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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/01/2006 AGENDA CITY OF MAPLEWOOD COMMUNITY DESIGN REVIEW BOARD Wednesday. March 1, 2006 6:00 P.M. Council Chambers - Maplewood City Hall 1830 County Road BEast 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Approval of Agenda 4. Approval of Minutes: January 24, 2006 5. Unfinished Business: None Scheduled 6. Design Review: a. Menards - 2280 Maplewood Drive 7. Visitor Presentations: 8. Board Presentations: a. February 13, 2006, City Council Meeting -Items Discussed Include Community Design Review Board Appointments and Ramsey County Public Library 9. Staff Presentations: a. New Member Orientation b. Annual Report c. Sign Code - Final Recommendation d. Member Representation at the March 13, 2006, City Council Meeting - Design Review Items to be Discussed Include Menards and Annual Report 10. Adjourn DRAFT MINUTES OF THE MAPLEWOOD COMMUNITY DESIGN REVIEW BOARD 1830 COUNTY ROAD BEAST, MAPLEWOOD, MINNESOTA TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2006 I. CALL TO ORDER Acting chairperson Ledvina called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Board member John Hinzman Board member Matt Ledvina Chairperson Linda Olson Board member Ananth Shankar Present Present until 7:05 p.m. Present at 6:20 p.m. Present Staff Present: Shann Finwall, Planner Lisa Kroll, Recording Secretary Kevin Christianson, Planning Intern III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Board member Hinzman moved to approve the agenda. Board member Shankar seconded. Ayes - Hinzman, Ledvina, Shankar The motion passed. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approval of the CDRB minutes for January 10, 2006. Board member Shankar moved approval of the minutes of January 10, 2006. Board member Ledvina seconded. Ayes ---Ledvina, Shankar Abstentions - Hinzman The motion passed. V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. VI. DESIGN REVIEW a. Ramsey County Public Library - Southlawn Drive, South of Legacy Parkway (Legacy Village) Ms. Finwall said Jay Biedny, project manager for this proposal with Ramsey County is requesting approval of plans for the proposed Ramsey County Library in Legacy Village. Community Design Review Board Minutes 1-24-2006 2 The proposed library would be located in the southwest corner of Legacy Parkway and Southlawn Drive in the Legacy Village planned unit development (PUD). The proposed library would be 34,000 square feet in floor area, 1,600 square feet of which would be a coffee shop by a private vendor. The proposed coffee shop would have a drive-up window for in-car service. The applicant is requesting approval of site, architectural, signage and landscaping plans. The proposed building would have an exterior of bronze anodized metal panels, large glass window panels and copper-"shingle" siding. The copper shingles would be a horizontal-lap material with periodic seams to give a segmented appearance. These would be copper, not a copper-look material. This one-story building would have a roof with a combination of flat and sloped profiles. The sloped, taller roof would be for the high-ceiling areas. A PUD requirement of the city council was that building(s) on this site have "architectural character and exterior building materials in keeping with the nearby senior assisted-living building, town homes and other buildings if present." The commercial buildings and town homes approved so far in Legacy Village do not have the same architectural character and type of materials proposed for the library. The commercial buildings are comprised of brick, stone, masonry and EIFS (exterior insulation finish system "stucco"). The townhomes have horizontal lap siding, shakes and pitched roofs. Staff is recommending approval of the plans date stamped December 12, 2005 with several conditions outlined in the staff report. Board member Hinzman asked if there was a color rendering of the architectural elements the applicant could show the board because the board members did not receive any in their packets. Board member Ledvina said the applicant could display that when they have the opportunity to come forward and speak. Ms. Finwall apologized to the board members, the board was supposed to receive large booklets with color renderings along with their board packet. (Ms. Finwall then handed out the booklets to the board for further reference during the meeting.) Board member Shankar asked if this plan had been reviewed by a traffic engineer regarding traffic concerns in the area? Ms. Finwall said this was reviewed by the Assistant City Engineer, Erin Laberee and her comments are in the staff report. Board member Shankar said he does not have concerns regarding grading or drainage. He has concerns regarding traffic flow in the parking lot. Cars entering the parking lot from the east have to make a decision whether to go north or south. This could cause congestion at the entrance and he wondered if there was enough space for cars to stack at the entrance. Community Design Review Board Minutes 1-24-2006 3 Ms. Finwall said there are two driveway entrances proposed, one along Southlawn Drive and one to the north along Legacy Parkway. It's a tight lot to work with. Staffs suggestion would be for some good directional signage. They will have easy flow through the parking area once going south. Cars can turn around and go north if the parking lot is full and make another drive through the lot with plenty of space to turn around. Board member Hinzman said he understands there will be a loading dock area on the south side and then there is a separate entrance at Birch Run Station. He thinks it would serve an advantage to the site to have a south entrance if that can be done. This would help alleviate some of the vehicle trips that go out through the center if people have the option to exit to the south. Ms. Finwall said Board member Hinzman is suggesting an entrance which would go along the easement. Perhaps the applicant can address that later. Board member Shankar asked if the copper shingles would be horizontal or vertical? If the rest of Legacy Village is horizontal lap siding he wondered how compatible the vertical copper shingles would be. Ms. Finwall said the copper shingles appear to be horizontal. Board member Ledvina said the applicant can clarify that. The chair asked the applicant to address the board. Mr. Jay Biedny, representing Ramsey County for the Library project, addressed the board. He said they will have horizontal and vertical siding. He introduced Mr. Tim Carl with HGA who will give a presentation. Mr. Tim Carl, HGA Designs, the architect for the project, addressed the board. Mr. Carl gave an extended presentation with color boards. The staff and Ramsey County are very excited about this site and the proposal for this new library next to the park. They wanted to create a library on the park. The goal was for the library to embrace the park. They are trying to bring the park into the library. They propose to have an outdoor deck so the library is accessible from the park side and the street side. The library was designed around the great view of the park. The library will have large windows that will overlook the park area creating a great vista into the park. There will be a two-sided courtyard with a deck. The library will be created into two zones. One zone is for the staff and library support space. The other zone is the library collection, seating and reading areas that will visually bring you back to the park. This library structure will be a transition point between the commercial areas and the residential areas. The idea to not have a second vehicle entrance to the south is because the library is required to have a pedestrian path from the park to Southlawn Avenue. The service trucks will use that area but the trucks are few and far between throughout the day and they don't see any safety issues with that as a service access. To allow cars to drive back and forth, however, may be a safety issue. The library will also have a coffee shop integrated into the building. There will be a drive-thru window on the north side of the building for patrons of the coffee shop. Community Design Review Board Minutes 1-24-2006 4 Mr. Carl said they are trying to save as many pine trees on the site as possible. The library site will be surrounded by nice landscaping. The library has an informal quality to it and they wanted to respond to what the community would want to have here. Colonial architecture has more of a formal feel to it and the library wanted to be more informal. Colonial architecture introduces different shades of red and it has vertical building elements to it. You will see some of those qualities in the design of the library as well. There will be metal panels on the building exterior that have sort of a "book stack" quality. They are looking at using a bronze anodized metal. Anodizing has a depth to it so as you move around the building there is not a shiny quality but has a certain depth to it. They are looking at some bronzes that have been anodized a second time in red in some cases which gives the affect of a "dance of color" on the building. They showed an example of the anodized bronze material as well as a sample of the copper product for the board to see. The copper usually starts to patina in a few weeks time. Within a year to two years the copper starts to look more of a deep purple color. Because we are in the suburbs copper doesn't patina quite as fast because there is less smog and pollution. The copper would take 15 to 20 years before it turns green. The library could decide to take the copper to an earlier state of patina if they chose. Another product that came up in conversation recently is a specialty metal which is very similar to copper but doesn't patina the same way. Chairperson Olson asked how they plan to channel snow accumulation and rainwater to the surrounding property. Mr. Carl said the roof butterfiy's at the grid line on the plan. There are two internal drains and most of the water is taken down into the internal drains and into the storm drain system so it would not run off the building in anyway. Chairperson Olson said her first instinct of the library design is that the design is very 1970's modern yet also retro modern in style. She doesn't see a colonial style in this building design at all. She does like the analogy of the shades of red and the book style. This building design is designed very sparsely, probably for cost reasons. The community is going to look at this and say this is a new building, the city and county are on a tight budget, and there are no extra decorative elements to this building design which keeps the cost lower which is better for the public. When she looks at the copper elements proposed for this building she estimates the copper could be higher in cost, which could be at the expense of not doing some other design features on the building. She wondered if the cost of the copper is justifiable. Mr. Carl said one of the reasons they are looking at the zinc alternative is that it's slightly lower in cost, so they are looking at that from a budget standpoint. The cost of the copper can vary greatly depending on where copper is at in the market. The system they are using is not going to bring a hardship to this project but the way they are detailing this building with shingles creates a kind of texture and detail to the rest of the building. The materials they propose to use on this building will have a different type of beauty and detail compared to features that are used in colonial designs such as cornices and columns. Chairperson Olson said the illustrations she sees appear very "block" like and "book" like in style and appear to be very sparse and simple, which can be a good or bad thing. Mr. Carl said a "simple" design is good but they don't feel the design is "sparse" because the materials are very rich and offset any lack of detail. Community Design Review Board Minutes 1-24-2006 5 Board member Shankar asked if they have decided which product they are going to use yet? Mr. Carl said no they haven't. Chairperson Olson asked if it was fair to estimate the copper is the more expensive product compared to the zinc? Mr. Carl said yes it is. Copper is about $2 more a square foot compared to the zinc. Chairperson Olson asked what the advantage of using copper was besides visual enjoyment of it? Mr. Carl said the advantage of copper is that it changes over time and that makes buildings more interesting. They are trying to find a compatible material with the range of bronze and red colors with the anodized material so both of the materials in different ways do that. The copper picks up on the reds and oranges and the zinc product compliments it with a different color. Board member Ledvina asked what the rational was for showing more parking than what's required by the city? Mr. Carl said the parking was designed based on the request of the library. Ms. Susan Nemitz, library director, Ramsey County Library, addressed the board. Currently the library site has 185 parking spaces. The library has been very reluctant to give up any parking spaces. They have certain peak times at the library and one of the largest attendance times is for summer reading program when they usually get over 200 children. Parking is very important to suburban libraries. If people can't park close to the entrance of the library people will start to find a different library to attend. The library is concerned that people visiting the park will park in the library parking lot to begin their journey to enjoying the park, therefore the library feels the number of parking spots they plan for are very important here. Chairperson Olson said she was asked by some Maplewood residents about the closing of the North St. Paul library, the closing of the satellite library in Maplewood, and about the closing of the current library to build a new library in the Legacy Village area. She is concerned about the commitment of Ramsey County to making the new library site work. Is the library sure this new building is going to fit the needs of the community for an extended period of time. Ms. Nemitz said there were significant budget cuts in 2003 like many units of government and that was when the decisions were made to close libraries in Ramsey County. She is happy to say the Maplewood Ramsey County Library site is the second busiest library next to the Roseville Ramsey County Library. Ramsey County is very committed to this proposed library. Much of the library book collection shrinks as the library gets more digital formats. The library continues to see growth, circulation and customer visits across the Ramsey County area. About 10 years ago studies showed Ramsey County wasn't going to grow significantly but that turned out to be incorrect. Ramsey County has done their very best to plan for growth and other things in mind. They do expect some circulation growth as a result of both the new building, a fresher book collection, and because of the way Maplewood is developing. Ramsey County thinks this new library will be suitable for the future but they can't predict things like how technology will affect library services. Community Design Review Board Minutes 1-24-2006 6 Board member Shankar asked if there was a drive up area to drop books off or would you be required to get out of your car to return books. Mr. Carl said there is a lane designated for dropping books off but you have to get out of your car and walk about 8 to 10 feet and drop the books in a return which is by the front door. Board member Hinzman asked what kind of approval is needed from the Birch Run Station for access to the south for the library? Mr. Biedny said the easement is owned by the City of Maplewood. Maplewood has asked the library to inform Birch Run Station that they will be modifying the traffic on the northeast corner of their lot. Ramsey County has sent letters back and forth to the owner of Birch Run Station who lives in California. They don't anticipate any problems with this. The owner's of Birch Run Station are happy their site will get more traffic to the north and they are appreciative that they were even asked. Chairperson Olson asked about the landscaping plan and asked if the color blue represented ponds on the plan? Mr. Carl said the blue doesn't represent a water feature but shows a way to improve the overall drainage on the site. It's an infiltration area with grasses that allow water to filter slowly into the ground rather than dealing with more runoff. Board member Shankar asked if it was possible to have another curb cut? Mr. Carl said there was a discussion with the city to limit the number of curb cuts on Southlawn Drive to only one. There are requirements regarding the distance between curb cuts and they would be flirting with that if they were to allow two curb cuts. Board member Shankar is concerned that people will drive around looking for parking spots and when they make their second attempt through the site there could be a traffic jam of cars trying to drive into the site as well as the cars trying to drive back through the parking lot. Mr. Carl said he thinks everything will work fine. They can show a more detailed traffic analysis of the site but what you don't see on the plans is the turning radius and car movements showing there are enough clearances. There is a wider parking area there than two lanes wide to help with any congestion that could occur. Chairperson Olson said she agrees with the concerns of Board member Shankar with the book drop off and the coffee pick up and traffic collecting around the main entrance. She thinks there could definitely be some potential traffic backups. She asked if the city engineer reviewed this? Ms. Finwall said the Assistant City Engineer reviewed this and she doesn't mention anything like that in her report. But the city is attempting to limit the curb cuts along Southlawn Drive to one. Community Design Review Board Minutes 1-24-2006 7 Chairperson Olson said she can understand that but she asked if the city engineer could review this factor again. Maybe the entrance off 80uthlawn Drive could be moved to the north or to the south so traffic isn't bottlenecked there? Board member Hinzman said maybe they could utilize the access road to the south to the Birch Run Station. Mr. Carl said they will look into that scenario. Board member Hinzman said he liked the rational for the design and position of the library on the site. He likes the form and the function of the library but he is trying to contend with the starkness of the building with the panels on the south end of the building towards Southlawn Drive. Chairperson Olson said the initial reaction she had was that this building would not fit into the more traditional housing that is being built in the Legacy Village