September 12, 2007
6:30 P.M.
Council Chambers
City Hall

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

Guests: Craig Conway, Ginny Garesche, Ron Gaus of 222 E Argonne, Alan & Lisa Haulty of 345 E Argonne, Tad Skelton of 341 E Argonne, Council Members Tim Griffin and Connie Karr

1.       Approval of Minutes. Minutes from July 11, 2007 meeting were approved with typo correction.  Minutes from supplemental meetings and communications approved with typo corrections.

2.       Citizen Comments.  None.

3.       Certificate of Appropriateness. None.

4.      Old Business

a.       Quinette Cemetery – Comr. Meyers had attended the Parks Board meeting earlier that month.  He reported that an alternative idea from the proposed monument is to implement a plaque in the front pillar.  Staff will obtain the specs for the existing Daughters of American Revolution plaque so that the font and visual style will be uniform.

5.      New Business

a.       Nomination applications for landmark status

                     i.      Kirkwood Public Library at 140 E. Jefferson  - Members of the Library Board, Liz Walker, President; Gina Jaksetic, Secretary/Treasurer, Mary Ellen Dick, board member, were present in support for nomination.  Library Director Wicky Sleight submitted the application and photos.  Upon initial review of the application, Comr. Jones asked when the façade on the front was installed.  Photos and drawings of the original building were distributed.  Comr. Meyers motioned to consider the Kirkwood Public Library as a Landmark.  Seconded by Comr. Emer.  The motion was unanimously approved.

                   ii.      St. Peter's Church and Cemetery.  Comr. Ravensburg reported that Fr. Jack Costello, representative for the Archdiocese of Saint Louis, submitted historic inventories so that the Church and Cemetery may be considered as individual landmarks.  Comr. Jones queried what is the oldest burial in the cemetery.  Comr. Ravensburg.   Comr. Meyers motioned to propose the Saint Peter Cemetery and Church as individual Landmarks.  Seconded by Comr. Emer.  The motion was unanimously approved. 

                  iii.      Woodworth Building at 212 N. Kirkwood Road (Gwin's Travel) – Staff Liaison Lamberg reported that Mr. Graydon "Gig" Gwin would have liked to submit the application in person, but was obligated to be in Detroit on business.  The application was submitted on his behalf.  Comr. Meyers motioned to propose the Woodworth Building as a local Landmark.  Seconded by Comr. Riggs.  The motion was unanimously approved. 

b.      Coalition of property owners to preserve Jefferson-Argonne district

                     i.      Mr. Tad Skelton of 341 East Argonne Drive, on behalf of a coalition of property owners in support of preservation, approached the Commission.  Comr. Riggs asked how many red signs are in people's yards; almost 400, with 200 more in production.  Several builders are displaying these signs in support.  Mr. Skelton expressed thanks to Comr. Jones and Mr. Lamberg for their professionalism and patience in the past few months in answering his questions.  He stated the intent to request the Landmarks Commission to designate Jefferson-Argonne a local historic district.  They are interested in the protections that would be afforded to the district [limited stay of demolition, review of new construction of new homes and detached structures].   Ten volunteer block captains have spent several weeks petition their neighbors for support of the designation, in which they obtained signatures from a majority of affected property owners, in addition to dozens of others.  Mr. Lamberg stated that he would verify the signatures.

                   ii.      Mr. Skelton asked how soon a designation could occur, and if there was anyway to slow down infill development once a proposal is made.  Mr. Lamberg responded that this is a matter of interim control, which is not legislated in the current ordinance.  Therefore, he will talk with the City Attorney as soon as possible to determine if interim control is possible.

                  iii.      Mr. Skelton asked clarification about the process of public notice.  Mr. Lamberg explained that there will be one letter of notice of the public hearing, scheduled for October 10.  Any other letters are for informational purposes. Comr. Riggs asked if these letters of notice are regularly scheduled.  Mr. Lamberg further clarified that a second letter would inform what occurred at the public hearing, a third letter in case there is a determination to designate, and a forth to inform of designation.

                 iv.      Comr. Meyers asked if the City Council makes the determination for landmark status.  Mr. Lamberg clarified that it is not the City Council, but the Landmarks Commission that makes the determination.  Comr. Meyers asked if a special meeting can be called in early November to make their determination. Mr. Lamberg replied that they may do so as long as they fulfill all prescribed procedures according to law; e.g., public notice of hearing, the public comment at the hearing, etc.

                   v.      Comr. Jones stated that another objective that needs to be met before determination is to update the historic inventory of the homes in the proposed district.  The Commission intends on doing this before the October 10 meeting, and this is further discussed in item D.

                 vi.      Comr. Ravensburg stated that she is abstaining from voting on the matter of Jefferson-Argonne district because she owns a home in said district; therefore, she is avoiding the appearance of conflict of interest.

                vii.      Comr. Meyers motioned to consider a proposal to have Jefferson-Argonne become a local district.  Seconded by Comr. Emer.  The motion was unanimously approved with Comr. Ravensburg abstaining. 

