June 7, 2021 — Meeting Minutes

MINUTES CITY PLAN COMMISSION/ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD JUNE 7, 2021 ZOOM MEETING

The City Plan Commission/Architectural Review Board of the City of Clayton, Missouri, met on the above date at 5:30 p.m. via a ZOOM meeting. Upon roll call, the following responded:

Present: Chairman Steve Lichtenfeld David Gipson, City Manager Richard Lintz, Aldermanic Representative Carolyn Gaidis Helen DiFate Bob Denlow George Hettich

Also in Attendance: Susan M. Istenes, AICP, Director of Planning & Development Services Annisa Kumerow, Principal Planner Stephanie Karr, Assistant City Attorney Anna Krane, PGAV, Contracted Planner with the City of Clayton

Chairman Lichtenfeld welcomed everyone to the meeting.

MINUTES The minutes of May 3, 2021 were approved, with minor changes. The minutes of May 17 were approved. ARCHIECTURAL REVIEW – REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF A GROUND SIGN AT 8007 CLAYTON ROAD. Lauren with Excel Signs and Design was in attendance, representing the property owner. Annisa Kumerow summarized the staff report. Steve Lichtenfeld – questioned the vinyl lettering proposed to be attached to the sign and its ability to remain stuck on the sign.

Lauren stated that the vinyl lettering will be baked on to the metal sign and that helps ensure the lettering cannot be peeled off or otherwise be removed and she also noted she understood the staff recommendation. Carolyn Gaidis questioned staff on their recommendation to include annuals along with perennials and evergreen shrubs in the surrounding landscape bed. Susan Istenes stated the requirement for annuals, perennials and evergreen shrubs was to ensure a variety of plantings were installed and to ensure year-round green. Hearing no further questions or comments and hearing none from the audience, Carolyn Gaidis made a motion to approve the project with the one staff recommendation. Rich Lintz seconded the motion and the motion was unanimously approved by the Board. ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD REVIEW OF DESIGN AND MATERIALS ASSOCIATED WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 2 STORY GARAGE LOCATED AT 509 WEST POLO DRIVE Annisa Kumerow summarized the staff report. Tom McGraw representing the applicant was in attendance. Steve Lichtenfeld questioned Tom on the side setback line distance and noted that the trash enclosure fencing was located within the setback line. Tom McGraw stated that he was not aware that the trash enclosure could not intrude on the setback line and agreed to move it outside of the setback line. Steve Lichtenfeld questioned the 4 trees to be removed and asked if they would be replaced. Tom McGraw stated that they did not have a plan to replace the 4 locust trees which were located too close to the garage and they did not place a high value on these types of trees. Rich Lintz – nothing to add; looks like a nice project. Carolyn Gaidis – commented regarding the importance of the trees’ (value) and noted that trees perform a function for runoff, she noted they could be working for the applicant. No other comments. Bob Denlow – no comments. George Hettich – no comments. Helen Di Fate – no additional comments. David Gipson – no comments. Tom McGraw – noted the two staff comments and noted that the owner was in agreement with the conditions. Tom also questioned the installation of venting on the roof which was not noted on the site plan. Was wondering if that would be acceptable? Steve Lichtenfeld – noted that triangular vents are common in the City and would be in favor of approving it right now, verbally. Unless others object. No objections noted.

Hearing no further questions or comments and hearing none from the audience, Carolyn Gaidis made a motion to approve the project with the two staff recommendation and an additional condition to modify the trash enclosure so as to not encroach into the side yard setback and the verbal approval to add triangular vents at top of the triangular gable. Motion to approved passes unanimously. SITE DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR 12 HILLVALE DRIVE REVIEW OF DESIGN AND MATERIALS FOR THE ADDITION OF A DETACHED GARAGE Annisa Kumerow summarized the staff report. Taylor Huston, Project Manager, Killeen Architects, was in attendance. Mike Killeen, Principal, Killeen Architects was in attendance. Clay Vance, Civil Engineer was in attendance. Steve Lichtenfeld asked Clay Vance to summarize stormwater management system. Clay Vance noted a previous meeting with neighbors to the south was held and noted the direction of stormwater flows in that area. He noted that subsurface water leaches out of the ground near the south west corner of property and near sidewalk. He believes water was a result of sump pump discharge and stormwater discharge in that area leading to an underground structure and when that overflows it runs over the sidewalk. Noted that downspouts will be relocated to the north and piped into the storm sewer. All new impervious area as a result of construction will be collected and taken to the north to a piping system that will gather that up and take it to the north routed through stormwater mitigation trench (INFILTRATION TRENCH) when that fills it will come out of a grade in the (inaudible) yard. Located on north side of house rather than south side of house where current issues are. Steve Lichtenfeld – questioned will there be less water to the south then presently exists. Clay Vance – noted that’s what he would expect. He stated that if the pump to the north and taking downspouts out does not solve the problem, and groundwater continues to leach, then the owner has offered to install a French drain on south property line. They would like to evaluate the water situation after installation of new water management system to ensure that the problem doesn’t remain afterward. If it does then French drain would be installed. Rich Lintz – questioned the existence of swales coming down the side in keeping water out of driveway. Is there a need to have French drain that is there now, extended? Clay Vance – noted yard is higher; water coming down driveway from street will run into French drain going across from drive. Rich Lintz – questioned need for trash enclosure just for collection day. Anna Krane – noted that the trash enclosure requirement is in the ARB Guidelines which is triggered for any new house or project that comes before the ARB. The goal to limit people having to bring cans in and out of house. ARB can waive that requirement because it is a guideline. Carolyn Gaidis – agreed with Rich Lintz comments on trash. Question on Christner’s comments on landscape, specifically, burning bush. Noted burning bush is on invasive species list. She would like to see it removed from landscape palette. Also concerned about western side coming down concrete walk,

