HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/14/2001AGENDA
MAPLEWOOD COMMUNITY DESIGN REVIEW BOARD
August 14 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
July 24, 2001
a. Comfort Bus - 1870 Rice Street
6. Design Review
7. Visitor Presentations
8. Board Presentations
9. Staff Presentations
a. CDRB representation needed for the September 10 city council meeting.
Reminder: Matt is scheduled for August 27 city council meeting.
b. Discussion Item: 2001 Tour Recap
10. Adjourn
p:com-dvpt~cdrb.agd
II.
III.
IV,
MINUTES OF THE MAPLEWOOD COMMUNITY DESIGN REVIEW BOARD
1830 COUNTY ROAD B EAST, MAPLEWOOD, MINNESOTA
AUGUST 14, 2001
CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Ledvina called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Matt Ledvina
Tim Johnson
Craig Jorgenson
Linda Olson
Ananth Shankar
Staff Present:
Present
Present
Absent
Present
Present
Tom Ekstrand,
Assistant Community Development Director
Recording Secretary:
Lisa Kroll
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
July 24, 2001
Chairperson Ledvina had some changes to the minutes for the July 24, 2001
minutes.
On page 3 number 4. should be number 3.
On page 5 in the third paragraph it should be Board member Olson.
On page 6 in the fifth paragraph it should read a 24-foot tall building.
On page 7 in the eleventh paragraph it should read support structure out of.
Board member Olson moved approval of the minutes of July 10, 2001.
Board member Johnson seconded.
Ayes ---Ledvina, Johnson, Olson
Abstention -- Shankar
The motion passed.
APPROVAL OFAGENDA
Chairperson Ledvina asked that we move Unfinished Business to come after
staff presentations because the applicant was not present when the meeting
began.
The motion passed. Ayes- All
Community Design Review Board
Minutes 8-14-2001
VI.
VII.
VIII.
DESIGN REVIEW
No new items to present.
Visitor Presentations
No visitors present.
Board Presentations
There was a City Council meeting August 13, 2001, but no board representation
was needed. No board issues. One item that was reviewed was Schroeder Milk
had asked for some TIF money and they are proceeding with their three-stage
development proposal that they had approved in 1999. It's a large addition on
the back of their building that they are continuing to expand.
Staff Presentations
a. CDRB Representation:
As a reminder, Matt Ledvina is scheduled for the August 27, 2001, City
Council meeting. Staff is looking for a representative for the September
10th meeting. Ananth Shankar replied he would be available for the
September 10, 2001, meeting. Matt Ledvina added that he would attend
the September 10th meeting if The Comfort Bus would be discussed.
b. 2001 Tour Recap:
Board member Olson said she received a tremendous amount of
information on the tour. She enjoyed the opportunity to speak with other
members of the City Council and Planning Commission during the tour.
She felt that it was beneficial to have the Historical Society represented,
the Police Chief and the Fire Station.
The only complaint was the audio system problem that would be corrected
at the next city tour.
Chairperson Ledvina endorsed board member Olson's comments. Who
felt it is a valuable tool for everyone and did not think it should be
discontinued.
Mr. Ekstrand stated he thought Mr. Roberts did a great job putting the City
Tour together as he had every year and everyone enjoyed the sites and
stops this year. Mr. Ekstrand thought it was beneficial that he could see
all the sites, grading, and different areas that are changing.
Community Design Review Board
Minutes 8-14-2001
Chairperson Ledvina asked secretary Ekstrand about the new August 1,
2001, residential parking ordinance and how it was being enforced.
Secretary Ekstrand mentioned that several people had been involved with
that and he would bring it up at the Community Development staff meeting
August 15. The Police department, Bob Wenger and he, himself, had
been receiving calls and it really should be addressed as to who exactly
should be involved in screening and receiving these complaint calls.
Originally Bob Wenger, the Environmental Health Officer, was designated
to receive those calls, but Mr. Ekstrand knows that other people are
receiving parking ordinance calls as well.
IX. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
The Comfort Bus Company at 1870 Rice Street
Secretary Ekstrand addressed members with the staff report.
On July 24, 2001, the community design review board tabled action on the
proposed Comfort Bus proposal. They tabled this review so they could see the
applicant make the following changes:
Redesign the exterior of the shop building. The board recommended that
the applicant enhance the exterior of the building to make it more
compatible in materials, color and design with the proposed office building.
They felt because of the size of the building it would be very noticeable
from both streets, therefore, warranting a more decorative exterior.
Revise the landscape plan with the proposed changes recommended by
staff in the previous memorandum.
3. Provide scaled, detailed plans for the proposed fuel canopy.
Revised shop and canopy design
The revised plans show the addition of a triple set of reveal lines at the top of the
building on all four sides. These reveal lines would go into the wall surface % of
an inch and would be three and six inches wide. (The lower two would be three
inches wide and the top one six inches wide.) The plans do not indicate a color
scheme for the building. The applicant had also added several pre-cast concrete
planters on the south and north sides of the building adjacent to the garage
doors. These would protect the garage door openings as well as provide an area
for plantings.
