Architectural Review Board - Regular Meeting

Mr. Diane, how are you? Not too bad. Right on time. We're just getting ready. She turned on the system so that we can order. Right. All right. Uh Dennis Lav will call the meeting to order and ask the staff if you would do a call the role. It's Chair Lav. Janet Lavine here. Miss Chair Jones is not here. Uh, Secretary Ritter is not here. Member Parsons and our alternate Bartles Meer here. And alternate Rderman is not here. Council member Leison Nyion

here. And we have quorum. Okay, we do have a quorum. Uh you do have some minutes in your packet from the meeting which was on February 12th. We have asked a motion to approve the minute February 12th. Please motion. Okay. Moves parts and seconds. All those in favor say I. I oppose nay. The eyes have it. Um thank you. Do have one amendment. Sure. Please. Sorry. I'm apparently both present and absent. Oh, and which one were you? I'm pretty sure I was there. Okay. All right. We will make that amendment. I remember this presentation.

Your twin was no to accept the minutes as amended. Sorry. Okay. Those in favor say I. Those oppose nay. The eyes have it. All right. The agenda just has one item. Are there any changes to the agenda before we actually move into it? We will proceed. When agenda says they call for public comments other than what's on the agenda, are there any public comments? And I will ask if there anyone online that might have public comments here. Okay.

Like we do have an attendee. If that attendee would like to make comment at this time, please use the raise hand feature. I see no raised hand. No raised hand. All right, we will proceed and we will uh no old business that we're aware we're somewhat have any we're into the new business and ask the staff if you would to please read in the case. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Ashley Grove, 2623 Center Avenue preliminary review of plans for five home options to be available within the Ashley Grove subdivision. a new 12 lot subdivision within town center particular site is located in more state.

All right, Mr. Chair, members of the board, just to briefly introduce this item before we invite the applicant to make presentation. Okay, I'm frozen. That's the story of tonight. Jar, we're having a technology night, so bear with us. Okay, here we go. There you go. Good job.

All right, so uh the request this evening involves a property uh that is 5 acres in size and located within the Wildwood Town Center. It is just south of Manchester Road between uh West and East Avenues. And um a good landmark is in this corner here. This is the post office that helps everyone. And this is Highway 109. Um, this property is zoned R3 uh 10,000 square foot residence district with a planned residential uh development overlay district associated with it. It is in neighborhood edge district. It is being developed into the Ashley Grove subdivision which is going to consist of 12 lots with 11 uh being developed with new single family homes. This just isn't working this evening and uh one lot um uh not being developed as it has an existing residence upon it.

Can I just throw up? Is that the one up in the northeast corner up in the upper right corner? It's the program. correct where the purple is. Okay, that was how I distinguished it.

Um, so I'm a bit flustered. Hopefully I didn't miss anything. Uh, but the applicant this evening is uh has prepared a preliminary set of plans for you to review uh with five home options that will be available within the subdivision. Um, so those packets are before you this evening and you're being asked for your comments, suggestions, directions, so the applicant can take those comments and provide a final set for the next meeting. Uh, the department has supplied a number of revision comments to the applicant. Those are noted in your staff uh, reports this evening within your packets. So, you're welcome to take a look at those, but again, uh, we are not requesting any action at this time. Right, we have J.R. Mayor from Prestige Custom Homes um that can answer your questions regarding the property. I apologize, I forgot to show that this is what the existing uh property does look like. And then here are the five. So at this time, if Mr. Mayor would like to present, he's invited to.

Yes. Mr. Chair, before Mr. Mayor begins, just a couple of things. There's a the 11 8 1/2 by 14 packet that has a lot of the material samples, the catalog, cut sheets, etc. with some of the details relating to columns, doors, windows, etc. And then I believe the larger set is the actual models that are being proposed. And as mentioned, I just keep there's five. Thank you.

Thank you. Uh my name is J.R. Mayor with Prestige Custom Homes. Um like I was mentioned here presenting five homes uh that we're planning on offering at Ashley Grove. Two two stories, two story and a halves and a ranch model all with varying uh elevations. Um on the site the site plan shows all of the homes as side entries which they can be. Um there are three lots which are noted on the site plan 2, 7 and 12 which per the per the zoning ordinance have the ability to be front entry. Um but that will that will purely depend on what the customers what they want. Um, we pride ourselves in, um, not being a quote unquote track builder. Um, you know, these are typically people's largest investments they ever have and we want to work with them to try to accomplish whatever their dreams may be and what their needs needs are. So, we we kind of look at these plans as a um as you can if you go through them, you can see that there's plenty of options um associated with with all the models. Um but we work with all the customers to um if if there's needs modifications to any of the plans to make sure that those are suited to to their needs. Um I think we use the highest grade of of um materials out there. Um, don't want to come back and fix anything to be honest. Um, I think with that I think I am open to any comments, suggestions, criticism.

Go ahead. It's more for Joe than anything. What because I know we've talked about this before. What was decided about the team turn? believe city council as part of your vote required this street to connect to either end from West Avenue to Center Avenue or Center Avenue to West Avenue which allowed the design of those those two lots at the end of the proposed T turnaround which was at Center Avenue to be much better now.

Okay. Okay. Good. I just saw somewhere in here it said T turnaround and I was like is that still a thing? So it's not. Okay. Thank you. with the T turnaround, we were kind of squeezing things in there to accommodate that. And the fire marshal at Metro West Fire Protection District was much more satisfied with the restrict just from emergency access. Anyone else with questions? Is there a stream running through that? There was one of the pictures here. It looked like a stream or something. It might have been the first picture that you showed up there. there. What's the water issues there?

There there there is a uh an existing pond um which is going to be filled dredged out and and filled in. It's not much of a pond to be honest as far as depth or anything else and doesn't create any issues as far as but no springs or other things that are going to that you're aware of that are creating according to geotechnical reports we have there are no there's no evidence of any springs or anything on the property. Okay. All right. So where's that pond from? Is it run off from what the existing pond? What's that? the standing water just run off from just the neighboring properties to the I guess the what south. Oh, okay. Yeah. All right. And and am I correct? You were talking about the the post office, but if we look up to the up and left is is that isn't the brewery the good that's up there, right? Yes.

Okay. I'm trying to get my bearings for that, too. So, if I would have presented, I would have not used the post office, but I would have used Yeah, that's what I've done with Am I in the right place? And my defense, if it was Mr. Parsons who planted the idea in my head, because that was his landmark. Okay. What about street lighting? Is that going to be added in by by you all or Okay, Mr. Parsons, that's one of the last items that

Prestige Homes in the city are working through. The original site development plan had a bit of a dark spot in the center of the new internal street. So, they've added some additional lights. I think it's now five internal street, three on the north side, maybe two on the south side. And then we'll do the streetscape as well on the portion of Center Avenue and West Avenue. Although West Avenue does already have a couple of street lights in the vicinity, but when completed, it will be a public street. Yes. Yes. Should we guess?

One, two, three. Is there an HOA for that? We'll create one. Yes. Will that existing home be part of the HOA or because they're they're already there, they we'll have to word it somehow. I don't know how we're going to do that quite yet. Um because we have the first right of that lot. um if he ever sells or whatever happens. So, we'll have to incorporate into the indentures, I guess. Um I don't know how the attorneys are going to want to exclude it off off the beginning. I don't know how they're curious. Yeah, but but it'll be part of it because it's part of the whole plan. Well, that's what you got the whole plan, but you had an existing building. I wonder how how all that kind of played out. So, but you do have already a first right of refusal to purchase with whatever they sell. Mhm.

Is that property? I don't if we've seen any pictures that how how consistent or inconsistent is that with the other buildings that are in the area that they're proposed? Very inconsistent. Yeah, it's it's an old house. I was going to say I'm looking at the way at least how it looks on this sheet and it looks like it's a more of a block house as opposed Yeah, it's an old house. It wouldn't I mean with all the newer houses going across the street and and these I mean it would it's not going to fit in. Yeah. I don't know what he what he plans on. Looks like there's a house but some other existing building. Big garage storage.

Mr. Chair, if you center avenue's been developed primarily by Wayland Custom Homes. They did the first project right down at Manchester Road. It I think it was Old Town Point or Oldtown Park. Oldtown Park. Then they followed up with Westridge and Stone Mill. And so there really of all the original homes now there's only three left. This being one of them. The good news is we've been able to get sewer to all of them except the joining property to the north and we're working on that with Whan Custom Home. And I was incorrect. There's six there's six total street lights within the development proper. four on the south, two on the north. So, correct myself.

