OLD TOWN CLAYTON NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION

September 30, 2008

Mayor Goldstein's letter

Mayor Goldstein sent a letter of appreciation for being invited as our guest speaker at our annual neighborhood meeting on 9/17/08. She mentioned that there was a resident who was confused about some issues covered at our meeting. She gave permission to share her letter of clarification with all Old Town residents.

You can view the letter online HERE.

Regards,
Cheryl Verde
President, Old Town Clayton Neighborhood Association

September 22, 2008

ANNOUNCEMENT: Hanley House Festival on October 11th

See flyer HERE.

The City of Clayton is pleased to announce that Dr. Edward Ayers, President of the University of Richmond, will be the Guest of Honor at The Historic Hanley House Fall Festival on Saturday, October 11th, 2008. The festival is sponsored in part by the Friends of the Historic Hanley House and the Clayton History Society.

The Historic Hanley House Fall Festival will celebrate life in 19th century Missouri. Guests will witness the magic of storytelling, live demonstrations of the fiber arts, participants dressed in period costumes and Civil War re-enactors. The event will culminate with a very special lecture featuring Louis S. Gerteis, Professor of History at UMSL and author of Civil War St. Louis, and Dr. Edward Ayers. A teacher, mentor and administrator of national renown, Dr. Ayers recently became the ninth president of the University of Richmond. The Historic Hanley House looks forward to hosting these distinguished scholars. The presentation by Professor Gerteis is a service of The State Historical Society of Missouri as part of its Missouri History Speakers’ Bureau

September 6, 2008

Invitation to Old Town Clayton residents!

The Annual Old Town Clayton Neighborhood Association Meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 17, 7:00 - 8:30 pm, in St. Joseph's Parish Hall located at N. Meramec and Maryland in Clayton. This free, informative event will feature guest speakers including Clayton’s Mayor, City Manager, Ward III Aldermen, Police and Fire Chiefs.

Immediately following this meeting, there will be a brief presentation by Conrad Properties Developer, Craig Sauer, on the proposed Meramec Place and Hotel Indigo (Danielle) Project from 8:30 – 9:00 pm.

Our Neighborhood Association incurs annual expenses that include state registration and tax filing forms, website renewal and maintenance fees, printing and event costs. We wish to purchase ten professional looking signs to be used for future Old Town events. A donation of $10 per family would be greatly appreciated to help manage and ensure the future of our neighborhood association.

New this year - attendance prizes will be awarded to some lucky attendees! Prize donors include Almonds Restaurant, David's in Clayton Hair Salon, Flowers of Clayton, Straubs, and City Coffee!
You need to be present to win.

Please consider attending this special event to hear first-hand about what’s happening around the Old Town Clayton neighborhood! Join us on September 17th!

Sincerely,
Cheryl Verde
President, Old Town Clayton Neighborhood Association

(See Meeting Agenda that follows)

ANNUAL MEETING AGENDA
SEPTEMBER 17, 2008
ST. JOSEPH'S PARISH HALL

GENERAL MEETING - 7:00 PM – 8:30 pm

….And Please Stay Afterwards For….

PRESENTATION ON OLD TOWN DEVELOPMENT - 8:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Conrad Properties Developer, Craig Sauer, will speak about the
proposed Meramec Place and Hotel Indigo (Danielle) Project.

6:45 pm - DOORS OPEN - Please sign in and get your attendance prize ticket at the registration
table located at entrance door. Help yourself anytime to beverages throughout the evening. A voluntary donation of $10 per family would be greatly appreciated to help ensure the future of this Neighborhood Association. Thank you!

7:00 pm – WELCOMING REMARKS - CHERYL VERDE, PRESIDENT
- Introduction of Guest Speakers and Old Town Clayton’s Board of Directors
- Brief history and update of Old Town Clayton Neighborhood Association activities

TREASURER’S REPORT
- SANDY or JUDI MacLean, TREASURER

GUEST SPEAKERS
- MAYOR, HONORABLE LINDA GOLDSTEIN
- CITY MANAGER, CRAIG OWENS
- WARD 3 ALDERMAN, ALEX BERGER
- WARD 3 ALDERMAN, STEVE LICHTENFELD
- FIRE CHIEF, MARK THORP
- POLICE CHIEF, TOM BYRNE

OPEN QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION

8:25 pm - ATTENDANCE PRIZES AWARDED

8:30 pm - MEETING ADJOURNED - If possible, please stay for the following presentation.