area and this building would stick out as being modern in concept but stark in design. However, she said she can grow to like it because of the materials and the way it is formatted. She does like the analogy of the red color and the book style. She would recommend using the zinc product as opposed to the copper material. With cost cutting and this being a public building she doesn't recommend using copper especially when you see what happens to it over time. The other concern for her is the potential traffic in front of the building. There will be some congestion problems and she believes this should be looked at a second time by the city engineer before the plans are finalized. Board member Ledvina said he likes this building and its design and thinks its been well thought out. Considering the Birch Run Station and the residential neighborhood to the north this building is going to be a nice addition. He likes the idea that the building is going to be accessible to the natural environment. He likes the design concept with the anodized panels and the variation in color. It is hard to envision it but he thinks it will turn out very nice. As far as the copper or zinc product he thinks they are equal and said he is comfortable leaving that up to the applicant to choose the material of their choice. He also has concerns about the possible traffic congestion and he thinks a condition could be added in the staff report to have that reviewed again. Board member Shankar said the copper he has seen on the University of Minnesota building lends a certain amount of richness to the building so he likes the idea of using copper. Chairperson Olson said when she thinks of copper she thinks of the renovation of the 81. Paul's Cathedral dome and how expensive that renovation turned out to be. Board member Hinzman asked what type of trees they would be planting. Mr. Carl said they are still looking at that but the diameter of the tree trunk will be 2 to 3 inches. Board member Ledvina said with the interest of the overstory windows and the landscaping he thinks Board member Hinzman's concerns regarding the starkness of the one side of the building will disappear once the building is built and the landscaping is in place. Community Design Review Board Minutes 1-24-2006 8 Board member Ledvina moved to approve the plans for the Ramsey County Library date stamped December 12, 2005. Approval is subject to the applicant complying with the following conditions: (changes to the conditions are underlined if added) 1. Repeat this review in two years if the applicant has not applied for a building permit by that time. 2. Signage is not approved. The applicant must submit a comprehensive sign plan for review and approval by the community design review board. According to the approved planned unit development requirements, ground signs shall be limited to 12 feet in height. 3. Comply with all requirements of Erin Laberee, the assistant city engineer, and those listed in her report Engineering Plan Review dated January 10, 2006. This includes entering into a developer's agreement with the city detailing the responsibility of the developer regarding construction of public infrastructure such as the sidewalks and storm sewers. 4. The plan appears to, but the applicant shall make sure that it meets the requirements of the city's wetland protection ordinance. 5. All roof and ground-mounted mechanical equipment must be screened according to the requirements of the planned unit development and city code. 6. As required by the planned unit development, the developer must enter into a development agreement with the city to dedicate a trail along the south side of the property to connect the existing park trail to a future sidewalk along Southlawn Drive. The developer must construct these trails and sidewalks and any others deemed necessary by the city engineer. 7. Additional overstory trees shall be added along the Southlawn Drive frontage to meet a maximum spacing of 30 to 40 feet as required by the planned unit development. 8. The Amur Maple trees shall be substituted with another similar ornamental tree. 9. Before a building permit is issued, the two lots comprising this site shall be combined into one, legally-described parcel. 10. The applicant must get approval from the owner of Birch Run Station and the City of Maplewood for use of the Birch Run Station rear driveway for access to the library delivery doors. If the applicant cannot obtain these approvals, they must revise the site plan for staff approval. This must be worked out before the issuance of a building permit. 11. The parking lot and driveway shall have concrete curb and gutter. 12. Parking stall drive-aisle dimensions and parking stall sizes shall comply with city code requirements. Community Design Review Board Minutes 1-24-2006 9 13. All lawn and landscaped areas must be equipped with an in-ground lawn irrigation system. 14. The building placement and site grading must comply with the wetland ordinance and cause no ground disturbance within 25 feet of the wetland delineation line. The building must be at least 35 feet from the wetland delineation line at its closest point. 15. The director of community development may approve minor changes to these plans. Major changes must be submitted to the design review board for approval. 16. The Citv Enqineer shall review the traffic circulation near the Southlawn Drive entrance to the site. Consideration shall be made for an additional entrance to the site to alleviate potential conqestion. One option could be the addition of an exit alonq the south side of the parkinq lot. Board member Hinzman seconded. Ayes - Hinzman, Ledvina, Olson, Shankar The motion passed. Mr. Carl asked if they could continue to research using the copper and the zinc material before they make a final decision. Board member Ledvina said this proposal is approved as proposed. Any minor changes or modifications would be covered under staff approval. If the changes were significant regarding how the building would look this would have to be heard by the CORB again. Otherwise this proposal is approved as proposed. VII. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS No visitors present. VIII. BOARD PRESENTATIONS None. IX. STAFF PRESENTATIONS a. CDRB Appointment/Reappointments Ms. Finwall said on Monday, February 13, 2006, at 6:00 p.m. the city council will conduct interviews for openings on the CDRB. The two current board members Ananth Shankar and John Hinzman have agreed to serve another term on the CORBo Because the board member's terms expired 1-1-2006 they will be interviewed along with the five new applicants applying for the CORBo One board opening was due to Diana Longrie becoming Mayor of Maplewood. Community Design Review Board Minutes 1-24-2006 10 Board member Hinzman said because he has to be present at the Hastings planning commission meeting he asked if he could be interviewed by the city council first so he could make it to his meeting on time. b. Election of Chair and Vice Chair Ms. Finwall said the city code requires that the community design review board elect a chairperson and vice chairperson at the second meeting of January. The 2005 chairperson was Diana Longrie and the vice-chairperson was Linda Olson. Linda Olson has been the acting chairperson since December 2005 after the vacancy left by Ms. Longrie to become the Mayor of Maplewood. Board member Shankar moved to recommend Linda Olson as the chairperson and Matt Ledvina the vice-chairperson of the CDRB for 2006. Board member Hinzman seconded. Ayes - Hinzman, Ledvina, Olson Shankar The motion passed. Board member Ledvina excused himself from the meeting at 7:10 p.m. c. Sign Code - Final Recommendation Kevin Christianson reported that on January 10, 2006, the CDRB began discussions about the final changes to the draft code. Due to time constraints at the last meeting, the CDRB tabled the item for further discussion until January 24, 2006. Staff included a copy of the draft sign code in the staff report with the original changes highlighted in blue and the agreed upon changes highlighted in red. Chairperson Olson asked about murals. On page 3 of the sign code there is a definition of painted wall signs and she noticed there is not a definition that applies to a mural. She wondered if the city would allow a mural under any circumstances or not and if so, how would somebody get approval for a mural. Could we create a new category for murals that would require the CDRB review murals for any proposed building. She has been involved with murals with older buildings in St. Paul and there may be some instances where it would be appropriate for a 5 year maximum. Ms. Finwall said the city doesn't define a mural. The city prohibits signs which are painted directly on a building as an example Larry's Live Bait couldn't paint Larry's Live Bait on the side of a wall. On page 4 of the sign code the definition of a sign states: any structure, device, advertisement, advertising device or visual representation intended to advertise, identify or communicate information and to attract the attention the public for any purpose. Ms. Finwall said with that she is not sure a mural would fit in with that definition or not. However, with the city's CDRB ordinance these types of minor changes to a building would have to go through the 15-day review process. Community Design Review Board Minutes 1-24-2006 11 Ms. Finwall said as an example, say Larry's Live Bait wanted to do a mural of fish on the side of their building, city staff would approve that if it was under this set dollar limit of $200,000. The city would then notify the CDRB and the city council for comment so that could be one way of addressing and allowing murals. Board member Hinzman said the sign definition by design is pretty broad. One could make the argument that a mural is a sign, therefore this is prohibited, so the review of the CDRB is not of consequence because it is prohibited under the definition of the sign code. Ms. Finwall asked if the CDRB would be supportive of murals in the city? Board member Hinzman said he would be supportive of murals. He likes the broad definition of the sign because you want to catch things that you might not normally think of qualifying as a sign. One of the intended consequences might be the mural design. When you are talking about murals that it is not a direct advertisement for that business, it may reflect aspects of that business without the company's name. For example, with Larry's Live Bait they could have some fish or fishing scenes on the wall but could not have the words "Larry's Live Bait" painted anywhere on the mural. Chairperson Olson said she feels that a mural should have its own category. Larry's Live Bait had deer, hunting, and fishing on it. It wasn't the best artistic quality but she feels it added a neighborly flavor to a very neighborhood friendly business. She does not want to discourage murals in the City of Maplewood. She doesn't want to see murals hand painted or spray painted on the side of buildings everywhere and she thinks murals would require some review, but she doesn't want to say "all murals" are prohibited in the City of Maplewood. Ms. Finwall asked the board if they thought it was a good idea to allow murals through the comprehensive sign plan review? Chairperson Olson said she thinks the murals require a review of some kind. Board member Hinzman said he wants to ensure the CDRB has the opportunity to review the mural but not necessarily saying the CDRB is going to approve it. The city will probably have to create some type of guidelines as to what would be an acceptable mural. His fear in reading this under the broad definition of the sign code murals would be prohibited outright just because murals could be seen as a sign. Chairperson Olson said that's the exact way she read that. Ms. Finwall said staff will research murals, come up with a definition, and a proposal of how to handle them. Chairperson Olson said she thinks there should be a five year time limit for the mural because of the maintenance issues. Paint peels and deteriorates in the weather. Design elements need to be reviewed so it's not a distraction, so it doesn't send the wrong message, and so it's not offensive to the surrounding areas. However, she doesn't want to see murals prohibited all together. Community Design Review Board Minutes 1-24-2006 12 Chairperson Olson said on page 4, under the sign definition, it says a sign also includes any beacon or search light intended to attract the attention of the public for any purpose. She is wondering if that means illuminating letters or objects including logos and she wondered if that should be included. Ms. Finwall said there is language regarding any symbol, letter, figure, etc. Chairperson Olson asked if illuminated letters and objects including logos could be added. Ms. Finwall said yes. Chairperson Olson said regarding the statement "architectural lighting such as neon that has no signed copy shall not be considered a sign" because sometimes architectural lighting such as neon can be construed as a sign even though it doesn't have any sign copy. Ms. Finwall said if you were to include architectural lighting (as an example Ashley Furniture) the city would calculate that as part of their allowable wall signage area. Chairperson Olson said the blue neon was not considered part of the signage at Ashley Furniture. That was a very confusing issue and she predicts it will happen again. Is it the foot candles it puts out, is it an architectural element, part of the fa<;:ade, or is that an advertisement used as part of their logo design. Board member Hinzman said he thinks neon is a design element but it would not fall under signage in his eyes. Chairperson Olson said regarding Sign Area: The entire area within a continuous perimeter enclosing the ex1reme limits of the sign message and background. She wasn't clear about this language: it says the supports, uprights or structures in which any sign is supported shall not be included in determining the sign area. She thought of the Ashley Furniture sign. The sign area could be relatively small but they had that giant triangle on the top, giant expanded side pillars, and a big monument on the bottom. When the CDRB calculated the sign height the board looked at the top of the structure so the sign area and the sign face language was confusing. To her the sign area is the area of the sign from the top to the bottom and all the way to the sides. The sign face is the sign in her opinion. Ms. Finwall said staff would review that terminology. Staff said that is important when determining how much square footage a particular business is allowed and how it is defined. Chairperson Olson said on page 6, it says signs that have blinking, flashing, fluttering lights, make noise, or change in brightness or color except for electronic message boards that display only time or temperature or similar public service messages. She approves of not having signs that blink, flash, flutter, or make noise. Regarding the change in brightness or color on electronic message boards, she may have an issue with. Community Design Review Board Minutes 1-24-2006 13 Chairperson Olson said because she sees in the near future that gas stations may want to change over to electronic message board style signs so they can have the gas price shown electronically rather than having those plastic numbers that someone has to stand outside with a pole and magnetically attach to the sign at the gas station. She thinks electronic message boards only being allowed to display the time and temperature is too prohibitive and should be considered for the future. Ms. Finwall said the electronic pricing for gas stations would not blink and would be stationary which meet the code requirements. Today staff had that same inquiry on a different gas station. Chairperson Olson is correct, that type of request will come very soon. Staff is also receiving interest in regular businesses installing the electronic reader boards because the price has come down and electronic signs are more reasonable for business owners. Currently the code states electronic message boards are prohibited because of the flashing and blinking capabilities. Business owners have asked what if they promise not to program their sign to flash or blink. That opens up code enforcement issues for city staff because a new manager or new owner may not know the requirements and code of the city. Some of these business owners may propose a variance to have an electronic message board sign. Chairperson Olson said she would be in favor of considering a variance for those types of signs. As an example, if Premier Bank were to advertise a high school play is coming up, she sees that as a public service issue and wouldn't be opposed to that. Ms. Finwall said electronic readerboards are currently allowed for public service messages only. The draft code allows them as well. Chairperson Olson said at this point staff is not approving any other LED electronic message boards. Ms. Finwall said correct. Chairperson Olson said maybe the word "stationary" should be added to that code. Ms. Finwall said staff has strong concerns about those types of signs and as a non business owner she doesn't appreciate those bright, flashing signs when she is driving by, it takes away from the view and could be deemed as a nuisance. So if the board wants to consider something like that, staff would recommend that they require distance from residential properties. Chairperson Olson said she would support some restrictions regarding the number of lines of text, or flashing and blinking restrictions. Board member Hinzman said rather than having a variance process there could be a special use permit required for electronic readerboard signs. That way the city could set restrictions upon the use of the sign and they may be allowable under certain circumstances. He asked what staff's opinion would be regarding that? Community Design Review Board Minutes 1-24-2006 14 Ms. Finwall said with a variance they have to prove a hardship and why they should be allowed to have that type of sign when others are not allowed. Through the variance process the city could condition that variance. Having a variance puts the responsibility on the property owner to prove why they should be allowed to have it and try to prove their case. Chairperson Olson said Caribou Coffee has a new location at the corner of County Road 0 and White Bear Avenue and the sign seems extremely bright. She asked if the city has any type of illumination guidelines for those types of backlit signs? Ms. Finwall said in the city's new lighting ordinance which the board drafted a few years ago, signs were included in the light illumination requirement. That is a difficult one to enforce. With new developments they are required to submit photometric plans, but with an existing sign they may switch the lighting. In that type of situation it would be complaint driven or if city staff recognized the problem. Chairperson Olson said she would like to register a complaint because a Maplewood resident complained to her that the new Caribou sign was too bright. Board member Hinzman said that was previously a Hardee's restaurant and then it changed over to Fazoli's and the sign was refaced. Then it changed hands again and was sold to Caribou Coffee, who had the space remodeled and the sign was refaced again. The original sign for Hardee's probably would not meet the sign requirements today as it did back then. The new Caribou Sign has a lot of white and lets a lot of light shine through. Ms. Finwall said that sign is a pre-existing non conforming sign and does not meet the current setbacks so they were able to reconfigure it as long as they stayed within the existing square footage. With a sign permit the city did not include light illumination but staff will address that issue. Chairperson Olson said on page 9, regarding garage signs, the first sentence reads garage sale signs not exceeding three square feet or four in number. She thinks it should read per intersection, otherwise what are you defining, the four (in number) are permitted on private property. She thinks that in previous discussions it was "per intersection" . Ms. Finwall said this was referring to four for one sale sign is how she understood it. Chairperson Olson said that seems unrealistic to have four garage sale signs in total in the city. Ms. Finwall said that does seem unrealistic, but that is how it is reading. Chairperson Olson is referring to the off-site real estate signs, having one real estate listing per corner with a total of four maximum. Chairperson Olson said correct. She doesn't see much difference in garage sale signs and real estate signs. The setbacks are generally the same. Community Design Review Board Minutes 1-24-2006 15 Ms. Finwall said staff will clarify that. The main concern is at each intersection that there is not more than one per corner and four per intersection. Staff will reword the garage sale signs to be similar to the real estate signage requirements. Chairperson Olson said item A. says for single and double units on-site real estate signs not exceeding 9 square feet. She asked if that was referring to a single site 9 square feet per unit side or for both units together? Ms. Finwall said that would be for one on-site real estate sign per sign face. That is why the definition of the sign face is so important. Chairperson Olson asked if the board reduced the sign height anywhere in this ordinance revision? Ms. Finwall said in the residential zoning districts the draft code would allow freestanding signs at 10 feet in height and in the commercial zoning districts the draft code would allow free standing sign height based on the street frontage. Currently, the sign code would allow a commercial district to have a sign up to 25 feet high, however, if you push the sign back for a greater setback the sign can be increased up to 50 feet in height. Chairperson Olson said on page 10, under non-commercial opinion signs, it says for multiple unit developments the sign must be attached to the dwelling unit or placed in another location which clearly does not represent the opinions of other residents in the area who have not agreed to the sign. She said there is a double negative in the statement and she suggested rewording the statement replacing the wording starting with the word anotl=ler with "a location to clearly indicate ownership and that it does not represent the opinions of other residents in the area who have not agreed to the sign". Chairperson Olson said on page 12, in the middle of the page, there is a spelling error, it says sings instead of signs. On page 14, in item B., under wall size, she asked what it meant by the statement "The total coverage area of each wall sign including each differentiated department". Ms. Finwall said staff would look into that. Chairperson Olson said on page 16, under temporary banners, item A., it says no more than one banner may be displayed per property at anvone time. There should be a space between the word anyone. Chairperson Olson said on page 18, regarding prohibiting signs: in addition to prohibited signs specified for all zoning districts, electrical message boards and changeable copy message boards, except for changeable copy message boards that display gas prices at minor motor vehicle fuel stations are prohibited in the (MU) mixed use zoning district. This sentence didn't make sense and she wondered if it could be reworded. Board member Shankar said he thinks it could be reworded so it is made clearer, the language is too confusing. Community Design Review Board Minutes 1-24-2006 16 Ms. Finwall said staff would make the wording clearer. Chairperson Olson thanked staff for their time and effort on the sign code draft. Board member Shankar and Ms. Finwall thanked Kevin Christianson for his work on the sign draft as well. Staff will bring the recommended changes back to the board at the next CDRB meeting. d. Reschedule February 28, 2006, CDRB Meeting Due to the Special Election for the City Council The Tuesday, February 28, 2006, CDRB meeting is rescheduled for Wednesdav. March 1. 2006. e. 2005 CDRB Annual Report Kevin Christianson said the city's community design review board (CDRB) ordinance requires that the CDRB submit a report to the city council once a year. The report is intended to outline the CDRB's actions and activities during the preceding year. Also, the report may include recommended changes, including but not limited to, ordinance and/or procedure changes. Chairperson Olson said the way the annual report is formatted it puts too much emphasis on the number of items that were reviewed by the CDRB rather than the actual items themselves. For example, special projects, 1, which is the sign code. The sign code is a very large project and it doesn't look very substantial on paper but took many months of work for the staff and the board to go through before the final sign code was ready. Some times the numbers denigrate what the board members do on the CDRB. Ms. Finwall said in the discussion of the 2005 Actions/Activities staff could expand more on those developments such as the number of housing units, the amount of commercial projects. Board member Shankar said we discussed last year including the dollar amount of the commercial projects reviewed. Chairperson Olson said we could put the amount of square footage of the commercial project, or number of units within the project or something. When you look on page 2 of the report, under comparative information, it looks like the CDRB didn't review many projects when you compare things year to year. Ms. Finwall said maybe including the number of items isn't very important to include on the report, maybe the projects should be listed. Chairperson Olson asked if the other committees do their annual report the same way? Community Design Review Board Minutes 1-24-2006 17 Ms. Finwall said this is the format that is used for the Planning Commission (PC) Annual Report but staff didn't think the Housing Redevelopment Authority (HRA)was required to do an annual report. Ms. Finwall said staff could expand on the information listed in the annual report. Board member Hinzman said he doesn't have an issue with the number of projects shown in the annual report. The CORB knows the time and effort they have put into these projects so it doesn't bother him the way the report is written. Chairperson Olson said the bulleted items do speak to the substantial projects that were reviewed by the CORBo Board member Hinzman said it looks like a pretty consistence trend when you look at the number of projects reviewed from years to years. Some of the projects are more substantial than others so it balances out. Board member Shankar said staff may consider removing the words Area of Concern on page 3 under 2006 Recommendations and add Areas of Interest instead of concern. Ms. Finwall said that was a good suggestion. Board member Hinzman said the city council is not really concerned about the number of projects that were reviewed they are going to look at what projects were reviewed and the desire to have a volunteer board that are of good value to the community for the betterment of the City of Maplewood. As one of the newer board members, he is surprised there were that many projects in 2005 because as he looks around he didn't think there was much development left to do in the City of Maplewood. Ms. Finwall said staff feels it will be important to take a look at the redevelopment in the city as well. Chairperson Olson said she would like to have a new board member that knows more about landscaping since that is part of the design criteria and the current board members don't have much experience in that area. The board would like to add a number 7. to the 2006 list of recommendations to review parking space width requirements in the city in comparison to what other cities recommend. Staff will bring the recommended changes to the 2005 Annual Report back to the board at the next CORB meeting. f. Board member Shankar will represent the CDRB at the February 13, 2006, city council meeting. The only item to discuss is the Ramsey County Public Library. x. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:07 p.m. MEMORANDUM PROJECT: LOCATION: DATE: City Manager Ken Roberts, Planner CUP Revision, Parking Reduction Authorization and Design Approval Menards 2280 Maplewood Drive February 8, 2006 TO: FROM: SUBJECT: INTRODUCTION Project Description Robert Geske, of Menards, Inc. is proposing to build a 16,105-square-foot garden center addition on the south side of the Menards store. Refer to the applicant's narrative statement on pages 9 and 10 and the maps and plans on pages 11-16. They are proposing an exterior of glass panels, emerald green accent panels and a wrought iron fence for the garden center. The proposed plans also show changes to the existing parking lot and changes to the exterior of the building. Specifically, Menards would eliminate 17 parking spaces and reconfigure the parking lot so that all of the spaces would be at 9D-degrees to the drive aisles. Refer to the site plan. In addition, they are proposing to update the front of the store. This would include changing the existing mansard and signage over the main entrance and adding four fieldstone and timber columns to support the new canopy. Finally, Menards wants to change the signage on the building. Requests Mr. Geske is requesting city approval of: 1. A conditional use permit (CUP) revision to enlarge the building and amend the site plan. Refer to the project narrative on pages 9 and 10. The city code requires council approval of a CUP revision for an owner to expand or revise a store or site for which a CUP exists. 2. A parking-reduction authorization for 50 spaces. The code requires 451 spaces for the store. Menards is proposing to have 401 parking stalls. Refer to the narrative on page 9. 3. The site and building design plans. (See the maps and plans on pages 11-16 and the enclosed project plans.) BACKGROUND October 25, 1999: The city council approved a CUP revision for a building expansion, site plan changes and the project architectural, site and landscape plans. Refer to the council minutes in the attachment on pages 19 - 23. November 27,2000: The council reviewed the CUP and moved to review it again in one year. 1 April 9, 2001: The council approved revised plans for the exterior of the new addition and required additional landscaping on the Highway 36 side of the building. This approval was subject to five conditions of approval. (Refer to the council minutes on pages 24 and 25.) November 26, 2001: December 9, 2002: January 7, 2004: The council reviewed this CUP and moved to review it again in one year. The council reviewed this CUP and agreed to review it again in one year. The council reviewed this CUP and agreed to review it again in one year. January 30, 2004: The city approved plans for expansion of the exterior storage area and relocation of the fire gate on the east side (rear) of the building. DISCUSSION CUP Revision The proposed site revision with the addition of the garden center will meet the requirements for a CUP and should improve the store and the overall site. It should not have any impact on the adjacent residential neighborhood. Parking The applicant is requesting that the city approve a reduction of 50 (from 451 to 401) in the number of parking spaces for the store. They want to reconfigure the parking lot in front of the store to make the traffic flow smoother, but this redesign would result in the loss of parking spaces. Menards has gotten by, essentially, with the main parking area in front of the building since 1988 (when the city had approved a parking reduction authorization). The proposed garden center addition would need 80 spaces according to the code (if the city treated it as regular retail space). Menards, however, is now using the location of the proposed garden center for retail sales and outdoor storage as approved earlier by the city. As such, it should not generate additional parking needs for the store. Site DrainagelShoreland Requirements The site is within the shoreland boundary of Keller Lake. Presently the site has 95 percent impervious-surface coverage. The shoreland code requires a maximum coverage of 40 percent. This project will not change the amount of impervious surface on the site as the addition for the garden center would be constructed over a part of the existing paved storage area. Building Design Changes and Concems As part of this project, Menards is proposing to update the front of the store. This would include changing the existing mansard and signage over the main entrance and adding four fieldstone and timber columns to support the new canopy. In addition, Menards wants to change the signage on the building. Staff is concemed about the proposed appearance of the north building elevation. In 2001, the city council required Menards to include the green stripe on the north elevation when they approved the store project plans. Menards is proposing to keep the green stripe on the building. As an alternative, they could add fieldstone and timber columns to the north elevation as they propose for the front entrance. 2 Fire Marshal's Concerns Menards must keep the perimeter of the building accessible for fire emergencies. The applicant should arrange with the fire marshal for access through the gate behind the building in the case of emergencies. In addition, Menards needs to have a monitored fire protection system and shall provide a floor plan of their store and a fire department lock box at the main entrance. City Engineer's Comment Menards should provide a gate and clear access to the sanitary sewer manhole on the site as part of this request. RECOMMENDATIONS A. Adopt the resolution on pages 26 - 28. This resolution approves a conditional use permit revision for Menards at 2280 Maplewood Drive to add a 16,105-square-foot garden center to the existing store. The city bases this approval on the findings required by the code. Approval of this CUP revision is subject to the following conditions (additions are underlined and deletions are crossed out): 1. Adherence to the site plan date-stamped Januarv 17. 2006 May 5, 1999. The director of community development may approve minor changes. 2. Compliance with the following screening-fence requirements: a. The property owner shall continue to have and keep, in a maintained condition, wooden screening fences as follows: (1) The eight-foot-tall screening fence west of 1071 County Road B and running east- west behind 1071, 1081 and part of 1101 County Road B shall remain. (2) All other screening fences that abut the residential lots shall be 14 feet tall. (3) All screening fences shall be constructed of vertical boards of the same dimension, color and material. b. No material on the storage racks, adjacent to the fence behind 1101 and 1115 County Road B, shall extend above the 14-foot-tall fence. c. No more than 2 Y.z feet of the 17 Y.z-foot-tall interior storage racks shall be visible from the homes to the south that are at street level along County Road B. This excludes those houses that sit higher on a hill. d. Menards shall be responsible for the safety of the neighbors in regard to the materials stored over the height of the fence. 3. Hours of operation in the storage yard and carden center shall be limited to 7 a.m. to 10p.m. 4. An exterior public address system shall not be allowed. 3 5. All lighting in the storage yard that is not needed for site security shall be turned off after business hours. 6. The city council shall review this permit revision in one year if ti'le proposod retail spaeo aallition Ras Rot eea"lR. 7. Plowed snow shall be stored away from the southem and eastern property lines to avoid runoff problems on residential property. 8. Menards shall store all their materials within the fenced storage area. 9. Sanitation facilities shall be provided by Menards for the employees. 1Q." ~ The proposed building addition and site work must be substantially started within one year of council approval or the permit shall become null and void. The council may extend this deadline for one year. 11. The perimeter of the building must be kept accessible for fire emergencies. The applicant shall arrange with the fire marshal for access through the gate behind the building in the case of emergencies. B. Approve a parking-reduction authorization for Menards at 2280 Maplewood Drive to have 50 spaces fewer than the code requires. (The city code requires 451 parking spaces and Menards is proposing 401 parking spaces.) Approval is because: 1. The required number of spaces is excessive. Menards has gotten by, essentially, with the main parking area in front of the building since 1988. Menards customers do not typically use other available parking areas on the site. 2. The proposed garden center addition would need 80 spaces according to the code. However, Menards is currently using this same area for retail sales and outdoor storage as approved earlier by the city. As condition of approval of this request, Menards shall have employees or others provide traffic control and direction assistance in the parking lot on busy shopping days. C. Approve the site plan date-stamped January 17, 2006, and the building elevations date- stamped February 6,2006, for the 16, 1 05-square-foot garden center addition to Menards at 2280 Maplewood Drive. Approval is subject to the following conditions: 1. Repeat this review in two years if the city has not issued a building permit for this project. 