Historical February 1985 report or notice. Original dates, prices and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
(We are pleased to re-introduce “Parkview Perspective” after a year and a half hiatus. Susan Krasniewski was the writer for this column and with the birth of her last child, asked to take a leave of absence.
Then, sadly, Susan and family moved to Ohio: they will be missed.
However, Ellen Matthews, a new Parkview resident in the 6300 block of Pershing, has agreed to regularly contribute.
The Times is also very pleased to have Ellen as a board member. Parkview readers, please contact Ellen if you have any news or ideas for her column.) by Ellen Matthews In 1905 Julius Pitzman designed Parkview as the largest of St. Louis’ private places. Its survival as a residential area of single family homes is a tribute to its original trust indenture.
But its architecture and history are intertwined with the adjoining neighborhoods.
To preserve the quality and architectural interest of the area, the St. Louis City portion of Parkview was made part of the Skinker-DeBaliviere/Catlin Tract/Parkview Historic District in 1978. Specific standards have been developed by which alterations to existing structures as well as new construction can be reviewed.
The standards are not meant to prevent ordinary maintenance or repair of exterior features which do not involve a change in design material or outward appearance and which do not require a building permit.
The following is a summary of the residential appearance standards: Location, Spacing, and Setback: Existing building lines shall be strictly maintained, with no portion of any building (excepting any open porch, open veranda, open stone platform, or open balcony) to be constructed beyond the existing building line. Aforesaid open porches or platforms shall not extend beyond the existing front porch line on the block. Existing front porches must remain porches; however, they may be screened. Exterior materials (for permit required work): Exterior materials when visible from the street should be of the type originally used when the proposed Historic District was developed: brick, stone, stucco, wood, and wrought and cast iron.
Although artificial siding or facing materials are not, in general, compatible, the Historic District Review Committee may be consulted for a list of current, compatible materials and their costs. Details (for permit required work): Architectural details on existing structures, such as columns, pediments, dormers, porches, and bay windows should be maintained in their original form if at all possible. Renovations involving structural changes to window or door openings are permit-required work and must be reviewed by the Heritage and Urban Design Commission. Complete plans for all proposed major alterations which require permits must be submitted to the Heritage and Urban Design Commission for approval. Roof Shapes: When there is a strong, dominant roof shape in a block, proposed alteration should be viewed with respect to its compatibility with existing buildings. Roof Materials: Roof materials should be slate, tile, copper, or asphalt shingles where the roof is visible from the street. Incompatible materials are not encouraged. Design of skylights or solar panels, where prominently visible from the street, and when requiring a permit, will be reviewed by the Heritage and Urban Design Commission for their visual compatibility. Walls, Fences, and Enclosures: In Parkview, no fence, wall, or hedge may be erected in front of the building line. Earthretaining walls must not exceed a height of two feet above the highest point of the sidewalk in front of the property. Fences or walls on or behind the building line, when prominently visible from the street, should be of wood, stone, brick, brickfaced concrete, ornamental iron, or darkpainted chain link.
All side fences shall be limited to six feet in height. Paving and Ground Cover Materials: Where there is a predominant use of a particular ground cover (such as grass) or paving material, any new or added material should be compatible with the streetscape, and must not cause maintenance problems or hazards or public walkways. Loose rock and asphalt are not acceptable for public walkways nor for ground cover in areas bordering public walkways. Street Furniture and Utilities: All freestanding light standards placed in the front yard of any structure or premises should be compatible with construction in the neighborhood.
The design and location of all items of street furniture located on the tree lawn between the sidewalk and the street must be approved by the Heritage and Urban Design Commission.
The Heritage and Urban Design Commission is located in City Hall.
For information on proposed work, standards, and reviews, call 622-4099 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, February 1985.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1985_02.pdf, printed page(s) 4; PDF page(s) 4.
