Summary of Decisions by the Preservation Board: January 28, 2008
The St. Louis Preservation Board held its regular monthly meeting on Monday, January 28. In attendance were Chairman Richard Callow and Board members John Burse, Anthony Robinson, Mike Killeen, Melanie Fathman, David Richardson, Mary Johnson and Alderman Terry Kennedy. A copy of the agenda can be found here.
Here is a summary of the Board's actions by agenda item:
PRELIMINARY REVIEWS
A. 4122 BOTANICAL AVENUE (Shaw Historic District): The Board voted unanimously to defer for one month consideration of the issue of doorways reconfigured installed without a permit. Ald. Steve Conway (D-8th) spoke on behalf of the applicant, who claims financial hardship. The Board asked the applicant to return with proof of financial hardship.
B. 2300, 3913, 3917, 3919, 3931 AND 3933 NEWHOUSE AVENUE (Hyde Park Historic District): Board Vice Chairwoman Mary Johnson recused herself to testify in her capacity as broker of these proposed new homes. Landmarks Assistant Director Michael Allen asked the Preservation Board to require a new site plan that maintained historic set-backs from the street and between houses. The Board voted unanimously for John Burse’s motion to grant preliminary approval with the stipulation that either the site plan be changed or the houses be faced in brick on three sides.
C. 3009 ALLEN AVENUE (Compton Heights Historic District): The homeowner installed squared-off windows in two arched openings, but had attempted to correct this action by installing a wood molding one of the windows to appear as an arch-top sash. Ald. Kacie Starr Triplett (D-6th) testified in defense of the applicant. The Board voted 5-2 (Burse and Killeen dissenting) to grant a variance and require the second window to be mocked up like the other.
D. 2868 MISSOURI AVENUE (Benton Park Historic District): The Board unanimously approved construction of two new houses at this address.
NEW APPLICATION
E. 278 NORTH SKINKER BOULEVARD (Skinker-DeBaliviere Historic District): With Burse recused, the board voted unanimously to approve new awning-style windows and a sign for the new Bobo Noodle House restaurant.
APPEALS OF STAFF DENIALS
F. 5286-98 PAGE BOULEVARD (Preservation Review District: Mount Cabanne-Raymond Place National Register District): The Board entered into record compilations of exhibits from the Berean Seventh Day Adventist Church as well as the Cultural Resources Office. Church attorney Robert Kenney declined to make further statements. The board proceeded to vote 5-2 (Johnson and Kennedy dissenting) to uphold the staff denial. More information on this contentious issue is available here.
G. 4047-49 SHENANDOAH AVENUE (Shaw Historic District): The Board voted unanimously to require the property owner to return in one month with proof of financial hardship.
H. 5565-67 WATERMAN BOULEVARD (Central West End Historic District): The Board voted unanimously to uphold staff denial of a permit to install vinyl fencing at a condominium complex. Landmarks Board Member Bill Seibert spoke on behalf of the Central West End Association to support the upholding the denial.
I. 5092 WESTMINSTER PLACE (Central West End Historic District): Although the owner of a house who replaced slate shingles with vinyl siding did not attend the meeting, the Board voted unanimously to deny her appeal.
J. 3839 CLEVELAND AVENUE (Shaw Historic District): The Board voted unanimously to require a homeowner who installed vinyl windows and steel doors without a permit to return in one month with proof of financial hardship.
K. 2100 LAFAYETTE AVENUE (Lafayette Square Historic District): The Board voted unanimously to uphold staff denial of a permit to retain vinyl windows.
NATIONAL REGISTER NOMINATIONS
In two votes, the board unanimously recommended to the Missouri Advisory Council on Historic Preservation approval of all nominations of buildings to the National Register of Historic Places. These include nominations by Landmarks Association of Arlington School, the Franke Motor Company Building, the Frederick Newton Judson House, the Kieselhorst Piano Building and the Nooter Corporation Building. Other nominations are an expansion of the Forest Park Southeast Historic District, the Coca-Cola Syrup Plant, Oakview Place Apartments and the Pundt Brothers-Garavaglia Grocery Store Complex.