2. Before getting a building permit, the applicant shall: a. Submit grading, drainage, utility and erosion control plans to the city engineer for approval. b. Revise the building elevations to keep or add major design elements on the north elevation. This could include keeping the green stripe on the building or adding fieldstone and timber columns as proposed for the front entrance. 4 c. Revise the site plans for staff approval to provide enough handicap-accessible parking spaces to comply with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) requirements. 3. The applicant shall complete the following before occupying the building addition: a. Menards shall provide a gate and clear access to the sanitary sewer manhole on the site as part of this request. b. Paint any new rooftop mechanical equipment to match the building color if the units are visible. (code requirement) c. The city waives the trash-dumpster screening requirement unless the dumpsters would be visible to the public. If Menards wants to keep their dumpsters outside, then they shall provide an enclosure for them using the same materials and color as the building. d. Provide site-security lighting as required by the code. The light source, including the lens covering the bulb, shall be concealed so not to cause any nuisance to drivers or neighbors. e. Meet all the requirements of the fire marshal including: (1) Keeping the perimeter of the building accessible for fire emergencies. The applicant should arrange with the fire marshal for access through the gate behind the building in the case of emergencies. (2) Installing a monitored fire protection system. (3) Providing a floor plan of the store and a fire department lock box at the main entrance. f. Verify that all required landscaping is healthy and growing. 4. If any required work is not done, the city may allow temporary occupancy if: a. The city determines that the work is not essential to the public health, safety or welfare. b. The above-required letter of credit or cash escrow is held by the city for all required exterior improvements. The owner or contractor shall complete any unfinished landscaping by June 1 of the next year if the building is occupied in the fall or winter, or within six weeks of occupancy if the building is occupied in the spring or summer. 5. All work shall follow the approved plans. The director of community development may approve minor changes. 6. Signs are not part of this approval. The applicant shall submit any requests for new or revised signs to staff for sign permits. 5 CITIZEN COMMENTS I surveyed the 50 surrounding property owners within 500 feet of Menards for their opinion of this request. I received one reply. This neighbor commented about the somewhat difficult traffic flow at the intersection of County Road B and the frontage road. REFERENCE INFORMATION SITE DESCRIPTION Site size: 13.48 acres Existing land use: Menards Store with outdoor sales and parking lot SURROUNDING LAND USES North: Highway 36 South: Single dwellings and Citgo Motor Fuel Station West: Highway 61 East: Countryside VW/SAAB PAST ACTIONS March 28, 1988: The city council approved Menards' CUP and granted a parking reduction authorization. January 23, February 13, March 27 and April 6, 1989: The council changed the CUP conditions. The changes were to clarify the screening fence and storage rack height requirements. March 26, 1990: The council reviewed the CUP. November 14,1994, and September 11,1995: The council amended the CUP conditions. April 8, 1996: The council amended the CUP conditions because of a request for a seasonal, outdoor greenhouse and plant sale operation. May 20, 1996: The council again reviewed the CUP and directed Menards, Citgo, staff and the neighbors to meet and discuss several issues raised by one of the neighbors. These issues were about the screening fence, engine noises, fumes, parking and cross traffic between Citgo and Menards. August 12, 1997: The council reviewed the CUP again. The previous concerns and problems have been resolved. The council moved to review the CUP again only if a problem develops. 6 PLANNING Land Use Plan designation: M-1 (light manufacturing) Zoning: M.1 ORDINANCE REQUIREMENTS Section 44-512(4) requires a CUP for the exterior storage of goods or materials. Section 44-637(b) requires a CUP for any building or exterior use within 350 feet of a residential district. Section 44-17(a) requires parking for Menards at the ratios of one space for each 200 square feet of retail or office space and one parking space for each 1000 square feet of warehouse space. CRITERIA FOR APPROVAL Criteria for Conditional Use Pennit Approval Section 44-1097(a) states that the city council may approve a CUP, based on nine standards. (See findings 1-9 in the resolution on pages 26 and 27.) Ordinance Requirements Section 2-290(b) of the city code requires that the community design review board make the following findings to approve plans: 1. That the design and location of the proposed development and its relationship to neighboring, existing or proposed developments, and traffic is such that it will not impair the desirability of investment or occupation in the neighborhood; that it will not unreasonably interfere with the use and enjoyment of neighboring, existing or proposed developments; and that it will not create traffic hazards or congestion. 2. That the design and location of the proposed development is in keeping with the character of the surrounding neighborhood and is not detrimental to the harmonious, orderly and attractive development contemplated by this article and the city's comprehensive municipal plan. 3. That the design and location of the proposed development would provide a desirable environment for its occupants, as well as for its neighbors, and that it is aesthetically of good composition, materials, textures and colors. APPLICATION DATE The city received the complete CUP and CDRB applications for this request on January 17, 2006. Minnesota Statutes, Section 15.99 requires that the city take action within 60 days of receiving a complete application for a land use proposal. Therefore, the city is required to act on these requests by March 16, 2006. 7 p:sec9\menards 1999 to 2006 Attachments: 1. Applicant's Project Narrative 2. Location Map 3. Property Une / Zoning Map 4. Proposed Site Plan 5. Partial Site Plan 6. Partial Site Plan (Garden Center) 7. Proposed Building Elevations 8. January 25, 2006, memo from David Fisher 9. January 24, 2006, memo from Lt. Shortreed 10. October 25, 1999, City Council minutes 11. April 9, 2001, City Council minutes 12. CUP-Revision Resolution 13. Project Plans date-stamped January 17, 2006, and February 6, 2006 (separate attachments) 8 Attachment 1 NARRATIVE: Menards Garden Center Addition Maplewood, MN Menard, Inc. (Menard) currently owns and operates a ",166,629 square foot Menards Home Improvement Retail store on a "'13.48 acre tract of land located at 2280 Maplewood Drive. Guest satisfaction is our top priority at Menards, and we are constantly trying to improve our guests' experiences at each Menard Home Improvement Retail store. Due to the requests of our Maplewood area guests, Menard proposes to add a ",16,105 square foot Garden Center that would extend out from the southwest wall of the existing store building. The success of and the desire of our guests to have such Garden Centers has lead Menard to incorporate them into all new store construction and existing store additions. The new Garden Center would be both aesthetic and functional. A new entry/exit way would be created, and guests would have the opportunity to make purchases at registers located in the Garden Center Area. The Garden Center will typically contain live plants, rock, soils, landscape blocks, and other similar items. Because of its ideal location, guests will also be able to bring their vehicles into the rear yard to more easily load larger quantities of those items that will be sold in the Garden Center area. In addition to the new Garden Center, Menard would also like to take the opportunity to update the building fa~ade and update the sign panels so that they are consistent with Menard's latest design. Specifically, Menard will update the main store entrance with the latest design entryway similar to new store construction (e.g., Menards - West St. Paul). The entryway will consist of offset fieldstone and timber pillars supporting an emerald green peaked canopy that will have an updated internally lit "Menards" sign attached to it. The exit door south of the main store entrance will have a similar look with fieldstone and timber pillars and a peaked canopy. The new fa~ade will match the look of the proposed Garden Center creating a uniform result. Menard would also update the north elevation sign panel and freestanding pylon sign panels to match the design of the new "Menards" sign on the fa~ade. The new Garden Center will necessitate the reconfiguration of the parking layout west of the store entrance. Currently, there are 418 60- and 90-degree parking stalls. The reconfiguration would result in 401 90-degree parking stalls. It is Menard's understanding that it already has requested and was granted a reduction in the required parking stall count. Menard requests an additional reduction to meet the new 40 I parking stall number. Menard management feels that 40 I parking stalls would be appropriate and is not concerned with the slight reduction. I. The new Garden Center and store update will be located, designed, maintained, constructed and operated in conformity with the City's comprehensive plan and Code of Ordinances. 2. The new Garden Center and store update will not change the existing or planned character ofthe surrounding area. 3. The new Garden Center and store update will not depreciate property values. 9 4. The new Garden Center and store update will not involve any activity, process, materials, equipments or methods of operation that would be dangerous, hazardous, detrimental, disturbing, or cause a nuisance to any person or property, because of excessive noise, glare, smoke, dust, odor, fumes, water or air pollution, drainage water run-off, vibration, general unsightliness, electrical interference or other nuisances. 5. The new Garden Center and store update will generate only minimal vehicular traffic on local streets and would not create traffic congestion or unsafe access on existing or proposed streets. 6. The new Garden Center and store update will be served by the existing, adequate public facilities and services, including streets, police and fire protection, drainage structures, water and sewer systems, schools and parks. 7. The new Garden Center and store update will not create excessive additional costs for public facilities or services. 8. The new Garden Center and store update will continue to maximize the preservation of and incorporate the site's natural and scenic features into the existing development design. 9. The new Garden Center and store update should cause minimal (if any) adverse environmental effects. Menard meets all of the criteria for approval and respectfully requests the following in order for the proposed Garden Center addition and store update to be completed: I. Conditional Use Revision approval from the Planning Commission and City Council. 2. Community Design Review Board approval. 3. Approval for the reduction in required parking stalls to 40 I parking stalls. 4. Any other approvals necessary to allow for the proposed addition and update. 10 Attachment 2 \ } f >- I 'i't "f- '#fl/i/ ~ ~ \ ~ I ~ ~'lil(; //~i/ , -~~-~-...J}- I ~ ~l! II I c- r T -, \ T~I-'I I- qY I ,.1 Iii L- : I I dA-!!!i'l/ I ~ (/ ! I,'J ~ 1 J~ ",,' ~ 1~11~ ill I 1/ /1 j/FfiJ ____ D ,( III 7 "- (:t-~ 1i,;;j;}/;? 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II, /:/i/ ~~:'- 7,~f' _ ~~i - l .. _ ._{ fJ~~_- j !' 7 ~ ""--- ,_ J././ -~/.,../ JJ 1\ rt -- - ,--1_,'- {..',/ ~::::t" '1',---1...-'1- ~;,;/ -:;..-:: II II_ I / f- = ~_ ~;:> J : ----1 i i _ i/,/' ~ 1\ -, ",- -: I 1"- ~, \. ~ , t - ~!~'H~ ~ - - , , :- " I, ~__..~J 1- ,....--~'--~ ....:.../ I I =--r,-:"'>" I ~- ~.::-":::""''''' ~ J ~ 11 \! N LOCATION MAP Attachment 3 o S] c r2 oeJ ,I ~~!i 'i " P ii , :D~ 1 ~ o 1:;;J \ \ J \ 1;\ '"-.... ....~l;.--;...-.....,'\ ~' // \ \ / , ! II _.......--'"'.../ .... ~_....~ , 5 , J ,,~_ , , . " " " d " f GD o QJ>o ~ 8 // I> t,,*, '- ~ . 12 1/ N PROPERTY LINE I ZONING MAP ....--....... ........--- [YAAoSlDEril ..WALl./I'ENCE G) WROUGHT IRON FENCE SECTION SCALE: 1/4" . " 0" .~,' ~~ \\'"\ " \ , ' \\" ~---~------ ,-- ~ ~u__u_____~__mu____m~u",::,~;.;;",=;:__mm_~:Jj 1--- 1 I1r-r-::,'rl PROPOSED SITE PLAN 13 Attachment 4 ~-- _...?-- '" o o:J- i i , u u u -- _-~:::J::: --::.- "':c .!.'!!:UlfOOD, UN PIlO1'OS6lJ SIf'6 PUN .- - ...- - ---- -..-- 11 N 101 PARKING STALLS i~ , H H H H 1:l\;-'(' \ .,.~\ \ la<~ \ <;. \ \ ~\"'\ ,-~ ,- 1ir-r , ' , , ", \ i'EEJEEBJiHii .. ,.. 7(f ,,' ..'~ ~ \ , II' ....\~ \ " " a. ., .in -.. , , , 't. " , , , , , , , , , , , , I C . ," , , , , , , -----------~-------------~~---_______~ ! i ~___~:.Rr SEWER [ASEIoIENT --.LJ ~ , , SEE PL,.I,N 052\ C I PIN.e:"'CEDAR80~S ~- , , , , , TRrilTED 80ARD RACK (27'-g">(IQf;'-10") \ ~\ rr=~-_\m-~ , , , ClRJ:nl TRE....DD'o("SfDCI< Attachment 5 ~8~~~' MAPLEWOOD, J GARDEN CENTER OVERHANG 16.105 SQ. FT. PARTIAL SITE PLAN 14 \r N '\ 14 \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ "'I, I I ] \ \ \ \ \ \ I \ . \\\ ~\----- 20' CHAIN \ '-3" r LINK GATE \ \ \\iW-3" \ . _ _ _ _ _ _ .....IRE_A Y--.I __\____~~(;AI-'IN(i..tllUL:p(~ ___~-- ---- ---- "- - - - - \ \ \ . \ ,I L.:AI:::ILI:. IPnl Y-PIP~ I A(";RI_PIPI=" \\ ~ ------------ r r ~--~----" \--- \-~:...----~-:---- -- -- i I ~ I I 401 PARKING STALLS H H H H GLASS WINDOWS WROUGHT IRON FENCE SEE OET AIL 1 H . 5" \ \ " , " , : I I "'0. I: I I I ., "I I L e ___L..l--,__ ----------, 0 II ",,'CAN" I J J. ______....J .Ib , '1;': :-r---1 I I I i ~\ OVE LOW 11\ \ \ \ 20\ \ 18' -\ ]~ .)2' 8" ROCK m ROCK 120 -0," " LANDSCAPING BLOClCS -------,--- - LANDSCAPING BLOCKS saLS ~~NC~_ saLS LANDSCiJiii""NO"1iioCiCS - WLS saLS ~ ' - ~ ~ ~=~WLS iii ~. .. SOILS . , .... - LAT1ICE i:a r-' I. ~ ""'ii.O&s- -CAN " Attachment 6 o ~8Gj~ MAPLEWO 40'- I - Ol :;> I ~Ln . -'<j- ~ o p ~ ~ GARDEN CENTER OVERHANG 16,105 SQ. FT. > . 65-0 36 -3 55-3 11 N PARTIAL SITE PLAN (GARDEN CENTER) 15 _ PROPOSED BUILDING ELEVATIONS 16 Attachment 8 Memo From: David Fisher, Building Official.;:c'" ","., To: Ken Roberts, Planner Re: Menards New Garden Center Addition - Proposed Revision of the CUP & CORB Date: January 25, 2006 Provide complete building code analysis to verify the existing structure can be increased by 16,000 square feet and stay in compliance with the construction type of the existing building and the building setbacks per 2000 International Building Code for allowable area and ex1erior wall protection. - The city will require a complete building code analysis when the construction plans are submitted to the city for building permits. - All exiting must go to a public way. Provide adequate Fire Department access to the buildings. - The addition to building is required to be fire sprinklered. I would recommend a pre-construction meeting with the contractor, the project manager and the city building inspection department. 17 Attachment 9 Maplewood Police Departement Memo To: Ken Roberts From: Lt. Michael P. Shortreed .",f'4 cc: Deputy Chief John Banick Date: January 24, 2006 Re: Menard's Garden Center Addition After reviewing the attached proposal on the Menard's Garden Center Addition, I have the following comments and suggestions: 1) Appropriate outdoor lighting should be provided during all times that the Garden Center will be in operation. 2) Outdoor storage of Garden Center and landscaping merchandise should be done within the secure yard area to the south in order to prevent or at least minimize the number of thefts that may occur, especially after business hours. 3) Access to the Garden Center from the store interior provides a new opportunity for theft by shoplifting to occur since most Garden Centers are typically staffed by a minimal number of employees. As a result, security cameras installed both on the interior and exterior of the Garden Center may help to reduce the number of shoplifting incidents that could occur. Additional loss prevention staff to monitor the security cameras and the extended area would also be appropriate. 4) The reduced number of parking spaces should not create much of a problem during most of the year. However, there will most likely be occasions during the year (i.e. Day after Thanksgiving sale and Memorial Day garden center sale) where parking will be at a premium. As a result, parking lot monitors should be made available in order to prevent accidents from occurring in the parking lot. 5) Appropriate signs should be provided in order to guide the traffic flow in and out of the parking lot. If there are any questions or concems regarding these comments or suggestions, please contact me at your soonest convenience. I can be reached via phone at (651 )249-2605 or via email atmichael.shortreed@.ci.maplewood.mn.us. 18 Attachment 10 MAPLEWOOD CITY COUNCIL 7:00 P.M., Monday, October 25, 1999 Council Chambers, Municipal Building Meeting No. 99-24 A. CALL TO ORDER: A regular meeting of the City Council of Maplewood, Minnesota was held in the Council Chambers, Municipal Building, and was called to order at 7:00 P.M. by Mayor Rossbach. B. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: C. ROLL CALL: George Rossbach, Mayor Sherry Allenspach, Councilmember Dale H. Carlson, Councilmember Kevin Kittridge, Councilmember Marvin C. Koppen, Councilmember Present Present Present Present Present H. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. 7:00 P.M. Menard's Conditional Use Permit Review (2280 Maplewood Drive) a. Mayor Rossbach convened the meeting for a public hearing. b. Manager McGuire introduced the staff report. c. Community Development Director Coleman presented the specifics of the report. d. Mayor Rossbach opened the public hearing, calling for proponents of opponents. The following person(s) were heard: Gary Colby, Menard's Deb Forbes, 1071 County Road B Peter Botick, 1115 County Road B George Velento, 1081 County Road B Gary Colby, 2nd appearance e. Mayor Rossbach closed the public hearing. Councilmember Carlson moved/introduced the followinQ Resolution aDDrovina a conditional use permit revision for a 33.769-sQuare-foot addition at 2280 MaDlewood Drive and moved its adoDtion: 99-10-100 CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT RESOLUTION WHEREAS, Menard's, Inc, is proposing changes to a conditional use permit to build a 33,769- square-foot addition on the north side of the building at 2280 Maplewood Drive. The legal description is: 10-25-99 19 SUB TO ESMTS; PART OF FOL TRACTS SEL Y OF HWYS 36 & 61; EX S 100 FT PART OF SW 1/4 N OF CO RD B & PART OF SE 1/4 W OF CLIFTON ADD S OF L 107 FT N OF S L OF BLK 15 OF SD ADD EXTENDED & N OF HEINEMANS BELLEVIEW & IN CLIFTON ADD, EX E 240 FT; BLKS 15 & 16 & EX E 255 FT BLK 10 & ALSO W 120 FT OF E 255 FT OF N 30 FT OF BLK 10 WHEREAS, the history of this conditional use permit is as follows: 1. On June 21, 1999, the planning commission recommended that the city council approve this permit. 