Community Design Review Board
Minutes 8-14-2001
4
The canopy design is shown on Sheet One of the revised plans. The applicant
had also added planters at the ends of each fuel island.
Landscaping
The applicant had shown plantings on the revised landscape plan are as
requested by the board, depicting recommendations made in the last staff report
Summary
As with the Menard's building on Highway 61 where we required an accent stripe
on the building and additional landscaping, staff is taking the same position here.
With all the additional landscaping the applicant has shown and the detailing of
the three reveal lines at the top of the building, staff agrees with the proposed
plans for the shop building.
The shop building is 300 feet back from Roselawn Avenue and staff felt that the
landscaping would soften the appearance of the building. The front (west) view
of the shop building would be partially hidden from view by the proposed office
building and there would be landscaping directly in front in a courtyard area and
on the street side to help soften the view of the building.
Regarding the color scheme, staff would like to see the two buildings be
compatible with each other. The applicant should submit a color scheme for the
shop, which indicates the color of the pre-cast panels, the reveal lines, the
flashing and the window frames.
The fuel canopy design and landscape plan meet the recommendations of the
board, although colors have not been specified for the canopy. The board should
require that the applicant submit a color scheme for the buildings for staff
approval before getting the building permit.
Secretary Ekstrand anticipated that the building design was not changed to the
level the board was hoping to see based on the last discussion. Staff would like
to see more, but based on the use of the building, its placement, and the setback
of the road, staff finds it acceptable.
Staff is recommending approval with the recommendations made on pages 2,3,
and 4.
Chairperson Ledvina asked members if they had any questions for the staff.
Chairperson Ledvina asked the applicant to come forward and address the
board.
Community Design Review Board
Minutes 8-14-2001
Mr. Lee Rossow of Afton introduced himself and represents The Comfort Bus
Company at 1870 Rice Street.
Chairperson Ledvina asked Mr. Rossow to go over the design changes made
from the original plan, and if he had any comments regarding the last staff report.
Mr. Rossow stated he would like to comment on the staff report first.
Referring to 2. a. (2.) in the staff report which states to resolve all public
utility concerns including water and sewer. This Includes coordinating with
the city for replacement or repair of the public sanitary sewer line that runs
through the property. The owner shall provide the city with the necessary
easements if the city or the applicants move the sewer line.
Mr. Rossow stated that it had been his policy all along that he didn't want to
agree to any easements that the cities engineering department would come up
with. He would have some objections if the engineering department designs an
easement and it goes to the corner of their shop and they have to redesign there
plans. He understands that there are sewer main problems and has no problem
with that being repaired. Mr. Rossow sent Mr. Ekstrand a fax that he was in
favor of getting the problem solved and that he really did not want it to be part of
this approval.
Regarding the fuel canopy, Mr. Rossow asked his architect to draw up some
plans that are not normally included, like planters, so the board could see the
intentions for protection from the tail swing of the busses and the parking of the
busses hitting the canopy.
The landscaping plan was improved according to the board, and he certainly
doesn't have any problems with those recommendations. Mr. Rossow asked his
building manufacturer, Spancrete, to come up with a plan for the main garage to
enhance the outside of the building without increasing the cost of the plan.
Spancrete designed a plan to create an optical illusion with the spacing of the
reveal lines on the building, and the cost factor was within the budget. The line
spacing was proposed in place of the coving to make the office building and the
shop look more compatible.
Board member Shankar asked if the colors of the shop and office building are
going to match, and what is the texture and color of the buildings.
Mr. Rossow stated he had the sample of the pre-cast concrete with him at the
last meeting (which Mr. Shankar was absent from) and he did not bring it with
him tonight. The color is a cream color and the texture is a stucco effect.
Board member Shankar asked Mr. Rossow if the six and three inch reveal lines
will be the same color.
Community Design Review Board
Minutes 8-14-2001
Mr. Rossow replied that it his intention to leave those the same color. He would
like to keep the building as maintenance free as possible. There is a shadowing
effect in the reveal lines and if Spancrete were to mix two colors together a
bleeding effect would take place.
Board member Olson asked what the color would be for the pre-cast concrete
planters.
Mr. Rossow stated they would be gray and that was the only color they came in.
The planters will be complimented with colorful annuals and perennials.
Board member Olson stated that she remembered the applicant stating that
anything a bus could hit, it would. Is the height of these planters a defense
mechanism to keep the buses from hitting the building?
Mr. Rossow said yes, it was a defense mechanism and the height of the planters
would be 4 feet because the bumpers on a bus are 32 to 36 inches tall to keep
the building from getting damaged. The canopy is not capable of withstanding
being hit by a bus even with the 6 legs.
Board member Shankar asked the applicant what color the metal panels of the
fuel canopy are.
