Citation in context
May 6, 2019 — Meeting Minutes
Cited passage
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of the regular meeting of April 15, 2019 were presented for approval. RON REIM – MOTION TO APPROVE
WILLIAM LIEBERMANN – SECOND
MOTION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED BY THE BOARD
Chairman Lichtenfeld notes that the public hearings will be moved to the end of the Agenda, after New Business.
2
OLD BUSINESS
8412 KINGSBURY BOULEVARD – ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD – ALTERATION/EXTERIOR RENOVATION
Director Susan M. Istenes summarizes the following staff report: “This request was originally presented to the Architectural Review Board (ARB) on March 18, 2019. The ARB voted to continue the request in order to visit locations provided by Chesterfield Fence and Deck of existing fences using the proposed material. Three example fence locations were provided to staff and the members of the ARB. The following staff report is unchanged from the original report.
The approximately 9,583 square foot site is located on the south side of Kingsbury Boulevard, between Gay Avenue and Crandon Drive. The property has a zoning designation of R-2 Single Family Dwelling District and is located in the Clayton Gardens Urban Design District. The applicant is proposing a veka-vinyl fence to replace the existing wood fence around the rear yard. A six foot tall, cayenne color fence is proposed with bronze aluminum caps and spindles on the top to make sections of the fence just over seven feet tall.
In January 2019, the Architectural Review Board (ARB) discussed the proposed veka-vinyl material being used for proposed decks. The ARB determined that the product should be reviewed each time proposed and not added to the list of materials that can be administratively approved. Veka-vinyl is a processed PVC material. Historically, the ARB has not granted approval of vinyl materials. The veka-vinyl product is a composite material that has more favorable product reviews that older vinyl products; however, veka-vinyl is not common in Clayton and therefore, staff is not familiar with how the product ages.
The proposed fence will be more visible from adjacent properties than the decks previously reviewed. The Clayton Gardens Urban Design District (UDD) includes more strict regulations for allowed building materials than base residential zoning districts. The UDD does not have specific regulations for fence materials, but does promote the use of natural materials that are compatible with the primary structure. Staff is of the opinion that a solid wood fence would be more compatible with materials found in the Clayton Gardens neighborhood.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION IS TO DENY THE REQUEST TO USE A VEKA-VINYL PRODUCT.
EMILY ZIAEE (EZ) – APPLICANT AND HOMEOWNER
EZ – Addresses the Board to answer questions and speak to the reasons for choosing a vinyl fence. Applicant presents photos of current fence and notes that it is rotting due to drainage issues despite the installation of French drains. The fence requires staining and sealing every year which is not good for the environment, either. Feels the wood fence looks bad and that the privacy fence will help block out the next-door neighbors ugly property. The water issue has been mitigated as much as possible to help maintain the wooden fence but it is not working, the fence keeps rotting. In the long run this fence will be better.
CHAIRMAN LICHTENFELD – Says he looked at some of the fences and that some looked nice and some didn’t.
RON REIM – Says that he knows people who have these fences and they are durable and low maintenance and that they are old enough that they aren’t the new version and they still look nice.
CITY PLAN COMMISSION/ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD COUNCIL CHAMBERS – CITY HALL MONDAY, MAY 6, 2019 1730 (05:30 PM)
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Steve Lichtenfeld at 1738.
ROLL CALL
Chairman Steve Lichtenfeld, City Manager Craig Owens, Aldermanic Representative Richard Lintz, Ron Reim, William Liebermann, Carolyn Gaidis answered roll call.
Absent: Brian Maguire
ALSO IN ATTENDANCE
Kevin O’Keefe, City Attorney Susan Istenes, AIPC, Planning Director Anna Krane, AICP, Planner
CHAIRMAN REQUESTS
Chairman Lichtenfeld asked that all cell phones be turned off and that conversations take place outside the meeting room.
Chairman Lichtenfeld also asks that anyone who speaks please spell out their last name.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of the regular meeting of April 15, 2019 were presented for approval.
RON REIM – MOTION TO APPROVE
WILLIAM LIEBERMANN – SECOND
MOTION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED BY THE BOARD
Chairman Lichtenfeld notes that the public hearings will be moved to the end of the Agenda, after New Business.
CHAIRMAN LICHTENFELD – Says he looked at some of the fences and that some looked nice and some didn’t. RON REIM – Says that he knows people who have these fences and they are durable and low maintenance and that they are old enough that they aren’t the new version and they still look nice.
3 CAROLYN GAIDIS – I’m still concerned about the sustainability issue and what happens when this is going to be recycled. With the water issues, it is hard for me to say.
EZ – The wood is treated and stained and creates issues for the environment as well.
RICHARD LINTZ – I went and looked at one and it looked exactly like the fence my neighbor has that I want to put in. I’m not worried about it being viewed from the street.
CHAIRMAN LICHTENFELD –In your neighborhood with the water issues, we should consider those issues as real but I should say if this is approved that every fence that comes in as vinyl and see the context of the fence in terms of water or anything else. I think many of our neighborhoods would not look positively on a vinyl fence.