2. On July 12, 1999, the city council held a public hearing. The city staff published a notice in the paper and sent notices to the surrounding property owners. The council gave everyone at the hearing a chance to speak and present written statements. The council also considered reports and recommendations from the city staff and planning commission. 3. On October 25, 1999, the city council held another public hearing regarding this proposal because several neighbors were missed in the mailing of notifications for the July 12, 1999 public hearing. The city staff published a notice in the paper and sent notices to all of the surrounding property owners. The council gave everyone at the hearing a chance to speak and present written statements. The council also considered reports and recommendations from the city staff and planning commission. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the city council approve the above-described conditional use permit, because: 1. The use would be located, designed, maintained, constructed and operated to be in conformity with the city's comprehensive plan and code of ordinances. 2. The use would not change the existing or planned character of the surrounding area. 3. The use would not depreciate property values. 4. The use would not involve any activity, process, materials, equipment or methods of operation that would be dangerous, hazardous, detrimental, disturbing or cause a nuisance to any person or property, because of excessive noise, glare, smoke, dust, odor, fumes, water or air pollution, drainage, water run-off, vibration, general unsightliness, electrical interference or other nuisances. 5. The use would generate only minimal vehicular traffic on local streets and would not create traffic congestion or unsafe access on existing or proposed streets. 6. The use would be served by adequate public facilities and services, including streets, police and fire protection, drainage structures, water and sewer systems, schools and parks. 7. The use would not create excessive additional costs for public facilities or services. 8. The use would maximize the preservation of and incorporate the site's natural and scenic features into the development design. 9. The use would cause minimal adverse environmental effects. 10-25-99 20 Approval is subject to the following conditions: 1. Adherence to the site plan date-stamped May 5, 1999. The director of community development may approve minor changes. 2. Compliance with the following screening-fence requirements: a. The property owner shall continue to have and keep, in a maintained condition, wooden screening-fences as follows: (1) The eight-foot-tall screening fence west of 1071 County Road 8 and running east-west behind 1071,1081 and part of 1101 County Road B shall remain. The applicant shall repair or repair latch hardware and reenforce all gate bracing to square the gates to hang straight. (2) All other screening fences that abut the residential lots shall be 14 feet tall. This means that all existing 10-foot-tall screening fence shall be replaced with new 14-foot-tall sections. (3) All screening fences shall be constructed of vertical boards of the same dimension, color and material. (4) All screening fences shall be continually maintained and repaired as needed. b. No material on the storage racks, adjacent to the fence behind 1101 and 1115 County Road B, shall extend above the 14-foot-tall fence. c. No more than 2 V. feet of the 17 Vz-foot-tall interior storage racks shall be visible from the homes to the south that are at street level along County Road B. This excludes those houses that sit higher on a hill. d. Menard's shall be responsible for the safety of the neighbors in regard to the materials stored over the height of the fence. 3. Hours of operation in the storage yard shall be limited to 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. 4. An exterior public address system shall not be allowed. 5. All lighting in the storage yard that is not needed for site security shall be turned off after business hours. 6. The city council shall review this permit in one year if the proposed retail-space addition has not begun. 7. Plowed snow shall be stored away from the southern and eastern property lines to avoid runoff problems on residential property. 8. Menard's shall store all their materials within the fenced storage area. 9. Sanitation facilities shall be provided by Menard's for the employees. 10. The proposed building addition and site work must be substantially started within one year of council approval or the permit shall become null and void. The council may extend this deadline for 10-25-99 21 one year. 11. This permit terminates the approval for the temporary, seasonal greenhouse. 12. The perimeter of the building must be kept accessible for fire emergencies. The applicant shall arrange with the fire marshal for access through the gate behind the building in the case of emergencies. The Maplewood City Council approved this resolution on October 25, 1999. Seconded by Councilmember Koppen Ayes - all Councilmember Carlson moved to aDDrove the Dlans date-stamDed Mav 5. 1999. and the Darkina-Iot curbina addendum date-stamDed Mav 14.1999. for the 33.769-sauare-foot addition to Menard's. 2280 MaDlewood Drive. ADDroval is subiect to the followina conditions: 1. Repeat this review in two years if the city has not issued a building permit for this project. 2. Before getting a building permit, the applicant shall: a. Submit grading, drainage, utility and erosion control plans to the city engineer for approval. b. Revise the building elevations for staff approval to extend the front (westerly) elevation of the proposed addition two feet to the west of the existing wall. The applicant shall use brick-imprinted, precast concrete panels, as proposed, on all sides of the proposed addition. The color shall be complementary to the brick color of the existing building. The applicant shall also revise the window mullion spacing to align with the precast panel joints. c. Revise the site and landscape plans for staff approval as follows: (1) Provide enough handicap-accessible parking spaces to comply with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) requirements. (2) Increase the tree sizes to six-feet-tall for the spruce trees and 2 Y, inches in caliper for the deciduous trees. (3) Delete the curb cut labeled as "existing access" leading into the proposed 149-car parking lot. Parking stripes shall be added in the area of this curb cut. d. Submit a site-lighting plan for staff approval for the new parking lot. The light source, including the lens covering the bulb, shall be concealed so not to cause any nuisance to drivers or neighbors. 3. The applicant shall complete the following before occupying the building: a. Close the existing curb cut north of the building with continuous concrete curbing, remove the asphalt and landscape according to the approved plan. The proposed access driveway and curb cut shall meet all requirements of the city engineer. 10-25-99 22 b. Menard's shall provide a gate and clear access to the sanitary sewer manhole on the site as part of this request. c. Provide continuous concrete curb and gutter all around the new parking lot west of the outside-storage yard. The applicant shall also provide the curbed medians as shown on the addendum and repave this entire area. d. Paint new rooftop mechanical equipment to match the building color if the units are visible. (code requirement) e. The trash-dumpster screening requirement is waived unless the dumpsters would be visible to the public. In which case, an enclosure shall be provided using the same materials and color as the building. f. An in ground lawn-irrigation system shall not be required for the landscaped area in the southwest comer of the site. The applicant shall install an in-ground lawn irrigation system for the landscaped area north of the building. g. Provide site-security lighting as required by the code. The light source, including the lens covering the bulb, shall be concealed so not to cause any nuisance to drivers or neighbors. 4. If any required work is not done, the city may allow temporary occupancy if: a. The city determines that the work is not essential to the public health, safety or welfare. b. The city receives a cash escrow or an irrevocable letter of credit for the required work. The amount shall be 200 percent of the cost of the unfinished work. Any unfinished landscaping shall be completed by June 1 if the building is occupied in the fall or winter or within six weeks if the building is occupied in the spring or summer. 5. All work shall follow the approved plans. The director of community development may approve minor changes. 6. Signs are not part of this approval. Staff will review sign permit requests. Seconded by Councilmember Koppen Ayes - all 10-25-99 23 Attachment 11 MINUTES MAPLEWOOD CITY COUNCIL 7:00 P.M., Monday, April 9, 2001 Council Chambers, Municipal Building Meeting No. 01-08 A. CALL TO ORDER: A regular meeting of the City Council of Maplewood, Minnesota was held in the Council Chambers, Municipal Building, and was called to order at 7:00 P.M. by Mayor Cardinal. B. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE C. ROLL CALL Robert Cardinal, Mayor Sherry Allenspach, Councilmember Kenneth V. Collins, Councilmember Marvin C. Koppen, Councilmember Julie A. Wasiluk, Councilmember Present Present Present Present Present K. NEW BUSINESS 2. Menards Building Exterior Revision Approval (2280 Maplewood Drive) a. City Manager Fursman introduced the staff report. b. Community Development Director Coleman presented the specifics of the report. c. Boardmember Matt Ledvina presented the Community Design Review Board report. d. The following persons addressed the council: Gary Colby, Menard's, 4777 Menard Drive, Eau Claire, Wisconsin Will Rossbach, City of Maplewood Planning Commissioner Kathleen Juenemann, 721 MI. Vernon Avenue East, Maplewood Councilmember Koppen moved to aDDrove the plans date-stamDed March 19, 2001. for the buildinc desicn and landscaDinc chances for the Menards store addition at 2280 MaDlewood Drive. ApDroval is subiect to the Drooertv owner doinc the followinc: 1. Painting all flashing and building fascias hunter green. 2. Painting or staining a horizontal accent stripe on the west, north and east sides of the addition. This stripe shall be hunter green to match the fascia and flashing. The width of this stripe shall be at least three feet high. This stripe shall be placed under the "Menard's. sign on the north side of the building. 3. Installing all landscaping on the site by the time of the occupancy of the addition or the applicant shall provide escrow as required previously by the city council. 4-09-01 24 4. Installing the two-tiered retaining wall planters with a brown-tone color as a contrast to the building color and a rock-face front that totals a height of five feet. 5. Compliance with the October 25, 1999, city council conditions except as stated above. Seconded by Mayor Cardinal Ayes - Mayor Cardinal, Councilmembers Collins, Koppen, Wasiluk Nays - Councilmember Allenspach 4-09-01 25 Attachment 12 CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT REVISION RESOLUTION WHEREAS, Robert Geske, of Menards, Inc. is proposing changes to a site with an existing conditional use permit to build a 16,1 05-square-foot garden center addition on the south side of the building at 2280 Maplewood Drive. The legal description is: SUB TO ESMTS; PART OF FOL TRACTS SEL Y OF HWYS 36 & 61; EX S 100 FT PART OF SW 1/4 N OF CO RD B & PART OF SE 1/4 W OF CLIFTON ADD S OF L 107 FT N OF S L OF BLK 15 OF SD ADD EXTENDED & N OF HEINEMANS BELLEVIEW & IN CLIFTON ADD, EX E 240 FT; BLKS 15 & 16 & EX E 255 FT BLK 10 & ALSO W 120 FT OF E 255 FT OF N 30 FT OF BLK 10 (PIN 09-29-22-43-0042) WHEREAS, the history of this conditional use permit revision is as follows: 1. On February 6, 2006, the planning commission held a public hearing. The city staff published a notice in the paper and sent notices to the surrounding property owners. The planning commission gave persons at the hearing a chance to speak and present written statements. The commission also considered reports and recommendations of the city staff. The planning commission recommended that the city council approve the conditional use permit revision. 2. On February _' 2006, the city council discussed the proposed conditional use permit revision. They considered reports and recommendations from the planning commission and city staff. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the city council approve the above-described conditional use permit revision, because: 1. The use would be located, designed, maintained, constructed and operated to be in conformity with the city's comprehensive plan and code of ordinances. 2. The use would not change the existing or planned character of the surrounding area. 3. The use would not depreciate property values. 4. The use would not involve any activity, process, materials, equipment or methods of operation that would be dangerous, hazardous, detrimental, disturbing or cause a nuisance to any person or property, because of excessive noise, glare, smoke, dust, odor, fumes, water or air pollution, drainage, water run-off, vibration, general unsightliness, electrical interference or other nuisances. 5. The use would generate only minimal vehicular traffic on local streets and would not create traffic congestion or unsafe access on existing or proposed streets. 6. The use would be served by adequate public facilities and services, including streets, police and fire protection, drainage structures, water and sewer systems, schools and parks. 7. The use would not create excessive additional costs for public facilities or services. 8. The use would maximize the preservation of and incorporate the site's natural and scenic features into the development design. 26 9. The use would cause minimal adverse environmental effects. Approval is subject to the following conditions: (additions are underlined and deletions are crossed out): 1. Adherence to the site plan date-stamped Januarv 17. 2006 May 5, 1999. The director of community development may approve minor changes. 2. Compliance with the following screening-fence requirements: a. The property owner shall continue to have and keep, in a maintained condition, wooden screening fences as follows: (1) The eight-foot-tall screening fence west of 1071 County Road B and running east- west behind 1071, 1081 and part of 1101 County Road B shall remain. (2) All other screening fences that abut the residential lots shall be 14 feet tall. (3) All screening fences shall be constructed of vertical boards of the same dimension, color and material. b. No material on the storage racks, adjacent to the fence behind 1101 and 1115 County Road B, shall extend above the 14-foot-tall fence. c. No more than 2 Y.. feet of the 17 Y..-foot-tall interior storage racks shall be visible from the homes to the south that are at street level along County Road B. This excludes those houses that sit higher on a hill. d. Menards shall be responsible for the safety of the neighbors in regard to the materials stored over the height of the fence. 3. Hours of operation in the storage yard and Qarden center shall be limited to 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. 4. An exterior public address system shall not be allowed. 5. All lighting in the storage yard that is not needed for site security shall be turned off after business hours. 6. The city council shall review this permit revision in one year. if the I3Fel3SSea r-elail Sl3aGe adaitisR has Ret lleSIlR. 7. Plowed snow shall be stored away from the southern and eastern property lines to avoid runoff problems on residential property. 8. Menards shall store all their materials within the fenced storage area. 9. Sanitation facilities shall be provided by Menards for the employees. 1.Q" ~ The proposed building addition and site work must be substantially started within one year of council approval or the permit shall become null and void. The council may extend this deadline for one year. 27 11. The perimeter of the building must be kept accessible for fire emergencies. The applicant shall arrange with the fire marshal for access through the gate behind the building in the case of emergencies. The Maplewood City Council approved this resolution on ,2006. 28 MEMORANDUM TO: FROM: SUBJECT: DATE: Community Design Review Board Shann Finwall, AICP, Planner 2005 Community Design Review Board Annual Report February 9, 2006 INTRODUCTION The city's community design review board (CDRB) ordinance requires that the CDRB submit a report to the city council once a year. The report is intended to outline the CDRB's actions and activities during the preceding year. Also, the report may include recommended changes, including, but not limited to, ordinance and/or procedure changes. BACKGROUND On January 24, 2006, the CDRB reviewed a proposed draft report of the 2005 annual report. The CDRB requested that staff add square footages and number of units to the development proposals reviewed by the board and also expand the report to further describe the types of developments reviewed. RECOMMENDATION Review the attached revised draft of the CDRB annual report and be prepared to make recommendations and comments on the report at the February 14, 2006, CDRB meeting. P:com-dev\cdrblannual report cover memo Attachment: 2005 CORB Annual Report MEMORANDUM TO: FROM: SUBJECT: DATE: Richard Fursman, City Manager Linda Olson, Community Design Review Board Chair 2005 Community Design Review Board Annual Report February 8, 2006 INTRODUCTION Annually the community design review board (CDRB) reports the board's actions and activities for the city council for the previous year. In 2005, the CDRB reviewed the following 27 items during their 16 meetings: Type of Proposal # Reviewed New Development Proposals 19 · Maplewood Imports Auto Center (Audi Showroom [36,520 s.f.]) - 2450 Maplewood Drive . 3M Building 232 (1,600 s.f. chiller) Building 246 (cooling tower) - Conway Avenue . Heritage Square 4th Addition (90 units) - County Road D, W of Highway 61 . Overview Town Homes (24 units) - W Side of McMenemy SI., E of 1-35 · Woodland Town Homes (24 units) - E Side of McMenemy SI., N of Larpenteur Ave. . 3M Building 278 (Leadership Development Institute/Customer Center [83,000 s.f.]) _ Minnehaha Ave., E of Wells Fargo Bank · Lexus Auto Service Center (33,200 s.f.) - NW Corner of Co. Rd. D and Hwy 61 . Maplewood Marketplace (12,600 s.f.) - NW Corner of Co. Rd D and Highway 61 . Pondview Townhomes (11 units) - NW Corner of Larpenteur Ave. and Adolphus SI. · Maplewood Toyota New Vehicle Parking and Sales Facility (35,482 s.f. parking ramp) _ NW Corner of Beam Ave. and Highway 61 · Maplewood Toyota Storage Lot (24,920 s.f. pervious paver parking lot) - W Side of Highway 61, N of LaMettrey's Collision . Woodlands of Maplewood (28 units) - McMenemy Street, N of Kingston Ave. . Walgreens (14,480 s.f.) - NE Corner of Beam and White Bear Aves. . Best Buy (45,243 s.f.) - 1765 County Road D · K and W RolI-Offs (1,960 s.f. storage bldg.) -1055 Gervais Avenue · Legacy Shoppes (18,912 s.f.) - Legacy Village, S of Co. Rd. D, Across from Slumberland and W of Ashley Furniture . Kennard Professional Building (45,732 s.f.) - Legacy Village, NE Corner of Kennard SI. and Legacy Parkway . 3M Building 231 (210 s.f. utility plant) and Building 246 (two cooling towers)- S of Conway Ave. . Maple Ridge Leaf Business Park (38,880 s.f.) - 2483 and 2497 Maplewood Dr. Expansions/Remodels 2 · Maplewood Public Works Facility (4,224 s.t. office, 20,240 s.f. garage, 9,600 s.f. sand/salt structure) -1902 Co. Rd. BE · Edgerton Manor (covered entryway) - 2021 Edgerton Street Type of Proposal # Reviewed Miscellaneous Reviews and Actions 4 · Maplewood Business Center Landscaping and Screening Plan - 1616 Gervais Avenue . Maplewood Imports Auto Center Comprehensive Sign Plan - 2450 Maplewood Drive . Ashley Furniture Neon Lighting - Legacy Village, 1777 County Road D . CVS Pharmacy Comprehensive Sign Plan - 2180 White Bear Avenue Special Proiects 2 . Sign Code Revisions . Discussions about Gladstone Neighborhood Redevelopment Area Total 27 COMPARATIVE INFORMATION Year Number of Items Reviewed 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 31 27 25 25 27 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 Beaan Term Expires Ananth Shankar Matt Ledvina Linda Olson Vacancy (Diana Longrie) John Hinzman 8/8/94 3/10/97 3/26/01 5/28/02 3/28/05 1/1/06 1/1/07 1/1/07 1/1/07 1/1/06 Board member Diana Longrie resigned from the CDRB on December 13, 2005, to become Mayor of Maplewood. Board members Ananth Shankar and John Hinzman have requested reappointments to the CDRB for another two-year term. The city council's interviews for the expired terms and the vacancy are scheduled for February 13, 2006. 2 DISCUSSION 2005 Actions/Activities In 2005, the CDRB reviewed 14 new commercial developments which added a total of 392,739 square feet of new commercial space to the city; 2 commercial expansion/remodels which added a total of 34,064 square feet of new commercial expansion space to the city; and 5 new multi-family developments which added a total of 177 new residential units to the city. The CDRB has consistently demonstrated keen interest and skill in their reviews of these development projects to ensure they are of the quality of design and materials that complement the surrounding areas and improves a site's aesthetics. The city has become more and more developed in the last ten years, with very little vacant land available for new developments. Because of this city staff has processed many of the city's remodels and additions as 15-day reviews, as allowed by code, rather than the more formal review by the CDRB. Also 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. Maplewood's current sign code was adopted in 1977, with minor revisions made in 1996. The sign code is outdated and allows for excessive signage within the commercial and industrial zoning districts. The CDRB recommended in their 2002, 2003, and 2004 annual reports that the city's sign code be reviewed for potential modifications and updates. During 2004 and 2005 the CDRB undertook the difficult task of debating and creating a draft sign code. The CDRB will complete their work on this draft code in early 2006, with review by the city council in mid 2006. The CDRB is committed to creating a new sign code for the city which is updated, fair, and comprehensive. 2006 Recommendations/Areas of Interest . The CDRB will work with staff on recommended site and design criteria for the city's proposed Gladstone neighborhood redevelopment area. . The CDRB looks forward to reviewing future development plans for Legacy Village. . The CDRB is interested in gaining a better understanding of sustainable building design concepts. The board hopes to support the implementation of these concepts for projects that are reviewed and approved by the city. . The CDRB is interested in exploring specific design standards for new commercial and multi-family developments. . The CDRB is interested in reviewing and updating the city's landscape requirements for commercial and multi-family developments. . The CDRB is interested in reviewing and updating the city's on-site parking requirements. CONCLUSION In 2006, 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. Plcom-devlcommunny design review boardlannual report (2005) 3 MEMORANDUM TO: FROM: SUBJECT: APPLICANT: DATE: Community Design Review Board Shann Finwall, AICP, Planning Sign Code Revision City of Maplewood February 9, 2006 DISCUSSION In December the community design review board (CDRB) reviewed public feedback received regarding the proposed draft sign code. On January 24, 2006, the CDRB discussed final changes to be made to the code based on this feedback and other research. The CDRB requested that city staff research how murals could be included in the draft sign code and also requested other minor changes to the code for review at the next meeting. I have included a copy of the draft sign code with the language regarding murals and the other minor changes highlighted in red. RECOMMENDATION Recommend approval of the attached February 14, 2006, proposed sign code. This revised sign code, with any additional changes requested by the CDRB, will be presented to the city council for their final review and approval. P:ordlslgncodo projoct\2-14-00 CORB Roport AIlochmont: Fot>ruory 14, 2006, Rovised Sign Codo CITY OF MAPLEWOOD DRAFT SIGN REGULATIONS 0 February 14, 2006 Purpose and Intent The purpose of this chapter is to establish a comprehensive and impartial system of sign regulations that balances the needs for effective visual communication including business identification and the needs for a safe, well-maintained, and attractive community. It is intended through the provisions contained herein to: (a) Promote signs which by their design and dimensions are integrated and harmonized with the surrounding environment and the buildings and sites they occupy. (b) Protect the public from damage or injury caused by signs that are poorly designed or maintained and from signs that cause distractions or hazards to motorists and pedestrians using the public streets, sidewalks, and right-of-way. (c) Avoid excessive signage in order to give each business or use optimum visibility to passer- by traffic and prevent cluttering of the streetscape. Comprehensive Sion and Mural Plans A comprehensive sign plan shall be provided for the following: (a) Business premises with (5) or more tenants on the premise and all multiple -story buildings with (2) or more tenants in the building. (b)-tn- addition -aAll developments approved as a planned unit development -w4 knave -a (c) Murals on business premises. Such a plan, which shall include the location, size, height, color, lighting and orientation of all signs and/or murals, shall be submitted for preliminary plan approval by the city; provided that, if such comprehensive plan is presented, exceptions to the sign schedule regulations of this chapter may be permitted if the sign areas and densities for the plan as a whole are in conformity with the intent of this chapter and if such exception results in an improved relationship between the various parts of the plan. In addition, murals must be tasteful, in keeping with the business premise and surrounding properties, and not contain any defamatory, obscene, treasonous expressions or opinions, including graffiti. Comprehensive sign plans shall be reviewed by the community design review board. The applicant, staff, and city council may appeal the community design review board's decision. An appeal shall be presented within 15 days of the community design review board's decision to be considered. Definitions 40 Administrator. The director of community development or other person charged with the administration and enforcement of this chapter. 9 Advertising Balloon. Any inflatable temporary sign. Alteration. Any major alteration to a sign, but shall not include routine maintenance, painting or change of the sign face of an existing sign. Awning. A covering attached on the facade of a building which projects typically over a door, window, or sidewalk. Awning Sign. A sign affixed flat to the surface of an awning which does not extend vertically or horizontally beyond the limits of such awning. Banner Sign. A temporary sign that is made of flexible material, contains a message, and is not inflatable. Billboard. A sign adjacent to a designated highway which advertises a product, event, person, institution, activity, business, service or subject not located on the premises on which said sign is located. This definition shall not include an off-site real estate sign Changeable Copy Message Board.,A sign or portion of a sign which is characterized by interchangeable letters and figures. This definition shall not include electronic message boards. Collector Streets. As defined in the city's comprehensive plan these are roadways designed to carry traffic between the arterial system and the local system, convey intra -community traffic . between neighborhoods, business centers, industries, parks and the like, and provide direct access to abutting properties. Construction Sign. A temporary sign erected on the premises prior to or during construction, indicating the names of the architects, engineers, landscape architects, contractors or similar artisans, and/or the owners, financial supporters, sponsors, and similar individuals or firms having a role or interest with respect to the structure or project. Directional Information Sign A sign, generally informational, that has a purpose secondary to the use of the property upon which it is located, intended to facilitate the movement of pedestrians and vehicles within the site and identify the location and nature of a building not readily visible from the street. District. The zoning districts as designated on an official map of the city and described in the district regulations. Dwelling Unit. Any structure or portion of a structure that is designated as short-term or long- term living quarters, including motel units, hotel units, or cabins. Electronic Message Board A sign with a fixed or changing display message composed of a series of electronic illuminated segments. Flags. Any device generally made of flexible materials, such as cloth, and displayed on strings containing distinctive colors, patterns, or symbols used as a symbol of government, political subdivision, or other entity. i 2 Flashing Sign. An illuminated sign which contains flashing lights or exhibits with noticeable changes in light intensity. Freestanding Sign. A sign that is attached to, erected on, or supported by an architecturally - planned structure (such as a pole, mast, frame, or other structure) that is not itself an integral part of or attached to a building or other structure whose principal function is something other than the support of a sign. This definition includes pylon signs and monument signs. Garage Sale Sign. A sign that advertises the sale of personal property from a person's home. This definition includes, but is not limited to, yard -sale, craft, boutique and estate -sale signs. Gas Station Canopy Sign. A sign affixed to the canopy of a gas station pump island which may or may not be attached to the principal building. Graffiti. Unauthorized markings of paint, dye, or other similar substance that have been placed on real or personal property such as buildings, fences, transportation equipment, or other structures, or the unauthorized etching or scratching of the surfaces of such real or personal property, any of which markings, scratching, or etchings are visible from premises open to the public. Ground Grade. The elevation of the ground closest to the sign to which reference is made. Illuminated Sign. A sign that is illuminated internally by a light source inside the sign or externally by means of external light fixtures directed at the sign. Local Streets. As defined in the city's comprehensive plan these are roadways that serve short trips at low speeds. Menu Board. An outdoor sign which lists available menu offerings for drive-through customers at a retail establishment which includes a permitted drive-through component, for the purpose of enabling customers to order from the menu and where the advertising or promotional component of the sign is secondary. Minor Arterial. As defined in the city's comprehensive plan these are roadways that connect sub -regions that are the closest routes parallel to the principal arterials and supplement and provide relief for traffic to the principal arterial. Monument Sign. A sign not supported by exposed posts or poles located directly at the grade where the width dimension of the architecturally designed base is 50 percent or more of the greatest width of the sign face. Multiple Tenant Building_ A commercial building containing two (2) or more tenants. Mural. A design, image, or expression on the exterior of a building, generally for the purpose of decoration or artistic expression, including, but not limited to paintings, markings, and etchings and does not include any on or off-site advertisement. Noncommercial Opinion Signs. A sign that expresses an opinion or point of view that does not advertise any product, service, or business, or display a commercial message, excluding political campaign signs. 3 Nonconforming Sign. A sign lawfully erected and maintained prior to the adoption of this ordinance that does not conform to the requirements of this ordinance. On -Site Real Estate Sign. A sign advertising the sale, lease, or rental of real estate upon which the sign is located Off -Site Directional and Open House Real Estate Sign. A sign located within the right-of-way that advertises the sale, lease, or rental of real estate or the open house for such real estate located off the premises where the sign is located. Off -Site Real Estate Sign. A sign advertising the sale, lease, or rental of real estate for single or multiple -family housing developments located off the premises where the sign is located. Painted Wall Sign. A sign painted directly on the exterior wall of a building or structure, excluding murals. Principal Arterial. As defined in the city's comprehensive plan these are roadways designed to carry the highest volume of traffic, allow the highest speeds, are for the longest trips, and provide sub -regional, regional, and inter -community access. Principal Use. The main purpose for which land, buildings, or structures are ordinarily used. Professional Occupation Sign. A sign which contains no advertising but is limited to the name, address, telephone number, and occupation of the person carrying on a permitted home occupation out of any residential use. Property Frontage. The property lines or lease lines at the front of a building in which the business is located or the location of the main public entrance of the building. Political Campaign Sign. A temporary sign promoting the candidacy of a person running for a governmental office or promoting a position or an issue to be voted on at a governmental election. Portable Sign. A sign constructed to be movable from one location to another and not permanently attached to the ground or to any immobile structure or any device whose primary function during a specific time is to serve as a sign. Public Service Sign. Any sign primarily intended to promote items of general interest to the community. Time and temperature signs are considered a public service sign. Project Sign. A temporary sign which identifies a proposed or new development. Proiecting Sign. A sign, other than a wall sign, which is supported and projects from more than (18) inches at a right angle from the wall of a building. Pylon Sign. A sign that is mounted on a narrow freestanding pole or other support structure so that the bottom edge of the sign face is (6) feet above the architecturally designed base. Residential Use Building. Any dwelling, boarding, lodging or rooming house, dormitory unit, fraternity, or sorority house. 