asked that City Manager Craig Owens and planning director Susan Istenes engage in further conversation with Fifth Third Bank and Green Street Real Estate Ventures, which want the opportunity to pitch developments for two sections of Maryland Avenue that would have included the drive-throughs. "I'm just wondering if it would be a good idea to send it back to the planning commission and let them flesh this out further and get some more public input," Ward 2 Alderman Cynthia Garnholz said. At issue is whether drive-through establishments for financial institutions should…

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Bank Drive-Throughs on Maryland? Clayton Aldermen Vote Tuesday

They will decide whether to amend the city's regulations to allow developers to propose bank drive-throughs in neighborhood commercial zoning districts.

Should developers be allowed to propose bank drive-throughs near some Clayton neighborhoods? That's the question members of the Clayton Board of Aldermen will weigh Tuesday night during a 7 p.m. meeting at The Center of Clayton. At a meeting last month, attorney Gary Feder argued Fifth Third Bank and another financial institution should at least have the opportunity to pitch their proposals for drive-throughs at two locations on western Maryland Avenue. But in order to do that, the city must add a line of text to its code for neighborhood commercial zoning districts permitting "drive through establishments for financial institutions," a memo from City Manager Craig Owens and planning director Susan Istenes states. Areas that have that type…

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Clayton Clashes with Developers Over Bank Drive-Throughs

Attorney Gary Feder said two proposed facilities on Maryland Avenue would not bring the noise and traffic found at a fast-food restaurant. His first priority: Get the city to add a line to its zoning code permitting the structures.

A proposal to bring two bank drive-throughs to a stretch of western Maryland Avenue in Clayton has city staff and an attorney for developers at odds. Fifth Third Bank wants to turn an empty surface parking lot at 8321 Maryland Ave. into a banking facility for customers that would complement its Clayton corporate office, said Husch Blackwell attorney Gary Feder, who is representing the developers. He spoke Tuesday during a public hearing before the Clayton Board of Aldermen. Meanwhile, Green Street Real Estate Ventures is pursuing a mixed-use development at 8455 Maryland Ave., where Mini of St. Louis is currently located. The Mini Cooper dealership is moving to Maplewood. The development would include four users, including a high-end …

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Five Star Burgers Gets Green Light in Clayton

The restaurant owned by former Harvest chef Steve Gontram will offer grass-fed burgers, shakes, salads, craft beers and more.

An operating permit for the new Five Star Burgers in Clayton has been approved. It happened Tuesday during a meeting of the city's Board of Aldermen. The restaurant, planned at 8125 and 8125A Maryland Ave., will be owned by Steve Gontram, former owner and chef at Harvest in Richmond Heights. A florist and photography studio previously operated there, according to a memo from City Manager Craig Owens and planning director Susan Istenes. (Get the daily Clayton-Richmond Heights Patch newsletter. It's free!) Gontram said Friday that he's hopeful the restaurant will open in early August. Menu offerings will include: "The Five Star Burger operation will feature all-natural, grass-fed, hormone-free burgers ground in-house and hand-formed," the …

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Clayton Burger Joint Planned by Former Harvest Owner

Steve Gontram will open the restaurant on Maryland Avenue, St. Louis Magazine's Relish blog reported.

The former owner of Richmond Heights' acclaimed Harvest restaurant will open Five Star Burgers St. Louis on Maryland Avenue in Clayton, St. Louis Magazine's Relish blog reported Thursday. Quoting from the Relish post: "Steve’s father, Bob Gontram, is currently developing Five Star Burgers in New Mexico, and the St. Louis location 'will be modeled after his,' said the younger Gontram, adding that St. Louis will see some 'personal touches to an already great concept.'" Read more about the hamburgers, expected price ranges, the way the site will look and more in the complete Relish post. More about Clayton and Richmond Heights burgers on Patch:

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Off the Beaten Patch

Clayton Studio Seeks $30,000 from Floyd Mayweather's Boxing Partner

Fitness studio Sweat/Pound 4 Pound claims in a court document that De Andre Latimore also owes thousands of dollars in late fees because he defaulted on a settlement agreement signed in 2010.

Clayton-based Sweat/Pound 4 Pound fitness studio is seeking $30,000 and thousands of dollars in late fees from boxer Deandre Latimore, court documents filed Sept. 26 in St. Louis County Circuit Court state. The suit stems from a settlement agreement executed in September 2010. A suit on promissory note document claims Latimore agreed to pay Sweat a total of $30,000 and to pay a $25-per-day fee from Sept. 20, 2010, in the event that he defaulted on the agreement. "Defendant has failed and refused to make any payments pursuant to the note despite Plaintiff's request for payment, and Defendant is now in default," the document states. Latimore worked as a sparring partner for Floyd Mayweather Jr., whose recent fourth-round knockout of Victor …

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Daily Dose

Daily Dose: County Council Updates, MRH Athletics

Here's a look at what's coming up next on Clayton-Richmond Heights Patch.

Here's your Daily Dose for Clayton and Richmond Heights on Wednesday: COMING WEDNESDAY PATCH FEATURE OF THE DAY 'LOU MEDIA MIX

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Clayton Auction to Fund Arts Education for Youth

The event will benefit arts programming for St. Louis City youth and happen at the former Barucci Gallery building in Clayton.

A Clayton building that has stood vacant for months will host a charitable silent auction this week in conjunction with the Saint Louis Art Fair. Exhibit A! will happen at 8101 Maryland Ave., formerly the home of Barucci Gallery. All proceeds from the event will go toward Center of Creative Arts (COCA) arts programs that benefit St. Louis City youth. Architecture firm Cannon Design is sponsoring the event, now in its fourth year. The company specializes in health-care practices but also works in such areas as higher education and sports and recreation. So far, the auctions have raised approximately $100,000 for charitable causes. It marks the first time it has been held outside of downtown St. Louis. The decision to come to Clayton made …

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Clayton Police Blotter: Maryland Avenue Burglary Reported

The Clayton Police Department reported the following incidents on its website.

The Clayton Police Department reported the following incidents on its website. Aug. 20 Also this week: Editor's note: Clayton-Richmond Heights Patch publishes blotter information for both Clayton and Richmond Heights. Richmond Heights provides blotter updates on its website, as does Clayton. The latest Richmond Heights police blotter published at noon Saturday. The Clayton Police Department directory listing may be viewed here. For questions about this blotter, email nate.birt@patch.com.

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House Prowl: Treetop View from Maryland Walk

Peek inside a $1.85 million condominium in Clayton and more living spaces for sale.

This week, we're visiting a house in the Moorlands along with condominiums on Southwood, North Meramec and Maryland avenues. The house this week is located at 7447 Somerset Ave. in Clayton. It’s a two-story Moorlands home listed by Steve Anstey of Janet McAfee for $540,000. It's vacant and ready to be move into. This all-brick house has four bedrooms and two and a half bathrooms. Its spacious living room features a fireplace and leads to an office with plenty of natural light. The kitchen has been updated with oak cabinets and a tile floor. In the back is a family room with easy access to the shady and private backyard. The second floor has three bedrooms with two bathrooms, while the third floor has a large fourth bedroom that could serve…

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