Mr. Rossow said his intentions are just the standard white. No striping or
anything on it. The white color keeps the area well lit for safety. There is not a
large selection of colors and he would like to keep from painting the canopy to
keep it maintenance free.
Board member Shankar asked what color the garage doors will be.
Mr. Rossow said he wasn't sure that had been decided yet. It will probably be
some sort of an earth tone color that matches.
Board member Shankar said he would like the garage doors to match the color of
the pre-cast concrete. So a shade of cream would match well.
Mr. Rossow replied that is the color it will be then.
Chairperson Ledvina asked the applicant about the easements on the property
again and could he describe what his concern was again with the wording.
Secretary Ekstrand stated he spoke on the telephone with Mr. Rossow today
regarding his concerns. It will be best if Mr. Rossow discusses this with the
assistant city engineer to determine what easements may be required. If Mr.
Community Design Review Board
Minutes 8-14-2001
Rossow doesn't want to go through with that plan and it seems objectionable,
this issue can be appealed to the city council within a 15-day appeal period.
Chairperson Ledvina asked if the applicant would be agreeable to language such
as "if a new easement was required, the easement shall not effect the positions
of the buildings on the site plan".
Mr. Rossow stated yes he would be agreeable to that language.
Chairperson Ledvina stated at the last meeting the board asked about the curved
element over the windows in the office building and adding that to the shop
building. Did you check into that.
Mr. Rossow replied yes, it was investigated. If they started putting in arched
topped windows, it significantly would change the budget and the cost of the
windows would go up as well. These changes become very difficult, not
impossible, but difficult and expensive for the builder and Mr. Rossow. Mr.
Rossow objected to those plans. It was not what he wanted. It is very expensive
and he thought it would not be that noticeable from the road.
Chairperson Ledvina asked if the window frames in the shop building are the
same color as the office building, and what is the color selected for the frames.
Mr. Rossow stated yes they are the same. However, the office building frames
are vinyl clad, non-tinted, maintenance free and made by Andersen windows.
The shop building windows are from a window supply company, have metal
frames and have a smoky colored tint. All the windows are terra-tone colored.
The Andersen window company does not have tinting as an option, as the
window supplier did for the shop building, in the past we tried drapes in the shop
building and they did not work, so we opted for a smoky tint to the windows to
help with the late afternoon glare of the sun. Drapes will be used for the office
building since tinting was not available.
Board member Olson stated that she was very pleased with the revised
landscaping plans that were made.
Board member Shankar asked about the appearance of the down spouts and the
flashing, and will they both match the appearance of the building.
Mr. Rossow said he had no problem with the board putting a stipulation in to
assure that the down spouts and flashing match with the building.
Board member Shankar was not satisfied with the reveal lines as they pertained
to the office and shop buildings and the garage dimensions.
Community Design Review Board
Minutes 8-14-2001
8
Mr. Rossow stated that he could add another reveal line on the shop building to
tie in with the office building and it would make a more compatible appearance
with the buildings.
Board member Shankar moved that the Community Design Review Board
approve the site and office design plans date stamped June 15, 2001, the plans
date stamped June 29, 2001, and the landscape, fuel canopy, office and shop
plans date stamped August 3, 2001 for the Comfort Bus Company at 1870 Rice
Street. Approval is based on the findings required by city code and subject to the
following conditions:
4. a. Restore and sod damaged boulevards.
b. Install reflectorized stop signs at all exits and a handicap-parking
sign for each handicap-parking space.
c. Provide continuous concrete curb and gutter all around the
parking lot and driveways.
Paint all rooftop mechanical equipment, stacks and vents to
match the uppermost part of the building. The owner of
contractor shall screen any new roof-mounted equipment that is
visible to residential property. (code requirement)
e. Install and maintain an in-ground irrigation system for all
landscaped areas. (code requirement)
Construct the trash dumpster enclosure (unless waived by the
CDRB) using the same materials and color as the building. This
enclosure shall have a 100 percent opaque gate.
g. Stripe all customer and visitor parking spaces at a width of 9
feet and the employee vehicle spaces at a width of nine feet.
Install site lighting according to ordinance. The lenses and bulbs
of lighting fixtures shall be recessed so not to shine into driver's
eyes.
i. Both the pm-cast panels and garage doors should be cream color
and shall match each other.
j. Down spouts and flashing on the east elevations shall match the
color of the pre-cast panels.
Community Design Review Board
Minutes 8-14-2001
The elevations shall incorporate an additional reveal band or line
3 inches in height and shall match the top of the garage doors
and wrap around all four sides of the building.
I. Clarify that the color of the fuel canopy shall be white in color.
m. The color of the window frames for the office and shop buildings
shall match.
Chairperson Ledvina suggested modifying the amendment to item 2. a. (2.)
which related to the public utility concerns for sewer and water to add a sentence
to read "if a new easement is required the easement shall not effect the
positions of the building on the site".
Board member Johnson moved to second the motion.
Ayes - All
The motion passed.
X. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m.