Busch’s plans for new greenhouse
Rotting wood, a sagging roof and windows that regularly need replacing have led John Pelzer, owner of Busch’s Florist & Greenhouse, 620 Madison, to seek a new greenhouse.
In the hopes of completing new construction prior to the Nov. 1 kick-off to the biggest season for the florist industry, Pelzer intended to return a demolition application Wednesday to the city.
At the Historic Preservation Commission meeting Tuesday night, Pelzer requested the commission release the project for demolition considering his time constraints.
The brick, original office building - which already was a floral shop before Hugo Busch moved to Jefferson City in 1890 - will remain.
“This is not a good situation for a retail operation or for our employees and customers,” Pelzer said. “We have an opportunity to replace it.”
A smaller, more utility-efficient pre-engineered design greenhouse will be built at the corner of Madison and Dunklin streets. That will allow for off-street parking - something Busch’s Florist currently does not have.
The commission agreed, but requested opportunity to review and comment on the new building plans when Pelzer receives them.
Carol Blaney and Cathy Bordner gave the commission an update on the mayor-appointed Neighborhood Task Force proposal, which should be heard by the Planning and Zoning Commission on Thursday.
The ordinance change would move the oversight of conservation districts from under the Historic Preservation Commission to the Planning and Zoning Commission.
By adding an overlay district option to and revamping other parts of the 1992 ordinance, the task force hopes the process is simpler and more enforceable.
The proposal would allow neighborhoods, even if they are not historic, to have a voice in the standards and expectations of their district’s properties.
Only one district has been formed under the current ordinance.
But many others are waiting for this ordinance to pass to pursue creating a district, Bordner said.
Blaney stressed that the Historic Preservation Commission should remain involved through advice and consent.
