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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/25/2001 AGENDA MAPLEWOOD COMMUNITY DESIGN REVIEW BOARD September 25, 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: August 28, 2001 4. Approval of Agenda 5. Unfinished Business 6. Design Review a. Maplewood Toyota Building Addition/Expansion - 2783 and 2889 Maplewood Drive b. Salvation Army Church Addition - 2080 Woodlynn Avenue c. Sinclair Station Remodel - 2158 Rice Street 7. Visitor Presentations 8. Board Presentations 9. Staff Presentations a. Reminder: Boardmember Shankar scheduled for city council meeting on September 24. b. CDRB representatives needed for the October 8 and October 22 city council meetings. 10. Adjourn p:com-dvpt~cdrb.agd II. III. MINUTES OF THE MAPLEWOOD COMMUNITY DESIGN REVIEW BOARD 1830 COUNTY ROAD B EAST, MAPLEWOOD, MINNESOTA SEPTEMBER 25, 2001 CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Ledvina called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. ROLL CALL Matt Ledvina Craig Jorgenson Linda Olson Ananth Shankar Present Present Present Present Staff Present: Tom Ekstrand, Assistant Community Development Director Recording Secretary: Lisa Kroll APPROVAL OF MINUTES August 28, 2001 Chairperson Ledvina recommended a change to the minutes of August 28, 2001. Under Approval of Minutes it should read Ayes - Ledvina, Olson, and Shankar. Not Johnson. And remove Abstention - Jorgenson. Chairperson Ledvina also noticed an item under Unfinished Business that was not recognized. A discussion regarding the dock area revisions at 3M that involved the removal of the existing canopy. A condition was identified that required the applicant to construct a brick fascia for the south elevation. Please add this paragraph to the notes for 3M: Mr. Olfelt made some changes to the front facing which is the west side and the south elevation of the dock area. He felt the brick was not the best way to go due to structural reasons. He had revised the plan to carry the roofing element on the dock. The texturing on the brick itself is similar. He had hoped the board would agree it blends nicely. There were going to be some complications with the roofline. There is a scissors lift on the loading dock roof. The roof base would have a lot of alterations they did not count on. Adding the roof element and blending the texture was a good solution to the design. Mr. Olfelt proposed to remove the rubber seal along the entrance to the dock and put a sloped roof on to match the roofline of the main building. The area in front of the garage door would be removed. Metal sheeting would be put over the trusses. Community Design Review Board Minutes 9-25-2001 2 Chairperson Ledvina also noticed on page 4 in the 10th paragraph. It should read Ms. Skogheim added that the enclosUre for the cooler and the dumpster will be screened. (Please remove "to match the deck") The cedar enclosure will be finished with a natural sealer with no color; it will be a natural look. Chairperson Ledvina notice on page 5 second paragraph it should read drain leaders not liters. Board Member Olson noticed on page 11 in paragraph 4 she would like it to read Board Member O/son asked if there were any comments that she could make as a resident of Maplewood regarding the Hi#crest Redevelopment Project? (Please strike "potential customer, the Walgreens proposal and the changes with "). Board Member Olson moved approval of the minutes as amended for August 28, 2001. Board Member Shankar seconded. Ayes---Jorgenson, Ledvina, Olson, Shankar IV. VI. The motion passed. APPROVALOFAGENDA Board Member Jorgenson moved approval of the agenda. Board Member Shankar seconded the motion. Ayes -- All The motion passed. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None DESIGN REVIEW a= Maplewood Toyota Building Addition/Expansion 2783 and 2889 Maplewood Drive Secretary Ekstrand said Steve McDaniels, the owner of Maplewood Toyota, is proposing to add onto his existing building by putting three additions on. There will be two additions on the north side of the building and one larger addition on the south side of the building. The southerly addition will be for expanded showroom area, the small addition on the north side will be a lounge area for employees, and the larger addition on the north side will be a service area. Community Design Review Board Minutes 9-25-2001 3 The second proposal is to develop a new parking lot/display area across the street from the dealership on the northwest corner of Highway 61 and Beam Avenue. Mr. McDaniels is asking for a conditional use permit to expand a nonconforming use and also a conditional use permit for the storage of motor vehicles on a property in the M-1 (light manufacturing) zoning district. Both of these items were reviewed by the planning commission on September 17, 2001, and will be going to the city council for final approval or denial. Staff would like to see the landscape plan expanded to fill out some of the areas along both street frontages. Mr. McDaniels brought revised landscape drawings and presented them to the board. Staff is recommending site lighting be no more than 25-feet tall as proposed in the new outdoor lighting ordinance. Mr. McDaniels has assured staff the plans are to install the shoebox style lighting that he has on his current site. Because this property is within the Kohlman Lake shoreland boundary area, the applicant has to install a NURP pond on the northerly property. They also need to stay within the 50 percent impervious-surface coverage requirement. Staff also recommended that the proposed easterly curb cut be closed. The city engineer felt it was too close to the intersection. But in doing so, the city engineers recommends that the westerly curb cut be widened 30 to 36 feet to have a better turning radius for vehicles coming and going from that site. The applicant is hoping this will improve the traffic circulation in the neighborhood with the proposed parking lot addition and proposed building expansion. Chairperson Ledvina asked the applicant to come forward. Mr. Steve McDaniels, the owner of Maplewood Toyota introduced himself. Mr. McDaniels said he has no comments regarding staff's comments. He feels eliminating the residential driveway and building the proposed