HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025 09-16 CDRB Minutes
September 16, 2025
Community Design Review Board Meeting Minutes
1
MINUTES
MAPLEWOOD COMMUNITY DESIGN REVIEW BOARD
6:00 P.M. Tuesday, September 16, 2025
City Hall, Council Chambers
1830 County Road B East
A. CALL TO ORDER
A meeting of the Board was held and called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Chairperson Kempe
B. ROLL CALL
Bill Kempe, Chairperson Present
Tom Oszman, Vice Chairperson Present – Attended remotely via Zoom
Jason Lamers, Boardmember Present
Amanda Reinert, Boardmember Absent
Ananth Shankar, Boardmember Absent
Staff Present: Danette Parr, Community Development Director
Jon Jarosch, Assistant City Engineer
Michael Martin, AICP, Assistant Community Development Director
Mike Darrow, HR Director/Assistant City Manager
Steve Love, Public Works Director/City Engineer
C. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Boardmember Lamers moved to approve the agenda as presented.
Seconded by Chairperson Kempe Ayes – All (via roll call)
The motion passed.
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. August 19, 2025 Community Design Review Board Meeting Minutes
Chairperson Kempe moved to approve the August 19, 2025 Community Design Review Board
Meeting Minutes as submitted.
Seconded by Boardmember Lamers Ayes – All (via roll call)
The motion passed.
E. NEW BUSINESS
1. Comprehensive Sign Plan, Shared Freestanding Sign, 3050 White Bear Avenue North
and 1985 Woodlynn Avenue East
Michael Martin, AICP, Assistant Community Development Director, gave the presentation. Justin
Young, on behalf of Professional Permits, addressed the board and answered questions.
September 16, 2025
Community Design Review Board Meeting Minutes
2
Chairperson Kempe moved to approve the comprehensive sign plan for a shared freestanding
sign for Mister Car Wash and Firestone, to be located at 3050 White Bear Avenue, subject to
conditions of approval:
1. The shared freestanding sign is for the two businesses operating at 3050 White Bear
Avenue North and 1985 Woodlynn Avenue East. The sign will be located at 3050 White
Bear Avenue North and set back at least 10 feet from adjacent property lines.
2. The sign must be located outside of the sight triangle of the two intersecting streets (White
Bear Avenue North and Woodlynn Avenue East), as further outlined in city ordinance
Article VII, Section 32-246 (sight obstructions at intersections), which regulates the
maximum height in specific areas of two intersecting streets.
3. The base of the freestanding sign must be landscaped with flowers or shrubbery and
consistently maintained.
4. Before construction, the applicant shall submit a freestanding sign permit application that
includes detailed sign renderings and a site plan showing the property lines and that all
required setbacks are achieved. The site plan must also identify the plantings for the
landscaped area around the base of the sign.
5. As part of this approval, the applicant/property owners are allowed one shared
freestanding sign up to 20 feet in height and up to 140 square feet in size for the two
adjoining parcels.
6. All signs on both properties must meet the city’s sign ordinance and obtain sign permits as
required.
7. The community design review board must review changes to the comprehensive sign
plan. Staff may approve minor changes.
Seconded by Boardmember Lamers Ayes – All (via roll call)
The motion passed.
2. Design Review Resolution, Century Ponds Proposed Development, 601 Century
Avenue South
Michael Martin, AICP, Assistant Community Development Director, gave the presentation. Deb
Ridgeway, D.R. Horton, and Mike Suel, D.R. Horton, addressed the board and answered
questions.
Boardmember Lamers moved to approve a resolution for design review, including a friendly
amendment to revise Item 10 in section 3.01 of the resolution.
DESIGN REVIEW RESOLUTION
BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Maplewood, Minnesota, as follows:
Section 1. Background.
1.01 D.R. Horton has requested approval of design review to construct 73 townhome
units in 15 buildings.
