FAQ | Frequently Asked Questions

A comprehensive plan serves as a strategic guide for the community, shaping decisions, both large and small, over the next ten years regarding future land use and the City’s physical development. It translates community values into specific actions, creating a blueprint for the future. Additionally, the comprehensive plan is closely integrated with other municipal documents and initiatives to ensure a cohesive approach to development, city services, and overall city decision-making.

The City has appointed an Advisory Committee to help guide the planning process. This committee includes the Planning and Zoning Commission and other community representatives.

The planning team is led by the i5Group, in collaboration with the Lochmueller Group, Community & Economic Development Solutions, and Saint Louis University Community Planning Lab.

The planning process began in Spring 2026 and is expected to take approximately 15 months, concluding in Summer 2027.

As a strategic guide, the planning process will remain flexible to address issues that emerge through community input and analysis of existing conditions. However, the plan is expected to place particular emphasis on future economic development strategies, especially in response to evolving regional and national trends in retail, office, and commercial development.

The City completed a feasibility study for the St. Luke’s Hospital site in late 2025. That study established a new, expanded vision for the former hospital campus, supporting a mix of land uses, with an emphasis on residential development across a range of densities and housing types. The findings of the hospital site feasibility study will be incorporated into this planning process.

Great question! Public involvement is a vital part of this process. There will be open houses for residents to attend, as well as an online community survey in Summer 2026. Additionally, the planning team will engage with various community stakeholders and organizations. Check back here to stay up to date.

The most important way you can help is by sharing your input and feedback throughout the process. You can also support the effort by spreading the word to family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors.

The Comprehensive Plan is a strategic policy document, not a zoning ordinance, subdivision regulation, budget, or other regulatory tool, but it serves as the foundation for these implementation measures. The plan establishes a long-term vision for the community’s growth and development, including the City’s future character. It also provides a framework for future actions, identifying key priorities and areas for more focused attention.

Visit the Documents page. This website will include updates on the process, schedule, and materials to download as they become available.

You can also contact City Planner, Kate Crimmins at 314-835-6128, kcrimmins@desperesmo.org