The Crestwood Planning and Zoning Commission met on February 6, 2025, to review several land-use items, including a major site plan for Long Elementary School, a lot consolidation plat, and text amendments for EV charging stations and residential fences. Commissioners also elected officers for the coming year. The meeting featured a public comment period, approval of prior minutes, and an update from the aldermanic representative on city development activity.
Major Site Plan Review – Long Elementary School Addition Phase 1 (SPR-1-25): Michael Borwerk (Civil Engineering Design Consultants) presented a 13,000-square-foot gym and emergency shelter addition at 9021 Sappington Road. Staff (Danny) reported that the building would be 28 feet tall, one-and-a-half stories, and comply with R-1 district setbacks. The addition is part of a two-phase project; Phase 2 will address traffic circulation, parking, and a parent drop-off/pick-up loop. Commissioners praised the planned alignment of the entrance with Garber Road and the separation of bus and parent traffic. A public comment from nearby resident Joe Benwell expressed concerns about Phase 2's proximity to his property. The applicant confirmed the drop-off lanes would be gated and used only 20 minutes morning and afternoon. The commission approved the site plan with conditions A–J (as listed in the staff report) by roll call vote: 5–0.
Lot Consolidation Plat – Long Elementary School: The commission reviewed a plat to consolidate the school’s 12-acre site with three adjacent vacant residential lots (9011, 9015, and 9021 Sappington Road; 9616 Richter Lane) acquired by the district. Staff confirmed the consolidated lot would meet all R-1 requirements. The commission recommended approval to the Board of Aldermen (5–0).
Text Amendment – EV Charging Stations: Staff presented an amendment to require a clearly identified emergency disconnect switch for all hardwired EV charging stations (commercial and residential) and to specify zoning setback requirements for charging stations (minimum 6–12 feet from side lot lines, 5 feet from rear lot lines, prohibited in front yards). The amendment also clarifies that EV spaces do not count toward maximum parking limits. Commissioners discussed grandfathering an existing front-yard installation and confirmed the amendment applies only to new installations. The motion for approval passed 5–0.
Text Amendment – Residential Fences: Staff proposed two sets of changes: (1) new setback requirements for corner-lot fences when a neighbor’s driveway is within 20 feet (mandating a 20-foot setback or a 10-foot setback if the fence is at least 30% open); (2) a repair provision allowing up to 75 linear feet of fence replacement within 12 months without a permit, provided materials match the original and meet property maintenance code. Commissioners debated the clarity of the language and graphics, suggesting adding a percentage threshold alongside the linear footage. The public hearing was reopened and the item was continued to the next meeting by voice vote.
Election of Officers: The commission elected Bob Sweeney (absent) as Chair and Greg Zipfel as Secretary/Vice Chair for the upcoming term. Both were approved by voice vote.
Note: The agenda listed the meeting date as February 5, 2025; the meeting took place on February 6, 2025 per the official recording timestamp.
Okay, good evening, everyone. It is 6 p.m. Uh, and I'd like to call to order the February uh 2025 City of Crestwood Planning and Zoning and Architectural Review Commission meeting. Uh if we could all please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag and United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all please get a roll call. Yes, sir. Commissioner Sharpnell? Here. Commissioner Bundry? Here. Uh Commissioner Klosterman. Here. Commissioner Seven. Here. Commissioner Everskird. Excused. Okay. Commissioner Zipfel. Here. Chairman Sweeney. Excused. Excused. And Alderman Representative Tony Kennedy. Here. All right. Thank you, Patrick. First order of business is the uh approval of minutes. And we're going back to December 4th of 2024, assuming commissioners have had a chance to review the minutes. I would entertain a motion to approve. Thank you, Commissioner Charbonneau. Thank you, Commissioner Seven. Can we get a uh voice vote? Um all in favor, say aye. All aye. Any opposed? Okay. Minutes are approved. Um first order business is public comment. I understand that we do have some uh some folks here uh that are interested in talking about uh items not necessarily represented um on the agenda tonight. So if there are folks that are interested in coming forward, we need to first open public comment. So can I have a motion to to open public comment? Second. Thank you, Commissioner Klosterman, thank you, Commissioner Charbonneau. Um so if there are folks from the public that are interested in speaking on behalf of a topic unrelated to the uh new business in the hearings this evening, please come forward. If you could state your name and address, please for the record. My name is Michael Shivsky. I'm with Valvaleen Corporate, and I'd like to thank you for uh for this platform this evening. Um I have handouts. Can I do that now through you? Give them to you.