Historic Preservation Commission

HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION Meeting Minutes Date of Meeting: December 14, 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 Anne Halvachs (Chair) x Vacant (Vice - Chair) Vacant James McMillan x Steven Stovall x Michael Rose x Dacia Stewart x Jane Porchey x Angela Thompson x Ex-Officio Members (2): Karen Alexander, Council Member, Council Liaison x Mara Perry, Dir. Planning & Dev., Staff Liaison x Yolanda Wilkins, Planning & Dev.; Admin. Staff x REGULAR MEETING: 1. Approval of November 9, 2021 Minutes – motion to approve by Jane Porchey; second by Dacia Stewart 5-0 - 1 abstain 2. Visitor comments – Michael Blaze had questions about upcoming HPC projects on the agenda and stated he would be reviewing previous meetings because of his interest in existing projects. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. 417 Hawthorne– Certificate of Appropriateness Request to Demolish Accessory Structure in the Webster Park National Register Historic District – Anne Halvachs Opened up the Public Hearing. a. Petitioner, Michael Blaze architect for Bruce and Millicent Eckhardt, spoke in favor of the application, noting information included in applicant's submittal packet. b. Public Comment – The matter was opened for public comment and the home owner Mrs. Eckhardt was in attendance to speak in favor of the petition. 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, a motion to approve by Angela Thompson and second by Steve Stovall 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). 2. 219 N. Bompart – Certificate of Appropriateness Request to Demolish Accessory Structure in the Webster Park National Register Historic District – Anne Halvachs Opened up the Public Hearing. a. Petitioner, Bob Buckman architect for Fred and Lauren Schwarz, 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, motion to approve by Angela Thompson and second by Jane Porchey 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: A. Demolition Recommendation 1. 215 Portland Terrace – Detached Garage - Review of submittal packet, staff memorandum and recommendation. Motion to approve demolition request consistent with staff recommendation without holding for additional review motion made by Angela Thompson and second by Steve Stovall; passed unanimously 6-0. 2. 453 Catalina – Detached Garage - Review of submittal packet, staff memorandum and recommendation. The accessory structure was built in 1927. The structure is a one-story accessory structure identified at approximately 486 square feet in floor area. Motion made to approve demolish by Steve Stovall; motion second by James McMillan; passed unanimously 6-0. 3. 457 Catalina – Detached Garage – Review of submittal packet, staff memorandum and recommendation. The accessory structure was built in 1936. The structure is a one-story accessory structure identified at approximately 216 square feet in floor area. Motion made to approve demolish by Steve Stovall; motion seconded by James McMillan; passed unanimously 6-0. 4. 473 Catalina – Detached Garage - Review of submittal packet, staff memorandum and recommendation. The accessory structure was built in 1936. The structure is a one-story accessory structure identified at approximately 380 square feet in floor area. Motion made to approve demolish by Steve Stovall; motion second by James McMillan; passed unanimously 6-0. 5. 479 Catalina – Detached Garage - Review of submittal packet, staff memorandum and recommendation. The accessory structure was built in 1929. The structure is a one-story accessory structure identified at approximately 468 square feet in floor area. Motion made by Steven Stovall; motion seconded by James McMillan; passed unanimously 6-0. 6. 455 N. Laclede Station Road – Single Family Dwelling Review of submittal packet, staff memorandum and recommendation. The existing single-family dwelling was built in 1922. The structure is a 1-story structure, identified at approximately 880 square feet in gross floor area. The applicant purchased the property in May 2021 for $60,000 with the intent to demolish the existing structure for the construction of parking for an adjacent commercial property. ***(staff recommends perhaps savage of wood sheathing and windows; however, it was stated, work started without approval therefore, not sure what is left to savage.) Staff recommends approval of the request to demolish the existing single family made by Jane Porchey; motion seconded by James McMillian; passed unanimously 6-0. 7. 336 Hillside – Single Family Dwelling The existing single-family dwelling was built in 1937. The structure is a 1.5-story brick bungalow, identified at approximately 1,120 square feet in gross floor  area. The applicant purchased the property in July 2021 for $190,000 with the intent to demolish the existing structure for the construction of a new single-family dwelling. Staff recommends approval of the request to demolish the existing single-family dwelling structure at the subject property without holding the request for additional review. Motion made by Steven Stovall; motion seconded by James McMillan; passed unanimously 6-0. B. Election of Vice Chair/New Member Mara informed the committee Yolanda Wilkins; a member of the Planning Administrative staff would take over as secretary and they only need to elect vice chair this evening. o Angela Thompson nominated and elected for vice chair by Steve Stovall and second by Jane Porchey; all in favor; passed unanimously o James McMillan, appraiser by trade; introduced as a new member of the HPC, currently a resident of Webster Groves since 2018. OLD BUSINESS: HPC Projects for 2021-2022 o Joy Built Homes o Lustron Homes o Sears Kit Homes Motion to approve subcommittees’ meetings to research HPC projects going forward; consistent with staff recommendation, motion made by Steve Stovall and second by James McMillan; passed unanimously 5-0. Angela Thompson moved to adjourn the meeting; Steve Stovall second; passed by unanimous vote. NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, January 11, 2022