parking lot addition will alleviate the traffic congestion problems on Beam Avenue. Board Member Shankar asked Mr. McDaniels if this proposed parking lot will be for customer parking or is it for cars for sale? Mr. McDaniels replied it will be for employee parking and new car inventory parking. Board Member Shankar asked if customers will have to cross Beam Avenue from the showroom to look at new cars for sale in the proposed parking lot? Mr. McDaniels answered if they don't have a duplicate car in the showroom or on the lot, they would be escorted over across the street with a salesperson. Community Design Review Board Minutes 9-25-2001 4 Board Member Olson stated she is concerned about the residential house with the driveway coming out through the proposed parking lot. If you have new car inventory are you going to have a secure fence around this facility and how are you going to manage this with private access? Mr. McDaniels said he owns the house. The gentleman that is currently renting the house was the pumpkin patch man that was on the corner of Highway 61 and Beam Avenue. They have known him for 15 years now and don't have a problem with him. Where the drive comes out is where the employees will park in the daytime. There will not be cars parked there in the evening. He will be going through the proposed parking lot during the day once in awhile. They normally rent to someone they know really well or to an employee. Board Member Olson asked Mr. McDaniels if this property served as potential expansion space for Maplewood Toyota where the house is located? Mr. McDaniels said absolutely not, it has to remain green space. This is a benefit for the neighborhood and we have no intention of expanding. Board Member Olson asked Mr. McDaniels what he plans to do for new car security? Mr. McDaniels said they don't have a big problem. They use security lights and will put a small 4-foot fence up. Chairperson Ledvina asked Mr. McDaniels what is the rational for the fencing along Beam Avenue and not on the other sides? Mr. McDaniels said the other side is connected to the other building on the north, there will be a berm going from the south to the north where the house is located. Along Highway 61 there is a ditch and there is no walking traffic. He said he would take the fence out if staff doesn't want it there. For security he would like to keep it so people don't drive through the lot and try to steal cars. The fence doesn't keep people from stealing cars but if there is a fence up, and it gets torn apart, at least he knows a car was stolen. Without a fence unless you count cars every day, you really can't tell immediately that one was stolen over night. Board Member Jorgenson asked what he will do if the individual that rents the house moves? And what does he plan on doing to keep the home maintained? Mr. McDaniels said the gentleman is on a 30-day lease if he wanted to move. He would find somebody else he knew well or an employee to rent the home. Any rental agreement would state the parking lot situation. He just remodeled the whole inside of the home and plans on keeping the appearance up. He said he keeps the buildings and properties looking nice. He also anticipates the gentleman would keep renting until he can't afford it any longer since he rented his last house for 15 years. Community Design Review Board Minutes 9-25-2001 5 Board Member Shankar said it looks like the current Toyota building parking lot is pretty crowded already, now you are proposing a building addition, what changes are you proposing on the site for parking? Mr. McDaniels said they are going to build the proposed parking lot first and then build the additions. There are 75 employees and their cars will be parked across the street at the proposed parking addition. That will open up the whole lot and it will no longer be crowded. They are not doing the additions to add inventory or add employees, they are doing it to spread things out more and make traffic flow more smoothly. Board Member Shankar asked Mr. McDaniels why he needs signage both on the south and the east side of the building expansion? Mr. McDaniels said he is just balancing the look of the signage on the building by adding Maplewood to the Toyota sign. Chairperson Ledvina asked staff to clarify that the community design review board is not approving signs at this meeting? Secretary Ekstrand said that is correct. Approval of signs is not in the motion. But it should probably be added as a standard condition that the applicant must apply separately for any sign permits for any sign changes. Just so it is clear, the board is reviewing building design and site layout only. Board Member Shankar asked Mr. McDaniels if he is adding two new garage doors on the north side of the building? Mr. McDaniels said there would be one more garage door. There is a current garage door on the north side where there is a service lane. They are just bringing the garage door out so there is a little more space inside. To the east of that there will be another garage door for parts deliveries. Chairperson Ledvina asked Mr. McDaniels if he had any comments regarding the conditions that were required? Mr. McDanieis said he has no problems with any of the conditions. Secretary Ekstrand said just as a point of clarification, the planning commission-handled items A and B on page 5. At this meeting items C and D will be handled. Item C represents the three building additions and that is where he recommends the additional condition specifying their signs are subject to permit review and not part of this approval. Item D., beginning on page 6, is the recommendation for the parking lot site north of Beam Avenue. Community Design Review Board Minutes 9-25-2001 Board Member Olson asked staff if there was a requirement for handicap parking? Secretary Ekstrand said yes there is. The handicap-parking requirement would not apply when you have inventory parking for cars for sale. Based on customer and employee parking, they would need to comply with the ADA requirements. He is just not sure how many handicap spaces would be required at this time. The handicap parking would need to be on the existing site and not across Beam Avenue in the proposed parking lot. Board Member Olson asked if staff is recommending that the curb cut to the east be eliminated and the curb cut to the west be expanded? Secretary Ekstrand said that is correct, the city engineer said the curb cut to the west should be expanded from 30 feet to 36 feet. The applicant's proposed westerly curb cut shows 36 feet from the revised plan. Secretary Ekstrand also has a revised landscape plan submitted this evening showing that the applicant has filled in the center areas along Beam Avenue and Highway 61 street frontages. Chairperson Ledvina said he had one item to discuss with the board as it relates to the fencing to the south side of the parking lot. The applicant had indicated a 4-foot high fence. Chairperson Ledvina believes that it should be eliminated. Board Member Jorgenson agreed that the fence should be eliminated. The new landscape plan also breaks things up. Chairperson Ledvina said the landscaping will provide some degree of security as well. If there are trees in the way that would provide security, obviously if a person wants to steal a car they will drive through a fence whether it will be a 4-foot high fence or a 10- foot high fence if they want it that bad. Chairperson Ledvina said that since the driveway is being eliminated for the residence it should state that the applicant restore the driveway surface to a vegetated state with seed or sod. Frederick Richter, the vice president of Steiner Development, clarified the new landscaping plans for Maplewood Toyota. The new landscaping is snowdrift crabs, spirea, daphnia, arborvitae and wild flowers. The landscaping starts in the west, which is a screened wall of evergreens along the berm and the NURP pond. The corners of the property the lot will have evergreens and deciduous trees. The landscaping between the corners will be more ground cover with spreading junipers, perennial flowers, and the snowdrift crab trees. The objective is to meet the landscaping conditions and at the same time ensure the public sees the inventory. Community Design Review Board 7 Minutes 9-25-2001 Mr. McDaniels asked if he could address the fence issue? He is concerned if he does not gate the entrance to the parking lot people will be able to drive through the lot. He would like to fence part of the area and attach a gate to it when they are closed. It's a small deterrent but at least he would know if someone stole a car or not. Board Member Olson asked how the resident would get into the parking lot when they are closed? Will the resident have access or a key? Mr. McDaniels said he would have to give the gentleman the access code. Chairperson Ledvina said he has no problem with the gate they are looking for alternatives to cyclone fencing. If it can be done with planting or landscaping or a little berming to provide additional security that is what he would like to see. Board Member Olson told Mr. McDaniels that the plans that members are looking at shows the fence as stopping at the westerly entrance, with no gate. Mr. McDaniels said that was an omission on the designer's part. He would put a gate on the part of the fence that they are going to retain. We would like to put some type of a fence that would be acceptable to staff. Mr. Richter said it has been his experience that a black vinyl chain linked fence at about 4 feet in height looks nice. Chairperson Ledvina said he wonders what the purpose of the gate is? He understands it would be for security but what about using the landscaping to deter people? Mr. McDaniels said it would be for security. If someone wants to steal a car they will drive right over the landscaping. Someone went through a 1,000 pound gate once and ruined the truck and couldn't steal it and they left it right out on Beam Avenue. The fence won't deter the professional but it will deter young teenagers from trying to steal a vehicle. Board Member Shankar asked Mr. McDaniels how the fence would work with the pedestrian pathway shown on the plans? Mr. McDaniels said it would be an open walkway with a 4-foot opening in the fence enclosure. He would stripe off the area in the parking lot so people can walk through to see cars on the lot. Chairperson Ledvina said to Mr. McDaniels, just for clarification, you said you need the fence for security and you can't do that with just landscaping is that correct? Mr. McDaniels said he needs some kind of fence. It doesn't necessarily need to be a chain-linked fence if the community design review board is opposed to chain linked fences. Community Design Review Board Minutes 9-25-2001 Chairperson Ledvina said certainly a fence is not as appealing as a landscaped area. The board looks at these site plans to enhance the areas, and the features that are there. There are maintenance issues with the fence down the road. Mr. McDaniels said he has seen some of the car dealerships bury the posts to come out of the ground about 3 feet and just space the posts without a fence so they are close enough so a car can't get through. Chairperson Ledvina said that would be fine. Mr. McDaniels said then he would also need to gate the driveway; he just doesn't want the cars to be freely driven off the lot if someone decides to steal from his car lot. Mr. McDaniels said people hot wire two cars just to get the truck or car that they want and drive right over the curb or landscaping. Board Member Olson said she has no objection to a black vinyl coated chain-linked fence with landscaping in front of it, especially since this is going to incorporate employee parking. Chairperson Ledvina said maybe we could ask the applicant to work with staff at alternatives to the chain-linked fence. He thinks staff has a good feel for what the members have in mind. Mr. McDaniels said that would be fine with him. Board Member Jorgenson asked if they could berm it a little bit and do a retaining wall there? Mr. McDaniels said that would cause drainage problems and also snow plow removal problems. Chairperson Ledvina asked if there is a motion? Board Member Olson said she moves they approve the expansion plans for Maplewood Toyota presented on September 25, 2001 and the plans for the site south of Beam Avenue date stamped August 22, 2001 incorporating items C and D on pages 5,6,7,8. With a note that the sign permit shall be applied for separately and that the east side curb cut shall be eliminated