c.       Citizens seeking advice to preserve their historic properties.

                     i.      Mr. Lamberg stated that several owners have called him in the past few months seeking information. 

                   ii.      Mrs. Lisa Hautly of 345 East Argonne Drive stated that in the ten weeks of having moved here they are pleased with the City of Kirkwood's efforts to listen and help them with their concerns about preservation matters, especially with regard to the house next door, 407 East Argonne Drive, an architecturally significant home which was recently demolished and slated for infill housing.

                  iii.      Mr. Lamberg took a moment to state that, as staff person, he has been communicating with commission, the City Council, citizens, developers, and he has the impression that everyone wants to see what is best for Kirkwood, and that the he wants to help facilitate this.  Part of the meeting's purpose is to encourage citizen participation regarding [preservation] policy in Kirkwood. 

d.      Procedures for survey of historic inventory, volunteer coordination

               i.      The Commission discussed with the coalition of property owners logistic details for planning the field survey, which will include the commission working with a dozen volunteers.  There will be eight teams to survey eight sectors, each containing about 20-25 properties. Each team will have a commissioner, a photographer, and a scribe.  They estimated that the survey will take three hours.

             ii.      Comr. Jones stated that the 2007 survey form will have room to list distinguishing historic architectural features, and the packet will have a list of architectural styles that are known to exist in the district.  This accumulation of knowledge will lend to the development of design guidelines.  Mr. Lamberg encouraged public comment and participation in the development of design guidelines.  He also stated that the guidelines will be helpful for developers to use as a reference for new construction.  

            iii.      Mr. Lamberg stated that when the volunteers gather, the Commission will have a twenty minute training session so they can help with the survey.  It was suggested that we meet in  the Skelton's front yard.

           iv.      Comr. Riggs asked if the 2004 survey forms will be in color.  Mr. Lamberg will contact Deb Sheals, the consultant who generated the forms for the National Register nomination in 2004, and perhaps obtain color copies.

             v.      Maps were not present at the meeting because the commission is yet to determine which properties would fulfill local criteria for historic status that would contribute to the district.  Once the survey is complete, the data will be processed. In other words, the current maps are unofficial; the boundary of the proposed district is unofficial until the survey is completed.  It is important to note that about 25 properties that are not currently in the National Register district will be considered for inclusion in the local district because they are the part of the historic streetscape. 

           vi.      Comr. Meyers asked if the additional 25 properties affect the number of owner consent.  Comr. Jones responded that Mr. Lamberg would send a letter to the owners who had not signed the petition, thus affording them the opportunity to agree or disagree with the proposed district. [Staff has since verified all signatures for the proposed district and there is still majority consensus.]  Mr. Lamberg stated that he will meet with the City Attorney to clarify whether or not this letter needs to be signed by those who already signed the petition.

          vii.      Comr. Riggs asked how the numbers of consenting property owners affect determination.  Mr. Lamberg at first stated that a district does not have to have a majority of contributing structures; e.g., Meramec Highlands.  He also stated that, while the ordinance does not discuss owner consent, it is reasonable for the commission, in due diligence, to obtain a petition indicating a majority of owner consent.

        viii.      Mr. Ron Gaus of 222 East Argonne Drive and Mr. Craig Conway asked if staff needs help with photography and stuffing envelopes for the letters or notice.  [Mr. Gaus was able to help with two rounds of photography, and the Finance department showed Mr. Lamberg how to use the mail processing room to quickly and efficiently fold and stuff envelopes.]

e.       Election of officers – Comr. Jones asked if there are nominations for officiers.  Comr. Emer nominated Comr. Jones for another term as chairperson.  Seconded by Comr. Meyers.  The nomination was unanimously approved.  Comr. Meyer nominated Comr. Emer for another term as vice-chairperson.  Seconded by Comr. Jones.  The nomination was unanimously approved.  The Commission was not clear about whether or not to elect a secretary.  The ordinance prescribes a recording secretary. Mr. Lamberg stated that his superiors in City Hall would appreciate if recording duties were delegated to a commissioner to offset staff workload.  Comr. Ravensburg nominated herself.  Seconded by Comr. Meyers.  The nomination was unanimously approved.

f.        Staff observations, suggestions. Mr. Lamberg stated that observations and comments can be found in the supplemental minutes.

g.       Comr. Meyers requested references to experts of historic cemeteries or burial grounds.  This would help the Park Board with Historic Quinette Cemetery.

h.       Comr. Bivens asked if the Commission would do anything further regarding the Society of Mary's planned renovation of Brownhurst landmark.  Mr. Lamberg referred to supplemental minutes under August 28, 2007.  Comr. Bivens offered to help with a National Register nomination.  The liaison responsible for funding matters on the committee was noted to be out of town, and this matter can be addressed at a later date.

6.       Adjourned at 8:15 p.m.

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