CAROLYN GAIDIS – When it comes to sustainability, if they are replacing boards all the time, this fence might actually help sustainability wise with the posts not going into the landfill.
CHAIRMAN LICHTENFELD – WE HAVE A STAFF RECOMMENDATION TO DENY
RON REIM – MOTION TO APPROVE AS SUBMITTED
CAROLYN GAIDIS – SECOND
MOTION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED BY THE BOARD.
7501 MARYLAND AVENUE – ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD – SIGNAGE
Director Susan M. Istenes summarizes the following staff report: “The proposed signage was originally presented to the Architectural Review Board on April 15, 2019. The request was continued to the next meeting to allow the applicant to make revisions and respond to comments from the Architectural Review Board and the public. The following staff report has been updated based on revisions. New or revised sections of the report are in bold.
The subject property is bounded by Westmoreland Avenue to the north, Jackson Avenue to the east and Maryland Avenue to the south. The property is zoned R-2 Single Family Residential. The existing school building is currently being renovated for Centene University, which will provide training and education space for Centene Corporation and a daycare for Centene employees. The applicant is proposing two monument signs, one wall sign and a flag pole.
A Sign Subdistrict governs the allowed signage for all properties that are included in the phased Special Development District for Centene along Forsyth Boulevard. The subject property is not part of the Special Development District and the applicant is not proposing to include the subject property in the Sign Subdistrict. The applicant is requesting a sign modification to allow for two monument signs on the property.
Section 425.040.A.7.b of the City’s Sign Regulations states:
Schools and other institutions may erect a ground sign up to twenty-five (25) square feet in area. In lieu of a ground sign, a wall sign at the entrance to the school or institutional building may be erected but such sign shall not exceed twelve (12) square feet in area.
Section 425.040.A.7.b of the City’s Sign Regulations states:
Schools and other institutions may erect a ground sign up to twenty-five (25) square feet in area. In lieu of a ground sign, a wall sign at the entrance to the school or institutional building may be erected but such sign shall not exceed twelve (12) square feet in area.
4 The applicant is proposing a 24 square foot sign on the decorative monument wall that is part of the parking lot enclosure. The proposed sign faces the intersection of Maryland Avenue and Jackson Avenue. The monument wall is clad in red brick with a limestone panel where the sign will be located. The sign will be etched into the limestone and state “Centene University, established 2017.” Up-lighting is proposed from the landscape base. The proposed sign is considered a ground sign and would count as the one permitted by the Sign Regulations. Staff is of the opinion that the proposed ground sign is consistent with signage found at many schools and universities.
The applicant is proposing a second ground sign located east of the main building entrance walkway along Maryland Avenue. The sign base is proposed as red brick with a concrete cap to match other wall and building designs. An engraved limestone face is proposed. The sign measures 7.5 square feet and will display “Centene University,” the logo and the property address. Up-lighting is proposed. The proposed sign will provide wayfinding assistance for anyone walking to the property from other Centene Buildings to the southwest, who will not pass the decorative monument wall sign at the intersection. As part of the renovations to the existing building the original school entry with the Maryland School sign was restored and reinstalled on the new building façade. The proposed monument sign be will the only sign visible from Maryland Avenue with the correct tenant name. The proposed ground sign would be the second on the property and therefore a sign modification approval by the Architectural Review Board is required. The proposed sign faces south toward a commercial parking lot. Staff is of the opinion that the design and materials are consistent with the subject property and surrounding area. General ground signs are required to be located in a landscape bed. Staff is of the opinion that some perennials should be planted around the based of the proposed ground sign to be consistent with the City’s Sign Regulations.
One flag pole is proposed at the southeast corner of the building. The proposed flap pole will display two flags and have up lighting. The 30 foot tall pole is consistent with the City’s Regulations.
A four square foot wall sign is proposed on the rear of the building at the main daycare entrance. The sign is proposed as powder coated metal with silkscreen graphics and halo lighting. The sign will not be visible from outside of the property and conforms to the City’s Sign Regulations allowing a rear entrance sign measuring a maximum of eight square feet.
The applicant has also provided design information for an embedded seal proposed on the front walkway. The proposed seal will only be visible on the property and is located within a decorative paver area.
The lighting proposed is similar to accent landscape lighting seen throughout Clayton. The subject property will need to conform to the site photometric plan that was approved as part of the construction permits and Conditional Use Permit. At the previous meeting, residents requested that if lighting were to be approved, a time limit is enforced. There are other examples of time limit restrictions being placed on different uses and activities located near residential neighborhoods. The Sign Regulations allow a special lit sign option for live entertainment venues in hotels, but requires that any such sign located within 150 feet of a residential district are turned off by 11:00 p.m. Another example is the City’s noise regulations, which limit outdoor noise generation to 10:00 p.m. within 500 feet of residential. Staff is of the opinion that a time limit for sign lighting is appropriate given the residential neighborhood location and recommends that lighting for signage is set on a timer to automatically turn off at 10:00 p.m.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION IS TO APPROVE THE PROPOSED SIGNS WITH THE FOLLOWING CONDITION: