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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/14/2005 AGENDA CITY OF MAPLEWOOD COMMUNITY DESIGN REVIEW BOARD Wednesday, September 14, 2005 6:00 P.M. Council Chambers - Maplewood City Hall 1830 County Road BEast 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Approval of Agenda 4. Approval of Minutes: August 23, 2005 Minutes 5. Unfinished Business: None Scheduled 6. Design Review: K and W RolI-Offs - 1055 Gervais Avenue 7. Visitor Presentations: 8. Board Presentations: 9. Staff Presentations: Sign Code Revisions 10. Adjourn MINUTES OF THE MAPLEWOOD COMMUNITY DESIGN REVIEW BOARD 1830 COUNTY ROAD BEAST, MAPLEWOOD, MINNESOTA WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2005 I. CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Longrie called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Board member John Hinzman Board member Matt Ledvina Chairperson Diana Longrie Vice chairperson Linda Olson Board member Ananth Shankar Present Absent Present Present Absent Staff Present: Shann Finwall, Planner Lisa Kroll, Recording Secretary Kevin Christianson, Planning Intern III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chairperson Longrie recommended moving Staff Presentations ahead of the Design Review since the applicant wasn't present yet. Board member Hinzman moved to approve the agenda as amended. Board member Olson seconded. Ayes - Hinzman, Longrie, Olson The motion passed. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approval of the CORB minutes for August 23, 2005. Chairperson Longrie and Board member Olson didn't have any changes to the August 23, 2005 minutes but tabled the approval of the minutes until the next CDRB meeting. Board member Hinzman was absent from the August 23, 2005, CDRB meeting therefore there were not enough board members to approve the minutes. The minutes were tabled until the next CDRB meeting. V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. Community Design Review Board Minutes 9-14-2005 2 VI. STAFF PRESENTATIONS Ms. Finwall introduced the new planning intern, Kevin Christianson who is attending the University of Minnesota until the end of the year. Kevin will be assisting Ms. Finwall with finalizing the sign code. Ms. Finwall discussed the sign code revisions which included Off-Site Real Estate Signs and Wall Signs. The timeline is to have the sign code completed by December 13, 2005, for the board revisions or approval of the sign code. When the board is done the sign code can be presented to the city council. Chairperson Longrie recommended the board take a short recess in order for staff to contact the applicant for K and W RolI-Offs at 1055 Gervais Avenue, who had not arrived yet to represent his application. The recess was held from 6:23 - 6:31 p.m. VII. DESIGN REVIEW a. K and W RolI-Offs, 1055 Gervais Avenue Ms. Finwall said Kristopher and Wesley Scherping are requesting city approvals to make improvements to the property at 1055 Gervais Avenue for their business, K and W RolI-Offs. Specifically, they are proposing to add a gravel outdoor storage yard, build a 40-foot by 49-foot storage building and a new driveway on the property. They want to make these changes to the property so that they can relocate their roll-off (dumpster) business to the property. They also are proposing to surround the rear part of the property, around the storage yard, with an eight- foot-tall chain-link fence. The applicants are proposing to install screening slats in the fence to provide screening of the outdoor storage area. The planning commission recommended approval of the conditional use permits at their Tuesday, September 6, 2005, planning commission meeting. Staff recommends approval of the design, site plan and screening fence for the plans dated August 15, 2005, for K and W RolI-Offs outdoor storage facility and storage building. Board member Hinzman asked how long this property has been zoned M-1? Ms. Finwall said she was not sure but estimated it had been zoned M-1 since at least the 1980's. Board member Olson asked if staff could update the board on what happened at the planning commission for this proposal? Ms. Finwall said the planning commission recommended approval of the conditional use permits and perhaps the applicant could update the board on some of the issues that were discussed during the September 6, 2005, meeting. Chairperson Longrie asked the applicant to address the board. Community Design Review Board Minutes 9-14-2005 3 Mr. Kristopher Scherping, 1055 Gervais Avenue, addressed the board. Mr. Scherping apologized for his tardiness and said he thought he did not need to be present until the Monday, September 26, 2005, city council meeting. He said the only issue that came up at the planning commission meeting was with his neighbor Jerry that lives directly behind him regarding drainage issues and the potential for runoff and they worked those issues out during and after the planning commission meeting. Chairperson Longrie asked how many trucks K and W RolI-Offs would have? Mr. Scherping said they have two trucks and they have 14 dumpsters. Chairperson Longrie asked if the dumpsters would be used for construction debris or household garbage? Mr. Scherping said that question was brought up at the planning commission meeting and he stated the dumpsters would only hold construction debris and would be washed out at the landfill. The only time they would bring a full dumpster back to the site would be when the landfill was closed and then they would cover the debris with a tarp and it would be the first dumpster to go to the landfill in the morning. A lot of times when a dumpster is done being used it gets transported to the landfill and then it is delivered to another customer eliminating the need to come and go several times from their site. Board member Hinzman asked how many trips per day they would pick dumpsters up or bring dumpsters back to the site? Mr. Scherping said about twice a day. He said they also store a few dumpsters at the landfill. Board member Hinzman asked if they would ever store organic materials in the dumpsters? Mr. Scherping said no. Board member Olson said she noticed in one of the opposing letters that they stated the applicant purchased this property with the intention of relocating their business to this site. Is that true and did the applicant talk to the city about this before hand? Mr. Scherping said at the time he purchased the land he was thinking this would be a good time to think about operating his dumpster business from this site. He came to the city and talked with the City Planner Ken Roberts and the Engineering department about this many times to see if this was even plausible and the city staff said yes it is. It's going to be very convenient living here and working at the same location and being able to look out his window and see the supply of dumpsters that are on site. This simply makes for more of a convenient operation. Board member Olson asked where he currently keeps the dumpsters? Mr. Scherping said they have been renting space at Doherty's Auto Body and have stored some dumpsters at Ohlson's landscaping. They have been operating in Maplewood and would like to continue working and living in the community. Community Design Review Board Minutes 9-14-2005 4 Board member Olson said the site appears to be kind of tight in relation to getting equipment in and out of the area. She asked how he plans to expand or grow his business with this small site? Mr. Scherping said they basically work with contractors and homeowners who usually only have the dumpsters for a few days and then they go pick the dumpster up and dump it and deliver it to another site. To expand the business would be to add two more dumpsters or something. Board member Olson asked if Gervais Avenue is going to be able to handle the weight of these trucks and dumpsters going in and out of this site? Ms. Finwall said the city has road restrictions in the spring to make sure heavy trucks are not driving on certain roads. Mr. Scherping gave a photo of the proposed fencing product to staff to display on the screen as he described the fencing product he chose to use. Board member Olson asked if this storage facility was going to be a pole building? Mr. Scherping said this building will not be a pole building; it will be a storage building with a standard house foundation with a dirt floor. These are solid core filled Styrofoam panels that are pre-engineered. Board member Olson asked if he would be parking the trucks on the dirt floor in the storage building? Mr. Scherping said yes. Board member Olson said she thought the city had an ordinance that you must park vehicles on an approved surface? Ms. Finwall said the ordinance that Board member Olson was referring to is for residential districts and requires any vehicle parked in the front yard be parked on a pervious surface. This is a commercial zoning district and the CDRB can waive the requirement for commercial businesses. The board reviewed the photo of the fencing sample. Board member Hinzman said when he looks at a site he reviews the possible noise level and what could be done to help with the noise level. He thinks it's imperative to have a more substantial fence such as a wood fence to help with the sound of the dropping off and picking up dumpsters. This business is in close proximity to other residential homes and if there would be complaints from this area it would be from noise. The way to alleviate any noise complaints would be to have a substantial fence and he recommends a wood fence despite the applicant's choice of a slotted chain link fence. Community Design Review Board Minutes 9-14-2005 5 Mr. Scherping said he thought of using a wood fence and a plastic fence but for the rigidity and the security of the property he feels the eight foot high vertical slotted chain-link fence he chose is really the best choice. He has had theft problems before and he wants to ensure this is a secure area. He showed photos of a wood fence in the area and what a wood fence looks like over time. The photos show wood fences lean, sag, bow out and turn gray and old and there are maintenance issues to deal with unlike the vertical slotted fence he chose. Board member Hinzman said he thought the applicant said the trucks would be parked inside the storage facility. If that is the case there is nothing to be concerned about as far as security and possible theft since the only thing left outside would be the dumpsters. Mr. Scherping said he did say the trucks would be parked inside the storage facility however, the day the landfill is closed and he has to have a truck on site with a tarp covering the debris; people see the truck outside and are tempted by anything. Board member Hinzman said all fences have the ability to age and become dismembered over time so he is not sure that is an issue for him. In this case he feels a wood fence will buffer the noise better. Mr. Scherping said he checked into a wood fence. He would prefer "not" to use a wood fence. A wood fence comes in six foot sections and if you build it in eight foot sections the fence starts to bow and twist. The fence he proposes to use will be set in poured concrete with galvanized poles: it's a lot more rigid, can withstand the wind better and he prefers the maintenance free type of fence. He checked into both the white and hunter green vinyl fence as well as the wood fence. He did a lot of homework regarding which fence is best to use. It boiled down to the wind factor, security, appearance over