HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-01-28 CDRB Packet
AGENDA
CITY OF MAPLEWOOD
COMMUNITY DESIGN REVIEW BOARD
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
6:00 P.M.
Council Chambers -Maplewood City Hall
1830 County Road B East
1.Call to Order
2.Roll Call
3.Approval of Agenda
4.Approval of Minutes:
a.November 26, 2013
5. Unfinished Business:
6.Design Review:
a.Approval of Design Plans and a Parking Waiver for the Hobby Lobby at the Plaza
3000 Shopping Center, 3000 White Bear Avenue
7.Visitor Presentations:
8.Board Presentations:
9.Staff Presentations:
a.Election of Officers
b.2013Community Design Review Board Annual Report
10.Adjourn
MINUTES OF THE MAPLEWOOD COMMUNITY DESIGN REVIEW BOARD
1830 COUNTY ROAD B EAST, MAPLEWOOD, MINNESOTA
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2013
1.CALL TO ORDER
Acting Chairperson Lamerscalled the meeting to order at6:00p.m.
2.ROLL CALL
Absent
Boardmember, Leo Burger
Boardmember, Bill KempePresent
Boardmember,Jason LamersPresent
Absent
Chairperson,Matt Ledvina
Boardmember,Ananth ShankarPresent
Staff Present:
Michael Martin, Planner
3.APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Planner Martin added 9.a.possible cancellation of the December 24, 2013, CDRB meeting.
BoardmemberKempemoved to approve the agenda as amended.
Seconded by BoardmemberShankar.Ayes -All
The motion passed.
4.APPROVAL OF MINUTES
BoardmemberShankarmoved to approve the September 24, 2013,CDRB minutesas submitted.
Seconded by BoardmemberKempe.Ayes –All
The motion passed.
5.UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
6.DESIGN REVIEW
a.Approval of a Conditional Use Permit Revision and Design Plans for Agropur, 2080
Rice Street
i.Planner, Mike Martin, introduced theitem for the CUP revision for Agropur.
ii.Jim Schultz, Vice President of Operations,Agropur, 2080 Rice Street, Maplewood,
addressed the board, gave the presentation and answered questions of the board.
November 26, 2013
Community Design Review Board Meeting Minutes
1
BoardmemberShankarmoved to approvethe plans date-stamped October 31, 2013, for the
proposed tank room addition to Agropur, located at 2080 Rice Street. Approval is subject to the
following conditions:
1.The materials and color of the proposed tank room addition shall match the exterior materials
and color of the contiguous part of the existing building.
2.The applicant shall comply with all requirements of the assistant fire chief and building official.
3.The applicant shall comply with all requirements of the city’s engineering department.
Seconded by BoardmemberKempe.Ayes –All
The motion passed.
This item will go to the city council on December 9, 2013.
b.Approval of a Parking Reduction for Maplebrook Pet Care Center, 2811 White Bear
Avenue
i.Planner, Mike Martin gave the report for the Maplebrook Pet Care Center for the parking
reduction and answered questions of the board.
BoardmemberShankarmoved to approvethe parking reduction to allow 15 parking spaces at the
Maplebrook Pet Care Center, located at 2811 White Bear Avenue. This parking reduction is
based on the following reasons:
1.The pet care center does not need more than the proposed 15 parking spaces for their staff
and customers.
2.By reducing the number of parking spaces to 15, the property owner can resolve an erosion
problem by installing arain water garden in the parking lot.
If a parking shortage develops, the property owner shall restore parking to the area planned for
the new rain water garden or seek to use parking from an adjacent or nearby parking lot.
3.The property owner shall construct a trash enclosure to contain and conceal their two
dumpsters as required by city code. The property owner shall work with staff for approval of
the design which must be compatible with the building and must have a closeable gate which
also conceals the dumpsters. The trash enclosure shall be constructed even if the rain water
garden project does not take place. The trash enclosure shall be constructed by May 30,
2014.
Seconded by BoardmemberKempe.Ayes –All
The motion passed.
This item willgo to the city council on December 9, 2013.
7.VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
None
November 26, 2013
Community Design Review Board Meeting Minutes
2
8.BOARDPRESENTATIONS
None
9.STAFF PRESENTATIONS
a.Recommendation to cancel the December 24, 2013, CDRB meeting.
Boardmember Kempe moved to approve cancellingthe December 24, 2013,CDRB meeting.
Seconded by Boardmember Shankar.Ayes –All
The motion passed.
10.ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by Acting Chairperson Lamersat6:18p.m.
