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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/27/2001BOOK AGENDA MAPLEWOOD COMMUNITY DESIGN REVIEW BOARD November 27, 2001 6:00 P.M. City Council Chambers, Maplewood City Hall 1830 County Road B East 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Approval of Minutes: October 23, 2001 4. Approval of Agenda 5. Unfinished Business Design Review a. Specialty Engineering Addition - 1766 Highway 36 b. McCarron's Water Treatment Plant Addition - 1900 Rice Street 7. Visitor Presentations 8. Board Presentations Staff Presentations a. CDRB representatives needed for December 10 and 17 council meetings. b. Cancellation of the December 25 CDRB meeting. c. Mall Area Traffic Study presentation by the consultant on December 17. d. CDRB memberships ending for CDRB Members Shankar and Jorgenson. e. Status of filling CDRB vacancy.' 10. Adjourn p:com-dvpt~cdrb.agd WEL(~OME TO THIS MEE'FING OF THE COMMUNITY DESIGN REVIEW BOARD This outline has been prepared to explain the review process of this meeting. The review of an item usually follows this format. The chairperson of the meeting will announce the item to be reviewed. The chairperson will ask the applicant or developer of the project up to the podium to respond to the staff's recommendation regarding the proposal. The Community Design Review Board will then discuss the proposed project with the applicant. The chairperson will then ask the audience if there is anyone present who wishes to comment on the proposal. After everyone is the audience wishing to speak has given his or her comments, the chairperson will close the public discussion portion of the meeting. The Board will then discuss the proposal. No further public comments are allowed. The Board will then make its recOmmendations or decision. Most decisions by the Board are final, unless appealed to the City Council. You must notify the City staff in writing within 15 days to register an appeal. jw\forms\cdrb.agd Revised: 11-09-94 MINUTES OF THE MAPLEWOOD COMMUNITY DESIGN REVIEW BOARD 1830 COUNTY ROAD B EAST, MAPLEWOOD, MINNESOTA OCTOBER 23, 2001 I1. III. CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Ledvina called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Matt Ledvina Craig Jorgenson Linda OIson Ananth Shankar Staff Present: Present Present Absent Present Tom Ekstrand, Assistant Community Development Director Recording Secretary: Lisa Kroll APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approval of the minutes for September 25, 2001. Board Member Jorgenson moved approval of the minutes of September 25, 2001. Board Member Shankar seconded. Ayes--Jorgenson, Ledvina, Shankar IV. The motion passed. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Board Member Jorgenson moved approval of the agenda. Board Member Shankar seconded. Ayes - Jorgenson, Ledvina, Shankar The motion passed. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. Community Design Review Board Minutes 10-23-2001 2 VI. DESIGN REVIEW Ramsey County Productive Day Golf Course Century Avenue between Lower Afton Road and Linwood Avenue Secretary Ekstrand said Kevin Finley, of the Ramsey County Parks and Recreation Department, is requesting approval of plans for the Productive Day nine-hole golf course. The proposed golf course would be located on property owned by Ramsey County, part of which was previously used for farming and raising cattle by the Ramsey County Correctional Facility to the north. Refer to the maps and building elevations on pages 11-16. The proposed nine-hole golf course would have a 2,200-square-foot clubhouse, a practice range, golf-practice area, a teaching area and a parking lot. The applicant also proposes to build a 7,740-square-foot maintenance building north of Lower Afton Road on the correctional facility's property near their existing maintenance buildings. The proposed golf course would be partially maintained by a staff of inmates. Mr. Finley explained that there would be about ten inmates at any one time working the course. The county would select Iow-risk inmates through a screening process. These persons would be those who are sentenced to the correctional facility for short terms. High-risk, long term inmates would not be eligible to work in this program. A corrections officer would supervise the inmate workers. There will also be a groundskeeper to manage the grounds. Secretary Ekstrand stated that the Planning Commission reviewed the land use aspects on October 15, 2001, and recommended approval of the conditional use permit. The proposed maintenance building would be located across the road. Staff likes the location of the maintenance facility across Lower Afton Road. This allows the applicant to not have a utility building located on the nicely designed golf course and it allows them to keep the maintenance building grouped together with other maintenance buildings for the correctional facility. Since it is well hidden with the berming and the trees, staff is not concerned with its appearance being a corrugated- metal exterior. Staff feels the proposed clubhouse is a very attractive building. The applicant is proposing an exterior of cedar-shake style siding. This siding will actually be a cement-board composite that will be more durable than cedar, yet still have the appearance of cedar shakes. There will be a brick base on all elevations that extends up to the bottom of the windows. The roofing will be asphalt shingles. The building colors will be red and white for a farmhouse look to emulate the site's farming heritage. The siding, columns and window trim would be white, the roof and base would be red. Community Design Review Board Minutes 10-23-2001 Secretary Ekstrand said there are 10 delineated wetlands on the site. On October 3, 2001, the Ramsey/VVashington Metro Watershed District Board conditionally approved the Productive Day golf Course proposal pending submittal of final plans. The proposed plan meets the Maplewood City Ordinance requirements for wetland protection. The applicant must dedicate wetland-buffer easements and install wetland-protection signs around each wetland buffer as required by code. Staff is recommending signage to warn mowers to stay an appropriate distance away from the edges of the wetland-buffer area. Secretary Ekstrand said the city ordinance requires that the applicant replace significant trees that would be cut down. There will be no problem meeting the city code for tree preservation/replacement between the trees to be preserved and the 300 new trees the applicant proposes to plant. It should be noted that the applicant would use trees from the correctional facility's nursery stock and would plant the trees over a five-year period. Screening for the neighboring homeowners to the west and for those across Linwood Avenue is of greatest importance. Many of the neighbors who responded to our survey have specific wishes for how the area behind their property would be landscaped. Some wanted a clear view of the golf course while others wanted trees. Some neighbors wanted a fence to keep golfers out while others did not want a fence. The county should continue working with the homeowners to provide the amount and type of screening that they would like to have. Mr. Finley told Secretary Ekstrand they are proposing to put a chain link fence around the entire site if the budget allows for it. Staff recommends approval of the fencing but they may install a lesser amount of fencing based on how the neighbors and the applicant make a final decision. Secretary Ekstrand said, regarding traffic, some neighbors commented that they see a lot of congestion at Lower Afton Road and Century Avenue and feel it will be more congested with the proposed golf course being built. Staff spoke with the city engineer and the county traffic engineer and they feel that the proposed golf course is not a big traffic generator. The traffic will worsen primarily because of the developments in Maplewood, St. Paul and Woodbury traffic going through that intersection. Staff is recommending a right turn lane on Century Avenue into the site. Before the meeting Mr. Finley mentioned to Secretary Ekstrand that the county does have plans