Kirkwood City Council Meeting Minutes 
Via Zoom
Thursday, October 15, 2020, 7:00 p.m.

Pursuant to notice of meeting duly given by the Mayor, the City Council convened on Thursday, October 15, 2020, at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom Virtual meeting.  Present were Mayor Griffin, Council Members Duwe, Gibbons, Sears, Ward, and Zimmer. Also in attendance were Chief Administrative Officer Russell Hawes, City Clerk Laurie Asche, Director of Public Services Bill Bensing, Planning and Development Services Director Jonathan Raiche, City Engineer Chris Krueger, Public Information Officer Freddy Doss, and City Attorney John Hessel.  Council Member Wurtz was absent and excused.

ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM CITY ATTORNEY
City Attorney John Hessel stated for the record that under Section 610.015 of the Mo. Sunshine Law provides that members of the City Council who are not physically in the Council Chambers can participate and vote on all matters when an emergency exists and the nature of the emergency is stated in the minutes.

So, let the minutes reflect that the U.S., and the world, is in a state of emergency due to the Coronavirus—Covid 19. The Missouri Governor and the County Executive directed all citizens to limit meetings and gatherings to a few people to avoid the spread of the Coronavirus. Therefore, members of the City Council have elected to participate in this meeting electronically so that we are compliance with such Orders and for the public health and safety of each other and the general public.  

INTRODUCTIONS AND RECOGNITIONS 
						NONE
						
PRESENTATIONS
Mayor Griffin presented a proclamation for Horizons St. Louis in Kirkwood Week to Executive Director of Horizons St. Louis Lakesha Robinson. Horizons St. Louis in Kirkwood has collaborated with the Kirkwood School District to inspire brighter futures for students most in need by providing opportunities to experience high-quality academics, engaging enrichment activities and healthy life skills. 

PUBLIC HEARINGS
Public Hearing #1
Mayor Griffin recessed the meeting for the purpose of conducting a public hearing regarding a request for a Site Plan for a 12-unit four-story residential building on the combined properties of 134 and 138 West Madison Avenue. Mr. Hessel entered the following exhibits into record: an Affidavit of Publication in the St. Louis Countian on September 22, 2020, as Exhibit 1; an Affidavit of Publication in the Webster-Kirkwood Times on September 25, 2020, as Exhibit 2; an aerial view map showing the subject 

property and the properties that were notified of the hearing, as Exhibit 3; a list of property owners who were sent notice of the public hearing, as Exhibit 4; the report of the Planning and Zoning Commission dated September 17, 2020, as Exhibit 5; the report of the Planning & Zoning Commission Sub-Committee dated September 16, 2020, as Exhibit 6; and the Kirkwood Code of Ordinances as Exhibit 7.

Planning and Development Services Director Jonathan Raiche presented information pertaining to the request:
•	The Council Considerations are as follows:
1)	Site Plan Review 
a)	 Does the proposed site plan meet the various site development standards (i.e. buffering, landscaping, parking, lighting, etc.) stated in the Zoning Code?
b)	15 criteria listed in Section A-220.7.
•	This proposed development is a multi-family residential without commercial use required.
•	24 structured parking spaces will be provided along with a shared driveway which would serve this project along with the project currently under construction to the west. 
•	This lot is 13,500 sq. ft. and is being proposed as 12 units in four stories. The floor plan would have 4 units on the lower two levels and 2 units on the third and fourth levels.
•	The proposed Landscape Plan includes four street trees as required by code and two additional understory trees, 11 evergreen trees, and various shrubs and plants around the building.
•	The modifications requested at this public hearing are for the density measurement, the floor area ratio and the building height.
•	A 6’ wide sidewalk has been proposed along the subject property and shall be extended off-site to the eastern property line of the public parking lot located at 130 West Madison Avenue and possibly to the eastern property line of 120 West Madison Avenue, if agreed by the owner. Also, a mid-block pedestrian crossing shall be installed.
•	The P&Z Commission Summary Discussion included: 
1)	Shared drive would be expanded from the current 20’ approved with the Barclay to a full 24: wide access drive.
2)	Recommended addition off-site pedestrian enhancements for a stronger case to provide additional public benefit per Section A-220.2.
3)	Commission acknowledged the applicants building design approach and their efforts to mitigate the appearance of building height through multiple façade step-backs.
•	The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of this Site Plan Review by a vote of 9-0.
•	The P&Z Conditions of Note
1)	Recommend approval of modifications
a)	Unit density from 1,200 sf/unit to 1,128 sf/unit

b)	Building height from 40’ to 50’10.5”
c)	FAR from 2.5 to 2.57
2)	6’ wide exposed aggregate sidewalk on site and continued off0site to the east
3)	Mid-block pedestrian crossing to connect the adjacent public parking lot to the police station
4)	Revised lighting plan required
5)	Consolidation plat required	