And the other public space area is a park or what's intended there? I'm looking at the So, around the the the detention there'll be like a walking path. Um, walking path really. But then I'm looking at this area over in here which goes up to that other that's that'll just be you know native I guess.

Okay. I knew native or if you're planning on some sort of market park or something. No. No. Okay. Lavine Mr. fair. There is a as you know on the on the south side of the development still they installed a trail along the north py which now adjoins the south boundary of this development. We were lacking one little section to make the connection to west avenue and prestige homes will make that connection now. So we'll have that trail actually go through now from center avenue west. It'll connect with the system sidewalk. So people will be able to get the good news Brewing Company by walking.

Okay. It's a nice infill project. That's what the city council kind of felt as well. Have questions or comments? Suggestions that we could feed back before it comes back to Just a couple things if you look back if you notice some of the photographs they provided. I think of another development square.

Yeah. And if you don't mind me. So I know it's in the it's in the ordinance for all four sides to have elevation color renderings of every elevation. But I almost feel that doesn't really do my product. I don't think it does any justice. I don't know if it really does much. And so I was proposing and I could I can I can give you all kinds of photos because no two houses are probably the same. Uh that I would I'd much rather just give you a whole portfolio of photographs put together than me have an architect take or you know take a still photo and put color on it. Um I don't know if that's something you guys would entertain or I'm okay with it. And from the photographs that were provided think it's nice. This is a little different. They show sighting to grade on all sides which is kind of a nice addition.

So as you know out here with that exposed concrete the clay soil we have often times you'll see that staining still long after the completed. Also it looks like you do covered decks and porches. There's always some some kind of covering over the deck curve.

Yeah. Yeah. I mean, if if they want it, I mean, like I said, it's, you know, this is kind of like the I don't want to say blank canvas, but this is a starting point for people and if they want to cover ports and they want to make it bigger than what the plan shows, then by all means, we can work with them and the architect and and and draw it up. Um, but I will say as a caveat, um, since typically we do this, we we're selling more than just one home, any change that these customers would like to make to any of the homes, I have to like it, if you will. Um, because I don't want to have a house that if they're making a change to a house and I have this other one next to it, I don't want it to be an isore. Uh, so I think we we control that pretty well. What's the price range for these or I guess it was question mark when I saw something in here.

Yeah, right now we're looking um we're thinking um that the the with with having three lots with the ability to have a furniture garage that will probably start in the upper nines. Um realistically I I envision these being more like a million three to 95, maybe a little bit more. Um but that's kind of where we're thinking we're going to be at. The other thing that's different here is at least on the backside on some of the models the chimney full length the what the chimney it's a full length oh okay which is a little different than what we see sometimes it's just a small or it's that silver panel on the side

whenever we we try and a lot of times that's with um direct bent fireplaces and a lot of times we try to bring those into the room into the room um to not have that shed roof there and and not look fake. I guess little different kind of architecture than what seeing some of the other developments that we've presented to the board. Do we have any feedback or comments? I mean, I've been asking questions, but not sure any of those provide feedback or comments for for Miss Mayor. Is there is there any at this point feedback or comments other than what the DAP is already

the fireplaces are they all gas or you know some that are whatever they wanting they could be wood burning they could be gas whatever the customers want we offer both what's most preferences these say all the interior ones where you have to you would have to lug the logs through the house are all gas, but ones that are close to a door are typically wood. So, which makes sense. Yeah, ours is wood and I felt them use it.

Code requires no wood ones to have doors on them. A lot of people just end up going with the cast and Well, Mr. Chair, if there's no other comments, we'll consolidate all the remainers provided to the petition prior to the meeting. Get a letter out of prestige homes. We'll make sure we'll send it to you first, make sure you're all okay with what we're saying, and then we'll meet in June to give final action.

That's okay. No, we don't have it yet because it depends on the city so much. But in an ideal world, what are when are you thinking this would start? Depends on so many things, but is it a year? Oh, no. I think we're right there. Oh, okay. Uh I think we're right there. And I mean, and everyone's ready to put it start grading once we fine-tune the last thing. I mean, I could see us grading I mean, June hopefully. Okay. I think it's an early summer start. Okay. Which should be great with the weather. So, um, and with the way that this this development is situated with Center and West Street, um, we'll probably start a house as soon as the developer will let us. Yes. Back just start. Okay.