November 26, 2013
Community Design Review Board Meeting Minutes
3
MEMORANDUM
TO:
Charles Ahl, City Manager
FROM:
Tom Ekstrand, Senior Planner
Melinda Coleman, Assistant City Manager
DATE:
January 21, 2014
SUBJECT:
Approval of Design Plans and a Parking Waiver for the Hobby Lobby at the Plaza
3000Shopping Center,3000 White Bear Avenue
Introduction
The Hobby Lobby, a proposed tenant at the Plaza 3000 Shopping Center, is asking for approval
of their design plans to remodel the building exterior of their tenant space. Their proposed
changes include the following:
A15-foot by 59-foot front vestibule.
A receiving dock on the back of the building with an adjacent trash compactor pad.
A 2 ½ foot sidewalkextensionin front of the proposed vestibule to provide a five-foot
sidewalk around the proposed vestibule.
Along with those changes, the Hobby Lobby would convert several smaller tenant spaces into
their larger 46,000-square-foot store space. This would involve the replacement of multiple
HVAC units, the replacement of multiple restrooms and removal of multiple electrical services,
as noted in the applicant’s letter.
Parking Waiver
This proposal will also require a parking waiver from the city council for 103parking spaces
fewer than are required by ordinance. The parking ordinance requires one parking space for
each 200 square feet of retail space, one for each 1,000 square feet of warehouse or storage
space and one space for each 50 square feet of patron area in a restaurant. This equates to a
need for 573 parking spaces and there would be 470 provided.
Parking waivers may be granted by the city council if they determine that the request is justified.
Background
The Plaza 3000 was approved by the city council in 1974.
Discussion
Building Design
The exteriorof the proposed dock would be a smooth-face concrete block coloredto match the
building. The back of the shopping center has smooth-face block sothe proposal would match
that material. Staff approves of that as long as the concrete block has asingle score in the
center to match the existing block.
Likewise, the proposed front vestibule would have smooth-face concrete block on the lower third
of thataddition. Smooth-face block is proposed since it is used on the existing building. The
applicant said that they would substitute the smooth-face block with rock-face block if the city
prefers. Staff agrees that this would be a more decorativematerial for the front of the shopping
center.
Trash Enclosures
City ordinances require that trash and recycling containers be kept in screening enclosures.
The back of the Plaza 3000 has many trash dumpsters and very few trash enclosures. Those
that remain are in bad condition. Staff recommends, as a condition of this approval, that the
owner of the shopping center submit a plan for staff approval for enough trash enclosures
behind the building to accommodate all trash dumpsters and recycling containers.
Parking
The applicant would eliminate 21 parking spaces in back (the south side) of their proposed
store. These spaces are adjacent to the proposed dock and would need to be removed to allow
anadequate drive aisle width next to the dock. The site would end up being short on parking
according to the city’s parking requirements. Staff calculated that the building would require 573
parking spaces. Thelargest parking need is due to the Old Country Buffet because restaurants
require four times more parking stalls than retail according to ordinance. Retail requires one
space for 200 square feet; seating in restaurants requiresone space for 50 square feet. The
parking calculations equate to a requirement for 573 parking spaces. After the removal of the
21 spaces, there would be 470 spaces on the site, or 103 fewer than code requires.
Staff does not have any concern over a parking shortage should the Hobby Lobby occupy the
shopping center as proposed. There has never been a parking shortage at this shopping
center, even when the center was fully occupied. Also, the Old Country Buffet has peaks in
their parking need during meal times. These are generally the slowerperiodsfor retail activity.
Landscaping
The applicant would remove a row of shrubs that are planted in front of the front windowswhere
the vestibule would go. Staff sees no problem with this.
Building Official’sComments
Nick Carver, the assistant building official, has noted that the addition of the Hobby Lobby into
this shopping center would eliminate a majority of the common areas, internal walkways and
public restrooms. Mr. Carver is working with the applicant to meetbuilding code requirements
as they relate to the loss of such areas. Primarily, keeping public restrooms is important since
some of the smaller tenant spaces do not have customer restrooms available.
The purpose of this design review is to evaluate the building exterior and parking needs. A
building permit will not be issued for the Hobby Lobby until all building code requirements have
been addressed and met.
Engineer’s Report
Steve Love, the assistant city engineer, evaluated the plans and submitted the attached report.
Mr. Love’s conditions would become part of the staff recommendation for approval.
Assistant Fire Chief’sComments
The applicant must maintain the 20-foot fire department access around the building.
Police Comments
Chief Paul Schnell has no issues with the proposal.
Budget Impact
None.
