Susan Istenes explained that the 15,183 square foot site is located on the west side of South Central Avenue, between Bonhomme Avenue and Shaw Park Drive. The property has a zoning designation of HDC High Density Commercial District and is within the Central Station TOD Overlay District.

6 The site is currently improved with a vacant building, formerly occupied by the Clayton Police Department. Adjacent land uses include office and public parking. The property is currently owned by the City of Clayton. In June of 2015, the City released a Request for Proposal (RFP) for development of this site. The proposed project consists of the demolition of the existing building and the construction of a 119,236 square foot, 12 story mixed-use building containing 2,122 square feet of ground floor restaurant space, 114,801 square feet of hotel and a 2,313 square foot rooftop bar. The proposed building will be constructed primarily of masonry and stucco with glazing and metal accents. The hotel drop-off area is located along the northern property line of the site. A one- way access drive is proposed from South Central Avenue exiting to the north-south alley, west of the property. The project will be developed as a Planned Unit Development (PUD) and will require public hearings before the Plan Commission and the Board of Aldermen. The Central Station TOD seeks to encourage mid to high density office, retail and mixed-use development that capitalizes on the close proximity to a MetroLink station. A project in this zoning district involving a new structure is required rezone to a Planned Unit Development or Special Development District. This project qualifies as a Planned Unit Development by proposing a hotel and public restaurant. The property is also located in the Central Station District as identified in the Downtown Clayton Master Plan. The vision of the Central Station District is “to create a walkable, high density mixed use district with significant new office development and high density multifamily rental residential infill oriented around the Clayton MetroLink Transit Station.” A project of this scale requires a thorough staff review prior to a public hearing. The project will be reviewed and is subject to comments by the Planning, Public Works, and Fire Departments, and also the City’s contracted consultants for landscaping, architecture, storm water management, traffic and parking. Staff recommends that the Plan Commission/Architectural Review Board consider the proposal and provide input. This is conceptual review only and therefore any comments made in this report or at the meeting, either by the applicant, staff, or the Board/Commission members, are not binding. Staff offers the following comments based on the conceptual plans presented: Consider adding planter beds along South Central Avenue, similar to surrounding properties.

Chairman Lichtenfeld reminded the members that this is conceptual only and nothing that is said or presented is binding.

Mr. Holloran presented a PowerPoint presentation. Slides depicting the site plan, various color renderings and floor plans were presented. Mr. Holloran indicated that they believe this project will bring vibrancy to the area. He noted that the lobby will be open to the public, the rooftop will contain a bar area. He stated that the hotel will contain 175-195 rooms and the hotel will feature unique architecture and compliment the area. Ms. Nathan presented the inspiration and details of the building material and design.

Chairman Lichtenfeld commented that the hotel reminds him of the Fred & Ginger hotel in Prague. He stated that the project fits in the Downtown Master Plan and that he’s comfortable with the two design elements (masculine and feminine).