August 3, 2026 — Meeting Minutes
City Plan Commission/Architectural Review Board Meeting 08/03/2026 - 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 Blair Kweskin Jeff Morrisey Susan Buse, Council Representative
Also in attendance Anna Krane, Director of Planning & Development Ryan Helle, Planner Hobie Kropp, Planning Technician Kevin O’Keefe, City Attorney
II. Minutes – Regular meeting of 07/20/2026 Minutes were presented from the meeting on July 20th, 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. 48 South Bemiston Avenue – Site Plan Review – New Mixed-Use (00:01:48) Consideration of a request by Keith Crane, Applicant, on behalf of Sterling Bank, Owner, for site plan review of a new commercial structure, housing offices and a ground floor bank. 2. 48 South Bemiston Avenue – Architectural Review – New Mixed-Use (00:01:48) Consideration of a request by Keith Crane, Applicant, on behalf of Sterling Bank, Owner, for review of design and materials associated with new commercial structure housing offices and a ground floor bank. 3. 48 South Bemiston Avenue – Conditional Use Permit – Bank Drive Through (00:01:48) Consideration of a request by Keith Crane, Applicant, on behalf of Sterling Bank, Owners, for review of a Conditional Use Permit to allow a drive-through associated with a bank. 4. 48 South Bemiston Avenue – Minor Subdivision Plat – Consolidation (00:01:48) Consideration of a request by Keith Crane, Applicant, on behalf of Sterling Bank, Owners, for review of a Minor Subdivision Plat to consolidate three parcels.
Old Business items 1-4 were presented jointly. Ryan Helle provided a summary of the staff reports with a recommendation that the Planning Commission provide feedback and continue the applications to a later meeting date. Keith Crane, Bob Hagen, Don Musick, Francis Godfrey, Calvin Mathews, and James Mello were present on behalf of the applications. The PC-ARB discussed the applications with the project representatives. Helen DiFate made a motion to continue the Site Plan Review, Architectural Review, Conditional Use Permit, and Plat applications to a meeting date to be determined. Jim Arsenault seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS 1. 7701 Forsyth Boulevard– Architectural Review – Signage (01:26:32) Consideration of a request by Matt Meyer, Applicant, on behalf of PLC Towers LLC, Owner, for review of Sign Modification.
Ryan Helle provided a summary of the staff report with a recommendation to approve with the condition that no other blade or window signs be permitted on the south (Forsyth) façade. Matt Meyet, applicant, 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 a condition that no additional window or blade sign be permitted on the south façade. Jim Arsenault seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
2. 8145 University Drive - Architectural Review Board - Accessory Structure Consideration of a request by Linda Clark, Applicant, on behalf of MRM Manlin Development Group, Owner, for review of design and materials of an accessory structure.
New Business Item 2 was removed from the agenda.
3. 7754 Forsyth Boulevard – Architectural Review – Exterior Alterations (00:32:31) 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 a recommendation to approve with the following conditions: 1. The composite boards consisting of the upper 4 feet, 3 inches of the screening shall be removed. 2. No furniture, screening, planters, storage, or other outdoor dining equipment shall encroach into the public right-of-way. 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 a date to be determined. Jim Arsenault seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. Further discussion following the motion included the circumstance of the pending code violation case. Staff and the project representative agreed to place the applications on the August 17th agenda.
4. 801 Seminary Place – Site Plan Review – New Residential (02:06:48) Consideration of a request by Angie Eslinger, Applicant, on behalf of Concordia Seminary, Owner, for Site Plan Review of new residences on the subject property.
Ryan Helle provided a summary of the staff report with a recommendation to continue the application to a future meeting date. Multiple representatives were present on behalf of the application, including Cole Hoffarth, Angie Eslinger, Alyssa Burkemper, and Scott Fehl. The PC-ARB discussed the application with the representatives. Public comments were heard. Staff and the PC-ARB discussed proper wording for a motion. Kevin O’Keefe suggested “Approval subject to administrative review of the stormwater remediation plan; and, a requirement that the phase one planting deficit be resolved in the course of completing building permits for subsequent phases or if construction ceases for 6 months or more then the deficit must be satisfied within 6 months of the stoppage of construction.” Helen DiFate motion to approve per the condition articulated by Kevin O’Keefe. Jim Arsenault seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
5. 801 Seminary Place – Architectural Review – New Residential (02:57:44) Consideration of a request by Angie Eslinger, Applicant, on behalf of Concordia Seminary, Owner, for review of design and materials associated with new residences on the subject property.
Ryan Helle provided a summary of the staff report with a recommendation to approve as submitted. Multiple representatives were present on behalf of the application, including Cole Hoffarth, Angie Eslinger, Alyssa Burkemper, and Scott Fehl. The PC-ARB discussed the application with the representatives. Helen DiFate made a motion to approve as submitted. Jim Arsenault seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
V. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 8:58 p.m.