Clayton Plan Commission — August 3: Concordia Seminary housing approved with conditions; Café Napoli screening continued
The commission conditionally approved Concordia Seminary's Phase 1 site plan and continued the unpermitted Café Napoli screening to a future date.
What happened
The Clayton Plan Commission and Architectural Review Board met on August 3, 2026 and worked through a full agenda. The commission conditionally approved the Phase 1 site plan for new student housing at Concordia Seminary, continued the Café Napoli screening application to a future date, approved a sign modification at 7701 Forsyth, and received a second round of feedback — but took no vote — on the mixed-use redevelopment proposal at 48 South Bemiston Avenue.
What the commission decided
- 801 Seminary Place (Concordia Seminary, Phase 1 site plan): approved the site plan by voice vote, subject to staff confirmation that the three staff-recommended criteria had been met, administrative review of the stormwater remediation plan, and a requirement that the Phase 1 tree-planting deficit be resolved during building permits for subsequent phases — or within six months if construction ceases for six months or more.
- 7701 Forsyth (sign modification): approved the sign modification with staff's condition — permitting one new 20-square-foot aluminum wall sign on the Forsyth facade, with no additional window signs or blade signs to be installed along that facade.
- 7754 Forsyth (Café Napoli screening and pergola): continued the application to a date to be determined; the pergola was separately directed to be placed on the next ARB agenda to allow its building permit to proceed.
- 48 South Bemiston Avenue (mixed-use redevelopment): continued all four applications to a date to be determined, with the applicant indicating a 60-day extension waiver would be provided by Friday, August 7.
Who was there
The chair called roll at the opening of the meeting. Members recorded present were Steve Lichtenfeld, Helen DiFate, Jim Arsenault, Chris Brennan, Blair Kweskin, Jeff Morrisey, and Susan Buse. The record does not reflect any absences or late arrivals.