APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The minutes of the regular meeting of May 20, 2019 were not presented for approval and will be presented for approval at the next meeting of June 17, 2019. Vice Chairman Ron Reim notes that the public hearings will be moved to the end of the Agenda, after New Business.

2 OLD BUSINESS

8021 VENETIAN DRIVE – ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD – ALTERATION/EXTERIOR RENOVATION

Director Susan M. Istenes summarizes the following staff report: “THIS ITEM WAS CONTINUED FROM THE MAY 20, 2019 MEETING SO THE APPLICANT COULD BRING IN SAMPLES OF THE FENCE MATERIAL FOR THE BOARD’S CONSIDERATION.

The subject property is located on the north side of Venetian Drive between South Brentwood Boulevard and South Meramec Avenue. The proposed project consists of the construction of a six foot tall vinyl fence along the rear property line. The Brazilian Blend color fence is proposed.

Vinyl is also not a preferred material per the Architectural Review Board Guidelines. Vinyl as a building material requires full Architectural Review Board approval, regardless of the amount proposed. Staff believes a metal or wood fence would be more compatible with the neighborhood character.

The proposed vinyl fence is located in the rear yard and therefore, not directly visible from the street. There are a few existing vinyl fences in the Davis Place Neighborhood that have been constructed without proper approvals. The Architectural Review Board has previously ruled to not approve new vinyl fences on other properties in the neighborhood to be consistent with the majority of neighborhood fences constructed of wood.

STAFF RECOMMENDATION APPROVE A FENCE CONSTRUCTED OF WOOD.”

SANDEEP SHARMA - HOMEOWNER

SS – We don’t have a privacy fence and we can see our neighbors at night and they can see us. We decided to put in a fence and looked at the neighborhood and wanted to do something similar and durable and less maintenance. It will be in the backyard. Our neighbors have vinyl fences. This vinyl fence has a life time warranty. We are proposing a color that will look good with my brick home. My neighbor who presented for me last time is ok with it. Alex Burger presented for me so he agrees with my fence and he is who will be looking at it. As a resident of Clayton, I see my neighbors fence rotting away. Maybe this is the right time to look forward to have more fence material options. Last time I showed photos of wood and vinyl fences and how they are different and how one is rotting and looks bad. I will request you guys look to the future and lets make the right decision to approve my fence.

VICE CHAIRMAN RON REIM – Well we asked you bring in a sample and you did so do the members want to go touch it, feel it, see it?

RICHARD LINTZ – What is the material exactly?

SS – It is Chesterfield vinyl.

RICHARD LINTZ – So it is no the molded on on here?

VICE CHAIRMAN RON REIM – It is vinyl.

RICHARD LINTZ – If you did the molded it is a composite material that we do approve, I think.

VICE CHAIRMAN RON REIM – It is vinyl. RICHARD LINTZ – If you did the molded it is a composite material that we do approve, I think.

3 BRIAN MAGUIRE – Composite is just plastic with sawdust. It’s plastic.

VICE CHAIRMAN RON REIM – Is there a texture on the material?

CAROLYN GAIDIS – On the plan it says 65 feet and on this it says 68 feet. *turns off mic – rest is not audible*

VICE CHAIRMAN RON REIM – This material is a huge improvement from the previous materials of white, grey, black. The exterior is fused with the plastic which makes the structure of it which I would think would prevent it from delaminating.

BRIAN MAGUIRE – I’ve never been a fan of vinyl, composite, whatever we use as a name for plastic, I think the ordinance is important to keep the aesthetic of Clayton and I’m with staff there is other materials to make a fence out of.

WILLIAM LIEBERMANN – We made an exception for height of fences behind commercial buildings, are some of those vinyl material? When was this ordinance against vinyl put into place?

SUSAN ISTENES – Yes, all of that had to come before the ARB for approval and were before my time. This ordinance was put in place before my time also, longer than 9 years.

CAROLYN GAIDIS – When we look at the fences side by side, I’m inclined to vote for the wood fence. Vinyl is not an approved material and the ones we have approved have had special circumstances. One had sever erosion due to water runoff and replacing the posts as often as she was, was not in line with our goals of sustainability. I don’t know how much your neighbors will be looking at this one, but wood is always my choice.

SS – There is a house on Central that has this fence around their entire yard. There are a ton of homes that have vinyl fence. There are restaurants on Maryland and then the family center in Clayton that has vinyl fences.

WILLIAM LIEBERMANN – North of the family center is U-City, so that doesn’t concern us. Are the ones behind the commercial also taller?

SS – Yes they are white vinyl and taller.

WILLIAM LIEBERMANN – That was probably approved under special circumstances.

SS – It’s my backyard, no one sees it from the street. My next-door neighbor presented for me last time so he’s ok with it.

VICE CHAIRMAN RON REIM – My neighbors have wooden fences, and one is continuously replacing their fence. They have children that play soccer and lacrosse, but they also have posts rotting out at the bottom. So I do think this has the potential to last longer?

RICHARD LINTZ – Aren’t all the wood fences treated which causes problems for sustainability also?

WILLIAM LIEBERMANN – Depends on the type of wood.

RICHARD LINTZ – I’m leaning with you Ron, it is in his back yard…

VICE CHAIRMAN RON REIM – His neighbor presented for him…