Webster Groves ARB approves multiple house projects with site-specific conditions

The Webster Groves Architectural Review Board voted on several items at its Oct. 2 meeting, approving a set of preapprovals and applications while placing conditions on specific projects and requesting clarified resubmittals where plans lacked detail.

Among the approvals taken at the meeting, the board granted preapproval for 354 Larkhill Court and approved 47 South Rock Hill Road and 479 Sherwood Drive as submitted. The board also approved projects that had public hearings with clarifications: 29 South Maple (porch renovation) was approved with conditions on materials and dimensions; 18 West Cedar Avenue (addition) was approved with a required horizontal band board and the option for a kitchen window to be added during construction; 26 Sylvester Avenue (porch and siding) was approved with conditions to match existing porch rail proportions, use non-fluted square porch columns per the project notes, and ensure shutters and any replacement siding match existing exposures as closely as possible.

Two items were not approved as submitted: a window package for 412 East Bradford Avenue was tabled after board members said the submittal did not clearly map proposed windows to the exterior elevations; the board asked the applicant for larger annotated elevations showing each opening. A FAR (floor-area-ratio) request for new construction at 857 Clark Avenue was also tabled; the board asked the applicant to provide an accurate streetscape and comparable square-footage context for neighboring properties before reconsideration.

Votes at a glance (motions made during the Oct. 2 meeting): - 354 Larkhill Court — preapproved (motion, unanimous recorded aye). - 47 South Rock Hill Road — approved as submitted (motion, unanimous recorded aye). - 479 Sherwood Drive — approved as submitted (motion, unanimous recorded aye). - 29 South Maple — approved with conditions (brackets to be retained; posts painted and 8x8; baluster spacing to match existing; 1x4 trim around lattice; lattice to be cedar). - 18 West Cedar Avenue — approved with added horizontal band board wrapping the addition at the first-floor freeze-board elevation and an option for the applicant to add a kitchen window during construction. - 26 Sylvester Avenue — approved with condition that front porch railing match existing, porch columns be square (not fluted), replacement shutters match existing, and replacement siding match the existing exposure where feasible. - 321 Arbor Lane — approved based on the revisions submitted (option to convert remaining porch finish to stucco noted as optional). - 139 Oaktree Avenue — approved pending zoning review (applicant advised to confirm any required variance for side-yard encroachment); option to add trim to existing windows to match new windows noted. - 43 Wilshire Terrace — approved with revision that window #3 be changed from a slider to two casement windows. - 412 East Bradford Avenue — tabled for clearer annotated elevations; applicants asked to resubmit with full exterior-elevation markings showing each new window location. - 857 Clark Avenue (FAR request) — tabled; board requested a streetscape and comparative data for neighborhood house square footages and lot sizes to evaluate context.

The board emphasized that approvals with conditions will be read into the motion and recorded so they are enforceable in the permit review. Several projects were approved contingent on the applicant incorporating the board’s clarifications into the final permit drawings.