in 2003 to improve Century Avenue, putting in left and right hand turn lanes. Secretary Ekstrand said he would be comfortable keeping an eye on the situation year by year. If traffic does become a problem staff may impress upon the county that they may have to do something quicker to alleviate the traffic problem. Maybe that condition can be revised to require they follow the counties roadway improvement plan as an option under 2 d. on page 6. Community Design Review Board Minutes 10-23-2001 4 Board Member Shankar asked staff if the applicant had shown any lighting for the parking lots? Secretary Ekstrand said they are proposing to light the practice range, parking lot and clubhouse area. The main golf course would not be lit but the practice range would be lit until 10:30 p.m. The city code requires that the applicant submit a lighting plan because of the adjacent residential properties. This plan should include pole height, fixture design, light spread and must meet all code requirements. Staff would like to see the final plans for the lighting. Chairperson Ledvina asked staff if the lighting was laid out in condition 2 c. on page 6? Secretary Ekstrand said yes it is. Chairperson Ledvina asked Secretary Ekstrand about the right and left turn lanes on Century Avenue and Lower Afton Road and the counties plans for Upgrading the intersection Secretary Ekstrand said that the right and left turn lanes are proposed adjacent to the driveway into the golf course not at the intersection. Mr. Finley may be able to expand on that subject when he speaks. Chairperson Ledvina asked staff if the counties are evaluating these roadways on an ongoing basis and if they determine a signalized intersection is necessary they will go ahead with that based on the traffic needs and development in the area? Secretary Ekstrand said yes, and signalization as he understands it, is going to be a project that involves a lot of jurisdictions. It is on a county line so it has Ramsey County, Washington County, Maplewood and Woodbury to involve. Mr. Kevin Finley, of the Ramsey County Parks and Recreation Department addressed the board. He commended the staff for the report, it is very thorough and they did a nice job putting it together. It is his understanding that the intersection at Century Avenue and Lower Afton Road is a State of Minnesota jurisdiction so they would need to be involved with the decision making as well as Ramsey County, Washington County, Maplewood and Woodbury. Ramsey County is planning on resurfacing that area on Century Avenue between Linwood and Lower Afton Road that is adjacent immediately to the golf course. At that time the turn lanes into the golf course would be installed. If it gets pushed back beyond 2003 they can have some temporary striping put in there just to control the traffic. Board Member Shankar asked Mr. Finley what the thinking was with the red and white color scheme for the clubhouse? Community Design Review Board Minutes 10-23-2001 Mr. Finley said the use of that land and the historical sense reflects a farm era and the color scheme follows a farm theme. Chairperson Ledvina asked Mr. Finley to elaborate on the fencing issue. Will the county agree to omit sections of fence along the west boundaries to accommodate homeowner's wishes? And what is the height of the fencing? Mr. Finley said the neighbors have been very helpful in this area. Ideally they would like to put a fence along the perimeter as a precaution. Cost may be prohibiting this to happen. After several surveys that were done with the neighbors, the results are pretty much mixed. The neighbors that live on the south half or the west border, in the town homes would like a fence. The neighbors that live on the south half in the residential area do not want a fence. The neighbors have shrubs, trees and different kinds of fencing that the residents put up themselves so they are not in favor of fencing. The applicant has conveyed to the neighbors that they will obey the neighbor's wishes. What may happen is that there would be a fence installed along the town homes, and that would be all that would be installed. Mr. Finley said they have to wait until the bids come back to see what the cost would be. He is concerned about the security of the golf course along Lower Afton Road because it is very fiat and wide open and there will be wetlands built into that area. That is the part of the golf course that carries the water out. Mr. Finley said the fence would be about 5-feet high with a black vinyl coating. Chairperson Ledvina asked Mr. Finley when he talks about security problems is he talking about ATV's and motorcycles being driven onto the course? Mr. Finley said he is talking about ATV's, snowmobiles, and cars that go off the road, etc. that could cause major damage. Chairperson Ledvina said the board has expressed a preference for less cyclone fencing. Recognizing the need for security the fence can be lower in height but we also want to be sensitive to the aesthetics. Mr. Finley said the neighbors are not worried so much about golf balls going into their yards but people trespassing into their yards to get golf balls. Chairperson Ledvina said he had some questions about the layout and the building itself. Should they be addressed to Mr. Finley or to the architects? Mr. Finley introduced the architects to the board. Mr. Garrett Gill who is the principle architect of Gill Miller Inc., the golf course architects, and Mr. Roger Christensen who is the principle architect with Hagen, Christensen, Mcilwain Architects who are the building designers. Mr. Miller and Mr. Christensen addressed the board. Community Design Review Board Minutes 10-23-2001 Chairperson Ledvina said he is a golfer and he thinks it is a very nice feature to have a practice area on this course. He asked if it is possible to install a sand bunker for practicing sand shots? Mr. Gill said yes, there is such a feature on the south end of the range of the golf course. There is a small instructional tee and a practice bunker. He pointed out to board members. Chairperson Ledvina said he has seen the practice areas next to the teeing areas for the practice range. He did not expect the practice area to be so far away on the course. Mr. Gill said when they put the practice bunker up at the tee line they thought that for many golfers that is probably their worst shot. They like to put golfers making those kinds of shots off by themselves to practice. The idea of the bunker shot is that they could practice again coming onto the pitching green with their bunker shot. That area is a self-practice area as well as teaching area where a golf-professional can take a small group of golfers and have a class. Chairperson Ledvina asked how would a golfer get back to that area? Would they just go along the east side of the netting? Mr. Gill said yes. They see this being used more in a supervised type of situation. Chairperson Ledvina said that is a nice feature and he is glad they designed it on the course. One of the things he noticed about the design is that they have a lot of tees on this course and you are able to play this course with many different levels of expertise. On holes 3 and 7 there is a water feature generally in front of the tee but mostly to the right side and he knows there is an added degree of difficulty when you have to carry the water. For those two holes he thinks it may add a little more challenge to the course if the tees were located further to the west maybe 20 yards on both of those tees. Chairperson Ledvina said the clubhouse building is a nicely designed structure and fits in with the over-all-theme the county is looking for. He asked about the masonry base around the structure and how high from the ground level it is. Mr. Christensen said he brought a materials board with him. The masonry base will be a red brick and it will be coming out no more than two feet. With the windowsill height it will wrap completely around the building to give it a red base. Mr. Christensen showed the sample materials to the board members. The outside of the clubhouse is white and the shingles are a deep red. Board Member Shankar asked Mr. Christensen if the building is going to be opened in the winter months? Community Design Review Board Minutes 10-23-2001 Mr. Finley said part of that is going to depend on the demand but the plan is to be open for cross-country skiing. Board Member Shankar asked about the secure car storage space shown on the side of the building. Is there fencing around that area and if so what type of fencing is that? Mr. Christensen said it is very similar to what they did at the Goodrich Golf Course. The golf carts are actually recessed into the ground a bit with a two-foot high keystone retaining wall so you can't drive out. There would also be a wooden gate to close it off matching the color scheme of the building. So it is not a fence but more of a depressed paved area that you can't drive out of. Board Member Shankar asked if the window frames are white? Mr. Christensen said yes. Chairperson Ledvina asked if the glass on the windows is tinted? Mr. Christensen said no. Board Member Shankar asked if the design is going to be fully handicapped accessible? Mr. Christensen said yes it would be totally handicapped accessible inside and out including the route to the parking lot. Board Member Shankar said he thinks it looks very handsome. Mr. Christensen said thank you very much. Board Member Shankar moved to approve the plans (date-stamped September 13, 2001 and September 20, 2001) for the proposed Productive Day Golf Course on the west side of Century Avenue between Lower Afton Road and Linwood Avenue, based on the findings required by the code. The property owner, Ramsey County, shall do the following: 1. Repeat this review in two years if the city has not issued a permit for this project. 2. Provide the following for staff approval before the city issues grading or building permits: a. A detailed grading, drainage and erosion control plan, subject to the city engineer's approval. Community Design Review Board Minutes 10-23-2001 A final landscape plan that clearly depicts the perimeter landscaping across from or behind all dwellings. The applicant shall work with all adjacent homeowners to develop this plan to meet citizens' needs. c. A final, detailed photometric plan for all proposed outdoor lighting. do A revised site plan showing a right-turn lane into the site from Century Avenue and a signed and striped crossing area between the maintenance building and the golf course. The dedication of wetland-buffer easements around each wetland on the golf course property. These easements shall describe the boundaries of the buffers and prohibit any building, mowing, cutting, filling or dumping within the buffers. The applicant shall record the deeds for these easements before the city will issue grading and building permits. The applicant shall check with the city staff for the width of each buffer easement prior to drafting any easement documentation. 3. Complete the following before opening the golf course for business and occupying the clubhouse building: a. Install a reflectorized stop sign at the exit from the Century Avenue driveway. bo Construct a trash dumpster enclosure for any outside trash containers for this facility (code requirement). The enclosures must by 100 percent opaque, match the color of the building and have a closeable gate that extends to the ground. Install all required landscaping around the driveway, parking lot and clubhouse. It is understood that the landscaping of the golf course will take place over a five-year time period. d. Install wetland buffer signs that prohibit any building, mowing, cutting, filling or dumping within each wetland buffer (code requirement). o If any required work is not done on or around the clubhouse, clubhouse parking lot, maintenance building and maintenance building parking lot, 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 cash escrow or an irrevocable letter of credit for the required work. The amount shall be 150 percent of the cost of the unfinished work. Community Design Review Board Minutes 10-23-2001 c. The city receives an agreement that will allow the city to complete any unfinished work. 5. All work shall follow the approved plans. The director of community development may approve minor changes. Board Member Jorgenson seconded the motion. Ayes - Jorgenson, Ledvina, Shankar The motion is passed. Mogren Properties Comprehensive Sign Plan 2580 and 2582 White Bear Avenue Secretary Ekstrand stated that Mogren Properties is proposing a 180-square-foot freestanding, multi-tenant sign to be installed in front of their two buildings at 2580 and 2582 White Bear Avenue. In addition, a parking lot expansion that would include 12 new parking stalls is proposed. The freestanding sign previously approved in 1980 by the CDRB was destroyed in a storm approximately 1%-years ago. The sign was 178.5 square feet in area and 17 feet in height. Mogren Properties proposes to replace that sign with a new freestanding sign that will display 12 of their tenant businesses. Since the time of the sign removal, tenants of the two buildings have installed several temporary signs along White Bear Avenue to advertise their businesses. The proposed non-illuminated, freestanding sign will be 15 feet high by 12 feet wide (180 square feet), and will be constructed on two 4-foot high aluminum shrouds, for an overall height of 19 feet. According to the sign code, and based on the size of the lot and the location of the sign, Mogren Properties is allowed one freestanding sign up to 300 square feet in area and 28 feet in height. The proposed sign falls within the square footage and height limits allowed by code. In order to achieve compatibility with the Mogren Properties' sign proposal, staff recommends that the base of the sign be constructed of brick to match the existing office building, rather than the proposed aluminum shrouds. The 4-foot high brick base will add architectural character to the sign and will be compatible to the existing office building. The sign will be placed 20 feet from the White Bear Avenue right-of-way and 25 feet from the driveway curb. Because of the increased setbacks from the road and driveway the sign will not impede the visibility of incoming traffic or pose a safety hazard to vehicles exiting the driveway. Community Design Review Board Minutes 10-23-2001 l0 Mogren Properties has submitted a landscape plan for the base of the sign. The plan incorporated the existing landscaping of ten junipers within a block container and adds four yews and annuals. With staffs recommended brick base, however, the existing junipers may need to be removed. Therefore, staff recommends that an alternative landscape plan be submitted prior to issuance of a sign permit. The new landscape plan should include Iow-maintenance perennial shrubs and flowering plants. A total of 64 parking stalls are required for this development. Currently there are 46 parking stalls located in the parking lot on the south and east side of the office building, with a large unimproved parking lot on the east side of the pole building. When the office building is fully leased, Mogren Properties experiences a parking shortfall. For this reason, they are proPosing an additional 12 parking stalls, for a total of 58. The new parking stalls will be constructed on the south and north side of the driveway. Construction of the parking stalls on the north side of the driveway will require the removal of one or two mature trees and several perennial shrubs. This landscaping was required as a condition of the office building's original design approval. For this reason, the landscaping should be replaced. Staff recommends a continuous row of perennial shrubs and two trees to be planted on the west side of the parking lot adjacent to White Bear Avenue. The final landscape plan should be submitted to the city for approval prior to issuance of a parking lot permit. Chairperson Ledvina asked staff about a small sign for Mogrens on the south side of the driveway. He asked staff if this sign would be removed as part of this proposal? Secretary Ekstrand said yes it would. It was included as item 3 b. (3) in the staff report. Chairperson Ledvina asked staff just so he is clear, would staff prefer a brick base for the sign? He asked if this is a continuous base or a pedestal? Secretary