HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-04-24 CDRB Minutes
MINUTES OF THE MAPLEWOOD COMMUNITY DESIGN REVIEW BOARD
1830 COUNTY ROAD BEAST, MAPLEWOOD, MINNESOTA
TUESDAY, APRIL 24,2012
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Ledvina called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
Boardmember, Jawaid Ahmed
Boardmember, Jason Lamers
Chairperson, Matt Ledvina
Boardmember, Ananth Shankar
Vice Chairperson, Matt Wise
Absent
Absent
Present
Present
Present
Staff Present:
Michael Martin, Planner
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Planner, Michael Martin recommending tabling the March 27, 2012, CDRB minutes due to some
of the board members being absent.
Boardmember Shankar moved to approve the aqenda as amended.
Boardmember Wise seconded the motion.
Ayes - All
The motion passed.
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Boardmember Lamers moved to approve the Februarv 28.2012. CDRB minutes as submitted.
Chairperson Ledvina seconded the motion.
Ayes - All
The motion passed.
Due to lack of members to vote on the March 27, 2012, minutes the CDRB minutes were tabled.
5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a. Saint Paul Hmong Alliance Church, Design Plan Review, 1770 McMenemy Street
i. Planner, Michael Martin gave the report and answered questions of the board.
ii. Mr. Puneex Vedi, President, Vedi Associates, Architects & Engineers, addressed the
board and spoke on behalf of the applicant.
Boardmember Shankar moved to approve the desiqn plans date-stamped April 10. 2012. for the
parkinq lot expansion. new drivewav and buildinq additions at the St. Paul Hmonq Alliance
Church. 1770 McMenemv Street. The propertv owner shall meet the followinq conditions:
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Community Design Review Board Meeting Minutes
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1. Repeat this review in two years if the city has not issued a permit for this expansion.
2. Before getting a grading and building permit, the applicant shall provide staff with:
a. A revised site and landscape plan that shows the following:
(1) The applicant shall submit a revised landscape plan that lists the plantings proposed
in the basins. The plan should specify the number, species, and size of plantings.
(2) Location of the underground irrigation system as required by code.
(3) Samples of colors to be used on building.
3. Comply with all conditions of approval from the December 12, 2011, city council meeting.
Seconded by Boardmember Wise.
Ayes - All
The motion passed.
6. DESIGN REVIEW
a. Holiday Stationstore - Sign Setback Variances, 280 McKnight Road South
i. Planner, Michael Martin gave the report and answered questions of the board.
ii. Mr. Michael Cronin, representing the Holiday Stationstore addressed and answered
questions of the board.
Boardmember Wise moved to approve the resolution approvinq the followinq siqn-separation
variances for 280 McKniqht Road South: (chanqes to the motion are underlined and in bold)
Northerlv Freestandinq Siqn
. Reduction of the spacing requirement from the Ramsey County Regional Park from 200 to
90 feet (110 foot variance).
. Reduction of the spacing requirement from the town home property to the south from 200
to 180 feet (20 foot variance).
Southerlv Freestandinq Siqn
. Reduction of the spacing from the town home property to the south from 200 to 25 feet
(175 foot variance).
. Reduction of the side yard spacing requirement from 100 feet to 25 feet (75 foot variance).
Approval of these variances is based on the following findings:
1. Because of the right-angle orientation of the two signs, along with the wooded nature of the
nearby regional park, the proposed sign panels would be in harmony with the general
purposes and intent of the ordinance. This orientation would prevent them from being seen at
the same time and becoming potentially distracting to drivers as could same-orientation signs.
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2. The proposed dynamic display sign panel on the north pylon sign is set at a right angle to the
wooded open space across Lower Afton Road making it less noticeable from that direction.
3. The two proposed signs would be consistent with the comprehensive plan. They provide
commercial-development elements that would be compatible with this commercial site and
conform to the goals of the comprehensive plan.
4. There are practical difficulties in complying with the spacing requirements of the ordinance.
According to statute, practical difficulties mean tha the applicant would use the property in a
"reasonable manner" not permitted by the ordinance. In this case, it seems reasonable to
staff to allow both signs, because:
. The evergreens on the south side of the property would buffer the proposed sign from the
nearby neighbors.
. The two proposed Holiday dynamic display signs would be set at right angles to each
other preventing the appearance of "sign proliferation," "sign clutter" or adding to "sign
distraction."
. The abutting part of the Battle Creek Regional Park is a non-active park. The sign would
not be a detraction since this is a wooded area and the only active element is a trail
section within the woods.
. The site is extensively developed with a commercial building, fuel islands, fueling center
and lighting. It is also affected by a significant amount of commercial activity.
Considering that, two four by eight foot signs would not be a significant addition ot this
existing commercial site.
Approval is subject to compliance with the following condition:
1. All of the evergreen trees on the south side of the site and south of the southerly pylon sign
shall remain. If these evergreens are removed for any reason, whether by the natural death
of the trees or by their intentional removal, the south-facing dynamic display sign panel shall
be removed. There shall be 100 percent opaque screeninq from the south pvlon siqn
maintained at all times for the residential dwellinq windows to the south.
2. Turn all power off to both siqns on McKniqht Road and Lower Aflon Road outside of
the store's normal operational hours.
Boardmember Shankar made a friendly amendment for condition #2 to include both siqns on
McKniqht Road and Lower Afton Road.
Chairperson Ledvina made a friendly amendment to condition #1, adding 100 percent opaque
screeninq from south pvlon siqn shall be maintained at all times for the residential dwellinq
windows to the south.
Seconded by Boardmember Shankar.
Ayes - Boardmember's Shankar &
Wise
Nav - Chairperson Ledvina
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Chairperson Ledvina voted nay because of the impact to the park space and to the residential
properties.
The motion passed.
The public hearing will be heard May 1, 2012, at 7 p.m. at the Planning Commission meeting.
b. Men's Warehouse, Maplewood Mall Comprehensive Sign Plan, 3001 White Bear Avenue
i. Planner, Michael Martin gave the report and answered questions of the board.
ii. Mr. Rick Fox, Crosstown Sign, representing Men's Warehouse addressed and answered
questions of the board.
Boardmember Wise moved to table the Men's Warehouse. Maplewood Mall Comprehensive Siqn
Plan and request that the owner of Maplewood Mall. Simon Properties come to a future CDRB
meetinq with a comprehensive approach for siqnaqe at the mall.
Seconded by Chairperson Ledvina.
Ayes - All
The motion to table passed.
3. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
a. 3M Monument Sign Presentation, 3M Center
i. Planner, Michael Martin introduced the 3M Monument Sign item and introduced the
speaker.
ii. Brendan Sapienza, Meyer Scherer and Rockcastle, representing 3M addressed the board
and gave a presentation regarding the 3M monument sign at 3M Center.
The board members offered comments and input to the presenter for the 3M signs.
4. BOARD PRESENTATIONS
None
5. STAFF PRESENTATIONS
a. Election of Officers
Boardmember Shankar moved to nominate Matt Ledvina as Chairperson and Matt Wise as Vice-
Chairperson.
Seconded by Boardmember Wise.
Ayes - All
The motion passed.
6. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by Chairperson Ledvina at 7:49 p.m.
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