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AGENDA
CITY OF MAPLEWOOD
COMMUNITY DESIGN REVIEW BOARD
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
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: October 24, 2006
5. Unfinished Business: None Scheduled
6. Design Review:
a. Crown Plaza Shopping Center - Walgreens: 1700 Rice Street
7. Visitor Presentations:
8. Board Presentations:
9. Staff Presentations:
a. Representation at the November 27,2006, City Council Meeting -Items to be
Discussed Include Public Hearing for Boca Chica Taco House Sign Variance
10. Adjourn
MINUTES OF THE MAPLEWOOD COMMUNITY DESIGN REVIEW BOARD
1830 COUNTY ROAD BEAST, MAPLEWOOD, MINNESOTA
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2006
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Olson called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Board member John Hinzman
Vice-Chairperson Matt Ledvina
Chairperson Linda Olson
Board member Joel Schurke
Board member Ananth Shankar
Present
Present
Present
Present at 6:06 p.m. until 7:10 p.m.
Present
Staff Present:
Shann Finwall, Planner
Lisa Kroll, Recording Secretary
III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Board member Hinzman moved to approve the agenda.
Board member Shankar seconded.
Ayes - Hinzman, Ledvina, Olson, Shankar
The motion passed.
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approval of the CORB minutes for October 24, 2006
Chairperson Olson moved approval of the minutes of October 24, 2006.
Board member Ledvina seconded.
Ayes --- Hinzman, Ledvina, Olson, Shankar
The motion passed.
V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.
VI. DESIGN REVIEW
a. Crown Plaza Shopping Center - Walgreens: 1700 Rice Street
Ms. Finwall said Anxon, Inc., has purchased the Crown Plaza Shopping Center at 1700 Rice
Street. Anxon, representing Walgreens, proposes to remove the existing EdCo Foods retail
store at the south end of the shopping center (adjacent Larpenteur Avenue) and replace the
store with a 14,550 square foot Walgreens' retail store and drive through pharmacy.
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City code requires major construction projects on an existing commercial building to be
approved by the CORBo A major construction project is defined as any exterior work on a
commercial or multi-family building or site which is over $200,000. The Walgreens proposal
exceeds this amount and therefore must be approved by the CORBo
The site plan shows the Walgreens' store constructed in the same location as the EdCo Foods
tenant space, on the south side of the shopping center, adjacent Larpenteur Avenue. The
Walgreens' store will be attached to the shopping center, it will be 1,950 square feet larger
than the existing EdCo Foods space, and it will be located 34 feet from the Larpenteur Avenue
right-of-way. City code requires at least a 30-foot setback for a commercial building to a right-
of-way.
The applicants propose to reconstruct an existing drive aisle located on the south side of the
shopping center into a single drive-through pharmacy lane. The drive-through lane will be
setback 17 feet from the Larpenteur Avenue right-of-way, which meets city code requirement
of 15 feet. The applicants also propose to reconstruct a portion of the parking lot, utilizing the
existing driveways onto Larpenteur Avenue. The reconstructed parking lot will be setback 20
feet from the Larpenteur Avenue right-of-way, which meets city code requirement of 15 feet.
Within the reconstructed portion of the parking lot the applicants propose two 5-foot-wide
curbed islands along the drive aisle in the new portion of the parking lot. City code requires 10-
foot-wide landscape medians every three of four parking bays to improve aesthetics. Staff
recommends that the proposed 5-foot-wide curbed islands be redesigned to be at least 10 feet
in width and planted with ornamental trees and shrubs.
There are no sidewalks on Larpenteur Avenue or Rice Street adjacent this property. Steve
Kummer, engineer with the city, recommended in his engineering report that the applicant
construct a sidewalk along the entire length of the property adjacent Larpenteur Avenue.
Board member Schurke asked if any comments were received by the city regarding this
proposal?
Ms. Finwall said staff sent a notice to residents within 500 feet of this proposal regarding this
meeting but no comments were received and there are no visitors in the audience to speak
regarding this proposal.
Board member Shankar asked where the limestone would be located on the building?
Ms. Finwall pointed on the overhead showing the limestone located on the west elevation.
Board member Schurke asked if staff had received a revised site plan reflecting the
requirement for the applicant to install a sidewalk?
Ms. Finwall said no we have not.
Chairperson Olson asked the applicant to address the board.
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Mr. Curt Moreno, Vice President, Anxon, Inc., 601 Marquette Avenue, Suite 100, Minneapolis,
addressed the board. The limestone will be located on the west elevation on each pilaster and
above the windows. It will also be located on the south elevation on the pilasters above the
elevation of 13 feet.
Board member Shankar asked if limestone had been used on any other Walgreens building in
the twin cities?
Mr. Moreno said this design is the new prototype for Walgreens and limestone was recently
used on the new Walgreens at Randolph Avenue and Snelling Avenue.
