Wednesday, October 10, 2007
6:30 P.M.
Council Chambers
City Hall

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

1.     Approval of Minutes, and any additions or modifications to the current agenda.

2.     Citizen Comments (see 4.a & 4.b.v)

3.     Certificate of Appropriateness (6:35 PM)

a.      Case 07-10 – LM#01, Kirkwood Missouri Pacific Depot, 100 W Argonne Drive, site improvement. Mr. Richard Conners of the American Legion, in coordination with Mayor Swoboda, sponsoring a monument to memorialize the battle of Argonne in WWI and the dedication of Argonne Drive in 1919.  Approved.

b.     Case 07-11 – 345 East Argonne, new construction of  2-car garage, carriage house-style.  Mrs. Catherine Enslin, architect for the Hautly family.  Existing garage to be removed.  Approved with condition: If using partial vinyl siding on rear and east elevation, then turn the corner at least a foot from the east side. (So that the vinyl will not show from the streetscape).

4.     Old Business

a.     Public hearing for nomination for landmark status (7:00 PM).  Staff Liaison explained what it means to be a landmark, the criteria for determination, and protections & responsibilities afforded to property owner.  A slideshow highlighted several examples of existing landmarks and how they related in criteria to the nominations. 

                    i.      St. Peter Cemetery at 520 West Monroe Avenue.  Father Jack Costello spoke on behalf of the Archdiocese. Motion to designate by Riggs, seconded by Meyers, unanimously approved.

                  ii.      St. Peter Church at 237 West Argonne Drive. Father Jack Costello spoke on behalf of the Archdiocese. Motion to designate by Meyers, seconded by Emer, unanimously approved.

                iii.      Woodworth Building at 212 N. Kirkwood Road.  Mr. Graydon "Gig" Gwin reiterated his support.  Motion to designate by Meyers, seconded by Brown, unanimously approved.

               iv.      Kirkwood Public Library at 140 E. Jefferson. Ms. Wicky Sleight, Director of Library Board, reiterated the Board's support.  Motion to designated by Emers, seconded by Meyers, unanimously approved.

b.     Public hearing for proposed local historic district of Jefferson-Argonne (7:30 PM)

                    i.      Staff Liaison explained what it means to have a historic district, the criteria for determination, and protections & responsibilities afforded to property owners. A slideshow highlighted several existing landmarks and other contributing places in the district and how they related in criteria.

                  ii.      Presentation about National Register from Ms. Kris Zapalac of the State Historic Preservation Office (8:00 PM)

                iii.      Testimonials from property owners who initiated the proposal (8:20 PM).  Tad Skelton, Ron Gaus, Lisa Hautly, Joni Kirby.

               iv.      Comments from individuals.  Mr. Dave Ward. Ms. Mary Bendel. Mr. Alan Hautly mentioned how deed restrictions set by property owners can protect historic places.  Mr. Don Anderson expressed that, as an architectural designer, he feels the ordinance is missing regulatory "teeth."

                 v.      Design Guidelines (8:35 PM).  City Attorney John Hessel stated that the design guidelines are presently "fluid," meaning that the commission may proceed with designation while developing the design guidelines with input from the affected property owners.  The copy that was available at the meeting was preliminary in form; staff liaison should not have included the section on new construction because the copy could be construed as final policy, when it was in fact only a suggested starting point, copied from Florrissant's design guidelines.

5.     New Business

a.      Staff observations, suggestions (none)

6.     Adjourned at 8:50 PM

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.