Chairman Target of Alleged Conflict of Interest

A resident of Ballwin said Lori Willis, chairman of the city’s Board of Adjustments, won’t be able to objectively serve if developers seek input about a controversial upcoming project by Willis’ own employer.

The complaint made by Ballwin resident Robert Klien at Monday’s Board of Aldermen meeting centered on Schnucks Market, the grocery chain with a new location slated for the northwest end of Ballwin.

The development already was the focus of a failed lawsuit against the city, which alleged residents’ property values near the proposed site at Clarkson and Kehrs Mill roads would decrease if the store is built.

Although the court ultimately sided with Schnucks and the City of Ballwin, and the development is moving forward, Klein said the board’s autonomy is threatened by Willis’ presence. The board deals with requests for variances and other issues regarding zoning.

If, in fact, Schnucks representatives make similar appeals to the board leading up to or following the store's construction, Willis would face a clear conflict, Klien said, because of her role as a company spokesperson.

 “I don’t think it’s fair to the citizens,” Klein told the board of aldermen.

Klein later told Mayor Tim Pogue that even if Schnucks has not yet dealt with the board of adjustments, it’s common for developers to encounter new issues as construction progresses.

Willis, a Ballwin resident who has volunteered on the board of adjustments for 17 years, said she never had any interactions with the board regarding Schnucks, nor has she worked on the development internally as an employee, she said.

“My position just requires that I serve as an information resource to the public,” Willis said. “I wouldn’t be the point-person for that (development).”

If in fact Schnucks did seek official or unofficial input from the board, however, Willis said she would temporarily step down in order to quell any potential bias.

“I would definitely recuse myself.”