August 17, 2026 — Meeting Minutes
City Plan Commission/Architectural Review Board Meeting 08/17/2026 - 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 Jeff Morrisey Susan Buse, Council Representative
Absent Blair Kweskin
Also in attendance Anna Krane, Director of Planning & Development Ryan Helle, Planner Kevin O’Keefe, City Attorney
II. Minutes – Regular meeting of 08/03/2026 Minutes were presented from the meeting on August 3rd, 2026. Helen DiFate made a motion to approve the minutes as submitted. Jim Arsenault seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
III. Open Forum No members of the audience elected to participate in the Open Forum.
IV. Business Matters
OLD BUSINESS 1. 7754 Forsyth Boulevard – Architectural Review – Exterior Alterations (00:02:23) Consideration of a request by Derek Lauer, Applicant, on behalf of Café/Bar Napoli, Tenant, for review of exterior alterations.
Ryan Helle provided a summary of the staff report with the following recommendations: 1. To approve the pergola as submitted so long as it only located on private property and does not encroach into public right-of-way 2. That review of the proposed wall should be continued to allow the applicant to provide more information on the wall proposed on A-5. Derek Lauer was present on behalf of the application. The PC-ARB discussed the application with the project representative. Helen DiFate made a motion to continue the application to the next meeting date to allow the applicant to provide more information on both the pergola and screening, and to provide a site plan showing the property line and location of improvements. Jim Arsenault seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
2. 122 North Bemiston Avenue – Architectural Review – Exterior Alterations (00:34:28) Consideration of a request by Lisa Selligman, Applicant, on behalf of Kevin Gratkowski, Owner, for review of proposed exterior alterations.
Ryan Helle provided a summary of the staff report with a recommendation to approve as submitted. Lisa Selligman was present on behalf of the application. The PC-ARB discussed the proposal with the project representative. Helen DiFate made a motion to approve as submitted with the stipulation that French doors could be added south of the front door and reviewed administratively. Jim Arsenault seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS 1. 8016 Walinca Terrace – Architectural Review – Exterior Alteration Consideration of a request by Jennifer Taylor, Applicant, on behalf of Samantha & Jeremy Phillips, Owners, for review of front façade alterations.
New business item 1 was removed from the agenda.
2. 6369 Clayton Road - Architectural Review – Exterior Alteration (00:49:37) Consideration of a request by Matt Mayer, Applicant, on behalf of State Bank, Owner, for review of exterior alterations to an existing structure.
Ryan Helle provided a summary of the staff report with a recommendation to approve with the condition that two medium or large deciduous canopy trees be selected from the City’s approved tree list and planted in the lawn between the street and parking lot. Matt Mayer was present on behalf of the application. The PC-ARB discussed the application with the project representative. Helen DiFate made a motion to approve with the following conditions: 1. Two medium or large deciduous canopy trees shall be selected from the City’s approved tree list and planted in the lawn between the street and parking lot. 2. The belt or soldier course in the brick shall be continued in the stone. Jim Arsenault seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
3. 6369 Clayton Road – Conditional Use Permit – Bank Drive Through (01:16:10) Consideration of a request by Matt Mayer, Applicant, on behalf of State Bank, Owner, for a conditional use permit for operation of a bank drive through.
Ryan Helle provided a summary of the staff report with a recommendation that the Planning Commission recommend approval of the CUP to the City Council as submitted. Matt Mayer was present on behalf of the application. The PC-ARB discussed the application with the project representative. Helen DiFate made a motion to recommend approval of the CUP to the City council as submitted. Jim Arsenault seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
4. 6349 Ellenwood Avenue – Conditional Use Permit – Accessory Dwelling Unit (01:22:50) Consideration of a request by Elle Noll, Applicant, on behalf of Julia & Nolan Drafahl, Owners, for an accessory dwelling unit.
Ryan Helle provided a summary of the staff report with a recommendation to approve with the following conditions: 1. The applicant shall record a deed restriction pursuant to item 3 under “Criteria for Review” with the St. Louis County Recorder of Deeds office and submit proof of the required deed restriction to the City prior to the issuance of a Building Permit.
2. The front yard pop-up shall me moved to a more central location in the front yard. Elle Noll was present on behalf of the application. The PC-ARB discussed the application with the project representative. Helen DiFate made a motion to approve with the following conditions: 1. The applicant shall record a deed restriction pursuant to item 3 under “Criteria for Review” with the St. Louis County Recorder of Deeds office and submit proof of the required deed restriction to the City prior to the issuance of a Building Permit. 2. The pop-up emitter shall be moved north into the mulch area. Jim Arsenault seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
5. 6349 Ellenwood Avenue - Architectural Review – Accessory Structure (01:34:48) Consideration of a request by Elle Noll, Applicant, on behalf of Julia & Nolan Drafahl, Owners, for review of design and materials of an accessory structure and exterior alterations.
Ryan Helle provided a summary of the staff report with a recommendation to approve as submitted. Elle Noll was present on behalf of the application. The PC-ARB discussed the application with the project representative. Helen DiFate made a motion to approve as submitted. Jim Arsenault seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
6. 48 Arundel Place – Site Plan Review – Residential Addition (01:46:30) Consideration of a request by Rhonda Loggia, Applicant, on behalf of Anne & Phillip Hoffman, Owners, for Site Plan Review of a residential addition.
Ryan Helle provided a summary of the staff report with a recommendation to approve with the condition that the landscape plan be revised to meet the native species requirement. Phillip (Ryan) and Anne Hoffman were present on behalf of the application. The PC-ARB discussed the application with the project representatives. Helen DiFate made a motion to approve with the following conditions: 1. The landscape plan shall be revised to meet the native species requirement. 2. A native species tree shall be added on the east side. Jim Arsenault seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
7. 48 Arundel Place – Architectural Review – Residential Addition (02:00:25) Consideration of a request by Rhonda Loggia, Applicant, on behalf of Anne & Phillip Hoffman, Owners, for review of design and materials associated with a residential addition.
Ryan Helle provided a summary of the staff report with a recommendation to approve as submitted. Phillip (Ryan) and Anne Hoffman were present on behalf of the application. The PC- ARB discussed the application with the project representatives. Helen DiFate made a motion to continue the application to a date to be determined. Jim Arsenault seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
V. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 7:52 p.m.