Ekstrand said Mr. Mogren would like to discuss the details with the board. It is surrounded now with a rock- face concrete brick, a planter area. Chairperson Ledvina asked staff with the proposal and staff recommendations will the planter area remain? Secretary Ekstrand said there was not a condition to remove the planter. Chairperson Ledvina said staff feels the planter would remain, correct? Maybe the applicant will confirm that for the board. Secretary Ekstrand said yes. Community Design Review Board Minutes 10-23-2001 Board Member Shankar asked staff if the existing parking stalls of 46 and the proposed 58 parking stalls would that still be correct with the dimensions of 9½-feet wide stalls? Secretary Ekstrand said he cannot say for sure but it will be very close. Back when the facility was built 10-foot wide spaces was the requirement. Since then the city has gone to 9¼-feet wide stalls for office buildings. They may pick up a space or two with that space difference but they will have to see dimensionally. Board Member Shankar asked if currently Mogren's Properties does not meet code with the parking stall sizes? Secretary Ekstrand said currently they make code but the parking spaces are just not enough for their needs. Chairperson Ledvina asked the applicant to address the board. Mr. Bruce Mogren and Ms. Darlene Mogren addressed the board both from Mogren Properties on White Bear Avenue. Chairperson Ledvina asked the applicants if they had any comments or questions concerning the staff report? Ms. Mogren asked staff about the base of the sign. Staff expressed they would like brick for the base. They have keystone brick and they would like to keep the base that material because it does compliment the building she said. Ms. Mogren showed a photo to members of the base she was talking about. Chairperson Ledvina asked Ms. Mogren if the base was about 1 foot tall? Ms. Mogren said yes. She said they could lower the pole height of the sign to make it look nicer in the base area. Mr. Mogren said the proposed sign has two legs that they have discussed lowering the pole height it from 4 feet high to 2 feet high. Chairperson Ledvina asked Mr. Mogren if that would lower the sign by 2 feet in height? Mr. Mogren said yes. Mr. Mogren said there is an irrigation system where the sign is in the brick base to take care of the shrubs and plants and there is a concern that the irrigation could come dislodged and displace the bricks. Community Design Review Board Minutes 10-23-2001 Ms. Mogren said staff had requested Mogren Properties put a line of bushes at the west end of the parking lot. They are having some problems with security there and have installed some security lighting. She would hate to put anything there because of the security problems they have encountered and the fact that there are a lot of women that work there. Chairperson Ledvina asked Ms. Mogren if the idea would be that the area be visible from the street for the security of the workers. Ms. Mogren said they did put a light in the back of the building that shoots light out both directions for security. Chairperson Ledvina asked Ms. Mogren if she was not really concerned about the staff recommendation for landscaping but just the height of the landscaping? Mr. Mogren said the landscaping is just another area for somebody to be concealed by. They would like to eliminate the line of shrubs or hedging for security reasons. Board Member Jorgenson asked the Mogren's how they felt about Iow shrubs like juniper bushes and wood chips in the front to break things up a bit that would not conceal anybody but to show a little bit about the services the landscaping business has to offer. Ms. Mogren said they would be willing to do something very Iow with landscaping. Board Member Jorgenson asked the Mogren's about the sign. It looks like there is space for 16 company names on the sign, how many tenants do Mogren Properties have? Ms. Mogren said currently there are about eight tenants. Board Member Jorgenson said the sign would have about eight available spaces on it. He asked if they had considered how that would make the sign look with a lot of openings on it? If the space looks like it is not being utilized it shows you have space but nobody is leasing it and that could look negative to an extent. His concern was to make sure to have enough spaces on the sign for growth but not too many to look unleased. Chairperson Ledvina asked staff if board members are approving the copy of the sign? Secretary Ekstrand said no. Chairperson Ledvina asked Secretary Ekstrand so you are saying how the sign is arranged and proportioned is not up for discussion by the community design review board members? Community Design Review Board Minutes 10-23-2001 Board Member Shankar asked if they do not have any say in the arrangement of the copy of the sign? What if he felt that he did not like that the wording Landscape Company that was on one line and it should be on two lines? We don't have any say in the way the wording on the sign looks? Secretary Ekstrand said members typically approve the sign design and structure but as far as how the copy is arranged members generally don't get into that kind of control. Mr. Mogren asked staff if the "code" controls the size of the sign? Secretary Ekstrand said yes. Ms. Mogren said the wording on the top half of the sign is for the back of the building and the wording on the bottom half of the sign is for the front of the building. Secretary Ekstrand said typically things that are regulated with a comprehensive sign plan are things like height of letters, style of letters, and are they changeable or are they fixed letters? There could be a condition that every tenant should have the same style of script. Board Member Shankar asked the Mogren's if they have any concern about the new parking spaces close to White Bear Avenue and if that could hinder the traffic flow into your existing parking lot? Ms. Mogren said one side of the parking lot is going to be used for workers so they will not be coming in and out during the day. It is not customer parking only employee parking. Mr. Mogren said regarding the parking lot striping plan he thinks that is the intention to resurface the parking lot in the spring and stripe it at that time. It really isn't as effective to restripe it now and then resurface it in the spring and stripe it all over again. Chairperson Ledvina asked Secretary Ekstrand if that is an acceptable arrangement? Secretary Ekstrand said yes it is. Chairperson Ledvina said the overall height of the sign being shortened by two feet and the changes in the landscaping is acceptable to him. He would certainly want to be sensitive to the applicants concern of security so it is appropriate for some type of landscaping to be done in that area that would be very Iow in height and the applicants should work with staff on that issue. Community Design Review Board Minutes 10-23-2001 14 Secretary Ekstrand asked Chairperson Ledvina with what was said about the lowering of the sign and approving Mr. Mogren's modifications would that eliminate the brick base for the sign? Chairperson Ledvina said yes. Secretary Ekstrand said that eliminates 3 d. (construct the 4-foot high brick base on the freestanding sign is that correct? Board Member Shankar said yes. Chairperson Ledvina said we would change the wording for 2 b. (1). Two feet aluminum posts designed as shown in applicant sketch. Chairperson Ledvina would like to memorialize the modified height of the sign that would be a maximum height of 17 feet adding an item number 5. Board Member Shankar moved to approve the Mogren Properties' proposed 180- square-foot freestanding, multi-tenant sign and parking lot expansion shown in the memo dated October 17, 2001, subject to the following conditions: Repeat this review in two years if the city has not issued a sign permit or parking lot permit for this project. Complete the following before the city issues a sign permit and parking lot permit: ao Submit a landscape plan to the city for approval that incorporates the following: (1) Landscaping around the base of the freestanding sign to include Iow- maintenance perennial shrubs and flowering plants. (2) Location and number of trees in the parking lot expansion area to be removed. (3) Applicant shall prepare a landscape plan along the west side of the existing and proposed parking areas. This plan shall be reviewed and accepted by staff. b. Submit a revised freestanding sign elevation showing the following: (1) The overall height of the sign including the base shall be 17 feet high also a 2-foot high aluminum post as shown on the applicant sketch is approved. Community Design Review Board Minutes 10-23-2001 (2) (3) Footing detail to be approved by the building official. Verification of an 80-mile-per-hour wind load capacity to be approved by the building official. Co Submit a revised parking lot striping plan showing 9¼-foot wide parking spaces for the office building at 2580 White Bear Avenue. This striping plan shall include handicap-accessible parking spaces that meet the ADA (Americans With Disabilities Act) requirements for size and number. A grading and drainage plan for the parking lot expansion to be approved by the city engineer. 