8:30 pm -9:00 pm: PRESENTATION ON PROPOSED OLD TOWN DEVELOPMENT- CRAIG SAUER

July 17, 2008

Central Newsmagazine Article - "Residents, Clayton officials clash over hotel, garage project"

Residents, Clayton officials clash over hotel, garage project
By Benjamin Israel
July 16, 2008

The Clayton Board of Aldermen gave a unanimous go-ahead to RJ York Development to build a project that will put a 23-story hotel on the southwest corner of North Central and Maryland avenues where three buildings, none taller than five stories now stand and a parking garage standing three stories above ground across Maryland.

The vote came July 8, after weeks of crowded and contentious hearings and debates before the board and the Plan Commission. Much of the debate centered on two parking lots on the other side of Maryland where York plans to build a multi-level parking garage fronted with retail shops lining Maryland.

To make the project possible, the board had to rezone two parking lots now zoned residential commercial. The lots border on the Old Town Clayton area of large homes and luxury low-rise condominiums.

While many Old Town residents said they feared increased traffic and the encroachment of commercial zoning into land formerly zoned residential - 86 signed a petition against it - some supported the development.

One opponent, Mel Disney, a board member of the Old Town Clayton Neighborhood Association, said in an interview that Clayton should not rezone any residential lots commercial because he believes that it would upset Clayton’s delicate balance of residential and commercial property.

“Any time we take away a residential lot, you are changing the quality of life,” Disney said.

“I think it is going to be a great project,” Cheryl Verde, president of the Old Town Clayton Neighborhood Association, said in an interview. “The parking garage design is very attractive.”

Renderings show a garage that looks more like a brick building than a garage.

The garage exterior consists of limestone panels, with openings facing Central designed to look like windows and brick veneer facing the homes on the north.

The zoning-change ordinance the board passed calls for the lots to revert to residential zoning if the project does not come through.

Old Town Clayton extends from Brentwood Boulevard to Jackson Avenue and from Forsyth Boulevard north to the city line. Driving north on North Central from Maryland, the street narrows as it passes between two brick pillars topped by slabs of concrete with “Old Town” carved in capital letters. A grassy median runs down the middle of the residential portion of the street.

Approaching the pillars, the Mid-County Branch of the St. Louis County Library sits on the right and three surface parking lots on the left. RJ York Development plans to build six levels of parking on those lots fronted on Maryland by a row of shops, according to the developer’s plans. Three levels would be below ground. The three entrances on Central would be replaced by one.

One of the lots is already zoned commercial.

The hotel would displace the three buildings on the west side of North Central between Maryland and the alley to the south: a five-story office building with Il Vicino restaurant and an Edward Jones brokerage office on the ground floor, a two-story building with San Sai Japanese Grill, Busy Bee Alterations and Shoe Repair, Zuzu’s Handmade Mexican Food, one empty storefront formerly the site of the Smoothie King, the Clayton Barber Shop and offices on the floor above, and a one-story building housing only the Clayton Gallery and Tomsich Framing.

The nine-story Graybar Building occupies the west half of the block along Maryland, and is not part of the development. The shops south of the alley on Central will remain as well.

RJ York is working with the current retail tenants of the buildings and hopes to relocate some of them to the new building across Maryland, said Clayton Planning Director Catherine Powers. The developer’s renderings show San Sai and Il Vicino occupying two of the storefronts there. Robert Kramer did not respond to an email asking about the storefronts.

Plans call for the garage building to go up first.

The hotel would have more than 200 rooms plus 30 to 40 residential condominiums and include some upscale shops as well, according to city documents.

In the lead-up to the aldermen’s vote, Clayton residents debated whether their city needs another hotel.

In an interview, Old Town resident Rick Maier said there are too many hotel rooms in Clayton already, and he expects this one will have trouble filling its rooms.

Mayor Linda Goldstein defended the rezoning as “long overdue. Those parking lots have had non-conforming uses as long as anyone can remember,” she said.

Alderman Alex Berger, Ward 3, who represents Old Town Clayton, said, “The lots are not changing due to rezoning,” noting that they are already used for parking. He added that negotiations resulted in some green space planned as a 28-foot buffer between the garage and homes.

