January 10, 2007
6:30 PM
Main Level Conf. Room
City Hall

Present: Commissioners Dave Brown, Steve Emer, Pat Jones, David Meyers, Phyllis Ravensberg, Tom Riggs, Wally Schramm and Alan Lamberg (Staff)

Guests: Ms. Lisa Ebert, Mr. Charlie Ebert, Ginny Garesche, Kris Zapalac, Laurie Smith

1. Approval of Minutes:  The minutes of the December 13, 2006 meeting were approved as read.

2. Volunteer coordination: It was noted that Mr. Charlie Ebert (Boy Scout) was present to observe the Landmarks Commission proceedings as a part of his requirement for a Citizenship Merit Badge. Chairman Jones provided a brief overview of the function of the Landmarks Commission and the business being conducted at this meeting.

3.  Citizen comments:  Ms. Laurie Smith of Agape Construction Company came before the commission requesting support of Agape’s appeal to Missouri State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) to overturn denial of Agape’s request for National Register status for the Frisco Train Station and Historic Rehab Tax Credits.  At issue was Agape’s assumption that any design changes approved by Landmarks would also be approved by the National Register.  The fact is that the Commission’s role by ordinance is of an advisory nature and assumes no responsibility beyond suggesting designs that would minimize physical alteration or removal of the historic integrity of a structure.   The 2004-2005 record shows that, after careful deliberation and discretion, the Commission had approved of designs that were conducive to Agape’s intention to adapt the historic train depot into a marketable home. Ms. Kris Zapalac of the SHPO was present at the meeting.  She discussed the process of application for tax credits, which were recommended to Agape’s representatives in September, 2001 by herself and the Commission.

4. Certificate of Appropriateness:  Ms. Claire Budd of the City of Kirkwood submitted a COA to add a wrought iron style fence along the Historic Kirkwood Railroad Station tracks from the station pavement to the edge of the station property.  The fence, made of aluminum with a wrought iron appearance, would replace an existing chain link fence in poor repair.  The commissioners suggested the fence design be approved from a safety standpoint by the City of Kirkwood and that the fence design be approved by the SHPO since the station is on the Historic Register.  A COA will be APPROVED WITH CONDITIONS of approval from the city and state offices. 

5. Old Business:

            a. Quinette Cemetery – It was announced that Legislation is being prepared for the next City Council meeting to place Quinette Cemetery in the Kirkwood park system as a passive park.

            b. Ordinance Review – Three ordinance issues relating to due process were reviewed.  They were as follows:

                        APPEALS – After some discussion decision was made to use the verbiage “as is” in the present Kirkwood ordinance 12.5-13.  The appeals process is very similar to the existing Webster Groves ordinance section 52.340.

                        ESTABLISH RULES AND REGULATIONS REGARDING NOMINATION OF PROPERTIES -   The commissioners elected to incorporate Webster Groves sections 52.170 (codifies criteria for nomination) and 52.180 (articulates application process for nominations, for both landmarks and historic districts).  Both sections were found to contain excess verbiage which needs to be streamlined.  Alan Lamberg will provide copies of these sections for review and editing by the commission.

                        DESIGN GUIDELINES – INTERPRET CRITERIA ACCORDING TO ESTABLISHED STANDARDS -  The commissioners decided to incorporate Webster Groves section 52.271 and list the Secretary of Interior Standards. 

            Having completed Part I of the Ordinance review, the commission began work on Part II, DEFINITIONS 

            The first definition discussed involved the Contributor / Non-Contributor in historic districts.  This is a very key definition.  Chairman Jones recommended the verbiage from the Ste. Genevieve (MO) ordinance.

            David Meyers submitted a glossary of terms from a preservation publication, which will give the commission added sources to review for use in the Definitions section of the ordinance.

            The Ordinance Review activity was tabled for continued review of Part II at the February meeting.

6. New Business:

            a. Citizens seeking advice to preserve their historic properties.  None

            b.  Coordinated meeting of Architectural Review Board and Landmarks Commission – Application for a COA for a Landmark Property in the downtown business district presents a unique situation requiring dual approval by each board and commission.  Kirkwood City Council was approached with the suggestion that both groups meet with Mambo Development regarding properties at 157 -159 Argonne and

102 – 110 North Clay.  The special joint meeting will be held on January 22, 2007 at 7:00 PM. 

7. Adjourn: Meeting was adjourned at 8:43 PM