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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/13/2001AGENDA MAPLEWOOD COMMUNITY DESIGN REVIEW BOARD March 13, 2001 6:00 P.M. City Council Chambers Maplewood City Hall 1830 East County Road B 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Approval of Minutes: 4. Approval of Agenda 5. Unfinished Business 6. Design Review a. b. C. 7. Visitor Presentations 8. Board Presentations o February 21, 2001 AT&T Cellular Communications Tower - 1681 Cope Avenue Gander Mountain - North of Bennigan's at Birch Run Station Maplewood Imports Addition- 2780 Maplewood Drive a. CDRB Membership Interviews Staff Presentations a. b. Menard's building addition update. CDRB representation needed for the March 26 and April 9 city council meetings. (March 26 items include: Maplewood Imports addition, AT&T monopole and CDRB member, ship appointment. No item is scheduled yet for April 9) 10. Adjourn p:com-dvpt~cdrb.agd MINUTES OF THE MAPLEWOOD COMMUNITY DESIGN REVIEW BOARD 1830 COUNTY ROAD B EAST, MAPLEWOOD, MINNESOTA TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2001 II. III. IV. CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Ledvina called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Matt Ledvina Present Ananth Shankar Present Tim Johnson Present Jon LaCasse Present Craig Jorgenson Present Staff Present: Recording Secretary: APPROVAL OF MINUTES February 21, 2001 Tom Ekstrand, Assistant Director of Community Development Lori Hansen Chairperson Ledvina noted that in his comment regarding the boliards on page nine, "efficient" should be replaced with "sufficient". Board member Johnson moved approval of the minutes of February 21,2001, as amended. Board member Jorgenson seconded the motion. Ayes-All The motion passed. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Board member Shankar moved approval of the agenda, as submitted. Board member LaCasse seconded. Ayes-All The motion passed. UNFINISHED BUSINESS There was no unfinished business. Community Design Review Board -2- Minutes of 03-13-2001 VI. DESIGN REVIEW A. AT & T Cellular Communications Tower-(1681 Cope Avenue.). Mr. Tom Ekstrand gave the staff report for the city. AT & T is proposing to install a 125-foot tall monopole and telecommunications building. This will be located at the Sheet Metal Workers building at 1681 Cope Avenue. The planning commission will be reviewing the conditional use permit regarding this proposal on March 19. The proposal is for a rectangular shaped building with an aggregate finish. The color is to match the existing surrounding buildings. Staff has suggested that the building have a hip roof with a brick exterior and additional landscaping be added along the south side. Staff is recommending approval of this proposal with the conditions listed in the recommendation. Ms. Julie Townsend was present from AT & T Wireless Services, 5201 E. River Road. Ms. Townsend stated that the applicant takes exception to the requirement requiring a brick building with a pitched roof. They are proposing an aggregate finish building with a fiat roof. The finish will be an earth tone in color, and will resemble small colored pebbles. Ms. Townsend did not view the need for additional landscaping on the south side of the building as a problem. Mr. Shankar commented that the dark colored light standards in the neighborhood and light colored monopole did not seem to match. Mr. Ledvina explained monopoles are generally of a bare galvanized steel or painted a light grey or blue to match the skyline. Mr. Shankar questioned why AT & T is choosing to build a 125-foot tower, not 150 feet or 175 feet. "Will they come back three months from now and request a taller tower?" Ms. Townsend explained AT & T determines the height of the tower according to the need defined by their radio frequency engineer. If all he need is 125 feet to meet frequency needs, that is what they build. This tower provides frequency for an 850-megahertz analog system and can hold two other providers. Mr. LaCasse moved the board approve the site and design plans for up to a 125-foot-tall telecommunications monopole and equipment building on the property at 1681 Cope Avenue. Approval is based on the findings required by code and subject to the applicant doing the following: 1. Repeat this review in two years if the city has not issued permits for this project. 2. Before the city issues a building permit, city staff must approve the following: (a) (b) A certificate of survey for the project area that shows the proposed new construction, the location of the property lines and existing site features around the proposed lease area. The proposed monopole and equipment building shall be at least five feet from the property lines. The site plan shall be subject to city staff approval. The applicant shall prepare a landscape and screening plan that would help to hide the base area of the proposed facility. (c) (d) A grading and drainage plan for the project site. The plans for the equipment building. AT&T may use their standard aggregate finish building but the color shall closely match the color of the Sheet Metal Workers building. Community Design Review Board -3- Minutes of 03-13-2001 3. The color of the proposed equipment building shall be submitted to city staff for approval. 4. The monopole shall be light gray. Before final inspection of and use of this facility, the applicant shall install the required landscaping following the approved plan. If the required landscaping or trees are not installed by the completion of the tower, the city shall require the applicant to provide a cash escrow or an irrevocable letter of credit for the required work. The amount shall be 200 percent of the cost of the unfinished work. Any unfinished landscaping shall be completed within six weeks of occupancy. All work shall follow the approved plans. The director of community development may approve minor changes. Mr. Jorgenson seconded. Ayes-All Motion carries. B. Gander Mountain-(North of Bennigan's at Birch Run Station). Mr. Ekstrand gave the staff report for the city. Oppidan Investment Company is proposing to build a one story 28,344 square foot Gander Mountain store at Birch Run Station. This would be located north of Bennigan's Restaurant. The exterior