January 5, 2026 — Meeting Minutes
City Plan Commission/Architectural Review Board Meeting 1/5/2026 - 5:30 PM City Hall Chambers – 10 N. Bemiston Avenue, Clayton, MO 63105 Applications and Plans available at www.claytonmo.gov/PendingApplications For further information contact Ryan Helle at 314-290-8450 or rhelle@claytonmo.gov
Minutes I. Roll Call
Present Steve Lichtenfeld, Chair Helen DiFate Jim Arsenault Chris Brennan
Absent Susan Buse, Aldermanic Representative Darren Vant ’Hof
Also in attendance Anna Krane, Director of Planning & Development Ryan Helle, Planner Kevin O’Keefe, City Attorney
II. Minutes – Regular meeting of 12/15/2025 Minutes were presented from the meeting on December 15th, 2025. Helen DiFate made a motion to approve the minutes as submitted. Jim Arsenault seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
III. Open Forum (00:00:46) No members of the audience elected to participate in the Open Forum.
IV. Business Matters
New Business
1. 6464 Ellenwood – Plan Commission – Boundary Adjustment (00:01:09) Consideration of a request by Dan Eggers, Applicant, on behalf of Abby and Michael Goldstein, Owners, for review of a Boundary Adjustment plat.
Ryan Helle provided a summary of the staff report with a recommendation to approve with the following conditions 1. That the applicant provides a mylar (with the surveyor’s signature and the property owner’s signature) for the appropriate City of Clayton signatures per the Subdivision Ordinance requirements; and 2. That the applicant files the plat with the St. Louis County Recorder of Deeds office within 30 days of approval of the boundary adjustment by the Plan Commission. Michael Goldstein, Owner, was present. PC-ARB discussed the application with the project representative. Helen DiFate made a motion to approve with the following conditions:
1. That the applicant provides a mylar (with the surveyor’s signature and the property owner’s signature) for the appropriate City of Clayton signatures per the Subdivision Ordinance requirements; and 2. That the applicant files the plat with the St. Louis County Recorder of Deeds office within 30 days of approval of the boundary adjustment by the Plan Commission. Jim Arsenault seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
2. 241 Linden Avenue – Architectural Review – Exterior Alteration/Renovation (00:03:53) Consideration of a request by Nancy Nafe, Applicant, on behalf of Charles Deutsch and Patsy Stam, Owners, for review of design and materials of exterior alterations.
Ryan Helle provided a summary of the staff report with a recommendation to approve with the condition that revisions be made to increase visibility at the intersection with the alley. Charles Deutsch, Owner, was present. PC-ARB discussed the application with the project representative. Helen DiFate made amotion to approve with the following conditions: 1. The shed shall be wood construction 2. A sample of the synthetic turf and information about its permeability will be presented for staff review and approval. Jim Arsenault seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
Old Business 1. 7811 Clayton Road – Architectural Review – Sign Modification (00:32:28) Consideration of a request by Ed Davenport, Applicant, on behalf of High Life, Tenant, for review of a request for Sign Modification.
Ryan Helle provided a summary of the staff report with a recommendation to approve with the condition that no other permanent signage be installed. Ed Davenport, applicant, was present on behalf of the application. PC-ARB discussed the application with the project representative. Public comments were heard. Helen DiFate made a motion to approve as submitted. Jim Arsenault seconded the motion. The motion did not carry with two votes in favor and two votes opposed.
2. 8145 University Drive - Site Plan Review – New Residential (00:47:29) Consideration of a request by Linda Clark, Applicant, on behalf of MRM Manlin Development Group, Owner, for Site Plan Review of a new single-family house.
Ryan Helle provided a summary of the staff report with a recommendation to approve with the following condition: 1. The applicant shall provide a percolation test report conducted by a qualified geotechnical engineer. The report must assess the performance of the proposed drywell based on the anticipated impact of a 15-year, 20-minute storm event. Should the results indicate that the proposed drywell is insufficient to accommodate the stormwater runoff generated by this event, the applicant shall be required to upsize the drywell accordingly to ensure adequate performance and compliance with applicable stormwater management standards. 2. To ensure the future maintenance and operation of the various well systems, the applicant shall record a deed restriction noting the location and maintenance requirements of the well systems and shall submit proof of the recording prior to issuance of a Building Permit.
