ARB approves front and rear porches at 24 Villawood Lane with clearance and design options

The Webster Groves Architectural Review Board approved designs for a new front porch and a sizable rear screened porch at 24 Villawood Lane, granting the applicants an option to enclose the timber frame and requiring a minimum 6‑inch clearance between the new shed roof and the existing dormer window for flashing and water protection.

Katie Neeson Cook, representing the applicants and Jim Boleski Architects, described the proposal as adding a rear screened porch and a front covered entry that provides protection and curb appeal. Reviewers raised two practical items: increasing the clearance under the front shed roof to allow flashing and breaking the long span of screening on the rear porch to avoid sagging or visual waviness. The applicant said the owners planned to use ScreenEase panels and had requested an uninterrupted single panel; the board noted that multiple panels would be more balanced aesthetically.

A board member questioned whether the heavy timber, open truss front porch fit the house’s existing style and suggested an alternative: maintain the timber elements but close off the opening with a panel behind the timbers so the vaulted interior is preserved while reducing the exposed open framing.

The board’s motion approved the project with two conditions: maintain at least a 6‑inch vertical clearance between the top of the new shed roof and the bottom of the existing dormer window, and permit the homeowners the option to close off the open timber framing while keeping the interior vault. The motion passed by voice vote.