Wednesday, March 12, 2008 
6:30 PM
Council Chambers
City Hall

Present:  Commissioners Matt Biven, Dave Brown, Steve Emer, Pat Jones, David Meyers, Phyllis Ravensberg, Tom Riggs, Council Liaison Art McDonnell and Staff Liaison Alan Lamberg.

1. Approval of minutes.  Minutes approved as read with spelling changes and corrections noted. Motion for approval by Commissioner Brown, seconded by Commissioner Meyers.  Minutes approved unanimously.

2.  Volunteer coordination.  None

3.  Citizens comments.  None

4.  Certificate of appropriateness.

a. Case 08-06 – 425 N Taylor Ave, Landmark # 39 Byars House.  Landscaping addition of in ground pool.  Presentation by R & R Fiberglass Pools, Inc.  A site plan was presented by the pool company.  Fence selection presented by home owner.  The only fencing being added is across the east side of the pool.  Existing fencing along the west and south side are to remain intact.

Motion made to approve COA with the following conditions:  The pump & filter are not to be visible from the street and are to be located behind the wood shed at the end of the driveway.  The fence that will run north to south on the east side of the pool will be made of black aluminum replicating a wrought iron style to be chosen by the home owner with simplicity as a goal.  COA approved.

b. Case 08-04 – 526 E Jefferson Ave. Infill; new construction of a single-family residence.  Preliminary plans were presented by Mike Lewis of Lewis Homes.  The designs are by Kim Spurgeon.  The object of the presentation was to obtain feedback from the Commission on the plans for any areas of objection.

Since design guidelines have yet to be developed for this area, Commissioner Jones expressed areas of concern when building in the district.  Her primary concerns regarded window spacing, the use of similar window style throughout the structure and appropriately sized shutters.  In regards to siding, it is preferred that all 4 sides have the same treatment. And as a general comment, while it is important to be sympathetic to the styles in the district, copying a home exactly is not advised.  As always, preference is given to natural materials, while realizing the cost effectiveness and efficiency of plastic.

The plans as presented were well received and thoroughly discussed.  A plan for a garage was also presented and the possibility of creating a second floor office in this space was presented.

c. Case 08-05 – 139 S Kirkwood Rd, Landmark # 94, City Hall.  Installation of vinyl replacement windows.  Kevin Herdler of City of Kirkwood Department of Purchasing and Commissioner Tom Riggs discussed the various alternatives for window replacement in the whole of City Hall.  The necessity rises from the decaying condition of the wood windows, many with broken sashes and the distressing status of the storm windows resulting in very inefficient windows.  All storms are to be removed and wood windows are to be replaced.  There are 59 windows in all, excepting the windows in the cupola.  The extent of the replacement is watched by the issue of lead abatement.

The main issue is cost and efficiency versus aesthetics.  Vinyl windows are more efficient and cost less both initially and from a maintenance standpoint.  However, they offer few color selections and mullions are contained within the window offering no true divided light sense.  Aluminum clad wood windows can be as energy efficient but are more costly.  They can be clad in white on the exterior but then would require painting on the inside making the maintenance costs higher.  If properly maintained theses windows could potentially last longer.

The Commissions main concern is the view from the outside of the building.  Many of these windows are not visible from the street. Commissioner Bivens offered suggestions based on the future possibility of the building being considered as a National Register property.   It is important to follow the 12 over 12 patterns with a double hung style.  The material is not as significant.

Commissioner Meyers suggested using a mix of windows with the windows that make up a part of the street scape being wood clad windows and then utilizing the vinyl type in the remainder.

Commissioner Ravensberg suggested using the wood clad simulated divided light in the original building and then using the vinyl in the later addition.

All agree that the removal of the storm windows will be a great improvement.

The next step is to have samples or pictures and costs presented to the Commission at its next meeting.

d. Case 08-06 – 428 N Taylor Ave, Landmark#24, Kyle-Essex-Gamble House.  Landscaping replacement of fence.  A presentation was made by the home owner, Cathy Bouchein, regarding replacement of the white picket fence on the property.  She wishes to replace the existing fence with red cedar pickets that will be painted white.  She will be replacing the hardware with replicas of the existing hardware.  She is working hard to maintain the integrity of the home through an exact replication of the fence.  However, she cannot get a permit to replace the fence because it currently is not following code.  It needs to be 12 feet from the street and is only 7.  Moving the fence will bring it into an already existing pathway and will disturb the rose bushes, several of which are very old.  Orrick is an unusual street in that it is not as wide as other streets in Kirkwood.  The fence company, Chesterfield Fence, will not work without a permit and the variance fee of $ 240 seems excessive considering her motive.  Comm. Meyer suggested that the fence could be replaced in sections to prevent the need of a building permit, but the contractor does not want to follow a piecemeal plan.