on the proposed parking lot to the north of Beam Avenue. Also, the west entrance be expanded from 30 feet to 36 feet per engineering recommendations, that the fence, (item 4 b.) be negotiated with city staff to meet board specifications and that the end of the pedestrian path be striped off with a minimum 4 foot open walkway gap in the fence at that area. Community Design Review Board 9 Minutes 9-25-2001 Chairperson.Ledvina made a friendly amendment to item D. 4. and D. 5. on page 7 that would state the applicant shall restore the turf for the area where the residential drive is removed. He would also like to clarify that members are looking at plans date stamped August 22, 2001 and also the landscape plan, submitted to the community design review board on September 2,5, 2001. Also, clarifying that the signs that are indicated on the proposed plans are not approved at this time. The applicant must submit a sign permit for specific plans on the building. C. Approve the plans (date stamped September 25, 2001) for three building additions to Maplewood Toyota. This approval is based on the findings required by the city code. The approval shall be subject to the applicant or owner meeting the following conditions: 1. Repeat this review in two years if the city has not issued a building permit for this project. 2. Before the city issues a building permit, the applicant shall: ao Provide a plan for city staff approval for any roof-mounted equipment that may be added on top of the proposed additions. (code requirement) Provide a lighting plan for city staff approval for any additional exterior security lighting that may be needed. Ce Submit the following for staff approval before the city issues a building permit: (1) Final parking lot, grading drainage, utility and erosion control plans. These plans shall meet the requirements of the city code and the city engineer. These shall include: (a) Showing all drive aisles at 24 feet in width. (b) Having handicap-parking spaces that meet the requirements of the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act). (c) All customer and employee parking areas meeting city code standards. 3. Complete the following before occupying the additions: a. Restore and sod damaged boulevards. Paint all rooftop mechanical equipment to match the uppermost part of the building. The owner or contractor shall screen any new roof- Community Design Review Board Minutes 9-25-2001 ]0 mounted equipment that is visible to residential requirement) property. (code Stripe any new customer and visitor parking spaces at a width of 9¼ feet and the employee vehicle parking spaces at a width of nine feet. Install fire protection and alarm systems as required by the fire marshal. 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. 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. 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. 5. All work shall follow the approved plans. may approve minor changes. The director of community development The applicant shall apply for sign permits 6. This approval does not include signs. for any proposed sign changes. D. Approve the plans (date stamped September 25, 2001) for a motor vehicle sales and display lot on the northwest corner of Beam Avenue and Highway 61. This approval shall be subject to the findings required by the code and is 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. The applicant shall get a demolition permit from the city for the house at 2889 Highway 61. 3. The applicant's engineer shall provide the city engineer with the drainage calculations and design criteria for the proposed NURP pond. 4. Before the city issues a grading permit, the applicant shall: Community Design Review Board Minutes 9-25-2001 ]! Combine the two parcels for tax and identification purposes. The applicant shall record the paper work for this combination before the city approves the permits for this project. Work with staff to develop a fence plan to meet board specifications. The end of the pedestrian path shall be striped with a minimum 4-foot open walkway gap in the fence at that area. c. Revise the plans for staff approval as follows: (1) For the parking lot, show: a. Paving of the new driveway to the house and garage at 1241 Beam Avenue with bituminous. bo The elimination of the driveway nearest Highway 61 and revising the westerly driveway so that it is 30-36 feet wide. This driveway on Beam Avenue shall have an entrance lane, a left-turn exit lane and a straight exit. These lanes shall be marked with painted arrows on the pavement depicting the turning movement. All drive aisles at 24 feet in width and all customer and employee parking areas meeting city code standards. The city will not regulate the width of parking spaces for the vehicle sales lot. However, the city will require striped spaces for the neat and orderly parking and storage of vehicles. Submit a photometric-lighting plan that meets the standards of the city lighting code for staff approval. This plan shall show: (1) The light spread and fixture design. The lense covering the bulb shall be concealed or aimed so not to cause a nuisance to drivers or to neighbors. (2) That the site lights will not exceed 25 feet in height. d. Make changes to the landscape plan for staff approval including: Showing an in-ground irrigation system for all landscape areas. This shall include the landscape areas around all sides of the parking lot and for the boulevards along Beam Avenue and Highway 61. Community Design Review Board Minutes 9-25-2001 Adding several ornamental trees and shrubbery along Highway 61 frontage between the proposed tree planting areas on the corners. Showing a variety of materials along Beam Avenue between the westerly driveway and the highway. This should include shrubs, ornamental trees and planting beds with perennials, along with coniferous trees, along Beam Avenue. Showing that the screening on the west side of the proposed NURP pond will be at least six feet tall and at least 80 percent opaque. Get a building permit for the proposed retaining wall if any part of the wall is more than four feet tall. 5. 