4 Roof Line. The uppermost line of the roof of a building or, in the case of an extended facade, the uppermost height of said facade. Roof Sign. A sign erected upon the roof of a building or extending above the roof line of the building to which it is attached, and which is wholly or partially supported by said building. Sian. Any structure, device, advertisement, advertising device, or visual representation intended to advertise, identify, or communicate information and to attract the attention of the public for any purpose. A sign includes any illuminated or non -illuminated symbol, letter, logo, figure, illustration or form painted or otherwise affixed to a building or structure, excluding murals. A sign also includes any beacon or searchlight intended to attract the attention of the public for any purpose. For the purpose of removal, signs shall also include all sign structures. Architectural lighting, such as neon that has no sign copy, shall not be considered to be a sign. Sian Area. The area in square feet of the smallest geometric figure which describes the area enclosed by the actual copy of a sign, including border and trim of the sign provided that, for a sign designed with more than one exterior surface, the area shall be computed as including only the maximum single display surface which is visible from any ground position at one time. The supports, uprights or structures in which any sign is supported shall not be included in determining the sign area. (This comes from our existing sign code.) The entire area within a continuous perimeter enclosing the extreme limits of the sign message and background. In the case of a sign designed with more than one exterior surface, the area shall be computed as including only the maximum single display surface which is visible from any ground position at one time. The supports, uprights, or structures in which any sign is Is supported shall not be included in determining the sign area. (This was in the draft sign code.) Siqn Face. The surface of the sign including letters and background upon, against, or through which the message is displayed or illustrated. (This was in the draft sign code.) The area or display surface used for the message. (This is an alternative definition.) The part of the sign that is or can be used to identify, advertise, or communicate information or for visual representation that attracts the attention of the public for any purpose. The frame or structural members may be considered as part of the sign face if it is so designed with lighting or other ornamental that is incorporated for the sign design. (This is an alternative definition.) Sign Structure. The supports, braces, and framework of a sign. Street Frontage. The linear frontage of a parcel of property abutting a street. Special Event Sign. A temporary sign or display erected by a civic organization, religious organization, or other non-profit organization or group for the purpose of identifying a non- commercial, one-time, or annual special event. Temporary Displays. Temporary displays or features that do not clearly fall into the definition of a sign, but which direct attention to a product, place, activity, business, person, institution, or organization Temporary displays include three-dimensional shapes, inflatable objects, search lights, and other similar devices. Temporary or Seasonal Sign. A sign for a specific advertisement purpose that is of a limited duration and is not permanently attached to the ground or wall. Time and Temperature Sian. A sign that contains an electronic message board portion that only displays the time and temperature. Wall Sign. A flat sign which does not project more than eighteen (18) inches from the face or wall of the building upon which it is attached, running parallel for its whole length to the face or wall of the building, and which does not extend beyond the horizontal width of such building. Window Sign. A sign painted on a window or placed inside the building to be viewed through the glass by public. This does not include merchandise on display in a window, seasonal displays of holiday pictures, decals, lights, and decorations that do not contain a commercial message or signs which are legally required to be posted. Wall Surface of Building. The total horizontal surface area of the building face to which the sign is attached, including windows and door areas, measured to the extreme outer limits of such wall surface. Sian Area and Height Computation (a) Where the sign is a separate panel, structure, or other material forming a single display, the area of the message display face shall constitute the area of the sign. The supports, uprights, bases, or structures on which any sign is supported shall not count towards the sign area unless the supports, uprights, bases, or structures are an integral part of the sign display. (b) Where the sign is designed with more than (1) exterior sign face, the sign area shall be is computed as including only the maximum single display surface which is visible from any ground position at onetime. (c) Where the sign consists of any combination of individual letters, panels, numbers, figures, illustrations, or of a line or lines, to form a display or sign, the area of the sign shall be computed using the outside dimensions of the various words, figures, and illustrations composing the entire sign. (d) The sign coverage area includes the area of the message display face and the frame, background, and supports for a sign. (e) The height of a sign shall be measured by the vertical distance from the ground grade to the top of a sign. Nonconforming Signs (a) Nonconforming Permanent Signs. Nonconforming permanent signs lawfully existing on the effective date of this chapter shall be allowed to continue in use, but shall not be rebuilt, relocated or altered, other than minor alterations including routine maintenance, painting, or refacing the copy of sign, without being brought into compliance with this chapter. After a non- conforming sign has been removed, it shall not be replaced by another nonconforming sign. (b) Nonconforming Temporary Signs. Nonconforming temporary signs existing on the effective date of this chapter shall be brought into compliance or removed within (60) days from the effective date of the chapter. 0 Enforcement Procedures (a) Permanent Signs. The city shall send notice to the owner of any permanent sign in violation of the provisions of this chapter. The notice shall require that the owner correct all code violations. If the sign is not a safety hazard, the city shall allow (30) days for the owner to correct the violation. If the sign is a safety hazard the city shall take immediate action to end the hazard. (b) Temoorary Signs. The city shall send notice to the owner of all other illegal temporary signs and allow (7) days for the owner to correct all code violations or remove the sign. (c) Removal of Signs. If the sign owner does not obey the city's orders, the city may remove or alter the sign at the owner's expense under the procedures of section 18-37. The city may remove illegal signs on a street right-of-way without notice. If the city removes a sign the city may sell or dispose of it if the owner does not reclaim the sign and pay any removal costs within (30) days of the sign's removal. Prohibited Signs (a) Signs or sign structures attached or supported on balconies, fences, or other non- permanent structures. (b) Signs attached or supported on a permanently parked vehicle or semi -trailers intended to advertise a business, product, or service. Not including signs painted directly on a parked vehicle or semi -trailer used in the business or facility or on site for business purposes. (c) Signs on rocks, trees, or other natural features or public utility poles. (d) Signs that have blinking, flashing, fluttering lights, make noise, or change in brightness or color except for electronic message boards that display only time and temperature or similar public service messages according to the requirements specifically outlined in this chapter. (e) Signs or sign structures that obstruct any part of a fire escape, doorway, standpipe, or opening intended to provide ingress or egress for any building structures. (f) Signs that by reason of location, color, or intensity create a hazard to the safe, efficient movement of vehicles or pedestrian traffic. No private sign shall contain words which might be construed as traffic controls such as "stop," "caution," "warning," etc., unless such sign is intended to direct traffic on the premises. (g) Painted wall signs. (h) Roof signs. (i) Signs that advertise a product or service not sold on the property, except for billboards or other off-site signs where specifically permitted in this chapter. Q) Signs having features or incorporating parts of any sign prohibited in this chapter. VA • Sians Exempt from Reaulations in this Chapter (a) Any public notice or warning sign required to be maintained or posted by law or governmental order, rule, or regulation. (b) Flags and emblems of a political, civic, religious, or other non-commercial nature. Flags that do not meet these requirements will be considered banners and be regulated as such. (c) Any sign inside a building, not attached to an exterior window, that is not legible from a distance of more than (10) feet. (d) Traffic control signs, as defined by state law. (e) Memorial plaques, cornerstones, historical tablets, and the like. (f) Seasonal displays of holiday lights and decorations that do not contain a commercial message. Sian Permits If a sign requires a permit the property owner shall secure the sign permit prior to the construction or major alteration of such a sign. No sign permit of any kind shall be issued for an existing or proposed sign unless such sign is in compliance with the requirements of this chapter. Application The application for permission to erect or alter any such sign shall be in writing, using a current Sign Permit Application, and signed by the owner or occupant of the building. The application shall specify the location, height, dimensions of the sign and, where applicable, the dimensions of the wall surface of the building to which it is to be attached and total square footage of the building. Applications shall be accompanied by a sketch of the sign and any other facts the city requires for full information of the nature and safety of the proposal. An electrical permit is also required for all signs containing electrical wiring. Appeals When a permit under this chapter is denied, the administrator shall give notice to the applicant within (30) days of denial, together with reasons for denial. Appeals from the decisions of the administrator under the provisions of this chapter shall be made to the city council. Denial shall be based on noncompliance with this chapter. Fees The city council shall set all sign permit fees annually. Time Limits (a) A sign permit shall become null and void if the work for which the permit was issued has not been completed within one year of the issuance or renewal. 8 (b) All permits for the erection or alteration of signs shall be issued for the useful life of the sign. Minor alterations to an existing sign including routine maintenance, painting, or refacing the copy do not require a new sign permit. General Regulations and Standards All signs shall be constructed in a manner and of such materials that they shall be safe and substantial and in compliance with the building code. In addition, all signs containing electrical wiring shall be subject to the provisions of the current state electrical code. Maintenance All signs in the city, together with all of their supports, braces, and anchors, shall be kept in repair and in proper state of preservation. The display surfaces of all signs shall be kept neatly painted or posted at all times. Every sign and the immediate surrounding premises shall be maintained by the owner or person in charge thereof in a clean, sanitary, and inoffensive condition, and free and clear of all obnoxious substances, rubbish, and weeds. Attachment to Buildings All signs attached to a building shall not obstruct any fire escape, exit, standpipe, or any window required for light or ventilation. The signs shall be placed flat against the building and project no further than (18) inches from the building except where specifically allowed in this chapter. Freestanding Siqn Placement All signs not attached to any building or structure shall maintain at least a (10) foot setback from any lot line and shall not be placed in a street right-of-way unless specifically stated otherwise in this chapter. No such sign shall project over a property line or a public right-of-way, except where allowed in this chapter, and all required clearances from overhead power and service lines must be maintained. Signs placed near the corner of two intersecting streets shall comply with clear sight triangle requirements in section 32-246. Illumination All illuminated signs must be in compliance with the city's outdoor lighting requirements in section 44-20. In addition, illumination for all signs shall be constant and steady. See also item (d) under prohibited signs. Special Purpose and Temporary Signs Permitted in All Zoning Districts All signs listed below do not require a sign permit and shall not count towards the building or property maximum signage allowed unless otherwise noted: Construction Signs One construction sign is permitted just prior to or during construction of a development. Each construction sign shall not exceed a ratio of (1) square foot of sign area for each (1,000) square feet of lot area. In no case shall the area of the sign exceed (64) square feet and (10) feet in r� height. The sign shall be removed after major construction has finished. 0 Directional Information Signs On-site directional information signs not exceeding (6) square feet and (6) feet in height are permitted for all types of property except single and double -dwelling lots. Garage Sale Signs Garage sale signs not exceeding (3) square feet a er and (3) feet in height are permitted on private property or in the public right-of-way. No part of such sign shall be closer than (5) feet to the street pavement or (1) foot to a sidewalk or trail. Said sign shall not be located between the street and a sidewalk or trail. Signs in the public right-of-way at an intersection are limited to (1) garage sale sign per corner at each intersection, with a maximum of (4) separate garage sale signs intersection. All signs shall display the actual dates of the sale and may be erected (1) day prior to the sale and must be removed within (1) day after the sale. Menu Boards Menu boards shall not exceed sixty-four (64) square feet and (6) feet in height. Menu boards shall not be located as to impair the vision of the driver of a vehicle traveling into, out of, or through the drive through isle. No Trespassing Signs Signs not exceeding (9) square feet, located upon private property, and directed towards the prevention of trespassing. On -Site Real Estate Signs (a) For single and double dwelling lots, (1) on-site real estate sign not exceeding (9) square feet is permitted for each street upon which the property has frontage. (b) For all other types of property, (1) on-site real estate sign is permitted for each street upon which the property has frontage. Each sign shall not exceed a ratio of (1) square foot of sign area for each (1,000) square feet of lot area. In no case shall the area of any one sign exceed (64) square feet or (10) feet in height. (c) All real estate signs shall pertain to the sale, lease, or rental of the property only and must be removed within (7) calendar days of the close of the property or when 90 percent or more of the dwelling units on the property have been sold, leased, or rented. Off -Site Directional or Open House Real Estate Signs Off-site directional or open house real estate signs not exceeding (3) square feet and (3) feet in height may be placed on the public right-of-way. No part of such sign shall be closer than (5) feet to the street pavement or (1) foot to a sidewalk or trail. Said sign shall not be placed between the street and a sidewalk or trail. Signs are limited to (1) real estate listing and (1) open house sign per corner at each intersection, with a maximum of (4) separate real estate listings and (4) separate open house signs per intersection. Off-site directional signs may be placed in the right-of-way for (30) days per real estate listing and open house real estate signs may be placed in the right-of-way on the day of the open house only. 10 0 Off -Site Real Estate Signs Off-site real estate signs exceeding (3) square feet may be placed on private property. Such signs require a permit, shall not be located in the right-of-way, and the sign owner/installer must supply written permission to the city from the property owner on which property the sign is installed. Each development is limited to one such sign. The maximum area of any such sign shall be (64) square feet and the maximum height shall be (6) feet. The sign must be removed when at least 90 percent of the dwelling units approved by the city have been sold or rented. Noncommercial Opinion Signs (a) For residential uses, one sign that expresses an opinion or a viewpoint of a non-commercial nature is allowed per property. The noncommercial opinion sign shall not be illuminated or exceed (32) square feet iand (6) feet in height. For multiple -unit developments, the sign must be attached to the dwelling unit or placed in anethe location that whish clearly indicates ownership and does not represent the opinions of other residents in the area who have not agreed to the sign. (b) For all other types of property, the signs allowed by this chapter may contain opinion messages but shall not exceed (64) square feet in total area. Political Campaign Signs (a) For local regular elections and referendums, political campaign signs may be posted from August 1 until ten (10) days following said election or referendum. (b) For local special elections and referendums, political campaign signs may be posted from three (3) months prior until ten (10) days following said special election or referendum. (c) Political campaign signs shall not exceed sixteen (16) square feet and six (6) feet in height. (d) The number of political campaign signs on one property during an election season is limited to one (1) per candidate and one (1) per opinion/ballot issue. (e) All political campaign signs shall be setback at least five (5) feet from the edge of the nearest street and at least one (1) foot from any sidewalk or trail. Said signs shall not be placed between a street and a sidewalk or trail or at any other location that obstructs driver or pedestrian visibility. The consent of the underlying property owner, if the underlying land is a public right-of-way, or the property owner fronting the proposed location, must be obtained before placement of such sign. In addition, political campaign signs are prohibited on obviously public property and utility poles. (f) In a state general election year, the size, number, and duration of political campaign sign displays shall comply with the provisions of Minnesota Statute 211.13.045, and nothing in this chapter shall be construed as applicable except location restrictions. Project Signs One project sign is permitted per property just prior to or during construction. Each project sign shall not exceed a ratio of (1) square foot of sign area for each (1,000) square feet of lot area. In no case shall the area of the sign exceed (64) square feet and (10) feet in height. The sign 11 shall be removed after major construction has finished. Project signs may be utilized to advertise property for lease or sale just prior to construction, but must be used in lieu of a separate real estate sign. Temporary Signs and Displays Under (12) Square Feet One (1) non -illuminated temporary sign or display under (12) square feet is allowed per property (except for single and double dwelling properties) for a period not to exceed (30) days total per sign. For commercial buildings with multiple occupants, each separate tenant is permitted (1) such sign. No more than (3) temporary signs under (12) square feet shall be allowed at a property at any one time Stens in Residential Zoning Districts (Districts R-1, R-1 R. RS, R -E, R-2, AND R-3) All signs require a sign permit unless otherwise noted. Professional Occupation Signs One professional occupation sign of not more than (2) square feet for a residence with a permitted home occupation shall be allowed without a sign permit. Wall Signs One wall sign up to (24) square feet shall be allowed for residential subdivisions and multiple - unit developments and for all legal non-residential uses excluding home occupation businesses. The sign may be affixed to the wall of the main building or an overhanging canopy or awning. Monument Signs One monument sign up to (32) square feet shall be allowed by sign permit for residential subdivisions and multiple -unit developments and for all legal non-residential uses excluding home occupation businesses. Said sign shall be a maximum of (6) feet in height. The sign shall be designed to be architecturally compatible with the building or project with the base of the sign consisting of colors and materials compatible to the building or project. The area around the base of the sign shall also be landscaped. Changeable Copy Message Boards Changeable copy message boards are permitted as part of a permanent freestanding monument sign or wall sign for all legal non-residential uses excluding home occupation businesses. The message board shall not comprise more than 50 percent of the total square footage of said sign. Temporary Banners Temporary banners may be displayed without a permit for residential subdivisions and multiple - unit developments and for all legal non-residential uses excluding home occupation businesses for a period not to exceed (60) days total per year, per property. No more than (1) banner may be displayed per property at any one time. Each banner shall not exceed (32) square feet and must be attached to a building or other permanent structure. Banners shall be designed to be professional looking and prevented from becoming torn or weathered. 