Monday, October 1, 2007
6:00 p.m.
Main Level Conf. Room
City Hall

Present: Commissioners Dave Brown, Matt Bivens, Pat Jones, David Meyers, Phyllis Ravensberg, Council Liaison Art McDonnell, and Staff Liaison Alan Lamberg

1.       Tour of places nominated for landmark status

a.       Saint Peter Church

                           i.      Architectural features were singled out

                         ii.      Staff found a building permit dated April 18, 1955.

b.       Saint Peter Cemetery

                           i.      Original site of church was located.

                         ii.      Comr. Ravensberg reported that Fr. Jack Costello is not the official representative for the owner of the Cemetery, being the Archdiocese of St. Louis. The Archdiocese may not consent to the proposed designation.  Landmarks Commission will confer with the Archdiocese before further proceeding on this matter.

c.       Kirkwood Public Library

                           i.      Comr. Bivens to articulate how original building and west wing are eligible because alterations are reversible. 

d.       Woodworth Building

                           i.      Staff scanned several pictures that show the history of the building from the early 20^th century to its exterior alteration to its restoration in the 21^st Century. 

                         ii.      Comr. Bivens compared its eligibility as a landmark with that of National Register status; it's a sure thing as a landmark and with more effort, it could be worth of the National Register.

2.       Approval of Minutes from September 12, 2007 meeting with typo correction. 

3.       Policy on criteria for local district designation, which may differ from National Register

a.       Discussion on criteria for effect of vinyl siding on historic homes

                                 i.      Comr Bivens stated that the National Register considers making vinyl sided places contributors when there is otherwise sufficient historic integrity.

                               ii.      Fenestration

                              iii.      Should policy be that appropriate vinyl siding matches wood siding in size and scale?

b.       Comr Ravensberg asked if the Commission is setting policy on criteria too soon. Comr Meyers concurred, asserting that

                                 i.      The historic inventory be updated first;

                               ii.      Question, pragmatically, if certain properties have sufficient historic integrity;

                              iii.      Determine criteria from these pragmatic consideration, and then;

                             iv.      Determine what is contributing and non-contributing.  In other words, contributing status depends on criteria policy and design guidelines.

c.       Since the current ordinance prescribes uniform regulations to contributing and non-contributors, the Commission does not need to rush in that determination.  Incidentally, it is safely understood that the majority properties in the district are still contributing.

4.       Design Guidelines outline for the public hearing

a.       It will be an outline of architectural styles with some detail.  Public will be invited to provide input.  The property owners will have a say as to the extent of detail of historic features of their homes.

b.       Comr. Bivens will articulate how Kirkwood has undergone a 4^th period of historic development, which can be added to the National Register narrative and referred to for local criteria.

5.       Finalize agenda for public hearing and presentation

a.       Map will be unofficial because many contributing and non-contributing statuses will be determined after criteria are determined.  It will indicate infill and demolition.

b.       Staff presentation to include pictures of landmarks in the district; variety of styles…

c.       Regarding the timetable for designation, the public will be informed that letters seeking agreement or disagreement with the proposal will be sent the next day. These letters are being sent to affected owners who had not signed the petition. The recipients will have a reasonable period to reply within 15 days.  After that time, there will likely be a special meeting called where the Commission will make their determination regarding designation.

6.       Upcoming COA for Train Station.

a.       Administration is conferring with Amtrak & Phone Company on relocating the payphone outside the station to an appropriate place.  The Commission preferred an aesthetically pleasing cast aluminum enclosure with a black payphone to be placed at the northwest corner of the building.  The recommendation was motioned by Comr. Meyers, seconded by Comr. Bivens, unanimously in favor.

7.       Adjourned at 8:20 PM

Respectfully submitted,

Comr. Phyllis Ravensberg, Recording Secretary

Persons with disabilities who need accommodations to attend or participate in the meeting should call the City at 822-5801 or 822-5858 (TDD) at least 48 hours before the meeting.