In 1947, more than fifty years ago, the City of St. Louis adopted a land use plan. The City has been living with this outdated land use plan ever since.

Now, the City’s Planning and Urban Design Agency is proposing a new land use plan. A plan prepared by professional land use planners based upon continuing consultation with the City’s twenty-eight aldermen, who are closely connected with the aspirations and dreams of the people who live in each of the City’s neighborhoods and the businesses that make up our City’s economy.

Residential developers are knocking on our doors daily, as opportunities for suburban development within reasonable travel distances from the region’s core dry up.

Historic rehabilitation is becoming popular throughout the City, as those in the market for housing increasingly demand unique spaces and the feeling of community that only living in our historic City can provide.

Businesses and commercial developers contact city development officials frequently, seeking sites for modern facilities, offices and shopping centers as more people realize the advantages of locating in the City. With easy access to the region’s workforce and the variety and extensiveness of vehicular, rail, air and river transportation systems, St. Louis is connected to the region, the nation and beyond.

As developers and retailers wake up to the strong market for retail in City neighborhoods, increased demand exists for significant retail development sites. Developing new opportunities will provide neighborhood residents with places to purchase goods and services, while providing increased revenue for the City.

This new Strategic Land Use Plan is intended to improve the quality of life for those who live and work in St. Louis by encouraging appropriate types of development and preservation in clearly defined locations. Within this overall intent, this Plan has two main purposes.

• To provide direction for those who wish to make new investments in our City, and;

• To provide stability and opportunities for those who already live, work and build
their businesses here.

This Plan clearly identifies the established neighborhoods, historic districts and business areas the City is committed to maintaining and enhancing. Residents and business people who work and live in these areas will now be assured that as they invest, the essential character of these areas will not change.

Equally important, this Plan identifies areas where new directions are possible and encouraged. These directions will allow portions of the City to offer amenities and lifestyles that are now found only in the suburbs. The Plan also sets the stage for City initiatives to raise development standards throughout the region with new and innovative development approaches.

This Plan, like the City itself, is not a static object. Rather, it is intended to provide a foundation and a roadmap for positive change. It is expected the Plan itself will continue to evolve as historic preservation and new development initiatives evolve. This Plan is the beginning of a more thoughtful and cohesive approach to a bright future for the City of St. Louis.

Adopted by the City’s Planning Commission on January 5th, 2005, this straightforward Land Use Plan will become the basis for additional planning and development initiatives involving collaboration between elected officials, City departments, neighborhood residents and developers, to overlay more fine-grained visions of the broader framework presented by this Plan. These future initiatives are expected to include public improvement plans, detailed neighborhood level plans, and tailored rezonings.

The Planning Commission and the Planning and Urban Design Agency look forward to working with everyone to use this Plan in a way that advances the quality of life in the City of St. Louis and builds upon the spirit of adventure and accomplishment that has characterized our City throughout its’ history. With respect for our past and entrepreneurialism, self-confidence, energy, and teamwork, we can forge a bright and proud future for our City.