Citation in context
July 7, 2016 — Meeting Minutes
Cited passage
Mr. Feder indicated that a shuttle is unnecessary because of the parking at Pierre Laclede.
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Hearing no further questions or comments, Chairman Soule called for a motion.
Rick Bliss made a motion to grant a 108 space variance from the required 142 parking spaces to allow 34 parking spaces on-site, with the condition that the property owners maintain 130 off- site parking spaces in the form of a lease agreement for their exclusive use from Friday evenings through Sunday evenings. The motion was seconded by Mel Disney and unanimously approved by the Board.
(A suggestion to require the applicant to record the parking agreement with St. Louis County was made; however, Counsel informed the members that it would have no legal validity and may have a negative impact).
Anne Martin asked if the variance runs with the property.
Mr. Heinz replied “yes”. He offered the parking license agreement dated June 23, 2016 (with Pierre Laclede) as Exhibit “F”.
There were no objections to this exhibit being entered into the record.
Being no further business for this Board of Adjustment this evening, the meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m.
Staff informed the members that there will be no meeting in August.
_________________________ Recording Secretary
Mr. Cooperstein replied “10”.
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Anne Martin asked what the square footage is of the building they are currently occupying.
Dan Rosenthal, Co-chair of the Facilities Committee, stated that the U-City building they are in now is 40,000 square feet; the new building is 32,000 square feet and the proposed addition is 7,200 square feet.
Mary DeBenedetti asked how many parking spaces they have now.
Mr. Rosenthal replied “less than 100”.
Anne Martin asked what will happen when school is in session.
Mr. Rosenthal stated that there are no set hours; children are brought in between 7:30 and 9:30 a.m. and are generally picked up between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m.
Mitch Shenker, President of the Congregation, noted that this is a day care facility; not a school and that there will be no back up on Linden. He stated that the hours of operation are 7:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.
Anne Martin asked if they are at half capacity currently.
Mr. Shenker stated that they are at about 75% capacity.
Anne Martin alluded to the fact that if they experience growth there could be a parking issue.
Mr. Shenker stated that not each congregation member has a vehicle; there are families.
Mary DeBenedetti asked how many congregants the Journey Church has.
Mr. Shenker stated that he did not know.
Mary DeBenedetti stated that cars (Journey Church congregation) parked on both sides of Linden Avenue. She asked if “no parking” signs could be installed on Linden.
Louis Clayton informed Mary that there is a process for that; that is handled by a different department.
Mr. Rosenthal stated that the Code lists uses and the number of spaces required for each use; 142 total spaces are needed based on those calculations (educational use and office use). He announced that the Journey Church had no parking arrangement, so they will actually improve the parking situation on Linden Avenue.
Mel Disney suggested valet parking; noting that it is not uncommon in an urban environment.
Mr. Rosenthal stated that although people rarely show up on time, they are willing to consider offering valet parking.
Mr. Rosenthal stated that although people rarely show up on time, they are willing to consider offering valet parking.
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Mr. Shenker informed the members that Friday evenings are not a big night for them; they average 40 attendees on Friday nights.
Mel Disney stated that all scenarios need to be considered.
Rick Bliss asked staff why the applicant chose to not ask this Board for a variance for impervious coverage.
Louis Clayton informed Rick that the Code allows the Plan Commission to approve up to an additional 5% coverage.
Rick Bliss commented that coverage is not this Board’s concern, then.
Louis Clayton concurred; noting that the applicant was given the choice to ask this Board for a variance for the additional coverage or ask the Plan Commission; the applicant chose to ask the Plan Commission.
Mel Disney asked why they are not asking for 40 on-site spaces; if they get the additional coverage they are asking for.
Gary Feder stated that 34 is appropriate and will serve his client’s needs. He added that it is unusual for sidewalks to be included in coverage calculations and they looked into conveying the sidewalk to the City but found out it (Hanley Road) is a County Road and it would take upwards of 6 months to go through the process through St. Louis County and not be guaranteed it would be approved by them; so with that they decided to proceed here (before this Board). He stated that if they get denied this evening, they cannot move forward with the project; he asked for support of this proposal.
Chairman Soule asked the percentage of coverage the sidewalk adds to the coverage.
Mr. Rosenthal replied “1.6%”.
Chairman Soule asked if there were any further questions or comments.
Mr. Feder again asked for support of this Board; he noted that they previously granted a 102 space variance and now are only asking for a 108 space variance; a minor increase.
Chairman Soule asked Mr. Feder if the alternative of a smaller addition would not meet his client’s needs.
Mr. Feder concurred.
Chairman Soule asked about shuttle service.
Mr. Feder indicated that a shuttle is unnecessary because of the parking at Pierre Laclede.