Citation in context
May 18, 2015 — Meeting Minutes
Cited passage
She indicated that there was no storm water protection plan in place and that they had no right to build without the plat being approved. She added that there was a lack of supervision on this project and that the easements are now blocked.
3 On a motion made by Jim Liberman pursuant to 610.022 of the RSMo, seconded by Sally Cohn and a unanimous roll call vote, the members held a closed meeting at 5:45 p.m.
The meeting reconvened at 5:47 p.m.
Jim Liberman made a motion to recommend approval of the subdivision plat to the Board of Aldermen per staff’s recommendations. The motion was seconded by Josh Corson and unanimously approved by the members.
SITE PLAN REVIEW/ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW – SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES (2) – 8121 & 8125 STRATFORD
Kevin Goffstein, co-owner/co-developer, was in attendance at the meeting.
Susan Istenes explained that she will combine the two reports as the homes are mirrors of each other, but that each property needs an independent vote. Susan stated that the 12,000- square-foot subject property is located on the north side of Stratford Drive between Brentwood and Forsyth Boulevards and has a zoning designation of R-2 Single Family Dwelling District and is located in the Clayton Gardens Urban Design District. The property consists of two individually platted lots (6,000 square feet each), and an existing single-family home. The proposed project consists of the demolition of the existing home and the construction of two 3,840-square-foot single-family homes (excluding the basements) with attached, rear-entry, at-grade garages. Because the lots are individually platted, a subdivision plat is not required. The eastern lot will be addressed 8121, and the western lot will be addressed 8125. The height of the proposed homes is 29-feet 11-inches as measured from the average existing grade to the mean height of the roof. The rear portion of the property is located within the jurisdiction of University City. Staff has made University City officials aware of the project and as proposed, they will not require review, approval, or permits for the project. The plans show the HVAC units located at the rear of each home and screened by a 6-foot privacy fence. Trash will be stored in a +/- 16.5-square-foot trash enclosure located underneath the rear decks. Based on the size of the homes, the Architectural Review Guidelines require a 40 square foot trash enclosure for each home. The trash enclosures will be screened by a 4-foot painted wood fence and gate. The Clayton Gardens Urban Design District limits impervious coverage to 40 percent of the total lot area and allows an increase in impervious coverage based on the garage placement. For this project, the allowable impervious coverage may be increased to 55 percent for the inclusion of an at-grade, rear-loading garage. The existing impervious coverage on site is 25.1 percent. The new plans increase the impervious coverage to 53 percent for each lot, which is below the maximum allowable impervious coverage of 55 percent. The existing storm water runoff for the entire site, according to the MSD 15 year, 20 minute calculation, is 0.62 cubic feet per second (CFS). The proposed runoff is 0.78 CFS, which represents an increase in 0.16 CFS. To mitigate the increase in storm water runoff, downspouts from the rear of the homes will be piped to two separate French drains, and downspouts from the front of the homes will be piped to two stacked dry wells in the front yards. The pop up emitter in the front yard should be relocated at least 10 feet from any property line. Otherwise, the Public
Subdivision Ordinance requirements;
submit proof of filing to the City within 30 days of Board of Aldermen approval.
Mr. Slavin apologized for not getting the plat filed previously. He stated he will comply with staff’s recommendation.
Sally Cohn stated that she received a call and a letter about a change in topography and a drainage issue. She asked if that situation has been rectified.
Mr. Slavin stated that the grade was raised because he was told to do so by the City’s previous Building Official, Steve Larson. He stated that everything that has been asked of him he’s done and that the project has been unfairly delayed. He indicated that have a closing set for June 1st.
Chairman Lichtenfeld commented that only the Plat is under review. He suggested that Sally confer with Clayton staff on the other issue.
Kelly Christner, 8534 Colonial Lane (her parents’ home), stated that the original site plan showed a paper alley. She stated that she spoke with Louis Clayton and was assured that there was no change to the grade, yet the grade was raised 1.5 feet to 2 feet. She informed the members that Mr. Runyan ripped out her bushes last year and now her parents’ property is taking on more water. She indicated that there was no storm water protection plan in place and that they had no right to build without the plat being approved. She added that there was a lack of supervision on this project and that the easements are now blocked.
The pop up emitter in the front yard should be relocated at least 10 feet from any property line. Otherwise, the Public
4 Works Department has reviewed the site plan and finds the storm water plan acceptable. Five trees totaling 59 caliper inches will be removed from 8121, all of which require replacement. One existing street tree totaling 28 caliper inches will be impacted by construction. The landscape plan proposes 15 new deciduous and broadleaf evergreen trees (60 caliper inches) including Red Oak, Foster Holly, Columnar English Oak, Columnar Hornbeam, Yoshino Cherry, Indian Magic Crab, Columnar Red Maple. One tree totaling six caliper inches will be removed from 8125 which requires replacement. Two existing street trees totaling 64 caliper inches will be impacted by construction. The landscape plan proposes seven new deciduous and broadleaf evergreen trees (16 caliper inches) including Forest Pansy Redbud, Red Maple, River Birch and Columnar Red Maple. The City’s contracted landscape architect is of the opinion that the proposed landscape designs provide a variety of understory trees, ornamental grasses and shrubs that are appropriate for the size of the site and character of the neighborhood and offers the following recommendations:
i. To provide a harmonious appearance across the front façade of the two homes, coordinate the bed lines and plantings of the front planting beds with the planting bed between the homes. Provide two Foster Holly or River Birch to create a linkage, extend Daylily and Liriope across the space between the two homes to provide a more uniform look, and allow access to the step stones. ii. Coordinate the tree protection fence locations between the Landscape and Civil Plans.
The existing driveway will be removed and two, 10-foot wide exposed aggregate driveways will be installed on the eastern and western ends of each property. The driveway apron for 8125 Stratford Drive will be combined with the existing apron to the west due to their close proximity. The adjacent property owner has been made aware of this and supports the design. Gas lanterns are proposed at the front and rear doors. The plans note that all lighting will be in conformance with the City’s requirements. Susan noted that the proposed homes are compatible with surrounding homes in the neighborhood. Storm water will be adequately managed on site, and the landscape plans provide for a variety of new trees, shrubs, and groundcover suitable for this region. The height, setbacks, and impervious coverage as proposed are in conformance with the requirements of the R-2 Single Family Dwelling District and the Clayton Gardens Urban Design District. Staff is of the opinion that the project meets the criteria for site plan approval and recommends approval with the following conditions:
the applicant shall record the approved site plan for each property with St. Louis County, and submit proof of recording to the City prior to the issuance of a building permit.