The motion was seconded by Scott Wilson and unanimously approved by the members. REQUEST FOR SIGNAGE MODIFICATION – REGIONS BANK – 8321 MARYLAND AVENUE

4

Allison Higgins with PlastiLite (contractor) and David Coggins with CBRE were in attendance at the meeting.

Susan Istenes explained that the development plan for this property was approved by the Plan Commission/Architectural Review Board on March 6, 2017. The project consists of a freestanding bank (Regions Bank), a remote drive-through associated with the bank, a freestanding retail building and a surface parking lot. The 2,743-square-foot bank building is located at the southwest corner of the site and the 3,457-square-foot retail building is located at the southeast corner of the site. Regions Bank, owner of the property, is proposing a wall sign located on the western elevation of the bank building. The proposed sign is 8 square feet in area and displays the name of the bank, “Regions,” in white letters and the bank logo in green. The proposed sign face is acrylic and will be internally illuminated. The proposed sign location is approximately 20 feet above grade, bracket- mounted to an architectural tower feature extending above the roof of the one story building. The proposed sign does not meet the requirements of the Sign Ordinance, which states that wall signs should be located at or near the first floor ceiling level, and therefore requires approval of a sign modification. The applicant has also applied for a 39.9 square foot wall sign along the Maryland Avenue frontage and an 8 square foot wall sign located at the rear building entrance on the northern elevation. Both of these wall signs conform to the Sign Ordinance and therefore do not require review or approval from the Architectural Review Board. According to the Sign Ordinance, modifications should only be granted “due to unusual conditions, such as façades that are angled or curved to the front street or streets or land uses which involve substantial accessory uses both inside and outside of buildings and requiring identification or substantial open space or street frontage or a similar unusual condition. The Architectural Review Board shall have the authority to determine the appropriate location, size or number of signs, provided the intent of these regulations is met. The Architectural Review Board shall also have authority to allow signs for ground floor tenants to be located above the first floor ceiling height when such ground floor tenant space is obstructed from view by a transit shelter erected on a public right-of-way.” The purpose of the location restriction for signs is to orient signage toward the pedestrian/ground level environment and create a cohesive signage appearance throughout the City. The proposed location is facing the western street frontage; however, the sign is placed on the tower feature, which is set back from Crandon Drive in a way that the sign would only be visible to vehicle traffic heading east on Maryland Avenue. The building does not have any unusual conditions or façade angles that prohibit a sign from being located at the first floor ceiling height. Regions Bank is the only use to be located in the building and additional signage that does conform to the Sign Ordinance has been proposed. There is not a transit shelter located in the public right-of-way causing an obstructed view. Staff is of the opinion that there are not unusual conditions associated with the property to warrant deviation from the Sign Ordinance. For these reasons, staff is of the opinion that the proposed location of the wall sign is not appropriate in consideration of the characteristics of the building and surrounding context and therefore, staff does not support granting the requested sign modification.

Staff is of the opinion that there are not unusual conditions associated with the property to warrant deviation from the Sign Ordinance. For these reasons, staff is of the opinion that the proposed location of the wall sign is not appropriate in consideration of the characteristics of the building and surrounding context and therefore, staff does not support granting the requested sign modification.

5 Ms. Higgins stated that she’s discussed the requested sign with the project architect and that the project, which includes a half million dollars in streetscape, has been going on for quite a while. She stated that they are asking for this variance from the sign code so that the sign will be visible even after the street trees grow.

Chairman Lichtenfeld asked if the sign would be visible by motorists once the trees have grown.

Ms. Higgins indicated that they hope it will.

Chairman Lichtenfeld asked how high up the sign is from grade.

Ms. Higgins replied “22 feet”.

Chairman Lichtenfeld stated that a visual rendering/elevation drawing is needed. He noted that the lower parapet in front of the sign will block it and a motorist driving east won’t see it. He commented that there’s a lot of signage going on here and suggested re-thinking this sign.

Joanne Boulton suggested that the applicant withdraw this request and redesign the sign for the west side.

Mr. Coggins verbally withdrew the application.

ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW – SCULPTURE – 21 NORTH MERAMEC AVENUE

Marta Toczylowski with Twin Springs Investment, property owner, was in attendance at the meeting.

Susan Istenes explained that the property owner is proposing to place a statue adjacent to the building entrance along North Meramec Avenue. The proposed bronze statue called ‘The Constable,’ measures 5-feet 8-inches in height and weighs just under 1,000 pounds. The statue is mounted on a square 3-foot 3 3/8-inch base and will not be anchored into the sidewalk. The proposed location of the statue will encroach into the public right-of-way. The Public Works Department has reviewed the proposal and approves the location Because the proposed statue is located at a private office building and not associated with a public art development requirement, the statue was not sent to the Public Art Advisory Committee (PAAC). Director Istenes noted that staff is of the opinion that the location and design of the proposed statue will complement the building’s entrance and add a point of visual interest to the street wall and recommends approval as requested.

Chairman Lichtenfeld asked for confirmation that the statue won’t encroach into the clearance per ADA requirements.

