The City Council rejected earlier this month new restrictions on the minimum size of homes in partly completed subdivisions after builders warned that the measure could hinder a turnaround in their industry. The vote was 7-3.

The bill was pushed by Councilman Bob Kneemiller, who said some constituents were worried that their home values would drop when significantly smaller residences were built nearby.

“These residents have invested substantial amounts of money, and they want their investments protected,” Kneemiller said.

Officials with the Home Builders Association of St. Louis and Eastern Missouri argued that size alone didn’t determine values.

They said size restrictions actually could hurt the worth of current homes if the limits resulted in a neighborhood with large gaps for years and years.

“It’s going to cause a lot more harm than any potential good,” said one councilman who agreed with the builders, Richard Veit. He also questioned if government should limit “the free market-place.”

The controversy was centered on newer areas of the city south of Interstate 70. It was amoung several in St. Charles County in which builders’ efforts to respond to a recession-spurred demand for smaller homes have clashed with current residents’ desire to protect property values.

The council in O’Fallon, Mo., rejected a similar bill in February. But in Wentzville, neighborhood opposition spurred aldermen last month to turn down one builder’s request to significantly lower the square-footage minimum for homes in a particular subdivision.

Under the St. Charles proposal defeated, size restrictions would have increased as a subdivision moved closer to completion.

The touchest standard was for projects at least 60 percent finished. In those areas, a new home could be no more than 10 percent smaller than the smallest current residence.

City officials say St. Charles already sets minimums for the size of lots, but in many cases current ordinances don’t bar builders from reducing the size of the homes it sells for those lots.

Councilwoman Laurie Feldman, one of the bill’s supporters, said the chances of passage were hurt by the low turnout for a public meeting called by the council Monday night with area builders.

About 40 people attended, but officials said only about a third expressed concerns about the size of new homes. The rest were there on other issues.

“That sent a message, ” Feldman said.

Kneemiller had a different view. “You always have people that are really passionate about something who will come out” to a meeting and other supporters who don’t, he said.

By: Mark Schlinkman * mschlinkmann@post-dispatch.com * 636-255-7203

The historic Westbury House, with its lovely, though one-dimensional entry portico, was the vessel that led Tom and Ruth Brouster to the vision of a richly layered structure that both welcomes their guests and provides a striking canopy with its majestic presence.

With detailed planning by architect Patrick L. Nolan, AIA, of Pansing, Nolan, Matlock, Ltd., the entry portico at the Brousters’ history-inspired residence makes a monumental declaration with its classic Georgian style. One of the most significant of its influences is Neoclassicism, popularized during the reign of King George III of England.

The style - and the portico - embody European and American styling inspired by Classical Greek and Roman architecture and encompass both Palladian and Adamesque Neoclassical style elements.

From the cornice to the stepped plinth, the elements that comprise the smooth buff limestone portico follow the ordering of a Greek temple, without the pediment. In sequence from top down are the cornice, frieze, entablature, architrave, and columns, comprised of capital, a smooth shaft, and a base. All rest on three steps that create the plinth.

The portico serves as the landing or a walk-out balcony, framed by a wrought-iron balustrade with polished brass finials on the home’s second floor. Wide limestone crown molding and soffit detailing create the cornice element; the size mimics the soffit overhang at the center of the home.

A 4-foot-wide by 8-foot-tall six panel front door is a focal point with a striking leaded glass transom. The substantial size is a reflection of the need to proportion the design elements with the scale of the home.

“As with all of the design elements in the Brousters’ home, Tom was a tireless advocate for doing it the right way - he never compromised his vision or expectations of excellence,” says Nolan.

For picture, resources and credits, check out the link below: See June/July digital edition - page 70

www.stlouishomesmag.com