MINUTES

CITY PLAN COMMISSION/ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD

SEPTEMBER 4, 2018

CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS

The City Plan Commission/Architectural Review Board of the City of Clayton, Missouri, met on the above date at 5:30 p.m. Upon roll call, the following responded:

Present: Steve Lichtenfeld, Chairman Richard Lintz, Aldermanic Representative Craig Owens, City Manager Ron Reim* William Liebermann* Carolyn Gaidis

*arrived after roll call was taken

Absent:

Brian Maguire

Also in Attendance: Stephanie Karr, Acting City Attorney Susan M. Istenes, AICP, Planning Director Anna Krane, Planner

Chairman Lichtenfeld asked that all cell phones be turned off and that conversations take place outside the meeting room.

MINUTES

The minutes of the regular meeting of August 20, 2018 were presented for approval. Carolyn Gaidis asked that the following correction be made to Page 5, third to last paragraph: “She asked if the wall will be hard pruned or…”. The minutes were then approved as amended, after having been previously distributed to the members.

Carolyn Gaidis asked that the following correction be made to Page 5, third to last paragraph: “She asked if the wall will be hard pruned or…”. The minutes were then approved as amended, after having been previously distributed to the members.

2 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW – SUNSHADE – 6501 WYDOWN BLVD (FIRST TRINITARIAN CONCREGATION PRESCHOOL)

Anne Chao, Preschool Director, was in attendance at the meeting.

Susan Istenes explained that the site is improved with a church building and a small playground for the daycare. The proposed project consists of the construction of a 550 square foot canopy structure adjacent to the playground at the southeast corner of the building and lot. The height of the proposed shade structure is approximately 12 feet as measured from grade to the top of the support posts. The proposed structure is located in the front yard of the church property, adjacent to the existing daycare play area. The shade structure will be visible from Wydown Boulevard and University Lane. The daycare play area has been located along Wydown Boulevard for many years with some renovations receiving approval from the Architectural Review Board in 2005. Staff believes that the shade structure is compatible with the play area, but the more modern design does stray from the classic architecture of the church. The support posts are proposed as powder coated steel and the shade canopy color is royal blue. The canopy color has been selected to match the preschool colors of blue and yellow. The applicant is proposing to remove the shade portion of the structure during winter months, leaving only the support posts in place throughout the year. There is also an existing row of bushes along both streets providing screening of the play area. Staff is of the opinion that a more muted canopy color would blend with the church building and not attract as much attention as the royal blue; however, staff also recognizes that the canopy is for a preschool and brighter colors are often preferred when associated with this type of use. Staff is of the opinion that the screening provided by onsite plantings and street trees would reduce the visual impact of the blue canopy. The proposed shade structure extends from the southeast corner of the church building. Covered porches and patios may extend into a front yard setback up to five feet. The proposed shade structure extends into both front yards (Wydown Boulevard and University Lane) further than allowed, so a setback variance granted by the Board of Adjustment will be needed in order to construct the structure as proposed. Director Istenes stated that staff’s opinion is that the design is compatible in terms of mass, height, and design with existing neighborhood character. The proposed project will require review by the Board of Adjustment for a setback variance, but otherwise the project is in conformance with the zoning requirements of the R-1 Large Lot Single Family Dwelling District, and staff recommends approval as requested.

Ms. Chao indicated that the preschool has been in operation since 1983 and many trees have been lost over the last 20 years. She stated that this is the only location for the playground and the children need shade. She informed the members that they have been raising money for the past 2 years for this shade structure and that they would like to use Shade Guard as the contractor.

Chairman Lichtenfeld asked if the shade structure will be removed in the winter.

Ms. Chao replied “yes”, adding that they plan to remove it annually by the end of October and have it cleaned before storing it until the following March when they reinstall it.

Over the years renovations to various houses have included adding screens or glass to the front porches, painting brick and constructing rear additions; however, the character along the street has remained stable. The proposed rear addition and deck will not change the style of the

4 existing front elevation, but the addition could be visible from the north along Shaw Park Drive or South Bemiston Avenue. The existing attached garage is partially below grade. The proposed addition is located above the garage and will align with the first floor of the house. The shape of the addition and roof pitch is consistent with the style of the existing house. The attached garage extends beyond the rear and side yard setbacks of the property and is considered existing non- conforming. In order to construct the proposed addition, the applicant will need to obtain a setback variance from the Board of Adjustment. The Architectural Review Board is providing review of the design and materials of the addition and deck, not evaluating the setbacks of the project. This block of Polo Drive is predominantly dark red brick with painted wood trim and stucco accent materials. The proposed addition will leave the existing stucco and brick façade of the garage in tact with brown composite siding proposed on the new structure. The west façade of the addition will be visible from the sidewalk. While siding is used on homes in the larger Polo neighborhood, staff believes dark red brick is more consistent with the distinct character of the houses on the block. Brown casement windows are proposed to match the existing. Slate grey/green architectural shingles are proposed for the roof of the addition. The existing house has a green clay tile roof. From afar, the addition roof may appear similar to the existing roof, but it will be difficult to match the green tile with shingles. The proposed design and materials of the composite wood deck are consistent with rear yard decks in the area. The existing metal fence will remain. The applicant will relocate the HVAC units from the rear of the house and the new location has not been determined. The new location will need to be screened from the public right-of-way and adjacent properties. The new location and screening will be evaluated during review of the Building Permit. Director Istenes concluded that the project as proposed is in conformance with the requirements of the R-2 Single Family Dwelling District, except for setbacks. Staff is of the opinion that with slight modification, the design will be compatible in terms of mass, height, and design with neighborhood character and therefore, staff recommends approval with the following condition:

Staff also has the following corrections for the site plan submitted by the applicant: