Loop Trolley Moves One Step Closer to Reality

The University City Plan Commission Wednesday approved a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) on behalf of the Loop Trolley Company. The approval of the permit moves the project forward to a vote by the City Council

Mayor Shelley Welsch, sitting in on the meeting for the absent Councilman Arthur Sharpe Jr., said the issue should be before the Council at its March 11 meeting.

The CUP allows for the installation and operation of the proposed Loop Trolley in the CC – Core Commercial District and PA – Public Activity District Address/Location: Delmar Boulevard right-of-way from approximately Sgt. Mike King Drive to the eastern City limits.

The CUP was recommended by U City staff with the following six requirements:

1. Requirements of the Department of Public Works

• Provide lighting maintenance agreement
• Provide trolley route maintenance agreement
• Provide parking mitigation plan approved by the Traffic Commission (nine spaces to date)
• Provide permanent easement for trolley (includes concrete, tracks and wiring) 
• Provide fund for removal of tracks in case of future failure
• Provide safety plan/SOPs/emergency operating procedures and training for City EMS
• Provide traffic signal synchronization agreement (to be done six months after the start of operation)
• Obtain University City right-of-way permit
• Obtain University City forestry activity permit

2. Permitted Uses

The use permitted by the CUP shall include a trolley and facilities related to the operation of the the trolley as shown on the site plan submitted.

3. Signage

Any signage proposed beyond signage required for the control and direction of traffic shall require a sign permit prior to installation. All such signage must comply with Article 8 of the Zoning Ordinance.

4. Hours of Operation

The hours of operation as proposed (11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday-Thursday with extended hours on Friday-Saturday) shall be allowed. Any changes to the hours of operation shall require written approval from the Department of Community Development.

5. Performance Standards

The operation of the trolley shall comply with the performance standards as set forth in the U City Zoning Code.

6. Other Requirements

All appropriate permits must be obtained prior to the start of any and all construction. 

University City Police Chief Charles Adams attended the meeting, saying he was on board with plans as they were submitted. He said questions about police vehicles being bottle-necked on Sgt. Mike King Drive at Delmar in case of an emergency situation had been answered.  

"I've talking to (Director of Public Works and Parks) Rich Wilson and I've been assured that won't be a problem," Adams said. "The main thing is our ability go east on Delmar. Minutes are valuable, seconds are valuable in an emergency."

Residents spoke about traffic concerns, especially on the section of Delmar from Sgt. Mike King to the lion's head gates in the historic civic plaza. A separate project of a roundabout in front of City Hall is proposed, but final plans have not been approved yet.

The CUP covers the University City portion of Delmar. The City of St. Louis must approve all permitting on for the portion of the route from the city limits to Forest Park.

For more on the Loop Trolley, see:

• Live: Loop Trolley Public Hearing
• U City Seeks More Information from Loop Trolley Co.
• Loop Trolley Company Director Steps Down
• Loop Trolley Loses $1 Million from History Museum
• University City Signs Letter of Support for Loop Trolley
• Loop Trolley Receives $25 Million Federal Grant