Olivette panel approves solar on covered walkway, delays decision on garage and pool at 820 North Price Road

The Olivette Community Development Design Commission on Thursday approved roof-mounted solar panels for a covered walkway at 820 North Price Road but postponed action on a detached garage and in-ground pool so staff can review revised plans and the commission can consider accessory-structure rules.

The commission voted unanimously to allow the solar array on the proposed covered walkway and, in a separate motion approved by the same unanimous margin, granted the applicant up to 90 days to submit additional plans for the proposed detached garage and pool. The postponement gives staff time to complete engineering and stormwater reviews and to post revised materials for public review.

Commissioners said the case raised a broader question about how Olivette’s accessory-structure rules define “subordinate” structures and whether a detached building with living space can be larger or taller than the primary residence. Carlos Trejo, Olivette’s director of planning and community development, told the commission the petition “was a little bit different” because the accessory structures approached the footprint and height of the principal building and the city needs clearer guidance in Article 14 of the city’s accessory-structure regulations.

Petitioner Ilya Adleman of 820 North Price Road told the commission the design team had reduced several dimensions since the December hearing. “The height of the garage is now at 24 feet and 11 inches, which is below the height of the house,” Adleman said, and he said he had engineering for a water-management feature but that those plans were submitted too late to be included in Thursday’s packet.

Neighbors Tim and Kate Hellman of 800 North Price Road opposed the two-story garage with living space, saying it would be larger and more visually dominant than the primary house. “Simplistically, the apartment is bigger than the house,” Tim Hellman said, telling commissioners the main house measured about 1,500 square feet while the proposed garage and apartment totaled about 1,928 square feet according to his figures. Adleman disputed the arithmetic for living-area totals and said the apartment’s living area was substantially smaller. The record reflects both parties’ statements without adjudicating which total is correct.

Stormwater and site sections were central to the commission’s concerns. Staff and the petitioner agreed a stormwater management plan and cross sections that show relative grades are needed before the commission can complete its review. Trejo told commissioners a consultant review typically takes about 30 days and that revised plans must be posted online at least two weeks before a hearing so the public can review them.

Votes and next steps: the commission’s approval allows the applicant to apply for a building permit for the walkway; staff said the building-permit plans must reflect the revised drawings. The separate motion postponing the detached garage, pool and pool deck authorizes staff and the applicant up to 90 days to provide final materials for commission consideration; commissioners said the item may be scheduled sooner if materials are received earlier and reviews are completed.

Why it matters: commissioners said the case highlights gaps in local rules for accessory structures and accessory dwelling–type spaces, including how the city measures structure size and how it treats living quarters above or attached to detached garages. Commissioners directed staff to compile comparisons with other communities and to return with draft revisions and more detailed submission requirements.

The commission’s city-council liaison, Mayor Missy Waldman, and planning staff including Trejo and senior planner Dawn Doty attended the meeting. The commission deferred a final decision on the garage and pool to allow time for the petitioner to submit revised cross sections, stormwater plans and any renderings requested by neighbors; the panel set a maximum 90-day postponement but will consider the item earlier if materials and reviews are ready.