City of Cottleville, MO, et al. Missouri Cases

Harmony Pointe, LLC, sought to construct a mixed-use project, receiving final plan and construction plan approval from the City of Cottleville. The City later issued a stop work order, claiming construction had not begun within one year, causing the final plan to expire under municipal code section 405.390(C). The City's Board of Adjustment upheld the order, but the trial court reversed, finding construction had begun. The appellate court affirmed the trial court's judgment, agreeing that the work performed by Harmony Pointe constituted "construction" under the municipal code, thus the final plan had not expired.