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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026 04-21 CDRB Meeting Minutes April 21, 2026 Community Design Review Board Meeting Minutes 1 MINUTES MAPLEWOOD COMMUNITY DESIGN REVIEW BOARD 6:00 P.M. Tuesday, April 21, 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 6:03 p.m. by Chairperson Kempe B. ROLL CALL Bill Kempe, Chairperson Present Tom Oszman, Vice Chairperson Present Jason Lamers, Boardmember Present Ananth Shankar, Boardmember Present – remotely via Zoom Staff Present: Michael Martin, AICP, Assistant Community Development Director C. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Boardmember Lamers moved to approve the agenda as presented. Seconded by Vice Chairperson Oszman Ayes – All (via roll call) The motion passed. D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. March 17, 2026 Community Design Review Board Meeting Minutes Boardmember Lamers moved to approve the March 17, 2026 Community Design Review Board Meeting Minutes as submitted. Seconded by Vice Chairperson Oszman Ayes – All (via roll call) The motion passed. E. NEW BUSINESS 1. Design Review Resolution, Café Zupas, 3069 White Bear Avenue Michael Martin, AICP, Assistant Community Development Director, gave the presentation. Edgar Cepuritis, Cafe Zupas Vice President of Real Estate, addressed the board and answered questions. Board members shared comments. Vice Chairperson Oszman moved to approve a resolution for design review approving a restaurant with a drive-up food and beverage window to be constructed at 3069 White Bear Avenue, subject to conditions of approval, and including a friendly amendment by Boardmember Lamers to add a staff requested condition that a copy of all agreements shall be provided to the City in regard to the shared drives, parking areas, and utilities that cross property boundaries. April 21, 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 Interplan, LLC has requested approval of design review to construct a 2,886 square foot Café Zupas restaurant building with a drive-up food and beverage window. 1.02 The property is located at 3069 White Bear Avenue North and has a PIN number of 02- 29-22-21-0014. 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 dated March 18, 2026. Approval is subject to the applicant doing the following: 1. If the city has not issued a building permit for this project, repeat this review in two years. 2. All fire marshal, city engineer, and building official requirements must be met. 3. A grading permit is required. 4. The applicant shall obtain all required permits from the Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District. 5. Rooftop vents and any mechanical equipment shall be hidden from view from all sides of the property and screened as required by city ordinance. 6. This approval does not include signage. Any signs for the project must meet the city’s ordinance requirements, and the applicant must apply for a sign permit before installation. April 21, 2026 Community Design Review Board Meeting Minutes 3 7. Prior to the issuance of a grading or building permit, the applicant shall submit for staff approval the following items: a. Revised landscape plan showing the following: i. Replace the Green Velvet Boxwood shrub with a native shrub such as winterberry, snowberry, dwarf bush honeysuckle, wolfberry, American Hazelnut silverberry. Boxwood is suspectable to Boxwood Blight. ii. Replace the Gro-Low Sumac with a native shrub such as those listed above. Sumac can be very aggressive and take over if not maintained properly. b. Submit a revised site plan showing that both the ADA and Minnesota accessible parking standards are being met. c. 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. 8. The applicant shall complete the following before occupying the building: 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. 9. 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 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. 10. All work shall follow the approved plans. The director of community development may approve minor changes. Seconded by Boardmember Lamers Ayes – All (via roll call) The motion passed. F. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None April 21, 2026 Community Design Review Board Meeting Minutes 4 G. BOARD PRESENTATIONS None H. STAFF PRESENTATIONS 1. Board Updates Michael Martin, AICP, Assistant Community Development Director, provided an update to the Board on the following items: a. Board/Commission Training – A joint training session with the Community Design Review Board (CDRB) and Planning Commission is scheduled for Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. If needed, the CDRB will convene its regular meeting immediately following the training to address any pending business items requiring approval. b. Community Design Review Board Annual Report – Chairperson Kempe will present the annual report to the City Council at its meeting on Monday, April 27, 2026. Boardmember Lamers will be available as a backup presenter, if needed. I. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS None J. ADJOURNMENT Chairperson Kempe moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:30 p.m. Seconded by Boardmember Lamers Ayes – All (via roll call) The motion passed.