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 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. The city receives an agreement that will allow the city to complete any unfinished work. The future proposed building shown in the parking lot is not approved. If the applicant chooses to construct this building, they must submit the plans to the city for approval. 7. All work shall follow the approved plans. The director of community development may approve minor changes. 8. The applicant shall restore the turf for the area where the residential drive is to be removed. 9. The pedestrian walkway shown be moved 40 feet to the east both on the north and the south side of Beam Avenue. Board Member Jorgenson seconded the motion. Ayes - All The motion is passed. Community Design Review Board Minutes 9-25-2001 b= Salvation Army Lakewood Temple Addition 2080 Woodlynn Avenue Secretary Ekstrand stated Salvation Army is proposing to expand their building at 2080 VVoodlynn Avenue to improve their adult day care center services. The addition proposed is 3,457 square feet and will house an activity room, beauty shop, laundry facility, office, and storm shelter. The community design review board will be considering the design elements, site layout and landscaping issues. On September 17, 2001, the planning commission considered the conditional use permit for this expansion. The exterior of the proposed addition will match the existing building. There is more parking than the code requires, there are 86 existing parking spaces and the total requirement is 57 parking spaces. The applicant will be relocating the dumpster enclosure that is presently in the location of the proposed addition. Staff is recommending that 8 birch trees displaced by the proposed addition be relocated to the west and south of this addition. Mr. Ekstrand also mentioned in the staff report it states 6 birch trees will be displaced and that should actually read 8 birch trees. Board Member Olson asked if the storm shelter is going to be a single elevation addition on a slab, or is this a foundation basement underneath it? Secretary Ekstrand said this project is intended to meet ADA standards and staff recently experienced that with the Beaver Lake Estates mobile home park that just added an above grade storm shelter. Chairperson Ledvina asked the applicant to come forward. Mr. Ken Nordby the architect from NAI Architects for the Salvation Army addition came forward. Mr. Nordby said the shelter for the day care facility is at the same level. Most of these people are incapacitated and or in wheel chairs. If there is inclement weather they will be able to go right into the storm shelter. Board Member Olson asked if the walls would be reinforced? Mr. Nordby said the walls would be reinforced. In fact NAI Architects also did the storm shelter at the Beaver Lake Estates mobile home park shelter. It has a concrete reinforced roof and a separate wall next to the existing building that is also reinforced. It meets the full FEMA requirements for a storm shelter. Community Design Review Board ]4 Minutes 9-25-2001 Chairperson Ledvina asked Mr. Nordby if he had any comments or questions regarding the staff report? Mr. Nordby said not at all. The restrooms that you see in the plans supercede any of the ADA facilities. Remember, most of the clients are unable to use the facilities by themselves. Therefore, the bathrooms are a little bit larger than what is required. Board Member Shankar asked Mr. Nordby if a restroom with a dimension of 4 feet and 11% inches meets ADA requirements? Mr. Nordby said that would be an error on the plans, all the restrooms are at 5 feet or greater. Board Member Olson asked about the birch trees. She said they don't transplant very well. She asked if there was an alternate plans in case they don't make it? Mr. Nordby said they would like to try to replace the birch trees because they have about 8-to-10 years of growth already. They may have suffered a little through the drought but the soil conditions are good and they are hopeful the trees will make it. Chairperson Ledvina said from his view it seems to be a straight forward proposal and he doesn't have any further questions or problems with the Salvation Army proposal. Board Member Shankar made a motion that the community design review board approve the plans (date stamped August 24, 2001), for construction of an addition for the Salvation Army Lakewood Temple located at 2080 Woodlynn Avenue. The owner shall do the following: a. Repeat this review in two years if the city has not issued a building permit for this project. b. Submit the following for staff approval before the city issues a building permit: (1) Grading, drainage, utility and erosion control plans. c. Complete the following before occupying the building: (1) (2) Restore and sod damaged boulevards. Relocate the eight birch trees, which were displaced because of the addition. The trees should be planted on the west and south side of the addition. d. If any required work is not done, the city may allow temporary occupancy if: Community Design Review Board Minutes 9-25-2001 ]5 The city determines that the work is not essential to the public health, safety or welfare. (2) 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. (3) 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. Board Member Jorgenson seconded the motion. Ayes - All The motion is passed. C= Sinclair Oil Corporation station remodel 2158 Rice Street Secretary Ekstrand said Sinclair Oil Corporation is proposing to remove their existing overhead fuel canopy and fuel islands at 2158 Rice Street and construct a new, larger canopy and fuel islands in the same location. The canopy will cover 2,700 square feet and replace an existing 1,850-square-foot canopy. The six existing fuel pumps will be replaced with four new pumps. These fuel pumps will have two vehicle fueling stations each, for a total of eight, and will allow for payment at the pump. The planning commission has already reviewed this and considered a conditional use permit for the business and a conditional use permit for a nonconforming setback. Currently the existing canopy is set back 3¼ feet from the Rice Street right-of-way. The new canopy is proposed to be set back 5 ~ feet from the right-of-way, which is 9 ¼ feet closer than code allows. Staff is recommending that a driveway access be eliminated as was suggested by Ramsey County and the city engineer. The northerly