Section 106 Guidelines: City of St Louis
Site Improvements
Grading:
Existing grades on street facades in historic areas (including comer properties) must not be changed. If the original grade has been altered at some previous time, it need not be returned, unless desired by the owner, or unless a retaining wall is being removed.
Retaining walls:
New retaining walls should not be constructed on street facades in historic areas. Existing walls in good repair need not be removed, even if they do not comply with the Standards. Historic stone, brick or cast concrete retaining walls, of course, should be retained and repaired wherever possible. If evidence exists of an original retaining wall which has been previously demolished, the wall may be replicated, although this is not a requirement. Such a wall may be recreated as a block wall with masonry veneer.
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Parking
Parking space should be provided at the rear of the property. On comer lots, the parking area should be screened from the street with an ancillary building, a fence or evergreen hedge. Access to parking pad or garage should generally be from the rear of the property except on those sites where the original drive entered from the front or when front-facing garages are a feature of the surrounding neighborhood. New garages should be similar-in size, design, and materials to the other garages in the area.
Landscaping
Landscaping is generally not affected by Section 106 review. However, it is recommended that existing mature trees be retained and protected from harm throughout the construction period. Care must be taken not to excavate too closely to a tree's trunk, to remove too much soil from around it, or to cover the area beneath the tree canopy with non-porous paving material, which would prevent water from reaching the root system.
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New fences are not considered permanent structures, and therefore are generally not affected by Section 106 review. However, historic fences located in eligible areas should be retained and repaired if possible. When fences are required under Section 106 as screening for parking or other uses, they may be of wood, masonry or other appropriate sight-proof material.
Accessibility Standards
Provisions for accessibility by the disabled are encouraged on every project. However, providing accessibility to historic houses often requires considerable ingenuity, and some buildings adapt more easily than others. Construction of access ramps, lifts and elevators in areas of the building which will not detract from its historic character are preferable. The design of interior halls, doorways, etc. should be carefully considered to minimize any destructive affect upon the building's architectural details. Note that on buildings determined eligible or listed on the National Register, special waivers to accessibility compliance may be granted.
For more information concerning accessibility requirements, please consult Housing Design Standards.
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