Anyone interested in an old ambulance house?
The North Jefferson County Ambulance District is selling its old headquarters at 2820 Horrell Lane, just north of High Ridge Boulevard in High Ridge.
The 9,700-square-foot building is on a 2.47-acre lot, and the ambulance district recently listed the property for about $550,000.
To make the property more marketable, the district has asked the county to rezone part of the L-shaped lot.
The long part of the “L” fronts High Ridge Boulevard and is zoned commercial. The back part, which includes the building that faces Horrell Lane, is zoned residential.
The request asks the Jefferson County Council to rezone the entire lot commercial.
Jefferson County Planning and Zoning Commission members voted unanimously Aug. 27 to recommend approval of the rezoning.
The County Council, which has the authority to rezone property in unincorporated areas, likely will consider the matter at a meeting this month.
North Jefferson County Ambulance recently moved into a new, $4.5 million facility at 3131 Rock Creek Road in High Ridge, leaving the former headquarters behind.
Chief Jamie Guinn said the rezoning will make it easier to sell the property.
He said the ambulance house was built in 1999 to replace the original headquarters on the same spot that dated back to 1976.
Three neighbors complained to planning commissioners that having a commercial operation on the property could increase traffic through their residential neighborhood.
Ronnie Manees Jr. said he has lived on Alpine Court just west of the lot since before the current structure was built.
“Our road is narrow and can’t handle traffic,” he said. “When a trash truck comes down the street, you have to drive off into the grass to allow it to come through.”
Margaret Hewitt, who also lives on Alpine, said she walks her grandchild to nearby High Ridge Elementary School and is worried increased traffic would make that trek more dangerous.
Another Alpine resident, Stephen Voss, echoed her concerns. “Several kids play on the street all day long,” he said.
Guinn said anyone who buys the property probably would use it for a low-impact commercial business that would not generate much traffic. He also said any vehicles heading to the building most likely would choose Horrell Lane or Marie Drive, which is in the long part of the “L,” rather than the long way around on Alpine.
County planner Josh Jump said a new occupant would be required to put up screening, either a vinyl fence or trees and shrubbery, along portions of the lot that border residential zones.