Historic Preservation Commission

HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION Meeting Minutes Date of Meeting: April 13, 2021 Time of Meeting: Regular meeting 6:30 PM Meeting Location: Webster Groves City Hall, 4 E Lockwood Ave (via teleconference and/or Zoom) MEMBERS (9): Present Absent Katie Ortwerth (Chair) x Anne Halvachs (Vice Chair) x Doug Stanley x Brendan Barash x Steven Stovall x Michael Rose x Dacia Stewart x Jane Porchey x Vacancy Ex-Officio Members (2): Karen Alexander, Council Member, Council Liaison x Mara Perry, Dir. Planning & Dev., Staff Liaison x REGULAR MEETING: 1. Approval of March 9, 2021 Minutes – motion to approve by Doug Stanley; second by Steven Stovall 2. Visitor comments - none PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. 221 S. Maple– Certificate of Appropriateness Request to Demolish Accessory Structure in the Central Webster National Register Historic District – Anne Halvachs Opened up the Public Hearing. a. Petitioner, Dan Head, spoke in favor of the application, noting information included in applicant's submittal packet. b. Public Comment – The matter was opened for public comment but no other people were in attendance to speak in favor or opposed. c. HPC Question/Answer - HPC members asked Petitioner about various aspects of the property, the proposed demolition, his awareness of the neighborhood's historic designation, and other matters bearing on the criteria governing HPC determination. d. Evidence Entered. The public hearing was closed and the evidence, eight (8) items total, placed into the record as listed on the powerpoint. e. HPC Discussion – HPC members first revisited the Code provisions governing determination of a certificate of appropriateness, reiterating that the Secretary of Interior's guidelines are the HPC's general guide. Anne Halvachs (Vice-Chair) called for a vote, with all votes cast in favor of approval of the Certificate of Appropriateness, and no votes in opposition, the Certificate of Appropriateness Request to Demolish was approved by unanimous vote of the HPC (vote was 6-0). NEW BUSINESS: 1. 156 Cottage– Demolition Request Single Family Structure - Review of submittal packet, staff memorandum and recommendation; HPC discussion with the applicant Jim Bulejski concerning ability to save and reuse the windows with lack of remaining historical value noted. Motion to approve demolition request consistent with Staff recommendation without holding for additional review made by Doug Stanley; motion seconded by Steven Stovall; passed unanimously 6-0. 2. 17 N. Iola – Demolition Request Single Family Structure - Review of submittal packet, staff memorandum and recommendation. HPC discussion, with lack of remaining historical value noted. Motion to approve  demolition request consistent with Staff recommendation without holding for additional review made by Steven Stovall; motion seconded by Doug Stanley; passed unanimously 6-0. 3. HPC members discussed confirming that the projects the HPC was pursuing were following the “direction” of the City Council. Council Member Karen Alexander stated that she would ask the Council at their next meeting about what direction they wished the HPC to take. Mara Perry suggested that with so many new members it would be good to have a training meeting to discuss process and procedures for the commission. It was recommended that the City Attorney be invited to discussed legal issues with regard to the commission and historic properties. HPC members agreed that the next HPC meeting should be dedicated to training and that other old business would be postponed to a future meeting date. OLD BUSINESS: 1. "At Risk" property qualifications: Discussion moved to future meeting date. 2. Over 100 Years Properties List - Discussion moved to future meeting date. Michael Rose moved to adjourn the meeting; Anne Halvachs seconded; passed by unanimous vote. NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, May 17, 2021