curb cut along Rice Street should be closed because it is very close to the intersection. The planning commission also brought the point up about the County Road B exit being closed or moved. The county engineer has looked at that and felt moving it may in fact upset the traffic flow within the site causing vehicles to enter closer to the building instead of being able to utilize the area for parking. Therefore, staff is not recommending a change to the County Road B driveway. Community Design Review Board Minutes 9-25-2001 Staff is recommending there be four parking stalls striped and one of those four parking stalls should be handicap accessible. Currently there is room to park north and south of the building but there are not any parking striped stalls. Staff is recommending that the applicant landscape the site by doing something similar to the Super America station on White Bear Avenue and also on Lower Afton Road with a wrought iron fence and brick or stone pillars for decoration. Also adding some landscaping along the length to help enhance the site. Three areas of concern should also be addressed. There is a tall freestanding sign located on the northeast corner of the site. The paint on the pole of this sign is chipped and in need of repainting. Also the trash enclosure does not have a closable gate and the dumpster is visible. And lastly, the mechanical equipment located in the back of the building is visible from the street. The repair and maintenance of these items should be complete prior to the building department's final inspection of the canopy. Board Member Olson watched the planning commission meeting on TV. There was discussion about the expansion of the south Rice Street driveway to Highway 36. She asked if the curb cut should be incorporated into the plans that members are looking at? Secretary Ekstrand answered no that has not been incorporated. Board Member Olson would like to make that recommendation. She thinks if that curb cut is eliminated then there needs to be a wider access on the south. Chairperson Ledvina asked if Board Member Olson is proposing the expansion because it is too narrow? Board Member Olson said that is correct, there are cars that will enter from the north on Rice Street, turning north from Rice Street, and cars turning south onto Rice Street. There needs to be space for that kind of traffic and accessibility is important. Chairperson Ledvina asked staff if the tall pylon sign is a conforming sign? Secretary Ekstrand said that sign received a variance for height many years ago. Chairperson Ledvina asked staff how tall the sign is? Secretary Ekstrand guessed in the 50-foot range. It was a sign that was put up higher than the code allowed. Staff caught the violation and then the applicant applied for a variance. The variance was approved. Even though it is too tall according to code, it is still legal by virtue of a variance. Chairperson Ledvina asked staff if the height of the sign was open for discussion with this remodeling. Community Design Review Board :17 Minutes 9-25-2001 Secretary Ekstrand answered no, it is not open for discussion. Chairperson Ledvina asked the applicant to come forward. Mr. Larry Feldsien, of the Sinclair Oil Corporation, addressed himself along with his Retail Supervisor Kevin Kirchberg. Board Member Olson asked the applicants if they are going to retain the dinosaur?. Mr. Feldsien and Mr. Kirchberg answered yes. Chairperson Ledvina asked Mr. Feldsien what was his response to the requested widening of the curb cut width on Rice Street? Mr. Feldsien said he is in favor of making it wider. Chairperson Ledvina said it is not indicated in dimensions on the staff report. Mr. Feldsien said as an engineer he does not like to break up cement curbs just to gain 2 feet, it may be worth it for 5 or 6 feet. Chairperson Ledvina said maybe the curb cut dimension is something that could be addressed with staff. Mr. Feldsien said what he heard was around 36 feet and that would be three lanes for a car turning left, a car turning right, and a car turning in. Board Member Olson asked if 36 feet was excessive? Mr. Feldsien answered no. He would want to review it with the city engineer and also with Ramsey County before doing anything. Chairperson Ledvina asked about the lighting in the Sinclair brochure. Does the lighting extend below the canopy? Mr. Feldsien said the photo of the station is from Golden Colorado. He had this discussion with Ms. Finwall and in the report it says that Sinclair will be recessing those lights into the deck of the canopy. The proposed lights are like the ones at Super America on White Bear Avenue. Board Member Olson asked if that directs the light down rather than out because it has a cylinder around the fixture? Mr. Feldsien said that is correct. Community Design Review Board 18 Minutes 9-25-2001 Board Member Olson asked if he understood that Ms. Finwall wanted Sinclair Oil to have the lights flush mounted? Mr. Feldsien said yes. Board Member Olson asked if that's for maintenance purposes? Mr. Feldsien said it is for lighting and for glare from the side. Secretary Ekstrand clarified the lighting ordinance states the fixture protrusions are not a problem. The problem is the lense drops a few inches below the wrap-around can portion of the fixture. The lighting code states, a totally flush mount lense does not drop beneath the bottom level of the canopy at all. Mr. Feldsien said where the lense drops down it actually deflects the light out sideways. In other locations they have put in a straight fiat lense and therefore you don't get this side reflection from the actual fixture. Secretary Ekstrand said that would meet the intent of the lighting ordinance. Chairperson Ledvina commented that the lighting fixtures would look nicer if they were flush with the canopy. He is not sure if that is possible or not. In his opinion the Texaco station on McKnight and County Road B has done a very nice job with their lighting. It is very pleasing to the eye and produces very little glare. It may be worth driving over there to see what they have done at that station. Mr. Feldsien said the handout submitted to the community design review board was really only given out to show the large Sinclair sign and the colors. Everything else is not intended