Recommendation
Approve the plans date-stampedJanuary 8, 2014for the proposed building remodeling and also
approvalof a parking waiver for the proposed Hobby Lobby addition to the Plaza 3000
Shopping Center, 3000 White Bear Avenue. Approval is subject to the following conditions:
1.Approval of design plans is good for two years. If the applicant has not begun construction
within two years, this design review shall be repeated.
2.The proposed smooth-face concrete block on the front of the vestibule addition shall be
substituted with rock-face block and stained or painted to match the building colors.
3.The proposed smooth-face concrete block on the proposed dock addition shall be a single-
score block to match the existing block on the back of the building. The color shall match
the back of the building.
4.The property owner shall submit a plan to staff for approval that proposes trash enclosures
behind the building on the south and east sides to contain all trash and recycling dumpsters.
This is a code requirement. These trash enclosures shall be constructed by September30,
2014. The trash enclosures must be constructed whether Hobby Lobby moves into the
Plaza 3000 or not.
5.The applicant shall comply with all requirements of the assistant fire chief and building
official.All building code requirements relative to the proposed building expansion and
revisions shall be subject to the building official’s approval.
6.The applicant shall comply with all requirements of the engineering department’s review
dated January 13, 2014.
7.This approval includes a parking waiver to have 103 fewer parking spaces than code
requires. This parking reduction is based on:
a.The determination that, though the Old Country Buffet requires 163 spaces alone, their
peak business hours are during lunches and dinners when the need for retail parking is
lessened.
b.There has never beena parking shortage at the Plaza 3000 even when the building was
fully occupied.
Reference Information
Site Description
Site size: 10.18acres
Existing land use: The Plaza 3000 Shopping Center
Surrounding Land Uses
North:The Plaza 3000 NorthAnnex Shopping Center, Denny’s and Firestone
East:The Salvation Army Church
South: Half Price Books, Michaels and Concordia Arms
West: Maplewood Square Shopping Center
Planning
Land Use Plan designation: C(commercial)
Zoning: BC (business commercial)
Application Date
The application for this request was considered complete on January 7, 2014. State law
requires that the city decide on these applications within 60 days. The deadline for city council
action on this proposal is March 8, 2014.
Attachments
1.Applicant’s letter dated January 6, 2014
2.Location Map
3.Aerial Photo of the Plaza 3000
4.Site Plan
5.Building Elevations
6.Existing Floor Plan
7.Proposed Floor Plan
8.Engineering Report dated January 13, 2014
9.Plans date-stamped January 8, 2014(separate attachment)
p:sec2N\Hobby Lobby CDRB Report 114te
ATTACHMENT 8
Engineering Plan Review
PROJECT: Hobby Lobby
PROJECT NO:
COMMENTS BY: Steven Love, P.E., P.L.S.–Assistant CityEngineer
DATE:1-13-2014
PLAN SET:Design Review Request Packet (1-7-14)
Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. is a new tenant at the Plaza 3000 and is proposing to remodel the
existing store. The majority of the work is to the internal building, but the project does include a
dock addition and a new entry vestibule. The following are engineeringreview comments and
act as conditions prior to issuing demolition, grading, sewer, and building permits:
Drainage and Stormwater Management
1)The plans show a new truck well loading dock with what appears to be a new trench
drain located at thewest end of the proposed loading dock.
a.Plans shall be submitted showing the proposed grading, any proposed retaining
walls, and details of any new proposed storm sewer.
2)It appears from the plans provided that the new impervious area for the proposed entry
vestibule encompassesless than5,000 square-feet.
a.Should the new impervious surface area exceed 5,000 square-feet, the City’s
water quality and rate control requirements will apply per the City of Maplewood’s
Stormwater Management Standards.
Grading and Erosion Control
3)A grading and erosion control plan shall be provided detailing how the proposed
improvements tie into the existing site features.
a.The plan shall include elevations detailinghow drainage will be routed away from
the buildingand ADA requirements are met.The Applicant shall meet all
requirements of the City that result from review of the grading and erosion control
plan.
Sanitary Sewer and Water Service
4)It is unclear from the plans submitted whether or not any changes are proposed to the
sanitary sewer service or the water service. The applicant shall verify whether or not any
modifications to these services are necessary as part of the proposed improvements. If
changes are necessary to either service, a full review of thesechanges will be
necessary to ensure compliance with standards.
5)Anyproposed water service modifications are subject to the review and conditions of
Saint Paul Regional Water Services(SPRWS). The applicant shall submit plans and
specifications, if changes area proposed,to SPRWS for review and meet all
requirements they may haveprior to the issuance of a grading permit by the City.
Other
1)The developer shall pay all permit fees, escrows, and charges (SAC, WAC, PAC)
associated with this project prior to permit issuance. The developer shall work with the
Parks Director in regards to the PAC fee.
