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September 24, 1997 Plan Commission Minutes Page 7 Lapin-Ellis & Associates, 10176 Corp. Sq. Dr., Ste. 250, St. Louis, MO 63132 and Chi-Feng Zee- Cheng, of the Aedis Architectural Firm gave an overview of the proposal. They submitted a revised site plan and elevation in response to Mr. Goldman’s concerns expressed in his memorandum to the Plan Commission. Chairperson Solodar called on Director of Planning, Al Goldman to provide the staff report. Mr. Goldman stated that the applicant proposes to demolish several buildings in order to relocate the existing monument sales and manufacturing activities to a new facility on the western part of the site and to build a new retail building on the remainder of the site. The retail building is to include a drive through facility on the north side of the building. The site plan shows no new tree planting along Olive or Hanley and indicates a 30 inch high screen wall between the parking lots and the public sidewalks. No information is shown regarding the design or appearance of this screen wall. A “decorative sight proof wall” is shown along the north property line, but again there is no information regarding the design or appearance. An 8 foot fence is shown surrounding an enclosure on the west side of the retail building. No information is given regarding the purpose or the appearance of this fence. The planting in the north transitional yard will not provide a dense landscape screen. It is suggested that the existing plantings remain and be supplemented with additional evergreen material to fill in the gaps. A wider landscaping strip is needed on the Olive frontage. No information is given regarding the refuse enclosures. Hanley and Olive are both heavily traveled streets, requiring coordination with both the county highway department and the state highway department regarding the location and design of the driveway curb-cuts. The drive through facility is located close to the residential property on the north; about 130 feet from the closest house. Every effort should be made to control the noise of this activity. Loud speakers should have volume control settings. Two lanes for drive through traffic do not seem warranted for this type of facility. It is suggested that the layout be changed to a single lane and the buildings be shifted northward by ten feet to allow a landscaped area along the Olive Boulevard frontage. There is no indication of screening for the monument company staging area. Outdoor storage must be enclosed by screening. No loading area is shown for the retail store. Finished grading is not indicated. The site slopes approximately 10 feet from west to east which will probably require retaining wall construction along the west side of the storage area and along the north edge of the pavement at the north end of the site. The signage as shown exceeds the sign limitations of the sign code. There is no information provided on utilities. Ideally they should be on the north side of the office building and the west side of the retail building. The location of poles, transformers and air conditioning equipment can have a negative effect on the development unless proper consideration is given to their appearance. He stated that most of his concerns have been resolved and with the proper conditions, he recommends approval. Chairperson Solodar opened the public hearing and asked for testimony from the public. Gary and Sammie Jefferson, 7522 Melrose, stated they wish to have a wall separating their home from the store parking area. Ruby Armstand, 7508 Melrose, stated that she would prefer to have a brick wall rather than to preserve the trees. No other members of the public indicated a desire to speak, so the public hearing portion of the meeting was closed. m-9-24.plc