Historic Preservation Commission

City of WEBSTER GROVES 4 E. LOCKWOOD AVE. | WEBSTER GROVES | MISSOURI | 63119 314.963.5300 | WEBS TERGRO VES.ORG MEETING MINUTES HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION Meeting Minutes Date of Meeting: January 9, 2024 Time of Meeting: Regular meeting 6:30 PM Meeting Location: Webster Groves City Hall, 4 E Lockwood Ave (via teleconference and/or Zoom) MEMBERS (7): Present Absent Anne Halvachs (Chair) x Angela Thompson (Vice - Chair) x Hilary Perkins x Carol Duenke x vacant Sue Indelicato x Doug Stanley x Dr. Brian Bergfeld x Jean Spurr x Ex-Officio Members (2): Emily Shepard, Council Member, Council Liaison x Mara Perry, Planning & Dev., Staff Liaison x Yolanda Wilkins, Planning & Dev.; Admin. Staff REGULAR MEETING : 1. Approval of November 14, 2023, Minutes – Motion to approve corrections by Doug Stanley; second by Angela Thompson 8-0. 2. Visitor’s comments TO VIEW THE FULL TEXT OF ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS, AND MINUTES, PLEASE CLICK THEIR TITLES. Pg 1 PUBLIC HEARINGS : 407 Fairview Avenue - Bethany Lutheran Church – City Designated Historic Structures Chairperson Halvachs opened the public hearing: a. Petitioner:Historic Preservation Member Carol Duenke, spoke in favor of City Designated Historic Structure. She also provided the background on Bethany Lutheran Church which was originally a Danish Lutheran Church started by Danish Immigrants. b. Public Comments: (see below) c. HPC Question/Answer: HPC members wanted a confirmation of criteria that could be used to make the nomination to designate the property. d. Evidence Entered: The public hearing was closed, and the evidence was entered which included (8) exhibits placed into the record as listed on the PowerPoint and below.  Ownership/legal information as listed in the St. Louis County Department of Revenue records.  Copy of the Notice of Public Hearing that was posted on the property on December 21, 2023  Letters to the owner of the property, notifying of the intent to nominate and of the public hearing before the Historic Preservation Commission dated December 27, 2023  Affidavit of Publication for Ad in Webster Kirkwood Times  Documentation on the history of the property: a. Bethany Lutheran Church historic timeline narrative from the Webster Groves Historical Society b. Bethany Church history timeline – writer unknown c. Bethany Lutheran Church Historic Inventory Sheet prepared by Judy Little with St. Louis County Parks December 1991. d. Bethany Lutheran Church Historic photo, November 20, 1904 e. Articles of Incorporation 1906 Constitution f. Ministerial bog (church census) 1899-1926 g. 75th Anniversary Commemoration Booklet h. 100th Anniversary Commemoration Pamphlet i. Undated historical overview j. Photo of subscribers to build the church, Nellie and Charlie Andersen, undated. k. List of subscribers to build church, undated. l. Three (3) bids for construction of church building m. Receipts for various church building elements n. St. Louis Post Dispatch Letter to the Editor February 4, 1910, o. The New-Times Webster Groves Article October 1, 1926 TO VIEW THE FULL TEXT OF ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS, AND MINUTES, PLEASE CLICK THEIR TITLES. Pg 2  p. Webster Kirkwood Times Article, July 24, 1997 q. Dedication of Ship of Faith, Dec. 1, 2002, with photo of ship model r. St. Louis Lutheran article, Dec. 1, 2002. “Model Ship to take place in local Church.” s. Webster Kirkwood Times Article October 14, 2005 t. Webster Kirkwood Times Article October 12, 2007 u. Webster Kirkwood Times Article August 29, 2022 v. Webster Kirkwood Times Article September 12, 2022  E-mails in support of the nomination: a. Margie Brubaker 12/27/23 b. Deb Peterson 1/2/24  Copy of the Historic Preservation Ordinance of the City of Webster Groves, Missouri  Copy of The Secretary of Interior Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties - Standard for Preservation Chairperson Halvachs read the criteria that were recognized regarding the location at 407 Fairview Avenue, which were from Section 52.190: a.) Its character, interest, or value as a part of the development, heritage, or cultural characteristics of the community, county, state, or country. c.) Its potential to be returned to an accurate historic appearance regardless of alterations or insensitive treatment that can be demonstrated to be reversible. e.) Its identification with a person or persons who significantly contributed to the development of the community, county, state, or country. f.) Its embodiment of distinguished characteristics of an architectural type of valuable for the study of a period type, method of construction, or use of indigenous materials. h.) Its embodiment of elements of design, detailing, materials, or craftsmanship that render it architecturally significant. j.) Its unique location or singular physical characteristic that make it an established or familiar visual feature of the neighborhood, community, or City. l.) Its suitability for preservation or restoration; and m). Its potential to yield information important to history and prehistory. Gary Fleischer, the first speaker lives adjacent to Bethany Lutheran Church; questioned was if the entire property would be Historic. The answer was yes. (in favor) Peg Pederson resident at 819 Colebrook Drive, states the Church provides history and is a TO VIEW THE FULL TEXT OF ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS, AND MINUTES, PLEASE CLICK THEIR TITLES. Pg 3 historic structure. Her dad found the Church to be very welcoming and his funeral was also held at this location. (in favor) Michael Springer lives at 3402 Atalope Waterloo, Il - his grandmothers’ father was one of the founders of this structure as well as his grandmother was a member of the Church. There used to be a Danish school at this location, he feels its’ a beautiful structure and adds to the Tuxedo Park area. (in favor) Shirley Wolverson resident at 427 Greeley family has lived there for numerous years, (in favor) Linda Boone resident at 780 Brookridge Drive, states she is Danish on her mother’s side represents the Danish Club of St. Louis. (in favor) Tracy Downing is a 5th generation resident of Webster. She works and has lived her entire life in Webster. Her family went to this Church and were builders of this church states it’s the bedrock to Webster. (in favor) Taylor Rich resident at 408 Fairview Avenue, church was one of the changes he liked when he purchased his home having the parsonages with the church should be viewed together. (in favor) Michael Blaes, an architect, and resident who lives on Newport Avenue walks every day past this beautiful building – he calls it the tallest building in Tuxedo Park, it’s very much a landmark. (in favor) Jack Woo lives in Chesterfield has interest in repurposing as Buddhism Temple, He’s an investor and states the parsonage does not seem structurally sound. Thinks it’s a drawback if anyone was considering buying both. Bishop Susan Candea of Central States Senate Synagogue took over when the attendance and members dwindled, and it could no longer function as a church. They decided to sell it because they also do not have the resources to maintain an empty building that is not functioning as a church, this property has been vacant for years as of October of 2022. (opposed) Robert Biggs, the realtor, stated he has a couple of buyers interested in leaving the property as historic, along with not wanting to demolish the buildings and build houses. HPC members discussed the possibility of changes to the property, tax credits, zoning and various possibilities as far as selling and/or repurposing of this property. Motion to approve by Carol Duenke to move forward with Historic nomination of the Bethany Lutheran Church and its existing properties, second by Hilary Perkins 7-0 Mrs. Perry provided the next steps and the date, location and time of the public hearing on February 6, 2024, at 7:30pm. TO VIEW THE FULL TEXT OF ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS, AND MINUTES, PLEASE CLICK THEIR TITLES. Pg 4 NEW BUSINESS 12 Euclid Avenue – Demolition Request - Single Family Dwelling  The existing single family dwelling was built according to St. Louis County records in 1920. Research that was done for the North Webster walk indicates it is likely from around 1900.  In the North Webster walk the description includes the following: “like most of the houses in North Webster, this house has been modernized over the years. Look closely, though, and you’ll find clues to the house’s age. Probably constructed in the early 1900s, the original: - shaped house sits high on a stone foundation. The wide brick chimney is another giveaway that this is one of the earliest houses in the neighborhood.” Staff have not found any documentation to prove either that was built in 1920 or before. No building permits have been found for the years leading up from 1918 through 1920.  The property has not been previously identified as an at-risk property that should be looked at for a possible designation.  Attached are a few articles about one of the families who lived in the home. The Hubbard’s lived in the house when Wilbert Hubbard Jr. was born. Mr. Hubbard graduated from Douglass High School and was an Alderperson for the City of Rock Hill.  The structure is a 1-story structure, identified at approximately 704 square feet in gross floor area.  The applicant has submitted photographs identifying existing conditions of the structure’s exterior and interior.  The applicant purchased the property on October 2, 2019, for $63,000. The applicant has no plans at this time for the lot. Previous discussions had been to build a new single family structure on the lot. Staff had previously recommended further review of the history of the structure prior to approval of the request to demolish the existing single family dwelling structure. Unfortunately, after much research, review, and lack of additional supporting documentation the HPC members did not find enough to connect the home as historical; all agreed to move approval to demolish. Motion to approve by Doug Stanley; second by Jean Spurr 7-0 3401 S Brentwood Boulevard – Demolition Request - Single Family Dwelling  The existing single family dwelling was built in 1912.  The City has found no records pertaining to a historic property inventory sheet for the subject property.  The property has not been previously identified as an at-risk property that should be looked at for a possible designation.  The structure is a 1 and a half-story structure, identified at approximately 701 square feet in gross floor area. TO VIEW THE FULL TEXT OF ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS, AND MINUTES, PLEASE CLICK THEIR TITLES. Pg 5   The applicant has submitted photographs identifying existing conditions of the structure’s exterior.  