Preservation Board Grants Variance for Landlocked Garage at 4110 Shenandoah Avenue

The St. Louis Preservation Board voted Oct. 27 to overturn the director—s denial and grant a variance permitting construction of a carport on the landlocked property at 4110 Shenandoah Avenue in the Soulard Historic District. The variance carries a condition that final plans, details and colors be reviewed and approved by the Cultural Resources Office.

The Cultural Resources Office presented revised drawings and supporting materials, including an ordinance record and a letter from the Soulard restoration group. Vianne Cameron of the Cultural Resources Office told the board the site is effectively landlocked, has no alley access, and the revised design adds an augmented cornice and brick construction intended to better match the main house. Staff recommended overturning the director—s denial and granting the variance subject to final CRO approval.

During discussion commissioners noted the standards generally prohibit garages entered from the street but agreed that physical constraints—namely lack of alley access—can justify a variance. Commissioners also reviewed existing nearby examples of front-entry garages and the revised elevation drawings showing a brick-faced structure with bifold doors.

A commissioner moved to overturn the director—s denial and grant the variance based on the revised drawings; the motion was seconded and approved by roll call. Recorded affirmative votes included David Richardson, Kevin Howinger, Anthony Robinson, Ruth Kenoy, Stanley Ballard, Mike Killeen and Richard Kelly. No opposing votes were recorded in the public roll call for this motion. The board recorded the decision as an approval contingent on final Cultural Resources Office review of colors and details.

The board also instructed staff to place final, stamped drawings and color samples in the Cultural Resources Office file before a permit is issued. No timeline for construction was set in the hearing.