would be of rock face concrete block and E.I.F.S. (Exterior Insulation Finish System), a stucco look material. The applicant is also requesting that the design review board approve their signage plans. Staff is suggesting that since the building will be highly visible, all four sides of the building should be treated in a decorative fashion. Staff is recommending that the exterior materials used on the outside of the building wrap around to all four sides. Suggestions from the staff include decorative brick matching other buildings in the area and column detailing to break up the long expanses of building. The applicant is meeting (actually exceeding) the parking requirement. The proposed landscaping appears attractive and compatible with other sites in the area. Staff would like to see the two existing trees removed and moved to another location on the site. The applicant is proposing three wall signs and one free standing sign. Staff would like to see the pylon sign proposed for the northeast corner of the site eliminated. With a building this large, the signs could break up the large expansive walls, and could be use as decorative element. Ms. Claudia Ryan with Oppidan Investment Company, was present for the applicant. To create a more decorative facade, the applicant has broken up the extended facade with four courses of rockfaced block. The color of the brick would match the Birch Run Shopping Center. The top level of brick would have soldier coursing which also would be similar to other surrounding buildings. Similar treatment would be applied to all four sides of the building. The mountains on the sides of the building protrude from the building at two inch intervals. There is a space between each layer which results in a shadowing effect. The dumpster enclosure will be of the same material used on the building and will include a chain link fence with slats. Ms. Ryan stated the applicant feels the staff recommendation for signage is ideal and one they would prefer to go with. All four exterior walls will display signage. They feel this would be a better use of their elevations and provide more visibility than a pylon sign. "This is Gander Mountain's first entrance into the Twin Cities area" stated Ms. Ryan. "The applicant sees this project as their new signature building". Community Design Review Board -4- Minutes of 03-13-2001 Mr. Ledvina felt the bollard in the front of the building could match one of the three mountain colors as opposed to the bright green proposed color. He felt the color was garish in comparison to the proposed building color. Staff was not opposed to the bright green, nor was Mr. Lacasse, but did understand how it could be viewed as too bright in contrast to the rest of the building. Mr. Ledvina stated although the applicant has committed to some changes, he is supportive of the staff recommendation for changes to be made to the plan and revisions submitted to the design review board for reviewal. Mr. Shankar moved the board to table the plans as submitted date stamped February 2, 2001, for Gander Mountain for the Birch Run Station Shopping Center. Mr. Johnson seconded. Mr. Larry Barrett, an associate of Ms. Ryans, did not feel adding columns matching Birch Run Station would be a problem. He also recommended adding the mountain detailing on the other three corners of the building. They asked that the proposal be approved with the condition that the applicant work with staff on the elevation plans until all of the recommendations are met. Mr. LaCasse asked if the board could approve the grading and foundation while elevations are continuing to be reviewed. Staff explained the board could recommend approval with the stipulation that the elevations come back to the board prior to the building permit being issued. Mr. Ledvina asked for a vote on the tabling of the proposal. Nays-All Mr. LaCasse moved the board to approve the site, landscaping and sign plans, date-stamped February 22, 2001, for the proposed Gander Mountain store at the Birch Run Station Shopping Center. Approval is based on the findings required by the code and subject to the following conditions: 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 grading, drainage, utility and erosion control plans to the city engineer for approval. b. Obtain council approval of the utility easement vacation. Revise the design of the trash enclosure for staff approval to match the material and color of the building. The gate shall be chain link with screening slats. The enclosure shall be large enough to accommodate all of the owners needs for trash and recyclable-materials storage. Revise the landscape plan for staff approval showing the relocation of the two mature trees on the site. Revise the building elevations for CDRB approval showing an improved design that dresses up the building, especially the two "back" elevations. The applicant should propose an exterior material that utilizes brick for compatibility with nearby buildings and architectural design elements to break up the large exterior walls. The applicant should consider using columns and materials that break up the large exterior elevations. All mountain detailing should be EIFS rather than paint as shown in some of the areas to depict the mountain silhouettes. Community Design Review Board Minutes of 03-13-2001 -5- The applicant shall complete the following before occupying the building: a. Paint the rooftop mechanical equipment, if visible, to match the building color. b. Install an in-ground lawn irrigation system for all landscaped areas. c. Provide site security lighting that is aimed or shielded so not to shine into drivers' eyes. The site lights shall match the design of the light poles on the abutting properties as closely as possible. 