Ms. Toczylowski stated that there is more than 5 feet of clearance.

The property owner has chosen to preserve the parking spaces in the on-site garage for apartment tenants and not to provide the restaurant with dedicated parking spaces. Public street parking is provided along North Central Avenue and

7 multiple public parking lots are located in close proximity to the site. The site is also located within walking distance of the Clayton MetroLink stop. It is staff’s opinion that existing parking provided in the area is sufficient to support demand of the restaurant. Staff is of the opinion that the proposed restaurant meets the requirements contained in the regulations governing conditional uses. The inclusion of a restaurant will add vitality to a corner that has been under construction for a year. The restaurant space is compatible in size to other restaurants and adequate public parking will be available along the street. The proposed hours of operation and method of deliveries are consistent with other restaurants in this area. Based on the information regarding the operation of the restaurant as provided by the applicant, staff is of the opinion that the proposed restaurant will be compatible with surrounding uses and recommends approval of the CUP and parking waiver to the Board of Aldermen with the condition that no outdoor music or speakers to amplify music or similar audio are permitted. Mr. Case informed the Board members of their concern about parking but that they found parking at the Shaw Park and the Bonhomme garages. He added that they believe their restaurant will be a great addition to the neighborhood. Joanne Boulton asked if they will have valet parking. Mr. Case replied “yes”. Scott Wilson commented that many of their patrons will have to seek structured parking. Chairman Lichtenfeld stated that during the daytime most of their patrons will be pedestrians. Rick Bliss, Clayton resident, asked about parking for carry out orders. Mr. Case indicated that they are not that far along in the process; however, because the developer is not providing them any spaces on-site, there will be street parking available. Mr. Case asked about the staff recommendation regarding outdoor speakers. Mr. Case was informed that this is a common stipulation especially for the restaurants in closer proximity to residential areas. Hearing no further questions or comments, Ron Reim made a motion to recommend approval of the Conditional Use Permit and parking waiver to the Board of Aldermen per staff recommendation. The motion was seconded by Scott Wilson and unanimously approved by the members. Chairman Lichtenfeld asked when they hope to open. Mr. Case replied “mid-2018”.

Mr. Case replied “mid-2018”.

8 PLAN COMMISSION – CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT – DAY CARE/UNIVERSITY USE – 7501 MARYLAND AVENUE, 7500-7520 WESTMORELAND AVENUE (FORMER MARYLAND SCHOOL) Bob Clark, CEO of Clayco and Lance Cage, HOK(architect), were in attendance at the meeting. Susan Istenes read a portion of staff’s report and explained that this is a request for a Conditional Use Permit to allow the operation of a daycare and a corporate education facility, Centene University. The property has a zoning designation of R-2 Single Family Dwelling District. Daycare facilities and colleges or universities are conditionally permitted uses in the R-2 Zoning District. The 2.8-acre site currently contains a vacant building, surface parking lot and greenspace. The applicant is proposing to renovate the site for use as a daycare and corporate education facility. At this time, the applicant has only applied for the Conditional Use Permit to allow the proposed uses. The site plan submitted with the Conditional Use Permit application is for reference purposes only. Any renovations to the exterior of the building and/or site will be subject to site plan review and architectural review at a later date. The application has been completed with the anticipated square footages for the use. Any expansion of the use after approval a Conditional Use Permit would require approval by the Board of Aldermen. The proposed total square footage of the building is 59,335 square feet. The proposed early childhood development center use will provide programs for infants through pre-kindergarten and have capacity for approximately 130 children plus staff. The early childhood center will occupy the first floor of the building or approximately 20,450 square feet and will operate from 6:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. The proposed corporate education use, Centene University, will provide education, leadership development and collaboration programs to Centene employees. Centene University will have a staff of 1 to 5 people on a daily basis with up to 20 additional staff members for special events. Typical hours of operation are proposed from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.; however, some training may begin at 7:30 a.m. with dinners from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Centene University will occupy approximately 36,750 square feet of the building. The remaining square footage of the building will be used for circulation, storage and mechanical. Parking for the building is provided in the surface parking lot with access from Jackson Avenue. The proposed surface lot provides 101 parking spaces. The subject property is located at the eastern end of a single-family block, in a transitional area between Downtown and a primarily single-family neighborhood. The adjacent uses include single-family homes to the west, east and north; and a school, parking lot and mixed-use parking structure to the south. Historically, the subject property has been used as a public school and private school. Since the building has been vacant, the northern portion of the site has been used by the public as open green space. The proposed early education center and Centene University will operate comparably to a private school in terms of hours of operation, site configuration and traffic generation. The proposed uses will serve as a buffer between the Downtown area to the south and the single-family residential neighborhood. It is staff’s opinion that the proposed use is compatible with the surrounding neighborhood. The proposed building is 59,335 square feet. While the building will be substantially larger than adjacent single-family homes, staff believes the proposed building is compatible in size, floor area and mass with buildings of similar uses. The applicant is not proposing additional structures on the property and staff believes the proposed square footage is reasonable in relation to the surrounding area. The R-2 Zoning District states that colleges and