Residents on two Brentwood streets will see a house on each torn down with a new one — an ‘infill house’ — built in its place.
The Brentwood architectural review board Thursday evening approved new houses to replace old ones on Madge and Lawn avenues. Residents on both streets came to the meeting to express their opinions. In both cases the developers wanted to move the driveway from its current location to the opposite side — requiring mature trees to be removed — this was the chief concern in both cases.
The reason for moving the driveway is to avoid requiring a retaining wall that the resident could accidentally drive off of.
At 9119 Lawn Avenue moving the drive from right to left, looking at the house from the street, will require removing two out of three large trees, which a neighbor said he “likes and enjoys.” The trees being removed are in the tree lawn, which the city will replace. Also, there will be sod, and possibly shrubbery between the two driveways.
The developer said he has a client interested in the house.
At 8830 Madge Avenue moving the drive way from left to right will require taking out an approximately 80-year-old blue spruce. Madge resident, Louise Charboneau brought in Brentwood resident, Barry Williams, described as an arborist, to comment.
Williams, developer Dan Murphy, and architectural review board member Matt Forman talked about ways the tree could be saved, including moving it, or moving the house back so the drive could go around the tree. They decided the blue spruce would have to be removed, with a plan to plant a new one.
Other changes to the new house on Madge are moving it back two feet and adding one foot to the porch width. Also, the approximately half-dozen Madge residents got to advise Murphy on colors for the house, something Forman said hadn’t been done in the approximately 12 years he’s been on the board.
Murphy said he doesn’t have interest yet in the house, and that it will probably list in the $400,000s. He said after the meeting that it went well. He said he’s been in more contentious meetings for infill houses in Rock Hill and Webster Groves.
Our neighborhoods have held their values over time. No doubt change is constant and new homes must be built which have features that attract buyers. Two car garages and multiple bathrooms for starters. However this is a delicate balance – because some of these new homes are built cheaply with no intent to harmonize with existing. Because of this we established an architectural review board about 10 years ago – this has been somewhat helpful. If there are issues this is the body to put pressure on. The bottom line is much of our housing stock should be replaced over time and it should be done with quality and care for the existing neighborhood.
Hi Dan and welcome to Brentwood!! I’m thrilled for the new housing coming up, sad to lose mature trees, but hopefully new ones will be planted! I’m so excited for new young families to be moving in and making Brentwood their long term home as opposed to a starter home!
I’m really disappointed when I read comments like this. As a soon-to-be-resident of Brentwood, it’s disheartening to hear folks assume new ones will be soulless. My wife and I are building an infill home and will be raising our two boys, 2.5 yrs old and 6 months. To insinuate our home will be soulless instead of the small rental house we replaced is unfair.
Instead of focusing on the negative, how about looking at how communities progress? New construction should raise property values. Raised property values mean higher taxes, but those go towards better public services for everyone.
Well said Dan. Welcome. You picked a great place to raise your family . You will be happy with your decision.
Welcome to Brentwood. We all benefit by having wonderful new neighbors. I hope you enjoy living in your beautiful new home!
Hi Dan, and welcome. I think the word “soulless” is not about you or your home. It more aptly describes the heavy handed “kangaroo” court at City Hall. Brentwood is struggling to maintain a healthy balance between residential and commercial properties. The way it looks to me, decisions and plans are made and taken to the bank, before there is a proper hearing from the public.
People do speak at City Hall but the mayor does not know how to listen. He shows a gluttonous ego. THAT is what is soulless. It is his process that lacks any soul or heart; not any one, given decision. The majority of people who live here are very kind and generous. The mayor is more of a statistical anomaly–than representative of what Brentwood is.
Why do continue to bring up the mayor and city hall when they have little to do with this discussion. An owner has rights to sell, tear down and rebuild if they follow codes established . You should limit your comments to the subject and not all side issues you clearly have. Stay positive and be kind to everyone for the betterment of our community and the new residents that have chosen Brentwood for their home. I challenge you to be better person with your commens.
Maureen,
I appreciate your perspective and am sure I’ll learn more about the ins and outs of the community as time goes on. And while you may very well be right, I doubt this is what the poster was referring to. I incorrectly replied to the article, and not the comment, but it was directed at this comment:
mantelli on March 25, 2016 at 12:57 pm said:
So it goes–perfectly nice old houses replaced by soulless new ones.
I really can’t believe he was referring to politics with this statement.
On the other hand, I appreciate the warm welcomes and look forward to meeting more of our neighbors!
The first bulldozer showed up this morning and I suppose the trees will be gone shortly. To the left of the house is a large flowering tree (crab apple) that I have enjoyed and appreciated during my 36 years on Madge. Unlike the spruce tree which is healthy, the crab was showing signs of its age. I will greatly miss both and I am saddened by the demonstrated lack of respect for our community forest.
No worries Louise, your Manchurian Candidate Steve Lochmoeller would undoubtedly bring forward something. He is just waiting for you to tell him what to say.
I believe these new homes are beautiful and an asset to our community.
So it goes–perfectly nice old houses replaced by soulless new ones.