To show something. And with our code of Mckelby Homes did, once we have the site development plan recorded, that's the preliminary plat. You can do a display. Given the number of homes, I think you're limited to one or two. I thought I was planning doing one off the street where the closest to the fire hydrant, whichever. I can't remember which one it is.

Comments. All right. Anything else on this end? Um, and does the staff have any other comments? I'm just going with the agenda you provided me. Not. Okay. We aren't really taking a motion to approve or act at this point. Okay. All right. And we thank you for presenting and thank you. Nice meeting you all. People will be seeing you later. Yeah. Thank you. All right. Uh I was told you might have some other things you might be going to share with us. Yes. Yes, sir.

So, Mr. Chair and members of the board, there's been a lot of activity since the start of this year relative to the number of boards, commissions, committees, advisory groups, advisory boards, ad hoc entities, etc. And ultimately through the city council's committee structure, that being administration and public works committee, which is eight members of the 16 member city council, and then planning and parks. The entirety of our volunteer board admissions and etc divided into three tiers. Tier one was those that are required under state statute for us to function. Tier three are those that are specialized. They're there for a singular purpose. Once that purpose is met, they just banned or dissolved. Then there was tier two. Tier two are the ones that I think the city council and committee themselves spent the most on. One of tier twos is architectural review board. Actually, we're moving toward dissolving the current board. Um that is an action of city council. And if Miss NY wants to add something here in a second, I'll certainly stop talking. Um, we need you for a while longer, but

I thought we're gonna require tonight.

So, and it's certainly, let me emphasize it, and I know Miss Diane will say it. It's not anything to do with with your performance, your liability, your being here, etc. It's really about trying to reduce the number of meetings that you all as volunteers have to be at, elected officials have to be at, and then certainly our team members that are part of the overall process. Um, I'm thinking June and July if we have items ready, we'll still need you. So, we'd like you to keep us penciled in on your calendar, maybe through the summer. Reason I say that is we're going to do an RFQ and send that out. We're going to actually put an architect or an architectural firm on retainer. So the department of planning will do the initial review making sure that all the materials that are required under the checklist have been submitted. Um then we'll send it to the consulting architect or architectural firm and then ultimately the planning and zoning commission will take action. after the commission's taken action, it'll go to city council as a receipt and file. So, in some regards, we're adding a couple of steps, but um for the most part, we're hoping that with the consulting architectural firm or architect, that saves a meeting and we'll just kind of move that meeting into the standard meeting date of our planning and zoning commission. So, please don't take this as a reflection on anything that you have all done. You've been great. We feel like you've served the served the city very very well and I only give you the highest praise. But like I say, there was there's an effort to kind of get a few or less meetings during the month. And we're looking at the others were the

Wildwood Celebration Commission, which is really a single function commission. That's about our annual celebration. We talked about the economic development committee of city council. So, there were others. Um, and some of those are still a little bit in flux, but we'll get there. And certainly Miss Diane if you have a

Oh, I I agree with everything you said and I also was on admin public works committee where we talked about this and it didn't come up about this group. It came up in general and really it came up because we have a small city staff and they work a lot of hours and they work like crazy. And so it was brought up originally how can we save them time and evenings and paperwork and agendas and everything like that. Can we be more efficient? And like tonight we're not voting on anything. We did express our opinions but there's other steps and other people looking at it. So with a lot of preparation and time and work. Yeah. Although this is done by the most of it's done by the the petitioner. Yeah.

Um and certainly we may refine how all of this works as we get the architectural firm or architect on board. They may say I don't need this or I need that. You don't provide. So, it all may change to a degree as we move forward. The other issue was finding qualified architects that live in Wildwood that have not turned out and that was getting really really tough. And so, well, do do you really need qualified architects across the board? I mean, you know, one

not everybody on the committee, I don't believe, but it's in the ordinance that says we have to have two, I believe. Actually, we're supposed to have three of the comeback members. We've had trouble filling that third spot. Mr. Ritter and Mr. Bossmire meet those requirements, at least from our perspective, but we've never been able to fill that third spot. And we've talked to people, but as Miss Nian said, a lot of the architects that are available or we're willing to serve, we they've turned out under our charter requirement and can't come back. Um, so that was the other that was the other reason. So,

well, that's at least for me it's not surprising because I think two a couple years ago it looked like we were on the way out then kind of we're hanging in there. So, and I we're going to hang in there for a while is what I gather. Yes. again, if you would keep us penciled in on that second Thursday through the end of summer, um we sure would appreciate it because as much as we like to think we'll get through it a little quicker than we normally do, probably won't. No, I think it's quick because all the vacations and summertime stuff, it's just, you know, because we got some folks who are not here, I presume some of this will appear in the minute so that to the extent it updates other committee members.