July 9, 2008

Post Dispatch Article - "Clayton OKs hotel and garage project"

Clayton OKs hotel and garage project
By Margaret Gillerman
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Wednesday, Jul. 09 2008

CLAYTON — Twenty years after city officials scuttled a plan for a hotel and parking garage at Maryland and Central avenues, aldermen Tuesday gave a developer their unanimous support for a similar project at the same spot.

Clayton aldermen and Mayor Linda Goldstein said they were doing what they believed was best for the city by approving the Central Maryland Hotel project and parking garage.

The board's decision followed months of opposition from residents of Old Town Clayton and from Graybar Electric, a corporation based immediately west of the proposed hotel.

Before the vote, Goldstein said that the project had "created quite a lot of emotion among neighbors ... and talk in the community at large."

She told the plan's opponents: "All of us care deeply about the community" and "we can respect each other's opinions. In my mind, I think this rezoning is long overdue."

Alderman Steve Lichtenfeld, who represents the ward, said: "This location is probably the most critical in our entire city where the residential and business communities come together."

Alderman Alex Berger, also from Ward 3, said that the project had been modified to try to accommodate critics' concerns.

The $110 million proposal by R. J. York Development includes a 23-story, 225-room hotel tower, with 40 luxury condominiums and shops, and a parking garage with shops at Maryland and Central avenues. The development, designed by Core 10 Architecture, straddles both sides of Maryland west of Central.

Many neighbors in Old Town Clayton who had packed earlier hearings showed up for another standing-room-only meeting Tuesday. They also submitted more petitions in opposition to the project.

Neighbors have said the project would result in excessive traffic, blocked sunlight, impaired safety and allow commercial zoning to encroach into their residential neighborhood.

Some residents and business people spoke in favor of the project and said downtown Clayton needed more parking.

Lawyer Jeffrey Michelman said the city needed a "beautiful hotel" for business people that would exemplify "how terrific Clayton is."

Steve Shapiro said many Clayton residents outside Old Town liked the project. "Graybar has nerve to be going against a high-rise when Graybar is a high-rise," he said. "The parking is horrible here."

June 25, 2008

Post Dispatch Article - "Aldermen delay vote on high-rise"

Aldermen delay vote on high-rise
By Margaret Gillerman
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Wednesday, Jun. 25 2008

CLAYTON — For Suzi Forsyth, her neighborhood battle in Old Town Clayton is deja vu.

In 1987 and 1988, Forsyth and some of her neighbors in the Old Town Association of Clayton succeeded in keeping out a hotel and parking garage on North Central Avenue just south of their neighborhood of luxury and costly condominiums, duplexes and homes. The idea is before the city again with a different developer and different hotel interests.

The $110 million project will require a rezoning that residents like Forsyth oppose.

"It's wrong to rezone for the sole benefit of the developer," Forsyth said Tuesday night before city aldermen voted to delay a vote on the issue.

Forsyth was among a standing-room-only crowd at City Hall for a hearing on the proposal by R.J. York Development at Central and Maryland avenues. The builder's Central Maryland Hotel project would include a 23-story hotel tower, with luxury condominiums and shops.

The project, designed by Core 10 Architecture, has gotten a favorable recommendation from the city's Plan Commission. Supporters say the county seat could use a new upscale hotel with boutiques, restaurants and more parking. The developer is hoping the hotel would be a Westin.

Architect Tyler Stephens said the plans for the project have already been altered. "We've had numerous meetings with the public, heard concerns and made changes to the plan each time," he said.

But some neighbors say they fear excessive traffic and worry about pedestrian safety.

And while some say they aren't opposed to the hotel per se or the development, they're upset that the city is considering rezoning residential lots just south of Old Town to allow the parking garage.

Resident Carolyn Jenkins said that neighbors want to protect Old Town. "Rezoning is the issue," Jenkins said. "This proposal threatens the entire neighborhood."

The Art Deco-style tower would be on the southwest corner of Maryland and Central avenues, replacing a five-story building. The six-level garage, with three levels below ground, would be on the north side of Maryland, west of Central. It would replace three lots, including one used by St. Joseph's Catholic Church and another owned by the city.

James Kerley Jr.'s father opposed the similar proposal 20 years ago. Now, Kerley and his wife, Terri, are fighting this one.

