It’s official — The city of Crestwood has a new fire chief.

The Crestwood Board of Aldermen unanimously approved a resolution at its Jan. 24 meeting to name Leo Meyer fire chief of the Crestwood Fire Department. He will take over the position from former Chief Lou Hecht, who retired. Hecht’s last month with Crestwood was December.

Meyer is the former assistant chief of the Kirkwood Fire Department before he left that department in 2018. He has been a member of the Crestwood Fire Department since January 2019 and was assistant chief prior to becoming chief. He has more than 25 years of working in fire services.

“Congratulations, you’ve done an outstanding job as our assistant chief and our fire marshall and I have every confidence you’re going to take our already illustrious department to new heights,” Mayor Grant Mabie said after Meyer took his oath of office.

Zoning set for recreational marijuana facilities

In addition to naming Meyer as fire chief, the board held a public hearing on amending the city code for recreational marijuana facilities.

In November, voters statewide approved Amendment 3 to the state constitution, which allows for adult-use marijuana. Recreational sales can begin Feb. 6 and Crestwood will be asking residents to approve a 3% tax on recreational sales in the April 4 election.

The proposed amendments, as recommended by the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission, would allow recreational marijuana dispensary facilities as a conditional use in the C-1 and PD-C commercial districts, which mirrors zoning for medicinal marijuana facilities. Cultivation, manufacturing, testing and wholesale facilities would be permitted in the M-1 and PD-M industrial districts with a CUP.

CUPs could not be transferred to new owners without the approval of the Board of Aldermen. Facilities can not be within 500 feet of existing schools, day care centers or churches.

“We’re just updating our code to get into compliance,” City Administrator Kris Simpson said.

No members of the public or aldermen spoke on the changes, which were approved unanimously.

Crestwood has one dispensary in city limits, Proper Cannabis at 9933 Watson Road.

Feb. 14 meeting moved to Feb. 15

During general discussion, the board came to an agreement to hold its first February meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 15 instead of Tuesday, Feb. 14 in light of Valentine’s Day.

Crestwood aldermen typically meeting the first and fourth Tuesday of every month. The board was unanimously in agreement to move the meeting.

“While there are few settings more romantic than this room during a Crestwood Board of Aldermen meeting, the thought was we should allow the staff and the public and the elected officials to enjoy time elsewhere,” Mabie said.

The board will meet Feb. 15 at 7 p.m. at city hall, 1 Detjen Drive.