Crystal Lake Park

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Minutes

of the City of Crystal Lake Park, Missouri

Regular Meeting of the Planning & Zoning Commission and Board of Adjustment

March 13, 2008

Chairman David Evans opened the meeting by outlining the Agenda items.  He then asked City Clerk Lois La Driere to perform the roll call.

ROLL CALL:

Present:  David Evans, Martin Long, Rita Brinkmann, Dennis Bauer, Chris Kerckhoff, 
Barry Larson and Marianne Stuart, as well as Board of Adjustment member Sue Glarner.  Also attending were City Attorney Howard Paperner, Alderperson Bonnie Taylor and Building Commission John Littlefield.  Absent:  Caili Balcer and Mary Jane Cusumano.

Prior to proceeding with the Agenda, Chairman Evans asked for a moment of silence in remembrance of the City of Kirkwood officers who were recently wounded or slain.

NEW BUSINESS:

Chairman Evans stated that the first item on the Agenda was a request for a variance by resident Paul Cox to build a retaining wall on his property, which plans had been denied by the BC because they did not meet height restrictions for such a structure. Cox distributed copies of his plan to the Committee and explained his request for a variance to allow him to build the wall in the 42-24” height range, well in excess of the 30” maximum limit as set out in the City’s zoning ordinance.  BC Littlefield told the committee that the proposed height in excess of the maximum could be dangerous and failed to meet the City’s zoning ordinance.  A discussion ensued wherein Commission members asked Cox questions regarding his need for the extra height of the wall.

It was noted by the Commission members that a variance could only be approved if the applicant could show that the zoning restriction would be of such an impediment that he could not build the structure within the guidelines without causing undue hardship to the project.  After further discussion, a Motion was made for a vote on whether to approve the variance, with the three Board of Adjustment members present voting as follows:  Glarner – Nay; Larson – Nay; Stuart – Nay.  The request for a variance by Cox was thus denied.

Next the BC stated that the Servis family had requested to convert its carport to a garage. 

The BC said that the plan should be approved, but probably needed a variance.  Attorney Paperner explained that no variance was necessary as the new garage would fit into the existing footprint of the carport and therefore is not an expansion of non-conforming use.  The BC said he would thus approve the project and contact the Servis family.

Next on the Agenda was a discussion of changes to the zoning ordinance of District D in Crystal Lake Park.  Evans noted that this had been an ongoing discussion among Commission members for years and that a final decision on the changes should be made.  Attorney Paperner distributed the recommendations to the ordinance that he and the BC had drafted following prior discussions among Commission members.  He noted that the process was for the P&Z Commission to make a recommendation for approval of the changes and then it would be submitted to the Board of Alderpersons for a vote on its approval.  He noted that a public hearing would need to be held to allow residents’ input prior to approval by the Board.  The BC then outlined the changes to the ordinance and explained them to Commission members.  He also answered questions from residents in attendance.  A discussion ensued with many questions from Commission members.  Paperner explained the proposal for a home on a 5000 sq. ft. lot would be a maximum 2944 sq. ft. home with a maximum of a one car garage, with a 20’ driveway.  The BC added that the homes’ footprint would amount to 41.3% coverage of a 5000 sq. ft. lot.  He added that  under the new proposal, all two-story homes built in District D, regardless of lot size, would be required to be built with the second floor “graduated” in from the first floor, to be architecturally appealing and avoid the “big box” look of some of the more recent new homes built in the City.

Further questions and discussion ensued concerning height restrictions on a home, the maximum square footage allowed, as well as how the home would fit into the character of the neighborhood as detailed in the City’s Comprehensive Plan.  A vote was subsequently held to recommend the changes to District D, as proposed, with alterations made to the section dealing with garages, as discussed by Commission members.  Commission members voted as follows:  Evans - Aye; Brinkmann – Abstain; Kerckhoff – Aye; Larson – Nay; Long – Aye; Stuart – Nay; and Bauer – Aye.  The vote was counted as follows:  4 – Ayes; 2 – Nays; and one abstention.  The Commission thus approved sending their recommendations to the Board of Alderpersons for a vote on its approval.

NEXT MEETING:

The next meeting of the Commission and Board of Adjustment will be held on Thursday, April 17, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. at Frontenac City Hall.  

VOTE TO CLOSE MEETING

There being no further business, a Motion was made to close the meeting, seconded and unanimously approved. 

MINUTES RECORDED BY:

Lois La Driere, City Clerk

ATTEST:

Chairman, David Evans