"It was a bad plan then and it's a bad plan now," he said.

mgillerman@post-dispatch.com 314-725-6758

June 19, 2008

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Dear Old Town Clayton Neighbors,

1. Message from Alderman Alex Berger:

"Annually the Board of Alderman nominates citizens for membership to various Boards and Commissions. This year Steve Lichtenfeld and I are seeking citizens to apply for the Ecology and Environmental Awareness Committee and the Art Commission. June Waters, the Clayton City Clerk, can be contacted for applications. You can call her at (314) 290-8460 or email her at jwaters@ci.clayton.mo.us If you know of someone who might be interested in either the EEAC or Art Commission please urge them to apply. Thank you in advance for any help you can give us." - Alex Berger III, Ward III Alderman

2. Hanley House Fall Festival - October 11th, 2008:

Come and take part in an event filled with living history. Hanley Park will host a Fall Festival celebrating life in 19th century Missouri. Discover the fiber arts through live demonstrations, see Civil War re-enactors, and allow yourself to be transported back in time through the magic of storytelling.

The Historic Hanley House is proud to welcome guest of honor Dr. Edward L. Ayers, President of the University of Richmond. Dr. Ayers is one of the nation's leading scholars on the history of the American South and has written and edited 10 books including The Promise of the New South: Life After Reconstruction, a finalist for both the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize. A teacher, mentor and administrator of national renown, Dr. Ayers recently became the ninth president of the University of Richmond. The Historic Hanley House looks forward to hosting such a distinguished scholar as Dr. Edward Ayers.

You will not soon forget this wonderful event. Mark your calendars now! Be sure to check the Old Town website, http://oldtownclayton.org/ for the latest updates on the Hanley House Fall Festival.

3. Tuesday, June 24th, 7:00 pm - City Hall

The Board of Aldermen will conduct a public hearing that will consider the R. J. York hotel and parking garage project proposed for the northwest and southwest corners of Central Avenue at Maryland Avenue.

4. Annual Old Town Clayton Neighborhood Association Meeting - Wednesday, September 17th, 7:00 pm - St. Joseph Parish Hall - 106 N. Meramec

Mark your calendars now this annual event when you will hear about what's new in Clayton from our city officials. Guest speakers include Mayor Linda Goldstein, Alderman Berger and Alderman Lichtenfeld, Police and Fire Chiefs, and our new City Manager.

Regards,
Cheryl Verde
President, Old Town Clayton Neighborhood Association

June 17, 2008

ANNOUNCEMENT: June 24th Public Hearing on York Hotel Project

DISCLOSURE: * This message is made in courtesy to Terri Kerley (727-2972), Kathy Beilein (863-2650), and Suzi Forsyth (863-0739), and does not reflect the views of the Old Town Clayton Neighborhood Association Board or other Old Town Clayton residents.

Open letter To the residents of Old Town,

On Tuesday, June 24 at 7:00 p.m. at the Clayton City Hall, the Board of Aldermen will conduct a public hearing that will consider the R. J. York hotel and parking garage project proposed for the northwest and southwest corners of Central Avenue at Maryland Avenue.

We encourage you to attend this meeting so that you can consider some of the issues this project will raise:

*a precedent-setting change in the zoning of 2 of the 3 surface lots on North Central from Residential R-3 (One and Two Family Dwelling District) to C-3 (General Commercial District)

*encroachment on a residential neighborhood (mulit-level parking garage with 370+ spaces replaces 3 small surface parking lots)

*24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week activity, noise, safety, and traffic concerns

If you are cannot attend this meeting, we encourage you to send an e-mail to our aldermen, Steve Lichtenfeld at slichtenfeld@ci.clayton.mo.us and Alex Berger at aberger@ci.clayton.mo.us expressing your concerns about this project. You can also write to them at Clayton City Hall, 10 North Bemiston, Clayton, MO. 63105. It's important that we stand together as a neighborhood; our e-mails and letters will help us accomplish that.

- Concerned Citizens of Old Town

May 31, 2008

York Development Project

May 14, 2008

Show Me St. Louis TV program features Historic Hanley House

The video link is HERE or at http://www.ksdk.com/video/default.aspx?aid=76426&sid=146209&bw=hi&cat=78

The text link is HERE or at http://www.ksdk.com/life/programming/local/showme/showme_article.aspx?storyid=146209

Let's support our neighborhood treasure that has recently been reopened to the public for tours.

For more information or feedback, contact the following person:

Sarah Umlauf....Community Resource Coordinator......City of Clayton......50 Gay Avenue...... Clayton, MO 63105...phone 314-226-9893