3. The applicant shall contribute to the city forestry fund compensatory with the requirements of Section 405.4110.C.2.A. Henry Huynh, Mike Thompson, and Linda Clark were present on behalf of the application. PC-ARB discussed the application with the project representatives. Public comments were heard. Helen DiFate made a motion to continue the application to an undetermined date to allow the applicant to make revisions. Jim Arsenault seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
3. 8145 University Drive - Architectural Review Board - New Residential (01:09:53) Consideration of a request by Linda Clark, Applicant, on behalf of MRM Manlin Development Group, Owner, for review of design and materials of a new single-family house.
Ryan Helle provided a summary of the staff report with a recommendation to approve as submitted. Henry Huynh, Mike Thompson, Linda Clark, and Mike Manlin were present on behalf of the application. PC-ARB discussed the application with the project representatives. Helen DiFate made a motion to continue the application to an undetermined date to allow the applicant to make revisions. Jim Arsenault seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
4. 436 Oakley Drive – Site Plan Review – New Single-Family (01:24:45) Consideration of a request by Tom Lucas, Applicant/Owner, for Site Plan Review of a new single-family house.
Ryan Helle provided a summary of the staff report with a recommendation to approve with the following conditions: 1. The applicant shall provide a revised landscape plan reflecting the updated building footprint. 2. The applicant shall provide a percolation test report conducted by a qualified geotechnical engineer. The report must assess the performance of the proposed drywell based on the anticipated impact of a 15-year, 20-minute storm event. Should the results indicate that the proposed drywell is insufficient to accommodate the stormwater runoff generated by this event, the applicant shall be required to upsize the drywell accordingly to ensure adequate performance and compliance with applicable stormwater management standards. 3. To ensure the future maintenance and operation of the dry-well, the applicant shall record a deed restriction noting the location and maintenance requirements of the dry- well system and shall submit proof of the recording prior to issuance of a Building Permit. Tom Lucas, Applicant, and Stephen L Kling Jr., Attorney, were present on behalf of the application. PC-ARB discussed the application with the project representatives. Helen DiFate made a motion to approve with the following conditions: 1. The applicant shall provide a revised landscape plan reflecting the updated building footprint. 2. The applicant shall provide a percolation test report conducted by a qualified geotechnical engineer. The report must assess the performance of the proposed drywell based on the anticipated impact of a 15-year, 20-minute storm event. Should the results indicate that the proposed drywell is insufficient to accommodate the stormwater runoff generated by this event, the applicant shall be required to upsize the drywell
accordingly to ensure adequate performance and compliance with applicable stormwater management standards. 3. To ensure the future maintenance and operation of the dry-well, the applicant shall record a deed restriction noting the location and maintenance requirements of the dry- well system and shall submit proof of the recording prior to issuance of a Building Permit. Jim Arsenault seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
5. 436 Oakley Drive – Architectural Review – New Single-Family (01:32:09) Consideration of a request by Tom Lucas, Applicant/Owner, for review of design and materials of a new single-family house.
Ryan Helle provided a summary of the staff report with a recommendation to approve as submitted. Tom Lucas, Applicant, and Stephen L Kling Jr., Attorney, were present on behalf of the application. PC-ARB discussed the application with the project representatives. Helen DiFate made a motion to approve as submitted. Jim Arsenault seconded the motion. The motion did not carry with one vote in favor and three votes opposed.
DISCUSSION SESSION 1. Landscape Regulations (02:43:19) A presentation by Brad Goss regarding Tree and Landscape regulations.
Brad Goss provided a presentation discussing the City’s landscape and tree regulations, and provided recommendations for potential code revisions.
V. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 9:16 p.m.