The proposed construction of the Schnucks grocery store on Kehrs Mill in Ballwin stirred up a lot of controversy in and around MHS when it was proposed last year. In March of 2009, a petition was taken up to rezone the land where the Schnucks would be built.

The residents of Ballwin who would be affected by this development were not quiet in their disapproval of the planned Schnucks store. A lawsuit was taken up in July 2009 against the City of Ballwin by the citizens of Ballwin regarding the rezoning of the area. The citizens were opposed to the construction of the grocery store, saying that the necessary rezoning was “arbitrary, capricious, unreasonable, null, and void.”

According to Schnucks, the planned store is still being built.

“The grounds have been cleared but construction timelines are not in place at this time,” said Lori Willis, director of communications for Schnuck markets.

Natalie Upchurch, sophomore, lives near the proposed development, and would be affected if the grocery store was built. Upchurch said she was against the store because of the general increase in traffic and the danger it could cause.

“It’s a bad idea because kids are going to get hit,” Upchurch said. “It will tempt kids to leave. It provides an opportunity to leave because it is right there on the corner, and kids are going to try to leave and eat lunch there.”

Willis said that safety is a top priority for Schnucks, and they have made plans to limit the impact on MHS and the surrounding neighborhoods.

“Our work crews are doing everything possible to limit the impact of construction.  For instance, work times will be limited in areas where traffic is impacted,” Willis said. “Our construction teams plan to install a southbound traffic lane which will make it possible for us to add a pedestrian activated crosswalk across Clarkson.  The pedestrian activated crosswalk is a significant safety feature and, it is only possible because we are adding the southbound Clarkson left turn lane.”

Not all aspects of the planned store are bad. Upchurch said she likes the convenience the Schnucks could provide.

“It would be convenient to be able to just go buy groceries,” Upchurch said.