MINUTES
Planning and Zoning Commission
October 28, 2020
The Clarkson Valley Planning and Zoning Commission, pursuant to notices published in the West Newsmagazine on Wednesday, October 7th, the bulletin board, the City’s website and letters mailed to residents living within 500′ of the proposal on October 12th, met virtually on Wednesday, October 28, 2020 to consider one agenda item and to make a recommendation to the Board of Aldermen.
Planning and Zoning Commission Members present:
Gregg Bogosian, Chairperson
Honora Schiller, Alderperson, Ward 2
Steve Benz
John Cloute
Karl Hussey
Commission Members Lee Reid and Steve Howard did not attend this meeting.
The City Attorney, Patrick Butler, attended and the City Clerk, Michele McMahon, took Minutes. The City Attorney established there was a quorum of Members present.
The Chairman opened the meeting, introduced the Commission Members and asked the representative of the petitioner if he had objections to any of the Members of the Planning and Zoning Commission, to which he responded he did not.
The City Attorney explained that we are proceeding on the application received and are present tonight to ask this Board to consider if circumstances exist to recommend a new Paragraph 17 under the Special Use provision at Section 405.120, to allow a solid fence under certain conditions. He further explained that two votes would be taken this evening, the second being to allow the fence as a special use, with certain provisions.
The Chairman then gave the floor to the General Manager, Kevin Donovan, who was representing Forest Hills Country Club (FHCC). He thanked the Board for holding this meeting and then introduced FHCC’s attorney, David Linenbroker, Zack Smith, the tennis coach, their ‘super’ superintendent, Scott Reynolds, and approximately 20 members of FHCC in attendance. He said Gary Brown with McClure Engineering would present the more technical portions tonight.
He stated the importance of the Club remaining relevant and up-to-date and described the great extent to which the Club has renovated their facilities. He commended his members for taking this initiative to approve all the enhancements and went on to say pickleball is the #1 sport right now, bar none.
He described hearing the concerns of those residents living behind the project mainly regarding the noise potentially generated by action on these courts, and how the Club engaged civil engineers to create a sound study. First they contracted with Vibra-Tech Engineers and the City determined the study was invalid because the engineer was not licensed in the State of Missouri. They then engaged the services of McClure Engineering. He then gave the floor to Gary Brown.
Discussion took place regarding this sound study and it was learned the model they were quoting this evening was run that day bringing new dB A’s to the forefront. Mr. Brown described the difference in dB A’s between the 6’ fence and a 4’ fence and with a 2’ berm. He indicated the study took place during a Friday through Monday period and pointed out the varying decibel levels at certain times explaining what potentially gave cause to some of the higher and lower levels. They explained the necessity for proper drainage hence the trench, berm, etc. and that MSD approved the plan in correlation with the storm drain.
Several Commission Members had questions and questions were asked from three of the four homeowners backing up to the project. Commission Member Schiller who also serves as Alderperson, Ward 2, asked if the Club would consider Green Giant Arborvitae instead of the proposed Red Maple, saying it’s been said to make a good sound barrier to which Mr. Donovan said he spoke with his grounds manager and they definitely could make that change.
Chairman Bogosian asked if Mr. Donovan had anything more to add and then asked if there was anyone on the Zoom call or in attendance at FHCC with questions, to which all remained mute. He conducted a roll call to ensure the Commission members had no further questions. He then closed the open discussion period.
Commission Member Schiller made a motion to make an affirmative recommendation to the Board of Aldermen to consider Bill No. 0494 which gives definition to Pickleball and Solid Fence and adds a new Paragraph 17 to the Special Use provisions in Section 405.120, seconded by Commission Member Steve Benz. A roll call vote was taken with the following results: Ayes: Hussey, Cloute, Benz, Schiller, and Bogosian. There were no Nays. Chairman Bogosian declared an affirmative recommendation would go forward.
Commission Member Schiller made a motion to make an affirmative recommendation to the Board of Aldermen to consider Bill No. 0495 which would grant a Special Use Permit allowing the solid 4’ fence to Forest Hills Country Club with those provisions listed (along with an updated landscape plan), seconded by Commission Member Steve Benz. A roll call vote was taken with the following results: Ayes: Hussey, Cloute, Benz, Schiller, and Bogosian. There were no Nays. Chairman Bogosian declared an affirmative recommendation would go forward.
The Commission Members thanked those residents and Club members for attending and invited everyone to consider attending the November 3rd Aldermanic Meeting.
Chairman Bogosian made a motion to close this Hearing, seconded by Mrs. Schiller. The meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Michele McMahon
City of Clarkson Valley