Petitioner Tyler Stephens, Core 10 Architecture, addressed the council. Some of the discussion that took place is as follows:
•	Questions were raised regarding the materials and color on outside of building and the distance of the steps in the front of the building.
•	Question was raised why the codes should be modified for this development. 
•	Mention was made if this development is creating a monolithic skyline. 
•	Clarification was requested regarding the required tree studies for proposed developments.
•	Concern was raised about the requested modification on the height of the proposed development.
 
The Resolution will be placed on the November 19, 2020 agenda for first reading consideration.

PUBLIC COMMENTS
NONE

  CONSENT AGENDA
Motion was made by Council Member Wallace Ward and seconded by Council Member Mark Zimmer to approve the Consent Agenda. The Consent Agenda was unanimously approved.

a)	Approval of the October 1, 2020 Council Meeting Minutes

UNFINISHED BUSINESS	
NONE

NEW BUSINESS
Bill 10850, an ordinance amending the provisions of the Municipal Code, Appendix A – Zoning, Sections A-140, A-510.3, and A-1000.4 to add “Assisted Living Facility” as a Definition, Special Use in B-2 General Business District (Central Business District) and the parking rate associated with the use was brought before the council. Motion was made by Council Member Ward and seconded by Council Member Sears to accept the bill as read. A discussion took place. 

The bill failed with a vote of 0-6.  

Resolution 113-2020, a resolution transferring funds in the amount of $29,645 from the Contingency Account to the Derelict Structures Account, accepting the bid of Tubbs & Son Construction in the not to exceed amount of $29,645 (which includes a contingency of $2,695) for Single-Family Residence Demolition and Site Restoration for the Public Services Department and authorizing and directing the Mayor to enter into a contract was brought before the council. Motion was made by Council Member Ward and seconded by Council Member Zimmer to accept the Resolution as read:

		Roll Call:

Mayor Griffin				“Yes	
Council Member Zimmer		“Yes”	
Council Member Ward		“Yes”
Council Member Wurtz		“Yes”
Council Member Gibbons		“Yes”
Council Member Sears 		“Yes”
Council Member Duwe		“Yes”

CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
NONE

 CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
	Council Member Gibbons announced there were 30 applications in the state of Missouri submitted for TAP grants and only one was for community development which would be for the train station.

	Council Member Ward mentioned the publication Niche has ranked the City of Kirkwood as 37th out of the top 50 best places to live in the country.

        CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER REPORT
	Mr. Hawes had nothing to report. 

CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
	Mr. Hessel had nothing to report.                                                   

         CITY CLERK REPORT
Ms. Asche read the report of the October 7, 2020 meeting of the Planning & Zoning Commission. The following action took place.
1.	The Commission recommended approval of a request for a Special Use Permit for a Restaurant with Outdoor Seating and a Site Plan for a coffee shop at 132 West Monroe Avenue. 

2.	After a presentation for a request for a Special Use Permit for a motor vehicle accessory and related installation store at 538D Leffingwell Avenue, the Commission recommended approval subject to the conditions contained in the October 7, 2020, memo from City Planner II Amy Lowry.

Ms. Asche reported on upcoming public hearings:
    October 22, 2020 (rescheduled from August 27, 2020)
•	A request for a Mixed-Use Development in the B-2 Zoning District known as The James (formerly Kirkwood Flats) at 426 N. Kirkwood Road
November 5, 2020
•	A request for a Special Use Permit for a restaurant with outdoor seating and a Site Plan for a coffee shop at 132 West Monroe Avenue.
•	A request for a Special Use Permit for a motor vehicle accessory and related installation store at 538D Leffingwell Avenue.

ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.  The next regular council meeting is scheduled for November 5, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. 

_____________________________________
Laurie Asche, CMC/MRCC
City Clerk
Approved: November 5, 2020