JUNE 16, 2008
LANDMARKS AND HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
MINUTES

The Landmarks and Historic District Commission of the City of Florissant met at the Florissant City Hall on Monday June 16, 2008 in the second floor conference room at 6:30 p.m., with Howard Nimmons presiding.

On roll call the following members were present: Marion McGuinn, Howard Nimmons, Gary Meyer, Joe Schulte and Edward Keil. Also in attendance were Cynthia Treiber, Recording Clerk and Ed Bennett with 599 St. Denis. A quorum being present the Chair declared the Landmarks and Historic District Commission (LHDC) was in session for the transaction of business.

NEW BUSINESS

Item 1             599 St. Denis                                                 Rep. By:        Ed Bennett
                        Hendel’s Market                                                                  599 St. Denis
                        Ward 6                                                                                   Florissant MO 63031

            Request recommended approval of an addition to the existing building.

Item one on the agenda was the request of an addition to the existing building located at 599 St. Denis. Mr. Bennett appeared before the Commission to explain the details surrounding his request for the addition. Mr. Bennett stated that he had owned the business since 1994 and over the years has had customers from all over the county and the metro area. Mr. Bennett stated he was looking to accommodate customers with a full service restaurant by expanding their bar and having a full liquor license. Mr. Bennett stated that his intention was to add about 700 square feet to the side of the existing building that would be at least thirty feet from the neighboring property line. Mr. Bennett stated that the addition would be a one story building with a fire place, a bar and an additional bathroom. Mr. Bennett stated that they were not looking to increase their seating capacity as much as they wanted to increase their check average. Mr. Bennett stated that the room addition would look like it had always been there with the brick matching the existing brick. Mr. Bennett stated that the windows would match the windows in the front with small Payne’s of glass. Mr. Bennett stated that the latest the restaurant would be open would most likely be 11:00 p.m. and more likely 10:00 p.m. Mr. Bennett stated that the windows and doors would be wood framed and painted to match. Mr. Bennett stated the outside would look like it always did with the front porch, the windows, the stained glass and the hitching post. Mr. Bennett stated that McGraw construction Company would be doing the work and that they had done a lot of work in the Soulard area. Mr. Bennett stated that the interior would have a vaulted ceilings and cathedral roof with tongue and groove exposed joist with tee brackets. Mr. Bennett stated that the bar would be old style from the eighteen hundreds, facing the brick wall and stained a light oak to match the floor. Mr. Bennett stated that there would be a fireplace and a piano so that the customers could listen to classical music and have a drink in a non smoking atmosphere. Mr. Bennett stated that he was hoping people would spend their time in Florissant as opposed to the Clayton or the Ritz-Carlton that had a similar atmosphere.

Mr. Kiel stated that he observed they would be losing a tree. Mr. Bennett stated that the plans were incorrect and he was hoping not to lose the tree. Mr. Bennett stated that plans showed they would be losing the tree however, they were going to have gamma tree come in and top the trees and shoot them with some kind of chemical so that when they gently cut into the roots with the back hoe for the footing hopefully the tree would not die. Mr. Bennett stated that if the tree did die then he would have to take it down. Mr. Kiel asked if there were going to be changes to the landscaping. Mr. Bennett stated that there would be some changes to the landscaping in the front because the existing landscaping would have to be removed to get the equipment in however, he would be re-landscaping after the work was complete. Mr. Bennett stated old pictures of Hendel’s showed shutters and that he would be putting shutters up as well. Mr. Bennett stated that he would not be using any kind of large bushes for landscaping in order to show off the shutters and for security purposes as well.

Mr. Kiel asked about signage. Mr. Bennett stated that he had not thought about signage at this point and when he did he would come back to the Commission for the signage. Mr. McGuinn asked if there was any thought to shaping the chimney. Mr. Bennett stated that the old drawings showed the chimney going up and tiers out with a lip on it similar to houses in a subdivision and the new chimney would not look like that. Mr. Bennett stated that when the chimney was completed it would like it had always had been there.

Mr. Schulte made a motion to recommend approval of the addition, seconded by Mr. Meyer. On roll call the Commission voted as follows: McGuinn yes, Meyer yes, Nimmons yes, Kiel yes and Schulte yes. Motion passes 5 to 0.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Mr. Nimmons asked if there were any amendments to the June 2, 2008 minutes. Being no changes or amendments Mr. Meyer made a motion to approve the minutes as written. Seconded by Mr. McGuinn, all members concurred.

MICELANEOUS BUISNESS

            Mr. Nimmons asked if there was any discussion on the 50th anniversary     preservation. Mr. Nimmons stated being no discussion the commission would            move on to the next order of business.

ANNOUNCEMENTS / COMMENTS

Mr. Nimmons asked if anyone had any further business. Being nothing Mr. Nimmons stated that he would entertain a motion to adjourn. Mr. Schulte made a motion to adjourn. Seconded by Mr. Meyer, all members concurred, meeting was adjourned.

 

Respectfully submitted:

 

Cynthia Treiber,
Recording Clerk