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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026 01-20 CDRB Meeting MinutesD1 January 20, 2026 Community Design Review Board Meeting Minutes 1 MINUTES MAPLEWOOD COMMUNITY DESIGN REVIEW BOARD 6:00 P.M. Tuesday, January 20, 2026 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 6:02 p.m. by Vice Chairperson Oszman B. ROLL CALL Bill Kempe, Chairperson Absent Tom Oszman, Vice Chairperson Present Jason Lamers, Boardmember Present (attended remotely via Zoom) Amanda Reinert, Boardmember Absent Ananth Shankar, Boardmember Present Staff Present: Michael Martin, AICP, Assistant Community Development Director Elizabeth Hammond, Planner C. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Boardmember Lamers moved to approve the agenda as presented. Seconded by Boardmember Shankar Ayes – All (via roll call) The motion passed. D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. November 18, 2025 Community Design Review Board Meeting Minutes Vice Chairperson Oszman moved to approve the November 18, 2025 Community Design Review Board Meeting Minutes as submitted. Seconded by Boardmember Shankar Ayes – All (via roll call) The motion passed. E. NEW BUSINESS 1. Design Review Resolution, Maplewood Auto Mall, 2529 White Bear Avenue North Elizabeth Hammond, Planner, gave the presentation. Bill McCrum, Architect at 633 Robert St S, addressed the board and answered questions. Boardmember Shankar moved to approve the design plans for exterior façade updates at the Maplewood Auto Mall, located at 2529 White Bear Avenue North, subject to certain conditions of approval, adding a friendly amendment to include the addition of condition 9.b requiring the applicant to revise the front building elevation to include an 18-inch-high base so that the curtain wall glass does not come down to grade. D1 January 20, 2026 Community Design Review Board Meeting Minutes 2 DESIGN REVIEW RESOLUTION BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Maplewood, Minnesota, as follows: Section 1. Background. 1.01 The Maplewood Auto Mall has requested design review for updates to the exterior façade of the commercial building located at 2529 White Bear Avenue. 1.02 The property is located at 2529 White Bear Avenue North and is legally described as: Lot I, Block I, Maple Ridge Mall, according to the recorded plat thereof, together with that part of Lot 2 of said Block I, lying North of the Westerly extension of the South line of Lot I of said Block I, Ramsey County, Minnesota. Together with an easement for ingress and egress purposes reserved in Quit Claim Deed dated 7-30-1985, filed 7-31-1985, as Document Nos. 2276480 (A) and 784085 (T) over the South 60 feet of the North 228.00 feet lying East of the West 524.00 feet, together with the East 50.00 feet of the West 574.00 feet of the North 168.00 feet of the following described property: That part of Lot2, Block I, Maple Ridge Mall, according to the recorded plat thereof, lying south of the South line of Lot I of said Block I and the Westerly extension thereof. Property Identification Number: 112922220043 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. Community Design Review Board 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. Approval is subject to the applicant doing the following: 1. Repeat this review in two years if the city has not issued a building permit for this project. 2. All requirements of the fire marshal, city engineer, and building official must be met. D1 January 20, 2026 Community Design Review Board Meeting Minutes 3 3. The applicant shall submit an updated photometric site plan ensuring all site lighting follows city ordinance requirements. All lights on the building or on the exterior of the site must be downcast. If existing lights do not meet city requirements, they must be removed or replaced. The lighting plan must be submitted with the building permit application. Site lighting cannot be installed until the lighting plan is approved with the building permit plans. 4. Rooftop vents and mechanical equipment shall be hidden from view from all sides of the property, screened as required by city ordinance, and always maintained. 5. All trash receptacles shall be screened entirely inside a trash enclosure as required by city ordinance and consistently maintained. 6. All employees, customers, and inventory vehicles must be stored within a marked parking stall. Parking vehicles on an unimproved parking surface, such as the grass, is prohibited. 7. The applicant will review the existing striped stalls and drive access aisles on the site and repaint the parking spaces. This work must be completed before a Certificate of Occupancy is issued. The striping plan must be submitted for review with the building permit. The restriping cannot occur until the striping plan is approved with the building permit plans. 8. This approval does not include signage. Any proposed changes to the site’s signage must meet the city’s ordinance requirements, and the applicant must apply for a sign permit before installation. 9. Before the issuance of a building permit, the applicant shall submit for staff approval the following items: a. The applicant shall provide the city with a cash escrow or an irrevocable letter of credit for all required exterior improvements. The amount shall be 150 percent of the cost of the work. b. Revised front building elevation that includes an 18-inch-high base so that the curtain wall glass does not come down to grade. 10. The applicant shall complete the following before occupying the building: a. Replace any property irons 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 if not completed or disturbed during construction. d. Install all required outdoor lighting as approved by city staff. e. Install all required sidewalks and trails. 11. 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. D1 January 20, 2026 Community Design Review Board Meeting Minutes 4 b. The above-required letter of credit or cash escrow is held by the City of Maplewood for all required exterior improvements. The owner or contractor shall complete any unfinished exterior improvements by June 1 of the following year if occupancy of the building is in the fall or winter or within six weeks of occupancy of the building if occupancy is in the spring or summer. 12. All work shall follow the approved plans. The director of community development may approve minor changes. Seconded by Vice Chairperson Oszman Ayes – All (via roll-call) The motion passed. F. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None G. BOARD PRESENTATIONS None H. STAFF PRESENTATIONS 1. Board Updates Michael Martin, AICP, Assistant Community Development Director, addressed the Board on the following items:  Reminded Board members to RSVP to the Board and Commission Appreciation Dinner being held in their honor on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.  Informed Board members that, in the near future, staff and members would participate in an education and training session for boards and commissions to outline and/or refresh expectations and responsibilities associated with their roles. I. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS None J. ADJOURNMENT Boardmember Shankar moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:20 p.m. Seconded by Boardmember Lamers Ayes – All (via roll-call) The motion passed.