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Historic Preservation Commission approves demolition of 506 North Elm Avenue
Summary
The Webster Groves Historic Preservation Commission voted to approve a demolition permit for 506 North Elm Ave., a 1945 house outside the local historic district. Commissioners heard that the building failed an inspection but found no grounds to delay the request under the commission’s authority.
The Webster Groves Historic Preservation Commission voted Jan. 14 to approve a demolition request for 506 North Elm Avenue.
Commissioners said the single-story house is not in a local historic district and is not designated as a landmark. City staff told the commission county property records list the house as built in 1945 with about 960 square feet of living space (ground floor ~720 square feet) and three bedrooms. An inspection report included with the demolition application was marked “failed,” but it did not list specific deficiencies.
The commission noted the property is surrounded by residential lots and is near Barbrey Park and Glen Park. Members discussed whether the owner planned to combine lots; staff said no future plans were specified in the demolition application. Commissioners agreed the commission’s authority is limited to historic-review criteria and that, on the evidence presented, there were no historic-designation grounds to hold the permit. One commissioner said the structure appeared habitable and observed the loss of an affordable rental would be regrettable, but that regrettation did not change the commission’s legal remit.
After the discussion a motion to approve the request carried. The record shows the demolition permit was approved; the application included an inspector report marked as “failed” but did not list the faults in detail.
The commission did not place conditions on the demolition and did not require additional documentation beyond the existing application. City staff said demolition permits are processed as part of the city’s permitting workflow and that any later development proposals for the site would go to the Planning Commission and other review bodies as required.
