Frontenac Approves Changes to Residential Fence Ordinance

The long journey to open the doors has finally reached decision time for the Ready to be called Old Blue Eyes, the new restaurant at the old Coco’s location in Old Frontenac Square at 731 S. Lindbergh Blvd. finally got the blessing of the city’s board of aldermen.

After months of wrangling over occupancy issues and plenty of push back by neighbors on Cable Avenue in West Park, the board voted 6-0 to give the grill a provisional liquor license, extending only to February 1, 2012. The caveat is that Frontenac Grill owners must construct a permanent fence around the dumpster, shielding sights and smells from nearby neighbors.

The name itself came into play after questions of intellectual property rights from the late Frank Sinatra family were part of the conversation.

Mike Faille, proprietor of Talanya’s, owns the restaurant, which features a large bar and extensive Italian menu. Old Blue Eyes planned grand opening date is Saturday. Andrew Laidle, formerly of Annie Gunn’s in Chesterfield will serve as general manager and chef. The staff is all trained and ready to go.

At the same time, Frontenac is losing some of its openness with the approval of a new fence ordinance, allowing fences to be up to 6 feet tall. There are many provisions to slow the growth of closing some of the openess in the community. For example, all fences must be black metallic in a wrought iron style in steel or aluminum finishes. Stockade fences for new homes and replacements are now banned by voice vote of the board of aldermen, passing by a vote of 5-1.

“We are approving this with an abundance of caution,” Ward 3 Alderman John Levis said.

After a lengthy discussion by homeowners, the unofficial tally was 6-5 favoring the new ordinance. About 40 concerned residents attended the meeting.

Several of the speakers said losing stockade fences would be a hardship for those who live on busy through streets and seek additional privacy. Mayor Keith Krieg tried to call for a 12th hour compromise, only to be soundly defeated by a vote of the aldermen.

Homes are still required to maintain 70 percent open area, and fences may not be constructed in side yards or the front of houses. All new fence construction must now comply with the new city code.

Meanwhile, City Administrator Bob Shelton said that Clayton Road, stretching from Town and Country for 10 miles to Plaza Frontenac, will be full of bike riders from 9 a.m. to about 9:45 a.m. Saturday. The destination for the riders will be Plaza Frontenac, staffed with activity booths including face painters, refreshments and the likes for the 100 or so who have already signed up. Late joiners should go to the Frontenac-Town and Country Chamber of Commerce website to register.