Olivette Commission Waives 25‑Foot Natural‑Buffer Requirement at 701 Villa Capri Court

The City of Olivette Planning and Community Design Commission on Aug. 1 unanimously approved a request to waive the 25‑foot undisturbed natural vegetation stream buffer at 701 Villa Capri Court, while retaining a 25‑foot setback from the existing concrete channel and imposing staff conditions.

Staff said the adjacent channel is an altered, concrete‑lined channel that no longer has a natural stream bank and that the waiver authority is allowed under Chapter 420 of the city code when the stream has been altered. Carlos Trejo, planning director, told the commission the waiver would not remove the required setback from the concrete wall and that the intent is to preserve filtration where possible.

Petitioner representatives said the project is primarily aesthetic and includes a cold plunge, pergola and pool features. Designer Jane Sharp and Chris Rhodes of TRC Outdoor described efforts to cluster improvements to minimize disturbance: “We try to keep it as condensed as possible,” Rhodes said. Staff asked that the applicant provide verification from a licensed surveyor of final distances and noted an existing sauna/cold plunge could be moved if necessary to meet conditions.

Commissioners questioned drainage and whether the location could be shifted to avoid encroaching on protections. Staff said the adopted ordinance had been modified locally because many of Olivette’s mapped streams are altered, and the city retained the ability to waive the undisturbed buffer while still requiring setbacks and other protections.

A motion to approve the site plan and waive the 25‑foot undisturbed vegetation buffer, subject to the Department of Planning and Community Development memorandum dated Aug. 1, 2024 and staff conditions, was made, seconded and passed 5–0. The next step is building permitting. Staff will require a licensed surveyor’s verification of distance and any required relocation to ensure compliance.