Restaurant License, Faith Christian Church Plans Approved at Sunset Hills Board of Aldermen Meeting

Tuesday night’s Board of Aldermen meeting in Sunset Hills kicked off to a positive start when the owner of Frankie & Johnny’s Italian Restaurant and Bar on 11686 Gravois Road came before the board to ask for a business and liquor license.

“We’ve been in business for 30 years down in the city (with Mama Campisi’s). My mom and dad have owned about 67 restaurants and I owned three when I was 22,” Frank Campisi said. “We began as partners so we come from a long line of knowing how to operate.”

The motions for both the business and liquor licenses were approved unanimously, and the restaurant hopes to be open Sept. 1.

Looking forward to Sept. 11, Gateway Fireworks was asked by Faith Church to assist them with hosting a remembrance and memorial celebration at their facility in Sunset Hills. The discussion between Gateway Fireworks representative Jon Whiter and the board included concerns on site location, dry summer weather and motorists’ distraction on Hwy. 30 (Gravois).

“I would approve contingent on the approval to use the lot next to Missouri American Water,” Claudia Svoboda, Alderman Ward IV, said.  “I think this all (the cited concerns) needs to be considered and necessary precautions need to be made.”

Morgan Fannin, youth pastor at Faith Church, gave more of a timeline for that evening, saying that the fireworks would begin at the very latest no later than 8:15 p.m. The earliest it would start is 7:45 p.m. after the church service.

“The show is only about 15 minutes long,” Fannin said. “We are very prompt about when we begin events—we just have to wait until it gets dark. We’ve been in contact with MoDOT regarding some of the traffic issues that we’ve had (previously). I love fireworks so I can see a big distraction to myself as a driver so we would definitely take the necessary precautions.”

The motion was unanimously approved contingent on approval for lease of the land and precautions being made.

The next item of business was a request from Mile 277 for an outdoor end-of-summer sand volleyball event on Aug. 20. Keith Rhodes, developer and owner for Mile 227, said that vendors and outdoor music would be included in the festivities. The Saturday, Oct. 22, “Mileapalooza” also was discussed.

“This would involve four, possibly five bands throughout the day. There will be two bands outside during the day and two bands inside during the evening,” Rhodes said. “This is about music lovers."

Both events were approved.

Two public hearings from Faith Church were on the agenda. The first was an amended conditional use permit submitted by Faith Church to operate a church, daycare, horse stables, coffee shop and a bookstore at the property on Gravois Road formerly known as Life Christian Center.

“It’s actually an early childhood development center. The buildings have plenty of classrooms to have as many students as we’d like, but it’s going to be a very small program in the beginning stages,” Fannin said.

The second plan submitted by the church was to make exterior renovations to the existing church building and to construct a covered walkway to connect the church to the school.

Brandon Harp, P.E., principal at Civil Engineering Design Consultants, presented the development plans. After a lengthy discussion and a tour request from Svoboda, the plans were non-unanimously approved.

“My (nay) vote is not a negative predisposition, I just want to hash out what’s going on,” Svoboda said. “I just want to know what’s there and be afforded that knowledge.”

Bill No. 10, an ordinance approving the STP-Urban Program Agreement for federal funds for the Kennerly Road Project by and between the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission and the City of Sunset Hills, was unanimously approved. According to Anne Lamitola, P.E., city engineer and director of public works, 80 percent of the total cost of the project will be funded federally.

Bill No. 11, an ordinance authorizing the Missouri American Water Company to install four fire hydrants in the City of Sunset Hills, was approved unanimously with no discussion. Bill No. 12, an ordinance establishing the annual rate of tax levy for the year of 2011 on all property within the City of Sunset Hills, was tabled.

A letter of agreement with Peckham, Guyton, Albers & Viets, Inc, to develop a request for proposals for the redevelopment of the property at 10300 Watson Road was approved, and Sept. 11, 2011 was proclaimed as “A Day of Remembrance for all those who served in the 361st Infantry Association World War II.”

Lastly, Municipal Judge Laird Hetlage was reappointed unanimously for another 2-year term with no discussion.

The next City of Sunset Hills Board of Aldermen meeting takes place at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 12.