2)The Owner shall satisfy all requirements of all permitting and reviewing agencies.
MEMORANDUM
TO:
Community Design Review Board Members
FROM:
Michael Martin, AICP, Planner
DATE:
January 21, 2014
SUBJECT:
Election of Officers
Introduction
The City of Maplewood’s Commission Handbookrequiresthe community design review board
(CDRB) elect a chairperson and vice-chairperson. Matt Ledvinacurrently serves as chairperson
andJason Lamers serves asvice-chairperson.
Discussion
The Commission Handbookstates officers should be elected at the first regular meeting in
December. However, the CDRBdid not meeting in December, so the commission will need to
nominate and elect officers at its first meeting in January.Staff is recommending the CDRB
elect a chairperson and vice-chairperson to serve in 2014. On January 28, 2014,nominations
will again be taken for officers to serve through 2014.The handbook has a section whichdeals
with the role of the chairperson and vice chairperson. Below is the excerpt from the handbook:
Role of the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson
Commissions generally appoint the chair and vice chair at set times of the year. Although the
appointment is usually for a year, the chair and vice chair serve at the pleasure of the
commission. The willingness and ability of an individual to serve as the chairor vice chair should
be taken into consideration. Commissions should try to give all commissioners an opportunity to
serve as chair. The responsibility of service as chair or vice chair does take extra time.
Responsibilities of the Chair:
Preside at all official meetings of the board, commission, or committee.
Consult with the staff liaison in drafting the meeting agenda.
Attend City Council meetings, in person or through another commissioner as designee,
as needed to represent the commission, board, or committee with the approval of the
commission, board, or committee.
Sign correspondence from the commission with the approval of the City Council.
The effective chairperson also, during meetings:
Solicits opinions and positions from reticent commission members.
Protects new thoughts from being rejected prior to fair evaluation.
Discourages blame-orientated statements.
Keeps the discussion focused on the issue.
Builds trust by even handedness and fairness to all the participants.
Responsibilities of the Vice Chair:
Substitute for the Chair as needed.
The section is silent on the procedure for election of the chairperson and vice-chairperson.
CDRBmembers should voice nominations for chair and vice-chair, and the body willthen vote
for the positions. If only one nomination emerges for each position, a motion can be made to
formally appoint that person to the post. If there is more thanone nomination, the CDRBshould
vote publicly to decide which candidate will be appointed.
Recommendation
Nominateand elect a chairperson and vice-chairperson for 2014.
MEMORANDUM
TO:
Matt Ledvina, Community Design Review Board
FROM:
Michael Martin, AICP, Planner
DATE:
January 21, 2014
SUBJECT:
Approval of 2013 Annual Report
Introduction
Attached to this memo is thedraft of the community design review board’s (CDRB) 2013Annual
Report. The CDRB has produced this report every year to forward on to the city council for its
review of the board’s work throughout the previous year.
Discussion
The format of the 2013Annual Report is similar to previous years. Staff has included a section
for 2014 activities. This was done with the intention of the CDRB having a discussion at its
January 28, 2014meeting to develop its goals for the upcoming year.Staff will be looking for
feedback from the CDRB as to what it would like to accomplish in 2014 outside of its design
review duties.
Recommendations
Approve the attached draft 2013 Annual Report.