swale indicates going somewhere. Referenced the arrows on Sheet 203 which show water going around building to north across sidewalk then to street. Not seeing any mitigation in that location such as a bio swale or other retention. Steve Lichtenfeld – asked regarding Carolyn’s comments – is that where the Plan B mitigation (addition of drain) would occur? Clay Vance – noted she was talking about the north end of house. Any water in excess is all that is coming out onto Hillvale. Only coming out 20 feet to north. By the time it gets to street its not any additional water. The plan shown just now shows that it has a defined path around the north side of building so it is not coming across driveway to adjacent lot. Bob Denlow – asked about Plan B. Would the City have right to have owner install if City says there is still a water problem? How would that work? If we approve, we approve with knowledge that the City has right to authorize plan B at some time. Clay Vance – confirmed that this Plan B is being offered by homeowner. Stephanie Karr – noted that a requirement for future installation of the Plan B plans needs to be specified in conditions for approval. George Hettich – no comments. Hele Di Fate – no comments. David Gipson – no comments. Mark/Elise Ellebrecht (sp), neighbors wish to speak on appearance. Chairman directed them to speak on ARB application. Mike Killeen/Taylor Huston noted they are in agreement with staff conditions and the new conditions imposed by Board (summarized verbally). Carolyn Gaidis would like to add removal of Burning Bush to conditions. Mike Killeen is confident the homeowner will be willing to reconsider the proposed installation of burning bush. Steve Lichtenfeld – noted trash enclosure removal comments. Comfortable with deleting requirements for trash enclosure. Hearing no additional comments or questions from the audience, Carolyn Gaidis made a motion to approve with staff recommendations 1,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10 with correction to deleting number 2 and adding a number 11 for Plan B that the city reserves the right to have Plan B implemented by the owner if there is any concerns over water runoff and number 12 to replace the Burning Bush shown on the landscape plans with something not invasive. Motion second by Rich Lintz. Motion was unanimously approved. ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD ADDITION OF GARAGE AT 12 HILLVALE Annisa Kumerow summarized staff report. Taylor Huston, Project Manager, was in attendance.

Mike Killeen, Architect, was in attendance. Clay Vance, Engineer, was in attendance. Steve Lichtenfeld – commented on appearance. Felt it was complimentary to existing home and set back far from Harcourt and appreciated the colonnaded walkway. Overall, it fits in well and he doesn’t have any aesthetic concerns. Rich Lintz – agreed with Chairman’s comments. Seems to capture style of existing home Carolyn Gaidis – appears to be alike a “mini hotel” is her initial reaction – two homes on one lot. Bob Denlow – believes it looks attractive. Would like to hear from neighbor. George Hettich – finds design attractive. Helen DiFate - thinks elevations with plantings along the breezeway would diminish and blend in (some inaudible). Long mass that has a hotel feeling to it but won’t be seen because of plantings. Noted plantings for ARB and Site Plan don’t correspond. Site Plan was more specific to plantings. Breezeway will not be strong element when viewed from Harcourt Drive, and believes it will be a nice addition. Considering grade and plantings she noted they will reduce size and dominance of breezeway structure. Elise Ellebrecht (neighbor and public speaker) – notes design is not consistent with neighborhood. There will be a second unit on the site and two families living there. Questioned if this is what the neighborhood wants. Appearance of fence, long mass and breezeway is objectionable. Objects to view of breezeway, does not fit in and is not representative of neighborhood. She believes it diminishes value. Questioned if plants will cover breezeway. Commented that the entire property is being filled door to door and has concerns about impact on neighborhood (will others build the same). Noted this project makes it a two family neighborhood. Staff summarized the requirement for the conditional use permit to allow for a second dwelling unit at the Chairmen’s request and code requirements associated therewith. Stephanie Karr – pointed out that if the property owner violates conditions of approval/code requirements there is always a provision to revoke the conditional use permit if they are found to be in violation through due process. Elise Ellebrecht – would like to know if there are any other breezeways on any other homes in Clayton. George Hettich – commented that he believes there is another on Brentwood Blvd and Pershing Avenue. No additional Public Comments. Steve Lichtenfeld noted the proposed condition regarding the CUP which is on the Board of Aldermen agenda for consideration, tomorrow night. Mike /Taylor understood condition. Mike Killeen spoke to breezeway and noted intent was not to leave a “lone” garage in back yard and noted it also connects well with pool area.

Hearing no additional comments or questions from the Board or audience, Carolyn Gaidis motioned to approve with staff recommendations. Motion was approved unanimously.

ALLEY VACATION Annisa Kumerow summarized the staff report. Scott Haley was present. Steve Lichtenfeld – noted this request was expected to arrive and sees no problem. Scott Haley noted he had no comments. Seeing no additional comments or questions. Carolyn Gaidis made a motion to recommend approval to the Board of Aldermen with staff conditions; Rich Lintz second the motion. Unanimously approved.

Meeting adjourned at 7:43 p.m.