time, maintenance, and noise barrier. He took all of those factors into account and he found this type of slotted chain link fence to be the best choice overall. Chairperson Longrie asked if the fence would be secured by a cement foundation? Mr. Scherping said correct. Board member Hinzman asked if there was any concern at the planning commission meeting with the crushed limestone and the possibility of runoff problems? Ms. Finwall said she only has the letter from the engineer to refer to which discusses the storm water runoff issues. There is a pond proposed on the northwest side of the site. The engineer felt allowing this type of surface for this kind of business makes sense. Putting in a bituminous surface for a company that moves dumpsters around would cause disrepair of the surface in a short amount of time. Board member Olson said she was concerned about the drainage on the site and the close proximity of the pond. Ms. Finwall said the City Engineer, Chuck Vermeersch, stated the city is going to require a maintenance agreement for the pond to ensure it is maintained and that any sediment in the pond gets cleaned out so staff feels comfortable with the pond and the drainage concerns. Community Design Review Board Minutes 9-14-2005 6 Board member Hinzman said it seems it would be easier to put a concrete floor in for the storage facility and it would be more durable for the trucks now rather than later after it's built. Mr. Scherping said there will be a four foot foundation under the building so the building will not shift around but at this time it makes sense to keep the flooring as dirt. Over time they plan on pouring a cement floor with radiant heat inside the building. Board member Olson asked if it was true the applicant was removing three white oak trees? Mr. Scherping said they are not removing any trees from the site, only adding trees. The plans dated August 15, 2005, accurately depict the trees that will be added. Board member Hinzman asked if the CDRB has the authority to set conditions under the conditional use permit? Ms. Finwall said no. Board member Hinzman said he was going to suggest some modifications to the operation of the business such as no washing of the roll-offs on site, no storage of organic materials within the dumpsters, and to make sure they are empty and clean on the site. Board member Hinzman said he offers the suggestions even though the CDRB doesn't have the authority to alter the conditional use permit. Board member Hinzman moved to approve the plans dated August 15, 2005, for K and W RolI- Offs outdoor storage facility and for a 1,960-square-foot storage building at 1055 Gervais Avenue. The city bases this approval on the findings required by the code. The property owner or applicant shall: (changes to the motion are underlined and deletions are stricken.) 1. Repeat this review in two years if the city has not issued a building permit for this project. 2. Complete the following before the city issues a building permit: a. Have the city engineer approve final construction and engineering plans. These plans shall include: grading, utility, drainage, erosion control, tree, sidewalk and driveway plans. The plans shall meet the following conditions and shall also meet all the conditions and changes noted in Chuck Vermeersch's memo dated August 26, 2005: (1) The erosion control plan shall be consistent with city code. (2) The grading plan shall: (a) Include building, floor elevation and contour information for the site. (b) Include contour information for the land that the construction will disturb. Community Design Review Board Minutes 9-14-2005 7 (c) Show sedimentation basins or ponds as may be required by the watershed board or by the city engineer. The pond(s) shall have the required storm water capacity. (d) Show details about the proposed fence including the materials, gate, height and color. (3) The tree plan shall: (a) Be approved by the city engineer. (b) Include an inventory of all existing large trees on the site and shall show where the developer will remove, save or replace large trees. (c) Show the size, species and location of the replacement trees. The coniferous trees shall be at least eight feet tall and shall be a mix of Black Hills spruce and Austrian pine. (d) Be consistent with the approved grading and landscape plans and shall show no tree removal beyond the approved grading and tree limits. (4) The design of the ponding area and the rainwater garden(s) shall be subject to the approval of the city engineer. The developer shall be responsible for getting any needed off-site utility, grading or drainage easements and for recording all necessary easements. b. Submit a certificate of survey for all new construction and have the storage building staked by a registered land surveyor. c. Submit a revised landscape plan to staff for approval which incorporates the following details: (1) All lawn areas shall be sodded. The city engineer shall determine the vegetation within the ponding area. (2) The addition of trees for screening along the north side of the site. (3) The developer shall install landscaping in the ponding area to break the appearance of the deep hole and to promote infiltration. Such landscaping shall be approved by the city engineer and shall be shown on the project landscape plans. (4) The manicured or mowed areas from the natural areas. This shall include planting (instead of sodding) the disturbed areas around the ponding area with native grasses and native flowering plants. The native grasses and flowering plants shall be those needing little or no maintenance and shall extend at least four feet from the ordinary high water mark (OHWM) of the pond. Community Design Review Board Minutes 9-14-2005 8 (4) (cont.) This is to reduce maintenance costs and to