The Commission expressed their gratitude for the manner in which she is replacing the fence and offered to help in any manner that they could.  Unfortunately, code variance does not fall under their jurisdiction.

Liaison Lamberg is to talk to the Building Commissioner to determine the best next step.  The proper wording and request will be determined so that a letter of recommendation can be drawn up to help with a wanted conclusion.

Ms. Bouchein also requested a new Landmark designation certificate for her home as the old one is faded.  Alan is all over that.

4. Old Business

a.      Case 08-02 – 217 S Woodlawn Ave, Landmark # 29 Sutherland-Mitchell-Shallcross House.  Demolition of outbuilding.  Commissioner Riggs and Biven conducted a site visit and met with the home owner to determine the feasibility of rehabbing the existing outbuilding and the cost involved as compared to a new building.  The report was emailed to the home owner and all commissioners.  No comment has been received from the home owners.  Commissioner Riggs believes that the owners have no interest in saving the building but are willing to allow students to perform an archeological dig.

Liaison Lamberg and Claire Budd, Public Communications Officer, are to write a press release to offer the building to the public for moving.  Commissioner Jones suggested that Jessie Francis at Faust Park be contacted.

The demolition permit has been filed and will be up in May.  At that point the Commission will review to either approve the demolition or to stay it for longer.

b.      Savoy local historic district –

i.                    The inventory is currently being compiled.  Comm. Ravensberg has the documentation.  The summer intern may be useful for this project.

ii.                  Commissioner Emer will head the sub-committee for the development of guidelines for the district using input from the neighbors.

c.       Jefferson-Argonne local historic district –

i.                    Notes from Feb 23 public forum – Copies of the notes were forwarded to commissioners by email and will be used in the compiling of guidelines.

ii.                  Design guideline development – Commissioner Meyers and Biven will head the sub-committee for the development of guidelines for the district.  All commissioners were reminded that any and all meetings must be considered public forums and be published as such and that these meetings fall under the Sunshine Law.

d.      Development of 4-year plan –

i.                    Brainstorm on objectives, goals –In reviewing the list of goals, Commissioner Meyers requested that Quinette Cemetery be kept on the list.  He reported that the Parks Department is trying to develop a plan for the park where the Parks Dept is responsible for maintenance only.  If encouraged, they would participate in bench or monument placement.  Others in the community want more – large memorials, plantings.  The Parks Dept wants to develop politically correct guidelines for maintaining a park that was once a cemetery.

ii.                  Objectives organized into subcommittees, each led by a commissioner.  Started – more next meeting.

6. New Business
   1. Citizens seeking advice – none
   2. Staff observations – none.
   3. Report on meeting with Donne Poe regarding Downtown Business District.  Just talking National district, not local.  Need to outline the benefits – marketing, poss. tax credits.  Don’t scare them.  Enough interest, go forward.  Need to hurry to be able to write CLG grant by September.  For the matching portion we will do in-kind service.  Present the case – “What’s to loose?”  Get sense if they want it, then write letter to explain where we are.  Donna wants a brown sign on the highway.  There are 8-10 local landmarks.  Should help their bottom line.  Do rough map.  Way too much from Clay to Taylor.  Broad outline to show owners.  Ask everyone to come either April 1 or 2.  Alan to send letters to property owners to come to info meeting.  Have one in the day and then have time for questions at next Landmark meeting.
   4. Favorite Building Awards - Deadline for the public is April 2^nd.  Doughnut tour on April 5^th, 9 am, City Hall.  Finalize choices at April 9^th Commission meeting.  Alan to email everyone the list of previous winners.  Everyone needs to be looking for ideas of nominees.
7. Motion to adjourn.  Motion was made to adjourn by comm. Meyers, seconded by comm. Brown.  Approved unanimously.  Meeting adjourned 9:10 pm.