3. Complete the following prior to final inspection of the sign and parking lot: a. Install concrete curb and gutter around the expanded parking area. Remove the existing signs located along White Bear Avenue including: (1) Allstate, Equity, and Benassi Chiropractic - temporary freestanding signs; (3) (2) Mogren Properties - banner; ~A .....D .... ~ .... ~,~o · · ~.-,~ Verification that the sign will meet the 80-mile-per-hour wind-load requirements required by code. A structural engineer must verify this by signature (4) Mogren Properties and American Irrigation - small permanent freestanding sign. Install the required landscaping. Install an in-ground sprinkler system for all landscaped areas. If the installation of a sprinkler system is not feasible because of existing pavement, the applicant must submit written agreement to hand water all landscaping. Stripe the parking lot at 2580 White Bear Avenue according to the striping plan to be approved by staff. f. Install a stop sign at the shared exit onto White Bear Avenue. g. Patch the holes in the driveway near the connection to White Bear Avenue. All work shall follow the approved plans. The director of community development may approve minor changes. o Maximum height of the sign shall not exceed 17 feet high. Board Member Jorgenson seconded the motion. Ayes - Shankar Jorgenson, Ledvina, Community Design Review Board Minutes 10-23-2001 ]6 The motion is passed. Hill-Murray School Chapel Addition 2625 Larpenteur Avenue East Mr. Paul May, of Rafferty, Rafferty, Tollefson Architects, is requesting city approval of the following for Hill-Murray High School. Revisions to the conditional use permit (CUP). They are proposing changes to the approved plans for the school. The city code requires a CUP for schools. Design approval for an addition to the west side of the school. This includes the architectural, site and landscape plans for the project. Specifically they want to: Put an addition onto the west side of the school building for a chapel and a student entrance. This addition would have a total of about 9,000 square feet of space and is to enhance and support the school's religious studies curriculum and to provide a student entrance to the school. In a future phase, add another entrance to the school property from Larpenteur Avenue and 64 parking spaces near their east property line. (The city council approved these changes on June 28, 1999.) Hill-Murray School will do the improvements in stages as their funds allow. The proposed building addition should be compatible with the existing building. The new chapel area would have skylights and windows and doors with aluminum frames. However, the proposed building elevations show areas of brick color "A" and other areas with brick color "B" in the addition. According to the project architect, they intend brick "B" to match the existing building and brick "A" would be slightly darker than the existing building. They want the chapel to be compatible but slightly distinctive in color from the school. The city should require the brick in the addition to be of a color and style that is compatible with the existing school building. There are now 84 off-street parking spaces (including four handicap stalls) at the front (south side) of Hill-Murray High School. In addition, the school has 242 striped spaces in the parking lot west of the proposed addition and another 45 spaces in the lot north of the proposed chapel. As such, there are a total of 381 parking spaces not on the site. The city code does not specify minimum parking requirements for schools, but the number of spaces should be adequate for this facility. The west parking lot, however, is starting to show its age. The council should require the school to sweep and restripe all of this parking lot as part of this project. Community Design Review Board Minutes 10-23-2001 ]7 The proposed plans show the applicant removing four large coniferous trees from the west side of the school. However, the plans show the planting of three new maple trees in the project area. The remaining existing trees in front of the school and around the existing and proposed parking lots would provide sufficient landscaping. The applicant should provide a sidewalk along the west side of the chapel along the east edge of the existing parking lot. This is so a person may walk around the chapel without walking in the parking lot. Rooftop mechanical equipment that is visible from residential properties must be screened from view. New equipment that is visible, but not visible from residential properties, must be painted to match the building color. Board Member Shankar asked Secretary Ekstrand how wide the sidewalk staff is recommending should be? Mr. Paul May, of Rafferty, Rafferty, Tollefson Architects addressed the board. Regarding the sidewalk, the dotted area on the plans is a new sidewalk and there will be a sidewalk from the curb to the building that would be about 15 feet. It will be broken up into three five-foot sections totaling 15 feet of concrete. The brick colors for "B" is a light tan and dark tan combination and will match with the existing brick and sample "A" is a darker tan brick. Mr. May brought colored brick samples from the manufacturer for members to see. The light tan brick is not an exact match because the brick company is no longer in business but it comes close and will look very nice. Mr. May also showed anodized aluminum window frame samples to board members in a shade of brown. The aluminum is maintenance free and would not require any painting. Chairperson Ledvina told Mr. May that he was wondering about the brick openings in the building and are they used in any other place in the structures? Mr. May said they are brick openings that the glass is set back on the angle. This is a way to screen the glass that is in the chapel itself. The idea is that it would act as a brick louver so that it would defuse the light coming from the west into the chapel space. There are no other locations on the structure where this detail is used. Although from a distance it will blend in quite well. Chairperson Ledvina asked Mr. May if those openings are actually windows? Mr. May said they are openings in the brick. Follow the right angel at each of the corners but where you see the 45-degree angel that is where the window is located Community Design Review Board ! 8 Minutes 10-23-2001 into the chapel space. So, these are openings in the brick and there is air on either side of it, they are both outside spaces. Board Member Shankar asked Mr. May if there are 6 steps from the sidewalk up to the building? Mr. May said yes there is a 3-foot grade change and there is an accessible ramp that goes to an angle. The entrance to the ramp is directly opposite where the disabled parking stalls are and then it slopes up to the entrance. The steps are six inches high and students wait for rides on the steps. Chairperson Ledvina asked Mr. May if he had any questions or concerns that are outlined in the staff report? Mr. May said no he has no questions. Chairperson Ledvina said he thinks this will be a nice addition and will blend in very nicely. Board Member Jorgenson moved to approve the plans, date-stamped October 1, 2001, for the proposed chapel addition to Hill-Murray High School at 2625 Larpenteur Avenue. The city bases this approval on the findings required by the code and the project shall be 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 submit the following for city staff approval: a. Grading, drainage, utility and erosion control plans to the city engineer. b. Plans that show the trees that the school wants to plant will meet city standards for size and species. 