Stopping Oakville Housing Complex Doesn't Look Likely

St. Louis County Councilman Steve Stenger says he won't introduce legislation to change the zoning of a senior housing complex in Oakville without a supermajority of support from the council, according to the St. Louis Post Dispatch.

Five of the seven council members would have to vote to change National Church Residence's zoning—something the Planning and Zoning Commission has suggested against—in order to stop construction.

While no final action came of last night's St. Louis County Council meeting, Oakville residents were able to speak out against the senior housing complex they say doesn't fit their community.

National Church Residences is currently constructing the three-story building on Telegraph Road in Oakville next to a daycare school and a home for cloistered nuns. 

The council has not signaled that they will take any action, but construction on the complex will only stop of the council decides to change the building's zoning, something the Planning and Zoning Commission has advised against. A lawsuit from residents and neighbors also has the potential to stop the construction, although any halting of the already-approved process could open the county to lawsuits from the building's owners.

Want to know more? Find the news reports and videos from other St. Louis media outlets:

• Fox2Now - Oakville senior housing debate goes to county council
• KMOV - St. Louis County Council votes to continue construction of senior living center
• KSDK - Oakville housing complex fate now unclear
• Oakville Call - Senior apartment complex in Oakville back before council