Attachments
1.2013 CDRB Annual Report
MEMORANDUM
TO:
Charles Ahl, City Manager
FROM:
Matt Ledvina, Community Design Review Board
DATE:
January 28, 2014
SUBJECT:
Community Design Review Board 2013 Annual Report
Introduction
Annually the community design review board (CDRB) reports the board’s actions and activities for
the city councilfor the previous year. In 2013, the CDRB reviewed the following 21items during its
7 meetings:
Type of Proposal #Reviewed
New Development Proposals4
1.Design Review,Twin Home Crockett and Crockett Builders, 2010 Clarence Street (June 25,
2013)
2.Design Review, Harmony Learning Center Greenhouse, 1961 County Road C East (June
25, 2013)
3.Design Review, 3M Lab and Office Building, McKnight Road (August 27, 2013)
4.Design Review and Parking Waiver, Maplewood Fire Station No. 1, McKnight Road
(September 24, 2013)
Expansions/Remodels/Revisions12
1.Design Review and Parking Waiver, Concordia Arms, 2030 Lydia Avenue East (May 28,
2013)
2.Design Review, First Evangelical Free Church, 2696 Hazelwood Street (May 28, 2013)
3.Design Review, Maplewood Auto Mall, 2525 White Bear Avenue (June 25, 2013)
4.Design Review and Parking Waiver, Maplewood Town Center, 1845 County Road D East
(June 25, 2013)
5.Design Review, Maplewood City Hall, 1830 County Road B East (July 23, 2013)
6.Design Review, Bruentrup Farm Turf Paring, 2170 County Road D East (July 23, 2013)
7.Design Review, Kohls Maplewood Mall, 3001 White Bear Avenue (August 27, 2013)
Expansions/Remodels/Revisions, continued
8.Design Reivew, Hill-Murray School Tennis Court, 2625 Larpenteur Avenue (August 27,
2013)
9.Design Review Revisions, CarMax, Highway 61 and Beam Avenue (September 24, 2013)
10.Design Review, Agropur, 2080 Rice Street (November 26, 2013)
11.Parking Waiver, Maplebrook Pet Care Center, 2811 White Bear Avenue (November 26,
2013)
12.Comprehensive Sign Plan Amendment, Health East Spine Clinic, Birch Run Station (June
26, 2012)
Special Projectsand Presentations 5
1.Arkwright-Sunrise Area Street Improvements, Project Update and Preliminary Design
Concept (February 26, 2013)
2.Election of Officers (February 26, 2013)
3.2012 Annual Report
4.CDRB Orientation
5.Draft Capital Improvement Plan (May 28, 2013)
Total21
Comparative Information
Year Number of Items Reviewed
200325
2004 25
200527
200633
200727
2008 15
200918
2010 20
201125
201228
201321
2
Membership
The CDRB consists of five members appointed by the city council. Membership terms are for two
years, with extensions for additional terms approved by the city council. The current membership
is as follows:
Board Member Membership Began Term Expires Attendance
Ananth Shankar 8/8/944/30/13 7 of 7
Matt Ledvina 3/10/974/30/14 6 of 7
Jason Lamers 5/26/094/30/15 4 of 7
Bill Kempe 2/11/134/30/15 6 of 7
Leo Burger 2/11/134/30/16 6 of 7
Matt Ledvinais the only member due for reappointment in 2014.Mr. Kempe and Mr. Burgerwere
appointed to the CDRB in Februaryof 2013to replace outgoing members Jawaid Ahmed and Matt
Wise.
Discussion
2013 Actions/Activities
In 2013, the CDRB reviewed 21items,a slight increase from the previous year.In 2013, the
CDRB actually reviewed more new development and expansion projects than in 2012 but saw a
decrease in the number of special projects and presentations, which tend to be staff generated.In
2014, the CDRB expects to review a similar number of projects. It also expects that many of the
projects will be redevelopment in nature or a current development needing a revision of some kind.
The reviews seen in 2013reinforced the idea that the city and CDRB need to adapt to different
market pressures as development comes back.
The CDRBreviewed mainly commercial projects – most notably the new 3M Research building on
the corner of MrKnight Road and Conway Avenue.The CDRB reviewed many parking waiver
requestsas businesses and shopping centers revise their parking policies toensure their vitality
into the future.The CDRBalso worked on several key institutionalprojects in the city – including
the new Fire Station No. 1 building and the City Hall expansion. The CDRB has consistently
demonstrated keen interest and skill in their reviews of these developmentprojects to ensure they
are of the quality of design and materials that complement the surrounding areas and improves a
site’s aesthetics.
The reason for the rise in redevelopment and remodel is that the city has seenthe amount of
vacant land available for new developments diminish. In addition, several otherprojects that
occurred in 2013 were smaller in nature allowing citystaff to processmany of the city’s remodels
and additions as 15-day reviews, as allowed by code, rather than the more formal review by the
CDRB. Approximately 11projects were processed as 15-day reviews. Because of the developed
nature of the city, many of the new commercial and residential developments reviewed by the
CDRB are either redevelopment of existing buildings or in-fill development. The CDRB will
continue to be a vital advisory board to the city council in the future, particularly with more
redevelopment and in-fill development projects on the horizon.
3
2014 Activities
In addition to itsdesign review duties, the CDRB lists these potential activities for 2014:
1.Continue havingin-service training sessions for the CDRB. Specifically, the CDRB would like to
explore developing an approved materials list to help guide development better from an
architecture point ofview. Perhaps different areas of the city would have different approved list
to match existing and desired exteriors.
2.Continue developingpolicy guidelines for vegetation use along public rights-of-way.
3.Focus on educating the CDRB on sustainable building practices.
4.Explore renewing the annual city bus tour, which has traditionally been led by the planning
commission.
Conclusion
In 2014, the CDRB will continue its dedication to the quality design of buildings and developments,
ensuring a high quality of life for the citizens of Maplewood.
Recommendation
Approve the CDRB’s 2013 annual report.
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