3. The applicant or contractor shall complete the following before occupying the addition: a. Replace property irons that are removed because of this construction. b. Install reflectorized stop signs at all exits, a handicap-parking sign for each handicap-parking space and an address on the building. c. Post a "no left turn" sign at the easterly curb cut. Community Design Review Board Minutes 10-23-2001 ]9 Paint the rooftop mechanical equipment to match the building color if the units are visible. The applicant shall provide screening enclosures around the units if they are visible from residential properties. Install site-security lighting as required by the code. The light source, including the lens covering the bulb, shall be concealed so the light source is not visible and so it does not cause any nuisance to drivers or neighbors. f. Sweep and restripe the west parking lot. g. Meet all the requirements of the fire marshal. 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. The city receives a cash escrow or an irrevocable letter of credit for the work. The amount shall be 150 percent of the cost of the unfinished work. Any unfinished landscaping shall be completed by June 1 if the addition 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. Board Member Shankar seconded the motion. Ayes - Jorgenson, Ledvina, Shankar The motion is passed. VII. VIII. Visitor Presentations No visitors present. Board Presentations None. Community Design Review Board Minutes 10-23-2001 20 IX. Staff Presentations Matt Ledvina volunteered to be the representative at the November 13, 2001, City Council meeting. Ananth Shankar volunteered to be the representative at the November 26, 2001. No CDRB meeting on Tuesday, November 13, 2001. The next scheduled meeting will be November 27, 2001. Co Resolution of Appreciation for Tim Johnson. Tim served on the CDRB for 6 years. Tom Ekstrand will prepare the documents and the plaque. Board Member Shankar made a motion to approve the resolution of appreciation for Tim Johnson. Board Member Jorgenson seconded the motion. Ayes - Jorgenson, Ledvina, Shankar The motion is passed. A man wanted to speak who lives at 376 O'Day Street in South Maplewood. He had been told the meeting started at 7:00 p.m. and he arrived at 7:20 p.m. he wanted to be present for the hearing. He was inquiring about the Productive Day Golf Course and the results of the meeting. Chairperson Ledvina briefly went over the discussion about the golf course and how it was voted on the golf course and he was happy with that. X. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:32 p.m. MEMORANDUM TO: FROM: SUBJECT: APPLICANT: LOCATION: DATE: City Manager Shann Finwall, Associate Planner Design Review Specialty Engineering 1766 East Highway 36 November 20, 2001 INTRODUCTION Project Description Specialty Engineering is a sheet metal fabrication business located between McDonald's and Strauss Skates on Cope Avenue, south of Highway 36. They have been located in Maplewood for the last 28 years. They are proposing to construct a 17,472 square foot warehouse addition on the south side of their building to replace warehouse space that was destroyed in a fire last spring. Request Specialty Engineering requests design approval for their proposed building addition. DISCUSSION Design On May 9, 2001, Specialty Engineering lost 16,300 square feet of warehouse space to a fire. The remaining portion of the building is constructed of two types of materials including painted concrete block on the exterior of the warehouse space and face brick on the exterior of the office space. The proposed 17,472 square foot addition will be constructed in the same location as the lost warehouse space and will be approximately one foot taller than the existing building. The addition includes an enclosed loading dock with access on the east wall. The exterior materials for the addition include tip up concrete panels that are impregnated with a light brown color. The panels will have an aggregate finish with a decorative smooth band. In addition, five windows and a glass entry door will be added to the south side of the building, and four windows will be added to the east side of the building. Zoning The property is zoned M-l, Light Manufacturing. Within the M-1 zoning distdct sheet metal fabricating is considered a permitted use. However, whenever a building is located within 350 feet of a residential property line in the M-1 zoning district, a conditional use permit (CUP) is required. Specialty Engineering's building is approximately 330 feet from residential properties located to the south on Lark Avenue. Specialty Engineering was constructed before the requirement for a CUP and therefore never obtained a conditional use permit. The city's nonconforming ordinance states that a nonconforming building partially destroyed by fire may be reconstructed within one year from the date the building was destroyed and used for the same use. As a result, Specialty Engineering's addition does not require a conditional use permit, even though it will be located closer than 350 feet from a residential line. Parking Lot Specialty Engineering's existing parking lot has no curb and gutter, no striped parking stalls, and does not meet setback requirements. The parking lot also falls under the legal nonconforming ordinance and does not require imprevements with the proposed building addition. However, Specialty Engineering is proposing to cut away asphalt to comply with required setbacks, resurface the lot, add concrete curb and gutter, and stdpe 24 parking stalls. There is also room for approximately 10 parking stalls to be striped on the front of the parking lot, adjacent Cope Avenue, bdnging the total number of parking stalls to 34. In addition, a futura parking lot is proposed on the north side of the lot, adjacent Highway 36. This parking lot would have an additional 49 parking stalls, but is only preposed to show the possibility of additional parking. It would not be built unless Specialty Engineering, or a future owner or tenant, requires additional parking. There is an existing shared parking lot access point in between Specialty Engineering and Strauss Skate to the west. Specialty Engineering has expressed concerns with the shared access including Strauss' customem occasionally test riding bicycles, driving through, and parking in Specialty Engineering's lot. Specialty Engineering is concerned about the safety of the bicycle test riders and points out that the added traffic hinders the flow of traffic in their parking lot, particularly in the afternoon when their employees am leaving the site. For this reason, Specialty Engineering is proposing to close off the access. The city's frae chief, Steve Lukin, requested that the shared access remain for fire safety reasons. Chief Lukin pointed out that during Specialty Engineering's frae last spring the shared access allowed the city's large frae vehicles to maneuver around the site mom efficiently and quickly. Currently them is no clear delineation between the two parking lots. This is a possible cause for many of Strauss' customers utilizing Specialty Engineering's parking lot. With the parking lot improvements a 20-foot long curbed island is proposed between the two parking lots, which will clearly delineate the two lots and reduce the access width from 55 feet to 24 feet. The reduced access width will help alleviate some of Specialty Engineering's concerns, and will address the fire chief's fire access concerns. Therefore, staff recommends that the shared access remain with a reduced width of 24 feet. Site Details Landscaping: Specialty Engineering proposes six crab apple trees along Cope Avenue and foundation