Webster Groves Architect Review Board approves multiple house projects with design conditions

The Webster Groves Architect Review Board approved six residential projects at its regular meeting (date not specified), voting to allow construction to proceed with specific design clarifications intended to protect neighborhood scale and historic character.

Board chair Bob Buckman opened the meeting and the board first approved the minutes from December 18. The board then considered a string of public‑hearing items and motions, ultimately approving 115 Orchard Avenue, 118 West Jackson Road, 857 Clark Avenue, 739 Hurst Green Road, 1112 Drayton Avenue and 425 South Gore Avenue with conditions or clarifications spelled out in motions recorded on the transcript.

115 Orchard Avenue was approved with an optional aesthetic suggestion. A project representative said he would pass along the board’s recommendation to add a bracket under the left cantilever near the man door; the board explicitly treated that as a suggestion, not a requirement.

On 118 West Jackson Road, Andrew of Lakeside Renovation told the board the applicant had adjusted plans since the prior meeting. Board members expressed concern that the set of left‑side 'rough‑in' windows might never be installed; a recurring recommendation was to install the windows now and cover them internally so future occupants could expose them easily, or alternatively to break up the siding with a secondary siding type or stronger trim. The board approved 118 West Jackson with the condition that at least one window be added to the left‑side elevation, and the record shows the motion included options for additional windows on the left and rear elevations.

For 857 Clark Avenue, the board worked through technical details with builder Tim Dolan of Front Neck Homes: reduce the brick return so the window jamb trim can be completed, miter the upper eave trim where it meets adjacent trim, add a transom window at the left‑side bedroom, increase the corbel thickness by an additional course for visual weight, and require hardy siding rather than vinyl. The board approved the project with those clarifications.

Justin Beasley said he had implemented most suggestions for 739 Hurst Green Road; the board required that eave returns at the gable roofs match all the way around the house and approved the project.

The board approved 1112 Drayton Avenue with a package of clarifications: window trim and corner trim must match existing details, the top landing at the new stair must be sized to the sliding door, lattice will be added under the landing and stair for access, and the exposed concrete finish should match the existing stamped pattern.

Finally, the matter at 425 South Gore Avenue drew a focused discussion about porch skirt treatment. Contractor Brian (Custom Decks and Patios) described the proposed materials, while homeowner Katie objected to traditional lattice—"I'm truly hate Lattice," she said—citing concerns about animals and durability. Board members recommended a panelized raised trim with inset panels or a trimmed panel infill that matches the house’s Tudor timbering and color instead of open lattice. The contractor agreed to present a panelized approach; the board moved and approved the porch as clarified.

Votes at a glance: meeting minutes approved; 115 Orchard (approved, optional bracket), 118 West Jackson (approved with minimum 1 left‑side window condition), 857 Clark (approved with brick/trim/corbel/hardy siding clarifications), 739 Hurst Green (approved with eave‑return clarification), 1112 Drayton (approved with trim/landing/lattice/concrete clarifications), 425 South Gore (approved with panelized porch infill to match timbering). Recorded tallies were affirmative in each case as reflected in the transcript's 'Aye' responses from board members during roll calls.

The board adjourned after completing the agenda.