The applicant purchased the property on June 20, 2003. The sale price is not available through public records. The applicant has no plans at this time for the lot. Staff recommend approval of the request to demolish the existing single family dwelling structure at the subject property without holding the request for additional review. Motion to approve by Brian Bergfeld; second by Hilary Perkins 7-0 780 Tuxedo Boulevard – Single Family Dwelling  The existing single family dwelling was built in 1945.  The City has found no records pertaining to a historic property inventory sheet for the subject property.  The property has not been previously identified as an at-risk property that should be looked at for a possible designation.  The structure is a 1.5 story dwelling, identified at approximately 1,218 square feet in gross floor area.  The applicant has submitted photographs identifying existing conditions of the structure’s interior and exterior.  The property was in court for issues related to the upkeep of the structure and the property. A repair or demolish letter was issued to the former property owner.  The applicant purchased the property on October 31, 2023, for $125,000. The applicant plans to build a single family home on this lot for a client. Staff recommend approval of the request to demolish the existing single family dwelling structure at the subject property without holding the request for additional review. Motion to approve by Carol Duenke; second by Doug Stanley 7-0 224 Oak Tree Drive – Single Family Dwelling  The existing single family dwelling was built in 1922.  The City has found no records pertaining to a historic property inventory sheet for the subject property.  The property has not been previously identified as an at-risk property that should be looked at for a possible designation.  The structure is a 1.5 story dwelling, identified at approximately 1,376 square feet in gross floor area.  The applicant has submitted photographs identifying existing conditions of the structure’s exterior.  The applicant purchased the property on July 6, 2023, for $262.000. The applicant plans to build a single family home on this lot. Staff recommend approval of the request to demolish the existing single family dwelling structure at the subject property without holding the request for additional review. TO VIEW THE FULL TEXT OF ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS, AND MINUTES, PLEASE CLICK THEIR TITLES. Pg 6 Motion to approve by Doug Stanley; second by Jean Spurr 7-0 643 Marshall Avenue – Single Family Dwelling  The existing single family dwelling was built in 1903.  The City has found no records pertaining to a historic property inventory sheet for the subject property.  The property has not been previously identified as an at-risk property that should be looked at for a possible designation.  The structure is a two-story dwelling, identified at approximately 1,282 square feet in gross floor area.  The applicant has submitted photographs identifying existing conditions of the structure’s interior and exterior.  The applicant purchased the property on November 30, 2023, for $252.000. The applicant plans to build a single family home on this lot. 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 to approve by Carol Duenke; second by Hilary Perkins 7-0 8717 Big Bend Boulevard – Commercial Building  The existing commercial building was built in 1944 according to St. Louis County records. The date could be later as County merges the properties under 8715 and 8717 together. Aerial photograph from 1955 shows it in place by then.  The City has found no records pertaining to a historic property inventory sheet for the subject property.  The property has not been previously identified as an at-risk property that should be looked at for a possible designation.  The structure is a one story masonry building, identified at approximately 350 square feet in gross floor area (as measured off an aerial photograph)  The applicant has submitted photographs identifying existing conditions of the structure’s interior and exterior.  The applicant purchased the property on October 23, 2023, for $325,000 (sold with 8715 Big Bend Boulevard). The applicant plans to leave the site open to be used as an outdoor area for the new business going into 8715 Big Bend Boulevard. Staff recommend approval of the request to demolish the existing commercial building at the subject property without holding the request for additional review. Motion to approve by Doug Stanley; second by Carol Duenke 7-0 OLD BUSINESS : HPC members briefly discussed the Conservation Districts they inquired about the timeframe and details of the new comprehensive plan. HPC member Carol Duenke suggested they create TO VIEW THE FULL TEXT OF ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS, AND MINUTES, PLEASE CLICK THEIR TITLES. Pg 7 an outline for historic conservation districts and perhaps even expanding for discussion on green space. The members agreed to carry over to next month’s agenda. Mrs. Perry advised there’s bids currently being accepted due by January 27th and a proposal will be presented once things are in order. Motion to adjourn by; Hilary Perkins second by Carol Duenke all in favor; meeting adjourned. 7- 0 NEXT MEETING : February 13, 2024 TO VIEW THE FULL TEXT OF ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS, AND MINUTES, PLEASE CLICK THEIR TITLES. Pg 8