12 • Temporary Signs and Displays Over (12) square feet One temporary sign or display over (12) square feet is permitted by sign permit for up to (30) days per year, per property. However, the permit fee shall not be charged for temporary signs and displays erected by civic organizations, religious organizations, or other non-profit organizations or groups for the purpose of identifying a non-commercial, one-time, or annual special event. In no case shall the area of the sign exceed (32) square feet or the height of the sign exceed (8) square feet. The time period may be extended to (60) days during the first year of operation of a new business and (90) days for a temporary seasonal business. The city shall consider a sign displayed for part of a day as having been up for an entire day. Signs In the LBC (Limited Business Commercial) CO (Commercial Office) and NC (Neighborhood Commercial) Zoning Districts All signs require a sign permit unless otherwise noted. Professional Occupation Signs One professional occupation sign of not more than (2) square feet for a residence with a permitted home occupation shall be allowed without a sign permit. Wall Signs (a) For each occupant of a building, (1) wall sign is allowed for each street upon which the property has frontage. The total number of wall signs may be increased by (1) for each clearly differentiated department of a business or enterprise. (b) The total area of any (1) wall sign shall not cover more than 20 percent of the wall surface to which the sign is attached or (32) square feet, whichever is greater. As an alternative, a wall sign may be placed on an overhanging awning or canopy as long as the wall sign does not exceed 50 percent of the face of the awning or canopy, or (32) square feet, whichever is less. (c) For multiple tenant buildings, the wall surface for each tenant or user shall include only the surface area of the exterior facade of the premises occupied by such tenant or user. Freestanding Signs One freestanding sign up to (64) square feet and (10) feet in height is permitted for each street upon which the building has frontage. For buildings with multiple street frontages, each additional freestanding sign must be located on a different street and each said sign must be separated by more than (100) feet measured in a straight line between the signs. The sign shall be designed to be architecturally compatible with the building or project with the base of the sign consisting of colors and materials compatible to the building or project. The area around the base of the sign shall also be landscaped including the bottom of a pylon sign. Changeable Copy Messaqe Boards • Changeable copy message boards are permitted as part of a permanent freestanding sign or wall sign but are limited to comprising no more than 70 percent of the total square footage of said sign. 13 Temporary Banners (a) For single tenant buildings, temporary banners may be displayed without a sign permit for a period not to exceed (60) days total per year, per property. No more than (1) banner may be displayed per property at anyone time, except for multiple -tenant buildings (see below). (b) For multiple tenant buildings, each separate tenant may display temporary banners without a sign permit for a period not to exceed (60) days total per year, per property. No more than (1) banner may be displayed per separate tenant at any one time. (c) Each banner shall not exceed (32) square feet and must be attached to a building or other permanent structure. Banners shall be designed to be professional looking and prevented from becoming torn or weathered. Temporary Window Signs Temporary window signs are allowed without a permit for a period not to exceed (30) days total per sign, per year. Temporary window signs shall be neatly painted or attached to the surface of a window, but shall cover no more than 30 percent of the total area of the window. Temporary Signs and Displays Over (12) Square Feet One temporary sign or display over (12) square feet is permitted for up to 30 days per year, per • business. However, the permit fee shall not be charged for temporary signs and displays erected by civic organizations, religious organizations, or other non-profit organizations or groups for the purpose of identifying a non-commercial, one-time, or annual special event. In nc case shall more than one temporary sign or display be displayed per property at any one time. The sign or display shall not exceed (32) square feet or (8) feet in height. The time period may be extended to (60) days during the first year of operation of a new business and (90) days for a temporary seasonal business. The city shall consider a sign displayed for part of a day as having been up for an entire day. • Sians in the BC (Business Commercial). BC -M (Business Commercial Modified). M-1 Waht Manufacturinal. and M-2 (Heavv Manufacturinal Zonina Districts All signs require a permit unless otherwise noted. Professional Occupation Signs One professional occupation sign of not more than (2) square feet for a residence with a permitted home occupation shall be allowed without a sign permit. Wall Signs (a) For each occupant of a building, one wall sign is allowed for each street upon which the property has frontage. The total number of wall signs may be increased by one for each clearly differentiated department of a business or enterprise. 14 (b) The total size of all wall signage for single -tenant buildings is determined by the gross square footage of the principal structure on the property. The total coverage area of each wall sign, including each differentiated business desert, shall be based on the wall surface to which the sign is attached. (c) The following table indicates maximum signage permitted for single -tenant buildings: Principal Structure Gross Maximum Size and Coverage Square Feet of Floor Area Area of Each Sign Less than 10,000 sq. ft 80 sq. ft. or 20% of wall face, whichever is less 10,000 to 20,000 sq. ft. 100 sq. ft. or 20% of wall face, whichever is less 20,000 to 100,000 sq. ft. 150 sq. ft. or 15% of wall face, whichever is less Greater than 100,000 sq. ft. 200 sq. ft. or 10% of wall face, whichever is less (d) The total coverage area of each wall sign for multiple -tenant buildings is (10) percent of the surface area of the exterior fagade of the premises occupied by such tenant, or 32 square feet, whichever is more. (e) A wall sign may be attached to an overhanging awning or canopy, instead of the fagade of • the building, as long as the wall sign does not exceed 50 percent of the face of the awning or canopy, or the maximum size specified above, whichever is less. Gas Station Canopies Gas stations are allowed (1) additional wall sign that may be attached to the fagade of the building or the overhanging canopy above the pump island. The wall sign on the canopy shall not exceed 50 percent of the face of the canopy, or the maximum size specified above, whichever is less. Freestanding Signs (a) One freestanding sign is permitted for each street upon which the property has frontage. For properties with multiple street frontages, each additional freestanding sign must be located on a different street and each sign must be separated by more than (100) feet measured in a straight line between signs, excluding auto dealerships. (b) The total size and maximum height of each freestanding sign is determined by the street classification of the closest street to which each freestanding sign is located. In the case of signs Located at an intersection, the higher ranking street classification should be used to determine the maximum height and size allowable for a freestanding sign. Businesses that are located on a frontage road designed to provide safe access to minor arterials and principal arterials shall be permitted to erect a freestanding sign up to the determined maximum height and size allowable for a freestanding sign on said minor arterial or principal arterial road to which it is adjacent. 15 0 • (c) The following table lists the maximum size and heights permitted for freestanding signs: Classification of Street Abutting Property Maximum Sign Maximum Height of Size (sq. ft.) Pylon Sign (feet) Maximum Height of Monument Sign (feet) Principal Arterial 180 25 12 Minor Arterial 140 20 12 Collector Street 100 15 10 Local Street 80 12 10 (d) The freestanding sign shall be designed to be architecturally compatible with the building or project, with the base of the sign, including pylon sign poles, consisting of materials and colors compatible to the building or project. The area around the base of the sign shall also be landscaped. Changeable Copy Message Boards Changeable copy message boards are permitted as part of a permanent freestanding sign or wall sign but are limited to comprising no more than 70 percent of the total square footage of said sign. Electronic Message Boards Electronic message boards as defined (public service signs) are permitted as part of a permanent freestanding sign or wall sign, provided that, the sign comprises no more than 50 percent of the total square footage of said sign. No such sign containing an electronic message board shall be erected closer than (75) feet from any residential land use district on which there exists structures used for residential purposes. Auto Dealerships Auto dealerships may have one freestanding sign identifying the dealership, plus one freestanding sign advertising each car franchise. The maximum sign area and height for the freestanding signs shall be determined by the classification of the abutting roads, as specified above. More than one freestanding sign may be allowed per street frontage provided said signs are separated by more than (150) feet measured in a straight line between the signs. Billboards (a) Off -premise billboards shall only be permitted with a conditional use permit and may only be located adjacent to a principal arterial street in the SC (shopping center), BC (business commercial), M-1 (light manufacturing), and M-2 (heavy manufacturing) districts. (b) Spacing No billboard sign shall be located within (2,300) feet to another billboard on the same side of the street, within (100) feet to a commercial, industrial, institutional building, or an on -premises sign, and within (250) feet to a residential district or (800) feet to a residence. Billboards shall maintain a setback of (50) feet from any property line, (500) feet to a local park, and (300) feet from the nearest intersecting street corner of two public roads. 16 (c) Size. The maximum area of the sign face of a billboard shall not exceed (450) square feet, including border and trim, but excluding base, apron supports, and other structural members. The said maximum size limitation shall apply to each side of a sign structure. Signs may be placed back-to-back or in a V -type arrangement if there are no more than (2) sign faces, provided that the open end separation shall not exceed (15) feet. A billboard may only display one message at a time on any sign face. The maximum height for billboards shall be (35) feet. Temporary Banners (a) For single tenant buildings, temporary banners may be displayed without a sign permit for a period not to exceed (60) days total per year, per property. No more than (1) banner may be displayed per property at any one time, except for multiple -tenant buildings (see below). (b) For multiple tenant buildings, each separate tenant may display temporary banners without a sign permit for a period not to exceed (60) days total per year, per property. No more than (1) banner may be displayed per separate tenant at any one time. (c) Each banner shall not exceed (64) square feet and must be attached to a building or other permanent structure. Banners shall be designed to be professional looking and prevented from becoming torn or weathered. Temporary Window Signs Temporary window signs are allowed without a permit for a period not to exceed (30) days total • per sign, per year. Temporary window signs shall be neatly painted or attached to the surface of a window, but shall cover no more than 30 percent of the total area of the window. Temporary Signs and Displays Over (12) Sguare Feet One temporary sign or display over (12) square feet is permitted for up to 30 days per year, per business each calendar year by sign permit. However, the permit fee shall not be charged for temporary signs and displays erected by civic organizations, religious organizations, or other non-profit organizations or groups for the purpose of identifying a non-commercial one-time or annual special event. The time period maybe extended to (60) days during the first year of operation of a new business and (90) days for a temporary seasonal business. The city shall consider a sign displayed for part of a day as having been up for an entire day. In no case shall more than one temporary sign or display be displayed per property at any one time. The sign or display shall not exceed (64) square feet or (8) feet in height. Signs In the Mixed -Use (M -U) Zoning District Sign Review The community design review board shall review all signage on new buildings or developments to ensure that the signs meet mixed-use sign requirements and are architecturally compatible with the new building or development. In addition, the community design review board shall review all comprehensive sign plans as required in section 44-736 (comprehensive sign plan). All signage on mixed-use buildings or developments (buildings or developments previously • approved and built with mixed-use design standards) shall be reviewed by the director of community development and shall be done in a manner that is compatible with the original 17 scale, massing, detailing and materials of the original building. All signage on non -mixed-use buildings or developments (buildings or developments not built with mixed-use design standards) shall be reviewed by the director of community development and shall comply with the mixed-use sign requirements, unless classified as a pre-existing nonconforming sign in which case it shall comply with section 44-12 (nonconforming buildings or uses). Projecting Siqns Projecting signs are allowed as part of the overall signage. Projecting signs may not extend more than four (4) feet over a public right-of-way and a private road or sidewalk, and must not project out further than the sign's height. Overall Wall Siqns Allowable area of overall wall and projecting signage for each establishment is one and one-half (1 '/) square feet of signage per lineal foot of building or frontage on a road, public open space or private parking area, or thirty (32) square feet, whichever is greater. Each wall shall be calculated individually and sign area may not be transferred to another side of the building. Minor motor vehicle stations with canopies are allowed to place signage on the canopy and the building as longus they do not exceed the requirements above. Wall and projecting signs shall not cover windows or architectural trim and detail. Freestanding Signs is One (1) freestanding sign for each establishment is allowed if the building is set back at least twenty (20) feet or more from the front property line. Freestanding signs must meet the following requirements: (a) Limited to six (6) feet in height and forty (40) square feet. (b) Maintain a five-foot (5') setback from any side or rear property line, but can be constructed up to the front property line. (c) Must consist of a base constructed of materials and design features similar to those of the front fagade of the building or development. (d) Must be landscaped with flowers or shrubbery. Prohibited Siqns in the M -U Zoning District (a) Signs or sign structures attached or supported on balconies, fences, or other non- permanent structures. (b) Signs attached or supported on a permanently parked vehicle or semi -trailers intended to advertise a business, product, or service. Not including signs painted directly on a parked vehicle or semi -trailer used in the business or facility or on site for business purposes. (c) Signs on rocks, trees, or other natural features or public utility poles. (d) Signs that have blinking, flashing, fluttering lights, make noise, or change in brightness or color except for electronic message boards that display only time and temperature or similar public service messages according to the requirements specifically outlined in this chapter. 18 • (e) Signs or sign structures that obstruct any part of a fire escape, doorway, standpipe, or opening intended to provide ingress or egress for any building structures. • (f) Signs that by reason of location, color, or intensity create a hazard to the safe, efficient movement of vehicles or pedestrian traffic. No private sign shall contain words which might be construed as traffic controls such as "stop," "caution," "warning," etc., unless such sign is intended to direct traffic on the premises. (g) Painted wall signs. (h) Roof signs. (i) Signs that advertise a product or service not sold on the property, except for billboards or other off-site signs where specifically permitted in this chapter. Q) Signs having features or incorporating parts of any sign prohibited in this chapter. (k) Electronic message boards and changeable copy message boards, except for changeable copy message boards that display gas prices at minor motor vehicle fuel stations. aFe-pFohibit� 19 MEMORANDUM TO: Richard Fursman, City Manager er FROM: Shann Finwall, AICP, Planner SUBJECT: Community Design Review Board Meeting — March 14, 2006 DATE: March 7, 2006 There are no design review items scheduled for the March 14, 2006, Maplewood Community Design Review Board meeting. Therefore, the meeting has been cancelled. The next scheduled meeting is March 28, 2006.