Crestwood Board of Adjustment Meeting – July 11, 2025

Note: The meeting agenda, minutes, and transcript all indicate the meeting occurred on July 10, 2025 at 7:00 PM CDT. However, the user-provided date for this summary is July 11, 2025 at 14:30 UTC. The following summary reflects the content of the July 10, 2025 meeting as documented in the minutes and transcript.

The Crestwood Board of Adjustment met to consider two variance applications. The first, for a detached garage/storage structure at 1415 Woodhue Drive, was denied. The second, for a large detached garage at 9473 Eddie and Park Road, was approved unanimously with no conditions. Public testimony was heard on the second case.

Public Comments & Testimony

• 1415 Woodhue Drive: No members of the public testified; the board noted public comment was available but no one was present.
• 9473 Eddie and Park Road: Steve Hayes (9441 Firebush Drive), whose backyard abuts the subject property, testified in full support of the project. He stated the applicant, Tim Meara, is a great neighbor and that he had no issues with the structure, noting it would be set back 15 feet and that trees would be planted. He also joked that the removal of oak trees had increased sunlight, so he hoped the new building would shade his yard again.

Discussion Items

1. BZA-4-25: 1415 Woodhue Drive – Variance Request Denied

• Applicant: James Williams (owner since 1976).
• Request: Variance of 6 feet from the required 10-foot minimum separation distance between an accessory structure and the primary structure, to place a detached garage/storage building 4 feet from the east side of the house. The structure would be a 10×20 metal building on an existing brick paver pad.
• City Planner Danny Jendusa testified that the lot is legally nonconforming in depth (100–108 ft vs. required 125 ft). The east side yard is 27 feet wide, so a structure could be placed without a variance if moved 6 feet east, but the topography slopes downward and the applicant has four large pine trees there. Jendusa noted that a 1990 variance had been granted for a rear shed. He recommended conditions if approved: fire rating compliance, St. Louis County building code adherence, a paved driveway if used for vehicle storage, and stormwater management.
• Applicant’s testimony: Williams repeatedly stated he only wanted a storage building, not a garage, and that he had used the space similarly for 48 years without complaint. He said a canvas structure had been up for 4.5 years, then damaged by hail. He emphasized the structure would match the house and not change drainage. He expressed frustration that the city was acting now after years of tolerance.
• Board questions: Members asked about the intended use (garage vs. storage), the concrete footings already poured, the presence of pine trees, and the possibility of moving the structure east to avoid a variance. Williams declined to remove the trees.
• Board discussion: Chairman Day summarized that the variance request was for a detached garage (per the application). Board members noted the application’s inconsistency (application says garage, applicant says storage). Some expressed concern that the conditions could not be met without a driveway. After a roll-call vote on the five required factors, the board voted to impose the four conditions recommended by staff (5-0). The final motion to approve the variance with conditions failed 1-4 (only Dennis Beinke voted aye). The variance was therefore denied.

2. BZA-5-25: 9473 Eddie and Park Road – Variance Request Approved

• Applicant: Timothy Meara (owner since 2008).
• Requests:
  1. Variance of 8 feet from the maximum 15-foot building height to allow a detached garage height of 23 feet.
  2. Variance of 4 feet from the maximum 10-foot exterior wall height to allow an exterior wall height of 14 feet.
• City Planner Jendusa testified the lot is nearly one acre, slopes downward from front to rear (about 5 feet drop), and meets all R-1 requirements. The proposed garage would otherwise comply with code. The principal house is 19 feet tall, so the code’s “no taller than principal building” clause is not triggered.
• Applicant’s testimony: Meara explained he and his wife plan to buy an RV for retirement and need a garage tall enough to store it (12-foot door, 14-foot walls). The height is needed to accommodate the door and a pitched roof to match the house aesthetics. He noted the structure would be set back 15 feet from the property line and would be lower than the house due to the slope. He had consulted neighbors and received letters of support. He plans to use matching stone and shaker shingles on the front and plant evergreens. Two large oak trees had been removed due to rot.
• Public support: Steve Hayes (9441 Firebush) spoke in favor, stating he had no objections and that Meara is a great neighbor.
• Board discussion: Members praised the presentation. Some questioned whether conditions on materials or landscaping were needed, but the consensus was that existing codes (architectural compatibility, stormwater) already cover those aspects. The board decided not to impose any conditions.
• Vote on the five factors: The board voted on each factor. On factor 1 (unique conditions), votes were 3 aye (Hubbard, Barrett, Beinke) and 2 nay (Day, Liddy). On factor 2 (conditions unique to property), 3 aye (Hubbard, Day, Beinke), 2 nay (Barrett, Liddy). On factor 3 (conditions not self-created), 4 aye (Hubbard, Barrett, Day, Liddy? Actually transcript shows Liddy nay, Beinke nay – final tally: Hubbard aye, Barrett aye, Day aye, Liddy nay, Beinke nay – 3 aye, 2 nay). On factor 4 (literal interpretation would deprive rights), all 5 voted nay (unanimous). On factor 5 (no special privilege), 3 aye (Liddy, Beinke, Hubbard) and 2 nay (Barrett, Day). After discussion, a motion to approve the variances with no conditions was made by Will Hubbard and seconded by Michael Barrett. The final roll-call vote was 5-0 in favor (all aye).

Key Outcomes

• 1415 Woodhue Drive (BZA-4-25): The variance was denied by a vote of 1 to 4 (Beinke aye; Day, Liddy, Barrett, Hubbard nay). The applicant may not construct the detached structure at the requested 4-foot separation. Staff indicated they would follow up on next steps.
• 9473 Eddie and Park Road (BZA-5-25): Both variances were approved by a unanimous vote of 5 to 0. The approval is valid for 180 days (per applicant’s request). No additional conditions were imposed. The applicant can proceed with building permits subject to standard code reviews.