CHESTERFIELD, Mo. – The city of Chesterfield gets a new trial in a lawsuit over left turns, months after a jury previously ordered the city to pay $2 million in damages.
Energy Marketing 709, a company behind the gas station seeking redevelopment, initially filed the lawsuit in 2017.
The lawsuit accuses the city of blocking efforts to redevelop a property because of its zoning policies. In particular, the city of Chesterfield approved an ordinance in 2014 that banned left turns to access points from Chesterfield Airport Road.
An attorney for Energy Marketing told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that the company had “longstanding plans for an expanded gas station-convenience store, car wash and retail building,” leading to a years-long legal battle.
In October, a St. Louis County jury awarded $2 million in damages over an “unconstitutional takings” claim, but no damages for an alleged due process violation.
According to court documents obtained by FOX 2, the city of Chesterfield filed a motion for a new trial last Friday, and Energy Marketing has also “moved to amend the judgment” from October. Chesterfield is appealing the $2 million verdict, while Energy Marketing is seeking nominal damages in addition to the verdict.
During the previous legal proceedings, Chesterfield argued the company was not stopped from developing the property because of one point of access. Leading up to the verdict, a court order in 2019 confirmed that St. Louis County had “the exclusive right control traffic movements and safeguard traffic safety,” per court documents.
A case management conference hearing is scheduled for this upcoming Friday. FOX 2 has reached out to the City of Chesterfield clerk’s office for comment on the lawsuit Tuesday, but we have yet to hear back.
