Traffic, Location Could Impede Platinum Motors Expansion

Platinum Motors has plans to expand its services and operations to a location on Lindbergh in Florissant, but residents and Florissant City Councilors have their concerns.

During a public hearing Monday night for the motor company, councilors and residents of the area sounded off about the problems with a possible car sales and leasing dealership at 605 Loyola Dr.

Ward 3 Councilman Joe Eagan, whose ward it would sit in, said that he was concerned about the location, traffic and the number of residents who said they don’t want to the business there.

Petitioner Matthew Lopane, who’s a co-owner of Platinum Motors, said that the location would serve as a satellite office and open the door to leasing for the business. In addition, he said it would cause minimal traffic, and the business would remain respectful to residents nearby.

The dealership currently runs an operation at 2783 Dunn Rd. in North County, and the satellite office would serve as a complement.

“I don’t think you have room to safely operate the business,” Eagan said to Lopane.

Eagan said while visiting the location earlier in the day, he almost had an accident in leaving, and he also noted there’s no entrance to the dealership from Lindbergh.

He said he also received a number of letters from residents in his wards asking for the rejection of the proposal, which he read a couple during the hearing.

Ward 1 and Ward 2 Councilman Tim Lee and John Grib each agreed with Eagan’s assessment.

Lopane said the office would house five showroom vehicles on the lot, provide three customer parking spots and two employee parking spots, but Lee didn’t think there was enough space and didn’t think 605 Loyola should be a car lot or dealership.

Councilman Grib said that the location is meant for a low impact, low traffic situation, such as a chiropractor's office, which this site used to be. He suggested to Lopane that he raze the land and start over to get the dealership they want at that site.

All three councilors indicated they couldn’t see supporting the dealership, but one councilman differed.

Ward 8 Councilman Mark Schmidt said he could see the possibility of a dealership, but he had a problem with the bill’s language in regards to allowing for up to 20 cars. He said he would not support the dealership with that wording left in the bill.

The Council did the first reading on the bill Monday night, and they will take its vote during its July 8 meeting.