1.02 The property is located at 601 Century Avenue South and is legally described as:
September 16, 2025
Community Design Review Board Meeting Minutes
3
PIN: 12-28-22-11-0002 and 12-28-22-44-0002
That part of the Southeast Quarter of the Northeast Quarter, lying Southwesterly of
Lower Afton Road as described in Document 1613681, on file and of record in the
office of the County Recorder, Section 12, Township 28, Range 22, Ramsey County,
Minnesota according to the government survey thereof, Ramsey County, Minnesota.
Also:
The Northeast Quarter of the Southeast Quarter, EXCEPT the East 1.6 Rods, Section
12, Township 28, Range 22, Ramsey County, Minnesota according to the government
survey thereof, Ramsey County, Minnesota.
Also:
The Southeast Quarter of the Southeast Quarter EXCEPT the South 574.00 feet of
the West 600.00 feet, Section 12, Township 28, Range 22, Ramsey County,
Minnesota according to the government survey thereof, Ramsey County, Minnesota.
Abstract Property
Section 2. Site and Building Plan Standards and Findings.
2.01 City Ordinance Section 2-290(b) 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 are in keeping with the
character of the surrounding neighborhood and are 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.
Section 3. City Action
3.01 The above-described site and design plans are hereby approved based on the
findings outlined in Section 3 of this resolution. Subject to staff approval, the site must
be developed and maintained in substantial conformance with the design plans date-
stamped July 22, 2025. Approval is subject to the applicant doing the following:
1. Concurrent approval of comprehensive plan amendment, rezoning, variance, and
easement vacation applications.
2. Repeat this review in two years if the city has not issued a building permit for
this project.
September 16, 2025
Community Design Review Board Meeting Minutes
4
3. All fire marshal and building official requirements must be met.
4. Satisfy the requirements set forth in the engineering review authored by Jon
Jarosch, dated September 4, 2025.
5. Comply with conditions outlined in the September 4, 2025, Development
Review report from Bolton & Menk.
6. Satisfy the requirements set forth in the environmental review authored by
Shann Finwall, dated September 8, 2025.
7. The applicant shall obtain all required permits from the Ramsey-Washington
Metro Watershed District.
8. Rooftop vents and equipment, and any ground equipment, shall be located out
of view from all sides of the property. Any ground equipment must be screened
with 100 percent opaque materials or landscaping.
9. Any identification or monument signs for the project must meet the city's sign
ordinance requirements and be designed to be consistent with the project's
building materials and colors.
10. Prior to the issuance of a building permit, the applicant shall submit for staff
CDRB approval the following items:
a. Revised building elevations that show varying materials within
each elevation, ensuring that the materials are not continuous
throughout all units within a single townhome building. Masonry
must comprise between 20 and 30 percent of the elevations of
each building. Applicant shall ensure these standards are
applied to all four elevations of each building. additional windows
on the side elevations and stone wainscotting on the side and
rear elevations.
11. The applicant shall complete the following before occupying the buildings:
a. Replace any property irons that were removed because of this construction.
b. Provide continuous concrete curb and gutter around the parking lot and
driveways.
c. Install all required landscaping and an in-ground lawn irrigation system for
all landscaped areas.
d. Install all required outdoor lighting.
e. Install all required sidewalks and trails.
12. 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 public health, safety or
welfare.
b. The City of Maplewood holds the above-required letter of credit or cash
escrow for all required exterior improvements. If the building is occupied in
September 16, 2025
Community Design Review Board Meeting Minutes
5
the fall or winter, the owner or contractor shall complete any unfinished
exterior improvements by June 1 of the following year or within six weeks of
occupancy if it is occupied in the spring or summer.
13. All work shall follow the approved plans. The director of community development
may approve minor changes.
Seconded by Chairperson Kempe Ayes – All (via roll call)
The motion passed.
F. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
G. BOARD PRESENTATIONS
H. STAFF PRESENTATIONS
None
I. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
Staff took in feedback from Chariperson Kempe about formatting of the agenda for future
meetings.
J. ADJOURNMENT
Boardmember Lamers moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:50 p.m.
Seconded by Chairperson Kempe Ayes – All (via roll call)
The motion passed.