That's a that's an excellent suggestion, Mr. Chair. And when Robin and Don prepare the minutes, I'll get them and I'll try to summarize what I just said in probably five minutes. I mean, everybody reads them. I kind of read through them and uh it is a good way at least people are aware this is pending. Anything else for anybody here?

Do you have any suggestions on architectural firms or architects that you've worked with or know? I'll be glad to send the RFQ to them and get them, you know, instead of just putting it on the website or on social media. If you have somebody that you know you've liked, you've worked with, I'll be glad to send. There are other cities that do that process, right? Uh I mean I know that some have architecture review boards, but are there others that have gone this route of having consultants and those might be firms who have some expertise because they've worked with city governments?

This the strength of our city attorney John Young is that he works for his firm is a municipal law firm and so a lot of cities in St. Charles County, at least from what he told us, as well as here in St. St. Louis County, they do the same thing. They have a consulting architect or an architect on retainer. So, we're not doing something unusual. Um, but it's certainly different than what we've done for the first 30 years. Anything else for the good of the order? Well, if I may, please. Yes.

Emerson Ford. Uh there's a reason you have three flyers in front of you at your seat this uh this evening and that's because we're trying to throw a huge birthday party for Route 66, the 100th anniversary. Uh we have an original alignment running through our town center uh from 19 it was from the era 1926 to 1932. and we're looking to basically activate all of our historic um nodes along the corridor. So, we're hoping to have a party in historic Grover, Good News Brewing, Old Pond School, Big Chief and Wildwood Middle, and then Stoville's and uh possibly the Wildwood Historical Society. Um so, we're we're asking for a lot of community participation to make that happen. So, we're trying to recruit um all kinds of uh commitments and um activity from local businesses, from community organizations and clubs. We're reaching out to all the classic car groups and also motorcycle clubs as well um to participate in a cruise and car show on Saturday. Um actually, here I'll give you the rundown. On um on the 17th, the Friday, we're having a concert. It's in It's in the Music on Main series at Village Green. It'll be Route 66 themed, so that'll kind of kick off the weekend. On Saturday, we'll have um the car and cruise. Uh we're hoping to have up to 250 vehicles cruising down Old Manchester Road when all is said and done at about 10:30. And then um and then activities throughout the day, live music across the corridor. Uh we're putting a call out to local musicians and student groups and just really trying to just create this incredible community

celebration all across the corridor. Um so if you know any musical groups, if you know if you're part of any clubs or organizations in the Wildwood community, um you know, please if you have a classic car at home, uh please consider spreading the word and getting involved in some way. uh because it's really going to take all of us to make something cool happen and that's what we're shooting for. I don't know if it serves as a resource or not but uh my daughter and son-in-law have moved down to Golfport. We've been down there a few times visiting and one of the things they have the first time we were down there is something called Cruising the Golf and it's all of the communities up and down in that area in Gulport Florida.

Golfport Mississippi. Oh Mississippi. Okay. And literally, I mean, it people put up their tents to watch these cars go by. It's hundreds or thousands of people. I I I mean, we had to be careful when we're going down there because of the traffic. So, I don't know if there's some resources with some sister cities that are along the Gulf, Golfport being one of them, but apparently it's a number of those cities and they all just kind of join do it. And it's there's a main roadway that kind of follows the Gulf of Mexico, and these cars are cruising up and down all day long. Uh it's was new to me and it was kind of fascinating to see. So it's just a resource as you're putting it together of maybe another place who does something like that with this. Sure. It's a great example. Thank you.

Thank you. All right. Well, thank you all and uh hope to see you there. Hope to see you tomorrow night. Anything else anyone has? If not, a motion to adjourn is in order. Moves Mr. First and second. All those in favor say I. I. Nay. The eyes have it. Thank you again. Thank you. Much appreciated. This is great problem in such