Commission continues site-plan review for 515 South Central after neighbors press for trash enclosure and parking details

The Planning Commission on April 7 continued the site‑plan review for a proposed demolition and new single‑family home at 515 South Central after neighbors pressed the applicant and staff for more detail on trash storage, stormwater and construction parking.

Staff presented the site plan and recommended approval with three conditions: (1) a soils percolation test for the proposed front-yard flow‑well to confirm sizing for the MSD 15‑year, 20‑minute event, (2) a recorded deed restriction documenting location and maintenance of the dry‑well system, and (3) compensatory payment to the City Forestry Fund to cover canopy-replacement deficiency (staff calculated a $1,571.16 fee based on the plan’s proposed canopy shortfall). Staff noted the proposed runoff increases from 0.47 CFS to 0.52 CFS under the stated storm calculation.

The designer, Tony Camacho, explained the plan preserves the driveway footprint, relocates the flow‑well to the front yard, and proposes fenced screening for HVAC condensers in the side yard. He said two rear trees had to be removed to accommodate the new driveway/garage location, and that the project will plant new trees in the front and rear yards.

Neighbors voiced a range of concerns. Several residents asked for a permanent, external trash enclosure rather than relying on interior garage storage and temporary placement on trash days; commissioners and staff noted Clayton’s established practice of requiring screened/enclosed trash storage for new dwellings and asked the applicant to explore an exterior solution that also keeps the project below the city’s 55% impervious threshold. Neighbors also described a history of water intrusion at a below‑grade emergency exit on an adjacent property and asked for grading adjustments; staff said the relevant drainage area shows no increase in runoff and that the percolation test will better inform any necessary adjustments. Multiple residents also requested clarity about construction parking during the multimonth build-out; staff explained that the city requires a construction‑parking management plan for projects with construction values above $2.5 million or in areas with known parking constraints, and that the plan will be reviewed with building‑permit applications.

Given the outstanding issues — primarily the trash‑storage approach, potential impervious‑cover impacts and need for a percolation test and recorded deed restriction — the commission voted to continue the site‑plan review to a date to be set after staff and the applicant coordinate follow‑up. The commission also recommended that the architectural review be held until the site plan is re-submitted so that any changes are considered together.