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Webster Groves ARB approves several porch, deck and addition plans; requires clarifications on others
Summary
At its regular meeting the Webster Groves Architectural Review Board approved a series of residential projects — including porch and deck work at South Maple and additions at Cornell and Oaktree — while requiring clarified, coordinated drawings on several larger additions and new‑build proposals.
The Webster Groves Architectural Review Board approved multiple homeowner projects at its regular meeting, approving porch and deck replacements and several additions while tabling or asking for more detailed drawings on larger, more complex proposals.
The board approved the replacement of the front porch at 33 South Maple after applicant Greg Sievers said the intent was to “replace the porch, get it as is basically” while using long‑lasting materials where appropriate. Members required a square lattice pattern rather than the diamond shown and asked that deck boards be wrapped and that the scope be limited to work “from the top of the columns down.” The motion to approve included those clarifications and carried by voice vote.
Two other homeowner projects were approved with conditions: a deck at 320 South Maple was approved with clarifications that the stair is cantilevered (omitting some posts/piers shown on earlier framing plans) and an option for the applicant to switch the screening/window system to a more vertical pane orientation; and a rear‑addition application at 915 Cornell was approved after the applicant agreed to preserve or restore the existing back wall as brick rather than vinyl siding.
Several projects were tabled or returned for revision. The board told the applicant for 115 Orchard to supply coordinated plans and material callouts for a proposed glass greenhouse and the rear addition; members said elevations and floor plans did not match and photographic documentation of the north elevation was missing. A new‑home proposal at 856 Marshall was discussed as preliminary: members urged the applicant to reconsider first‑finished‑floor height relative to neighbors, treat exposed foundation concrete with a textured or architectural finish, and evaluate front‑stair materials and safety.
Why it matters: ARB decisions set the terms for visible changes in Webster Groves’ neighborhoods. The board prioritized consistency with existing historic proportions (columns, lattice, and fenestration), construction durability and coordinated, reviewable drawings before granting final approvals.
Votes at a glance
- 33 South Maple (porch replacement): Motion to approve with clarifications moved by Board member (Speaker 5); second by Chair Bob Buckman; voice vote recorded as: 4 Aye → outcome: approved. - 320 South Maple (deck): Motion to approve with clarifications moved by Board member (Speaker 5); seconded by Board member (Speaker 3); voice vote recorded as: 3 Aye → outcome: approved. - 1535 Azalea (window/door conversion): Motion to approve with siding infill matching existing moved by Board member (Speaker 3); seconded by Chair Bob Buckman; voice vote recorded as: 3 Aye → outcome: approved. - 915 Cornell (rear addition): Motion to approve with clarification that the back wall remain brick moved by Board member (Speaker 5); seconded by Chair Bob Buckman; voice vote recorded as: 4 Aye → outcome: approved. - 135 Oaktree Drive (resubmittal): Motion to approve as submitted (conditional on zoning) moved by Board member (Speaker 5); seconded by Chair Bob Buckman; voice vote recorded as: 3 Aye → outcome: approved (conditional on zoning).
What comes next: Applicants approved with clarifications must submit revised drawings showing the required detail (material callouts, coordinated plan/elevations and, where requested, photos or 3‑D sketches). Larger proposals identified as needing coordination — notably 115 Orchard and 1274 South Rock Hill — must return with clarified drawings before a final vote.
Representative quotes
“We’re gonna replace the porch, get it as is basically… I would like to replace all parts as close to original as possible, but using some more advanced product instead of, like, woods,” said applicant Greg Sievers about 33 South Maple, explaining choices to improve long‑term durability while retaining historical appearance.
On the greenhouse proposal at 115 Orchard, board members said the submission lacked coordinated elevations and materials: Board member (Speaker 3) told the applicant that “we cannot give these a meaningful review and approval unless the drawings are coordinated and clarified.”
The meeting adjourned after brief discussion of the board’s annual work plan and budget language, with staff and members noting changes to pre‑meeting feedback procedures given current staffing levels.
(Reporting note: quotes and motions are taken verbatim from the public proceedings; where speaker names were not provided in the record, attributions are to board members by speaker number.)