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. bo The city receives a cash escrow or an irrevocable letter of credit for the required work. The amount shall be one and a half times (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 winter or within six weeks if the building is occupied in the spring and summer. The city receives an agreement that will allow the city to complete any unfinished work. ° Mr. Johnson seconded. The Gander Mountain wall signs are approved as shown on the plans. In any case, no more than four store identification signs may be used. A pylon sign will not be allowed. All work shall follow the approved plans. The director of community development may approve minor changes. Ayes-All Motion carries. C. Maplewood Imports Addition-(2780 Maplewood Drive). Mr. Ekstrand gave the staff report for the city. Mr. Brian Teeters, of Ryan Companies, is proposing to build a 2600 addition onto the east elevation of Maplewood Imports. This project would add four repair bays and a tool room to the existing building. The exterior of the proposed addition would be fiat concrete block with an upper fascia of rough textured breakoff block. The proposed addition would be painted beige and these materials and colors would match the existing building. The planning commission reviewed the conditional use permit revision for this proposal on March 5. From a design standpoint, the addition will blend in well with the existing building and staff is recommending approval. Brian Teeters, of Ryan Companies, was present for the applicant. Mr. Teeters fully agrees with all of the staff recommendations. Mr. Johnson moved approval of the plans date-stamped February 20, 2001 for the building expansion at Maplewood Imports, 2780 North Highway 61. Approval is subject to the property owner doing the following: 1. Repeat this review in two years if the city has not issued a building permit for this project. Community Design Review Board Minutes of 03-13-2001 -6- VII. VIII. The applicant shall submit the following to staff for approval before obtaining a building permit: a. Grading, drainage, erosion control and utility plans. A photometric-lighting plan if there would be any new site lights installed. This plan shall comply with city lighting code. A screening plan for any new roof-top equipment that would be installed that would be visible to residential neighbors. The applicant shall complete the following before occupying the building: Paint any new roof-top mechanical equipment that may be placed on the proposed addition. Paint must match the color of the building. Any new roof- mounted equipment visible to adjacent residential property shall be screened. Aim or shield any new site lights so they are not a nuisance to neighbors. The exterior materials and color of the addition shall match the existing building. Keep the trash storage and dumpster areas clean and picked up. If a problem develops, the city may require additional dumpster space and/or an enclosure at the time of future conditional use permit reviews. 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 required work. The amount shall be 150% of the cost of the unfinished work. All work shall follow the approved plans. The director of community development may approve minor changes. Board member Jorgenson seconded. Ayes-All Motion carries. VISITOR PRESENTATION No visitor presentations. BOARD PRESENTATIONS A. Desio_n Review Board Membership Interviews Five applicants were present to apply for the one vacancy on the design review board. Richard Currie: 1937 West Kenwood Drive Mr. Currie has been a resident of Maplewood for 48 years. He currently works for Twin City Nursery. His background is in building maintenance, and was a member of the fire department for 13 years. Issues Mr. Currie feels Maplewood needs to address are maintaining buildings once they are built and "thinking ahead" prior to building. Community Design Review Board Minutes of 03-13-2001 -7- IX. Diana Longrie-Kline: 1778 Desoto Street Ms. Kiine has been a resident of Maplewood for 16 years. She is an attorney who has been working in the property administration department of a large corporation for the last six years reviewing architectural plans and designs for buildings going in to shopping centers. An issue she feels Maplewood needs to address is ensuring planners don't place too much focus on making a building so "artistically" designed that cost prohibits the development of the property. Michelene R. Miner: 2382 Gall Avenue E Ms. Miner has been a resident of Maplewood for 7 years. Ms. Miner and her husband operate a small consulting service. Ms. Miner is working on developing her own consulting service in the area of kitchen and bath design and interior design. An issue she feels needs addressing is County Road D and feels Maplewood is a "gem in the rough". Richard Oie: 1937 Cope Avenue Mr. Oie has been a resident of Maplewood for 15 years. He is a computer technician who travels all over the state of Minnesota. He also designs and builds homes on the side, and is in the process of completing his contractors license process. An issue he feels needs addressing in Maplewood is the increase and need for multi-family dwellings. Linda Mae Olson: 205 East County Road C Ms. Olson has been a resident of Maplewood for 41 years. She is employed as a civil cad drafter who works with landscape architects, planners and designers. An issue she would like to see addressed is balancing and managing the development of open space in the city. The board was very pleased with the qualifications of the applicants they interviewed. After ranking the applicants on a scale of one to five (five being their first choice), Ms. Diana Longrie- Kline was the Design Review Boards choice to forward to the city council for recommendation. Mr. Ledvina attended the city council meeting on Monday, March 12th. The Gladstone Street Improvement Project was discussed in length. The Beaver Lake Townhome development was tabled. The applicant for Auto Zone did not show, therefore their proposal was tabled. STAFF PRESENTATIONS Mendard's Building Addition Update: Menards did not follow the building plans submitted and approved by the board. The building addition is five feet taller than what was approved. Also the finish should have been a brick embossed exterior but they installed plain concrete walls. Mr. Ekstrand has not been able to touch base with Gary Colby from Mendards. He did send him a fax saying they are not following the plans and they will now have to come back before the board to ask for a revision. A certificate of occupancy will not be issued until it is all straightened out. Mr. Shankar will be attending the March 26 city council meeting. Mr. Johnson will attend the April 9 city council meeting. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:34 p.m.