plantings to be located along the front of the building. Lighting: Specialty Engineering has two existing parking lot lights located on telephone poles along Cope Avenue. In addition to these lights, they propose two wall pack lights to be located on the south and east side of the addition. Rooftop Mechanical Units: proposed with the addition. match the building. Them am throe existing rooftop mechanical units and two new units Specialty Engineering proposes to paint all rooftop equipment to Dumpster Enclosure : Specialty Engineedng's dumpster is curmntly stored on the east side of their parking lot, adjacent McDonald's fence. With the addition they propose to construct a dumpster enclosure made of cedar fencing that will be located adjacent the east and north walls of the existing warehouse and office space. Specialty Engineering 2 November 20, 2001 RECOMMENDATION Approve the proposed site plan, building elevations, and landscape plan date stamped November 2, 2001, for Specialty Engineering at 1766 Highway 36. This approval shall be 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. Complete the following before the city issues a building permit: Submit a revised site plan to staff for approval that incorporates the following details: (2) At least ten additional parking stalls striped along the front of the parking lot, adjacent Cope Avenue. The existing shared driveway access in between Specialty Engineering and Strauss Skates to remain as an open access. The access aisle will be 24 feet in width. bo Design and location of an exterior dumpster enclosure. If no dumpster enclosure is constructed, all dumpsters must be stored indoors. Present a sample of the exterior building materials to staff for approval. 3. Complete the following before occupying each building: Co Complete all landscaping for the site. In-ground sprinkler for all landscaped areas. If the installation of a sprinkler system is not feasible because of existing pavement, the applicant must submit written agreement to hand water all landscaping. Restore and sod damaged boulevards. Install a stop sign at the driveway exit. Paint all rooftop mechanical equipment to match building. 4. If any required work is not done, the city may allow temporary occupancy if: The city determines that the work is not essential to the public health, safety or welfare. The city receives cash escrow or an irrevocable letter of credit for the required work. The amount shall be 150 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 of occupancy if the building is occupied in the spring or summer. The city receives an agreement that will allow the city to complete any unfinished work. All work shall follow the approved plans. The director of community development may approve minor changes. Specialty Engineering 3 November 20, 2001 REFERENCE INFORMATION SITE DESCRIPTION Site Size: Existing Land Use: 2.7 acres Sheet Metal Fabrication Building SURROUNDING LAND USES North: West: South: East: Highway 36 and business properties across the highway (zoned M-l) Strauss Skates (zoned M-l) Business properties across Cope Avenue (zoned M-l) McDonald's Restaurant PLANNING Existing Land Use Plan: Existing Zoning: Light Manufacturing (M-l) Light Manufacturing (M-I) Application Date We received the complete applications and plans for this proposal on November 2, 2001. State law requires that the city take action within 60 days of receiving complete applications for a proposal. City action is required on this proposal by January 1, 2002. Attachments: 1. Location Map 2. Zoning Map 3. Site Plan 4. Floor Plan 5. Elevations 6. Landscape Plan 7. Grading Plan 8. Addition Plans (Separate Handout) Specialty Engineering 4 November 20, 2001 Attachment 1 Highway Speciality Engineering 1766 East Highway 36 e Avenue i. N Specialty Engineering Location Map Attachment 2 Highway 36 Light Manufacturing (M-l) e Avenue ~..~ Speciality Engineering 1766 East Highway 36 N Specialty Engineering Zoning Map Attachment 3 N Site Plan Attachment 4 N Floor Plan Attachment 5 ¢<~, TH ELEV,t,,TiOB NORTH ELEVATION EAE'I' ELEVATION N Elevations 9 Attachment 6 ' N Landscape Plan 10 Attachment 7 N Grading Plan 11 TO: FROM: SUBJECT: PROJECT: LOCATION: DATE: MEMORANDUM City Manager Tom Ekstrand-Assistant Community Development Director Conditional Use Permit Revision and Design Review Saint Paul Regional Water Services {McCarrons Water Treatment Plant) Building Expansion 1900 Rice Street North November 20, 2001 INTRODUCTION Project Description The Saint Paul Regional Water Services is proposing to make the following changes to their original plant building (Refer to the maps and narrative on pages 5-11): 1. Build a 250-square-foot entrance vestibule. This vestibule would be above a below-grade maintenance shop also proposed in the applicant's planned improvements. This vestibule would be on the west side of the building. 2. Add a new facade on the west elevation. The primary material would be stucco. Refer to the elevations. 3. Provide four handicap-parking spaces in an existing parking lot. 4. Add landscaping to the site, primarily along the west side of the main building. Requests The applicant is requesting: 1. Approval of a conditional use permit (CUP) revision for the proposed addition and changes to the facility. City code requires a CUP for public utilities, public services or public buildings in the city. This request is to revise an existing CUP since the council previously approved a conditional use permit for the applicant. The proposed changes would be revisions to the site plan covered by the CUP. 2. Approval of project plans. BACKGROUND December 15, 1988: The city council approved a CUP to construct a clear-water pond south of the solids dewatering facility west of Sylvan Street and north of Larpenteur Avenue. June 10, 1996: The city council approved a CUP and design plans for the expansion of the solids dewatering facility. August 11, 1997: The city council approved a CUP and design plans for the construction of two building additions and a new building at the water treatment plant. DISCUSSION Conditional Use Permit and Design The city council should approve this CUP revision. The proposed addition and changes meet the findings required for CUP approval in the city code. The proposed building renovations and landscaping would be attractive and would enhance the water utility's property. Handicap Parking Only one of the proposed four handicap parking spaces abuts a cross-hatched loading aisle. The ADA (Americans With Disabilities Act) parking requirements state that each space must abut such an area. The applicant should revise the plans to show this change. RECOMMENDATIONS Adopt the resolution on pages 12-13. This resolution approves a conditional use permit revision to expand the Saint Paul Regional Water Services McCarrons Water Treatment Plant building at 1900 Rice Street North. The city bases this approval on the findings required by the code and is subject to the following conditions: 1. All construction shall follow the approved site plan. The director of community development may approve minor changes. 2. The proposed construction must be substantially started within one year of council approval or the permit shall become null and void. 3. The city council shall review this permit in one year. Bo Approve the plans (date-stamped November 2, 2001) for the proposed expansion and renovation of the St. Paul Regional Water Services McCarrons Water Treatment Plant at 1900 Rice Street North. The city bases this approval on findings required by the code. The property owner shall do the following: 1. Repeat this review in two years if the city has not issued a permit for this project. 2. Revise the site plan for staff approval showing handicap parking spaces that meet ADA requirements before obtaining a building permit. 3. Provide a detailed grading, drainage, utility and erosion control plan to the city engineer for approval before obtaining a building permit. 