Old Jamestown Association
P.O. Box 2223
Florissant, MO 63032
ph: 314-831-5570
prautes
The St. Louis County Council has established the Karst Preservation Zoning District, which is entirely within the Old Jamestown area. The legislation recognizes the Florissant Karst as an environmentally unique area in north St. Louis County and preserves the natural drainage system of the sinkholes for future generations. A preservation proposal by the Association was submitted to the County in April 2008.
Documents related to the Association's proposal for recognition of the Florissant Karst Area:
KARST PRESERVATION ZONING DISTRICT ORDINANCE ENACTED
The St. Louis County Council enacted final legislation on December 29, 2009 to establish the Karst Preservation Zoning District (KP) in the Old Jamestown Area of unincorporated North St. Louis County. The newly created Zoning District recognizes the environmental uniqueness of the 4.2 square mile area of karst geology known for many years by geologists as the“Florissant Karst”. Its significant characteristic is the intensely spaced, deep, steep sided sinkholes into which all the surface runoff water drains. The water draining into sinkholes can travel rapidly through open cracks and crevices and quickly contaminate the underground water supply over a very large area. Sinkholes can sometimes be unstable as a result of soil erosion and subsidence of the underlying geological formations.
General provisions of the new Zoning District include:
· Increased construction setbacks from sinkholes.
· Permitted Uses remain the same as present Non-Urban Uses.
· Essentially all Conditional Uses remain the same as Non-Urban.
· Geotechnincal report required for most projects.
· Alteration of the natural drainage system not permitted.
· Discharge of developed storm water into sinkholes not permitted.
· Three acre minimum lot size required for single family structures.
COUNTY RECEIVES AWARD FOR CREATION OF NEW ZONING DISTRICT
On March 29 the St. Louis County Planning Department won an Outstanding Achievement in Planning award by the American Planning Association-Metro St. Louis for the new Karst Preservation Zoning District. The zoning district was developed to protect the landscape in a four square mile area in the Old Jamestown community in North St. Louis County that is recognized as being one of the finest examples of deep funnel shaped sinkholes in the central United States.
The purpose of the new district is to preserve this natural karst/sinkhole area while continuing low intensity development within the constraints of the geology. New setbacks from sinkholes were established and geotechnical reports are required prior to future development being authorized.
Copyright 2010 Old Jamestown Association. All rights reserved.
P.O. Box 2223
Florissant, MO 63032
ph: 314-831-5570
prautes