for this particular site. Board Member Olson stated that she has been out west and has seen the truck stops or stations that are open 24 hours and the lighting that drops down like the lights in the brochures. She feels the lighting is quite pleasing and welcoming. She asked if they are going to be closing at 10:00 p.m.? Mr. Kirchberg, the retail supervisor answered, currently they are not open all night but as the competition is open we would like to keep that option open. But we are open until 10:00 and no later than 11:00 p.m. Board Member Olson asked if they intended to maintain those hours? Mr. Kirchberg said they would like to keep the option open but currently they are going to stay with the hours open until 10:00 or 11:00 p.m. Chairperson Ledvina pointed out that this is a conditional use permit based on their proximity to a residential dwelling so that is the reason for the limited hours of operation. Community Design Review Board Minutes 9-25-2001 Mr. Feldsien said they are having a problem with the wrought iron fence proposal. They don't see the need for it and they have some preliminary inquiries about the fencing. It can be very expensive especially with the stone columns. September 25, 200'1, Mr. Feldsien called Ramsey County and he asked if he could put a fence on their right-of- way? A gentleman named Joe Paroutka said no fence, no trees, and no bushes on the right-of-way. So from the property line and the pavement that leaves about 3 feet of space. If a fence was put that close to a driving area it will get driven into and knocked over as it does at their other station in Shoreview. They feel it is going to be a maintenance problem and depending how it is routed around their sign they will have to crawl over the sign to change the prices. The fence has become a thorn in their side and they are not really in-sync with staff's proposal. Board Member Olson doesn't see where the fence would be on the plans. Could someone clarify that for us? Secretary Ekstrand said staff was considering the fence to wrap around to the curb cut on County Road B. Board Member Shankar asked staff what the purpose of the fence was? Secretary Ekstrand said it was for decoration. Secretary Ekstrand displayed the photo of Super America's fence addition with the wrought iron fence and stone columns to give members an idea of what staff had in mind to add some decorative enhancements. It is feasible to just continue the landscaping along that area. Mr. Feldsien said in lieu of the fence they could do some extra landscaping in the front of the lot. Mr. Kirchberg added that the distance from the right-of-way to the curbing is probably 1~-to-2 feet wide. That probably leaves a foot or so left and a car would be opening their door into the pillar columns. It would also represent some difficulty in snow removal as well. Board Member Olson said that Mr. Feldsien reported that Ramsey County insisted there be no vegetation or landscaping installed in their right-of-way. Chairperson Ledvina said he thought ground cover and landscaping would be acceptable in that area. Mr. Kirchberg said they support the landscaping idea to improve the appearance of that area. Board Member Olson said she personally doesn't see the proposed fence in this location; it doesn't look very friendly or accessible to her, and would agree with Mr. Community Design Review Board Minutes 9-25-2001 Feldsien that it is going to be more of a hazard. as well. The fence could be hit by the snowplow Mr. Kirchberg spoke with Super America about the aspect of winter on their fence with regards to snowplows and they responded they didn't know yet, because they haven't had to go through winter with this fence. They are concerned about what condition it will end up in. Chairperson Ledvina said he likes the idea of a fence but can certainly understand the applicant's points-of-view in this instance. The extra landscaping may be a more practical solution to dressing up the area rather than the fence. Board Member Olson said she sees the landscaping as a very preferable alternative to the fencing. Board Member Shankar made a motion to approve the plans (dated August 21, 2001) for the construction of the new canopy and fuel islands for the Sinclair fuel station at 2158 Rice Street. The owner shall do the following: a. Repeat this review in two years if the city has not issued a building permit for this project. b. Submit the following for staff approval before the city issues a building permit: (1) A revised site plan showing: (a) Removal of the most-northerly driveway on Rice Street. The applicant shall reconstruct the curbing to standards of Ramsey County. (b) At least four parking stalls, of which one must be handicap accessible. The handicap accessible stall must meet the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) requirements and is subject to the staff approval. (2) A landscape plan showing: (a) A landscaped area in front to include Iow maintenance perennial plants and shrubs. In addition to city staff approval, The Ramsey County Public works Department must also approve any landscaping installed within the right-of-way. (b) The landscape area to the west to include Iow maintenance perennial plants and shrubs. In addition to city staff approval, the Ramsey County Public Works Department must also approve any landscaping installed with the right-of-way. Community Design Review Board Minutes 9-25-2001 (c) Perennial plants and shrubs around the base of the two freestanding signs and on the southwest corner of the lot (location of Dino the Dinosaur). (d) 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. (e) All planting beds must be edged and mulched. (3) Revised canopy elevations showing the lights beneath the canopy are flush mount. The lenses of the lights must not drop below the opaque portions of each lighting fixture. (4) A photometric plan showing that the site lighting does not exceed 0.4- foot candles at the west property line. (5) Plans for a trash enclosure gate that is 100 percent opaque and extends to the ground. The gate shall be compatible with the existing 6-foot-high wood fence. (6) Plans for the screening of the mechanical equipment located on the west side of the building. Complete the following before occupying the building: (1) Restore and sod damaged boulevards. (2) Install stop signs at both exits and a handicap-parking sign for the handicap-parking space. (3) Repaint the sign pole on the freestanding sign located on the northeast corner of the site. (4) Install the approved trash enclosure gate. 