Olivette planning commission approves site plan for 15 Stacy Drive, sets stormwater and tree conditions

The City of Olivette Planning & Community Design Commission approved a petition for a site plan, community design and concept stormwater-management review for a single-family home at 15 Stacy Drive at its Jan. 16 meeting. The commission’s approval was subject to staff conditions, including coordination with adjacent neighbors and the city’s stormwater consultant and submission of final construction plans.

Staff said the application, introduced to the commission Dec. 19, 2024, responded to neighbor concerns about stormwater and tree preservation. Jack Carswell, Planning and Zoning Administrator, told the commission an updated arborist report and a revised site plan had been provided and that the petitioner had agreed to on-site meetings with neighbors and staff before rough grading. "It is staff's understanding that the concerns that were brought up at the previous meeting have been addressed," Carswell said, adding staff found "no concerns pertaining to the building plans and the community design guidelines for 15 Stacy."

The petition materials show 24 trees were identified for removal and the arborist report indicates seven trees are planned as replacements; those replacement trees are itemized on the revised plan submitted with the application. Petitioner representatives explained the proposed grading includes two swales along each side of the lot and a slight ridge through the middle of the backyard to direct water to the street rather than into neighboring yards. Alex Borrowsmeier of McKelvey Homes told the commission the lot is essentially flat where the previous house stood and said rough grading will be done before digging the new foundation so the worksite will drain properly.

Neighbor and public commenters pressed the commission on broader, area-wide stormwater solutions. Stephanie Todd of Heather Hill Lane told commissioners that in her neighborhood recent teardown and grading practices had increased runoff and suggested the city consider requirements such as requiring developers to haul away excavated soil. Carlos Trejo, Director of Planning and Community Development, said the city is preparing a stormwater master plan and that staff will pursue available municipal-stormwater-district funding where feasible.

Commissioner Petrie Powell made a motion to approve the petition as presented in the Department of Planning and Community Development memorandum dated Jan. 16, 2025, "subject to any staff conditions noted therein." The motion, made by Sam Wallach (Secretary) and seconded by Petrie Powell, passed unanimously, 5–0. Carlos Trejo read the vote: Tim Spiegelglass — yes; Laura Ragsdale — yes; Petrie Powell — yes; Sam Wallach — yes; Rob Trigell — yes. Trejo reiterated the staff conditions for the petitioners to coordinate with neighbors and the city stormwater consultant and to submit final foundation and verification plans before building permits are issued.

Next steps: the petitioners must complete the on-site coordination with neighbors and the stormwater consultant and incorporate any resulting changes into the final building-permit submittal. The commission record notes the standard final documentation: top-of-foundation verification, final landscape/planting information showing the seven replacement trees, and confirmation of setback compliance.

Ending note: The commission’s approval addresses the immediate permit request but leaves open broader policy questions raised during public comment about area-wide stormwater planning and whether additional city or regional funding sources should be sought.