reduce the temptation of mowers to encroach into the gardens. Specifically, the developer shall have the natural areas seeded with an upland mixture and lowland mixtures as appropriate. (5) In addition to the above, the contractor shall sod all front, side and rear yard areas (except for mulched and edged planting beds and the area within the ponding area). (6) Adding at least six more evergreen trees (Black Hills spruce or Austrian pines) along the north property line of the site. These trees are to be least eight feet tall, and the contractor shall plant these trees in staggered rows to provide screening for the houses to the north. (7) Shall be approved by the city engineer before site grading and shall be consistent with the approved grading and landscape plans. d. Present to staff for approval colored building elevations or building material samples of the wall panels, standing seam roof, trim, doors, wainscot, and fence slats. These elevations should clearly show the colors and materials of the proposed storage shed. e. A revised site plan showing the driveway and a width of at least 20 feet that is paved between the street and the storage lot. Any gate along this driveway also must open to a 20-foot width. f. The requirement for underground irrigation is waived if the applicants sign an agreement with the City of Maplewood stating that the owners will hand-water all landscaping, and any required landscape material that dies will be replaced. g. If there is to be any additional outdoor lighting, a photometric plan showing that any freestanding lights would not exceed 25 feet in height, including the base, and the light illumination from any outdoor light would not exceed .4 foot candles at all property lines. h. If trash is to be stored outside of the house or the storage building, plans for a trash-dumpster enclosure is required. The enclosure must have gates that are 100 percent opaque, and the materials and colors of the enclosure shall be compatible with those of the metal building. i. A letter of credit or cash escrow for all required exterior improvements. The amount shall be 150 percent of the cost of the work. 3. Complete the following before occupying the new building or the site: a. Replace property irons that are removed because of this construction. b. Restore and sod damaged boulevards and sod all turf areas. Community Design Review Board Minutes 9-14-2005 9 c. Complete all landscaping and tree planting and the rainwater garden(s) (if required). d. Install an in-ground sprinkler system for all lawn and landscape areas of the site unless the applicants: (1) Provide an alternate watering method acceptable to staff to keep the trees and plantings watered. (2) Sign an agreement with the City of Maplewood stating that they will hand-water all landscaping and trees and replace any required landscape material that dies. e. The eight-foot-tall chain link wood privacv fence must: (1) Have a top mil and have Elark greeFl slats around the entire storage yar-d. ill ~ Receive a building permit from the city before installation. f. Install an eight-foot-high wood screening fence and additional trees along the north property line of the site where the vegetation does not adequately screen the new storage shed from the existing dwellings to the north. These additional materials are to ensure there is at least an eight-foot-tall, 100 per-cent opaque GGr-oon wood fence on these sides of the site. The location, design and materials of the fence or the additional landscaping shall be subject to city staff approval. g. Construct a trash dumpster enclosure if there will be any outdoor storage of refuse. The enclosure must match the building in color and materials and shall have a closeable gate that is 100 percent opaque. h. The developer or contractor shall: (1) Complete all grading for the site drainage, complete all public improvements and meet all city requirements. (2) Place temporary orange safety fencing and signs at the grading limits. (3) Remove any debris or junk from the site. (4) Install all required exterior improvements including the parking and storage lot, installation of landscaping, installation of fence slats, installation of the ponding area, etc., before occupying the building. i. If the owners want to install any site-security lighting, they must do so as allowed by the city code. Any light sources, including the lens covering the bulb, shall be concealed or shielded so not to cause any nuisance to vehicle drivers or to adjacent property owners. j. The owners shall keep the buildings (including the existing house and garage) painted or stained and in good repair. Community Design Review Board Minutes 9-14-2005 10 4. If any required work is not done, the city may allow temporary occupancy if: , a. The city determines that the work is not essential to the public health, safety or welfare. b. The above-required letter of credit or cash escrow is held by the city for all required exterior improvements. The owner or contractor shall complete any unfinished landscaping by June 1 of the next year 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. 5. All work shall follow the approved plans. The director of community development may approve minor changes. Board member Olson seconded. Ayes - Hinzman, Longrie, Olson Chairperson Longrie offered a friendly amendment to approve the parking for the roll-off containers based on the representations that there be no washing of the dumpsters on site and that the roll-off containers will not contain any organic debris. The motion passed. This item goes to the city council on September 26, 2005. VIII. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS No visitors present. IX. BOARD PRESENTATIONS None. X. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:18 p.m.