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. (2) 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 Community Design Review Board Minutes 9-25-2001 22 unfinished work. Any unfinished landscaping shall be completed by June 1,2002. (3) The city receives an agreement that will allow the city to complete any unfinished work. e. This approval does not include the signs. All proposed signs require a separate sign permit and must comply with the city's sign ordinance. f. All work shall follow the approved plans. The director of community development may approve minor changes. g. The remaining southerly curb cut on Rice Street shall be reviewed with the applicant and the city engineer to reassess the traffic and the accessibility to the site. The curb cut may be expanded as needed according to engineering and applicant recommendations. It was agreed upon to leave the lighting for item 2. b. (3) as it is, despite conversation to change the wording. Board Member Olson seconded the motion. Ayes - All The motion is passed. VII. VIII. Visitor Presentations No visitors present. Board Presentations ao September 24, 2001, Mr. Shankar was present at the city council meeting. Board Member Shankar reported on the city council meeting. The proposed Beau's Food and Spirits restaurant was discussed and approved. One concern was the proposed deck on the northwest corner of Stillwater Avenue. Someone commented that they would not want to be sitting at the residential property to the north at 12:30 a.m. on a Friday when the deck was full of customers. A council member said the deck closes at 11:00 p.m. Council members liked the community design review board's recommendation of bumping the parking lot out to the north so when cars are trying to get out of the lot they would have more room. The applicant showed the colors of the Minneapolis location and materials proposed. The motion passed 5-to-0 for Beau's Food and Spirits. Community Design Review Board Minutes 9-25-2001 23 The second item discussed was the proposed Walgreens. The Walgreens architect did not want to move the store any closer to White Bear Avenue. The compromise was that Walgreens would be allowed to set the building back 69 feet from White Bear Avenue. That would allow one row of parking in the front. They were proposing two drive through lanes for the pharmacy on the south side and they agreed to eliminate one of the drive through lanes for additional green space on the south alleviating the need for a parking lot setback variance. Walgreens was asked to revise their site plan. The applicant was adamant that there be minimal parking on the backside of the building and a majority of parking on the White Bear Avenue side. The motion that was passed required the applicant to have two entrances to Walgreens, one to the west side and one to the east side. They showed some elevation and design changes and Mr. Shankar did not believe that this item would be coming back to the community design review board. IX. Staff Presentations Board Member Olson will be the representative at the October 8, 2001, city council meeting. Items to be discussed will be Maplewood Toyota, Salvation Army Lakewood Temple, and Sinclair Oil Corporation. (She will not be able to attend any meetings the week of October 22, 2001 ). Board Member Shankar will be the representative at the October 22, 2001, city council meeting. Board Member Olson asked staff about the status with the Hillcrest Redevelopment Plan and the guidelines members would be adhering to? Secretary Ekstrand said the status hasn't changed since they met last. He had a meeting scheduled with the Met Council and the consultants, but that was cancelled because of the recent terrorist attacks and the airports being closed. They are going to meet in a few weeks. The council has given acceptance to the smart growth initiatives shown in this plan. The city is going to develop a moratorium on development along White Bear Avenue to devise some standards to apply to the Hillcrest area. We would probably want to create an overlay district to design some specific criteria for this area along White Bear Avenue. Board Member Olson asked staff if members would have the opportunity to have input regarding this? Secretary Ekstrand said certainly, it is a design and planning issue. We did this once before. There is an 85-acre piece of land located on the south side of County Road D near the Maplewood Mall. About two or three years ago the council created a one-year development moratorium stating that no more development can be done until this area is studied. Bennigan's restaurant was the only building that was allowed and they had Community Design Review Board Minutes 9-25-2001 24 to get a variance from that ordinance to build. We will be doing a similar thing here with the Hillcrest Redevelopment Plan. Chairperson Ledvina asked staff what other items would be coming up for discussion? Secretary Ekstrand said they are working on the Ramsey County Productive Day Golf Course. It is the county land located south of Lower Alton Road all the way down to Linwood. So far it has a lot of support from the community. It is a proposed nine-hole golf course and a practice range. The maintenance building will be located across the street on Lower Alton Road by the Ramsey County Correctional Facility. This will probably be reviewed at the October 23, 2001, community design review board meeting. Secretary Ekstrand told members that Board Member Tim Johnson has stepped down as a member as of today (September 25, 2001). He has a new job that begins very early and cannot wait until a new member is appointed to replace him. Ken Roberts has submitted an advertisement for a vacancy on the planning commission. They will also run the advertisement for the community design review board opening. Mr. Ekstrand has received a few telephone calls but no one has submitted anything regarding the opening for the community design review board yet. X. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:12 p.m.