4. If any required work shown on the approved plans is not done by the time of a final inspection for this project, 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 cash escrow or an irrevocable letter of credit for the required work. The amount shall be 150 percent of the cost of the unfinished work. c. The city receives an agreement that will allow the city to complete any unfinished work. 5. All work shall follow the approved plans. The director of community development may approve minor changes. REFERENCE INFORMATION SITE DESCRIPTION Site size: 35.93 Acres Existing land use: Saint Paul Water Utility SURROUNDING LAND USES The proposed addition is in the center of the water utility property. the applicant's property. The building is surrounded by PLANNING Land Use Plan designation: Zoning: F (farm residential) OS (open space) and W (public water facility) ORDINANCE REQUIREMENTS Section 36-437 of the city code requires a CUP for public utilities, public services or public buildings in the city. CRITERIA FOR CUP APPROVAL Section 36-442(a) states that the city council may approve a CUP, based on nine standards. See 1-9 in the resolution beginning on page 12. APPLICATION DATE We received these applications on November 2, 2001. State law requires that the city council act on requests within 60 days. The council must review these requests by January 2, 2002. p:secl 8\watrutil.addn.2001 Attachments: 1. Location Map 2. Property Line / Zoning Map 3. Site Plan 4. Building Elevations 5. Building Elevations 6. Conditional Use Permit Statement date-stamped November 2, 2001 7. Project Description dated October 27, 2001 8. Conditional Use Permit Resolution 9. Plans date-stamped November 2, 2001 Attachr,~ent 1 2400N CO. B2 LITTLE CANADA 0 LOCATION 5 /- ST. PAUL MAP AVE. _AVF.. J A,~aohmen~ 2 ~ ,~; I ~.ROSELAWN AVENUE AMUSEMENT CITY ~AMUSEMENT PARK ST. PaUL WATER UTILITY PROPERTY I CROWN PLAZA I,SHOPPING CENTER: LARPENTEUR AVENUE M lc' R RI LL'~. , PROPERTY LINE I ZONING MAP N Attachment 3 LOCATION OF PROPOSED WORK UJ UJ I I I ~ I I ~ I I I SITE7PLAN Attachment 4 Attachment 5 PROPOSED BUILDING ELEVATIONS Attachment 6 STATEMENT CONDITIONAL USE APPLICATION SAINT PAUL REGIONAL WATER SERVICES McCARRONS WATER TREATMENT PLANT - MAINTENANCE ADDITION AND OFFICE REMODELING 1900 N. RICE ST., MAPLEWOOD, MN The Saint Paul Regional Water Services is planning an addition and remodeling project at its McCarron's Water Treatment Plant. The'purpose of this project is for improved crew space, office space improvements, improvements to shop space, security and communications systems, and exterior appearance. Regarding the City of Maplewood's criteria for a conditional use permit: The project will improve A.D,A. accessibility and will conform to City code requirements. The project will not change the existing use of the building and will make improvements to the appearance of the building entry area. The improvements are consistent with the current use of the site. The use will 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. · The use will not change the vehicular traffic pattern. The use will be served by existing public facilities and services and wilt not create excessive additional costs for public facilities or services. The improvements are primarily "internal" to the site and will not effect the neighboring properties. Most of the proposed work is remodeling work of the existing treatment plant space. The use will cause minimal adverse environmental effects and follows the stringent sustainability requirements of the City of Saint Paul. Respectively submitted by: David Wagner Saint Paul Regional Water Services 651-266-6283 ECEIVED NOV 0 2 2001 10 N:\CLERICAL\DWAGNER\conditional_use_application.wpd PROJECT DESCRIPTION McCarrons Water Treatment Plant Maplewood, MN Date: 27 October 2001 Prepared by: Ellen Luken, Luken Architecture, PA Attachment 7 REC ;¢ED .or 0 2 z0m Description of Pro}ect Areas: The project scope is for improvements to employee, maintenance, administrative and public education areas in the original Plant building on the McCarrons Water Treatment Plant campus. There are two additions to the building's west side exterior: The largest is a below grade 3,921 sf maintenance shop addition. Only the new loading dock is and exposed surface replacing the original. The second addition is a 250sf entrance vestibule located on top of the maintenance addition. This has been designed in the original architectural character/features of the Plant building. The interior renovation work is for the public education, administrative and employee service areas. These are located in abandoned chemical feed areas of the Plant found in the old Train Bay and Head House (Tower 1). ADA Compliance: ADA compliance is achieved in the areas of remodeling. On site, existing parking has been converted to accessible parking and an accessible route has been created connecting this parking to the new entrance addition. In the building interior, all areas of the remodeling meet ADA compliance standards. In areas outside the remodeling, accessibility has been improved throughout the Plant along routes where public tours are conducted. This work includes the replacement of non-compliant ramps and handrails. Rooftop Screening of MeChanical Equipment: The MWTP Plant building cannot be seen from adjacent residential properties. However, rooftop equipment is inherently screened by both the existing 3-4' high parapets and by locating the equipment away from the front edges of the building west elevation. Storm Water Run-Off: The existing storm water mn-off catch basins and related grades remain the same. With the underground maintenance addition, impervious surfaces have been somewhat reduced to the project site thus reducing the quantity of water mn-off. Landscape Plantings: At this time, the project landscaping includes sod/seed only. Included in the Contractor's bid for the work is an allowance of $12,000 for landscape plantings and exterior building 'accent' lighting to be located at the new entrance addition and employee lunchroom patio. The St. Paul Regional Water Services have future plans to relocate their downtown administrative and engineering offices to the McCarrons campus sometime in 2003-2004. This relocation will require a new office building and formal public entrance on site. At that time, it is also intended to add a landscaped educational plaza connecting the public entrance to the Plant entrance under this project. It is intended that this landscaped feature will be designed to educate the public about water in the natural environment. And it is hoped that the character will be representative of Minnesota' s many water features: ponds, lakes, streams, wetlands, etc. Luken Architecture, P.A. 322 First Avenue North · Suite 303 · Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401 · Phone (612) 630-0074 · Fax (612) 630-0075 11 Attachment 8 CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT REVISION RESOLUTION WHEREAS, the Saint Paul Water Utility has requested a conditional use permit to expand the original plant building at the St. Paul Water Utility McCarrons Water Treatment Plant. WHEREAS, this permit applies to 1900 Rice Street North. The legal description is: SECTION 18, TOWNSHIP 29, RANGE 22 IN THE VILLAGE OF MAPLEWOOD REVISED DESCRIPTION NUMBER 175 A SPECIFIC PART OF SEC 18, TN 29, R 22. (PIN 18-29-22- 31-0042) WHEREAS, the history of this conditional use permit is as follows: 1. On November 19, 2001, the planning commission recommended that the city council approve this permit. 2. On December 10, 2001, 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 heating a chance to speak and present written statements. The council also considered reports and recommendations of the city staff and planning commission. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the city council approve the above-described conditional use permit based on the building and site plans. The city approves this 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. 12 9. The use would cause minimal adverse environmental effects. Approval is subject to the following conditions: 1. All construction shall follow the site plan approved by the city. The director of community development may approve minor changes. 2. The proposed construction 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. 3. The city council shall review this permit in one year. Passed by the Maplewood City Council on ,2001.