Board member Schurke said just to clarify this is a manufactured limestone.
Chairperson Olson said this is a different building design from the Walgreens we have seen at
Larpenteur and White Bear Avenue.
Mr. Moreno said Walgreens changes their prototype over the years and have a northern and
southern prototype. Some communities have stricter building material guidelines than other
cities. He said they have a revised photometrics plan. He said now they plan to use add six
lights throughout the center compared to the four lights they had originally planned. They will
also have five wall mounted lights and lights on the canopies on the west side that illuminate
the building. The window height is typically 7 to 13 feet. The pilaster bumps out 4 inches which
is an architectural feature. The top of spandrel is 6 feet from the top of finished floor. Six feet is
the height the shelving goes to.
Board member Ledvina said the plans show a prefinished metal coping at the top of the wall.
He asked if the applicant considered using a decorative cornice such as stone at the top of the
wall?
Mr. Moreno said the cornice has a three tiered step that is repeated.
Board member Ledvina asked about the parapet wall?
Mr. Moreno said it is the coping that matches the metal standing seam?
Board member Shankar asked if it was green in color?
Mr. Moreno said the coping is almond in color. The canopy is green.
Board member Ledvina asked if the applicant had any problems with the engineering
requirements regarding the storm water management?
Mr. Moreno said he would ask that the civil engineer speak regarding that issue.
Mr. Allen Catchpool, Civil Engineer, CEI Engineering Associates, addressed the board. He
said he spoke with Steve Kummer in engineering and they went through the recommendations
and they don't have any concerns. The sidewalk is represented on the plan but the revised site
plan hasn't been submitted to staff yet.
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Mr. Catchpool said the one area they do have an issue with is the sidewalk which is four feet
off Larpenteur Avenue. In front of Burger King there is a six foot sidewalk are some
transformers and pole signs which means they may have to jog the sidewalk closer to
Larpenteur Avenue then the four feet. They are going to try to do some storage in the islands
but the islands aren't really large enough. There is underground storage in the west parking lot
and staff wants to see some sort of storage for the roof runoff in the east parking and also a
pretreatment structure before the water drains in there to catch floatable debris such as sand
and salt which would require maintenance.
Board member Ledvina asked if the applicant felt the engineering requirements were
reasonable?
Mr. Catch pool said yes.
Board member Schurke said given the proximity of this site to McCarron's Lake and to the St.
Paul Water Utility, this would be a great opportunity to do some type of demonstration
regarding the drainage. Even if it meant putting small signage in for the neighbors to see
explaining what was done here. This is only a recommendation and is not a requirement.
There is a story to tell here and he thinks the neighborhood would be interested in how the
process works. Either Ramsey County or St. Paul Public Parks did a major restoration of the
drainage going into McCarron's Lake about 6 years ago and it has become a real "feature" in
terms of recreational use.
Board member Ledvina said this is an excellent site plan in terms of storm water management.
The applicant is doing some innovative practices in terms of managing storm water on the site.
Board member Schurke said if you can reveal the story behind it then he would recommend
that to the applicant. It's hard for people to know the history behind the underground storage.
Chairperson Olson asked about the fence along the creek on the east side of the parkway?
Mr. Bill Oillon, Anxon, Inc., addressed the board. He said they will be discussing alternatives
regarding the fence, the dumpsters and the awnings and we have been working with staff on
those items.
Board member Shankar asked if the five-foot turning radius will be a problem for the
customers?
Mr. Catch pool said that was changed from a five-foot to a ten-foot turning radius.
Chairperson Olson said she noticed the handicap parking is not next to the building, she asked
if there would be a painted crosswalk for people to safely cross the parking lot to enter the
building?
Mr. Catchpool said yes and they are meeting the AOA requirements.
Chairperson Olson asked if they had a problem with the recommendation to install the
sidewalk?
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The applicants nodded their head no.
Board member Ledvina said the improvements have been made from the original elevations
the board had been provided and in general the improvements are good. He is just wondering
if they could provide more detailing on the south elevation. This building is very prominent on
the corner and it will be closer to Larpenteur Avenue than the existing building and wondered if
the detailing is sufficient enough?
Board member Shankar said he was wondering if they could replicate the stepped coping
detail on the south elevation just above the stone.
Board member Schurke said his preference is for a clean line along the south elevation.
Adding detail for the sake of trying to dress up the building is not necessarily the best aesthetic
solution. He could see adding daylight windows on the south elevation. He said he
understands the need for wall space to accommodate the stocking of shelves. Maybe within
those areas you could do some transom windows below the limestone set into those openings
which could break up the fa<;:ade and give it a more humane look. He is very pleased the
applicant is doing something with this shopping center.
Chairperson Olson said we are hearing different scenarios here. How practical would it be to
expand the cornice molding along the entire perimeter of the building? Is it practical to put in
some transom windows underneath the limestone between the pilasters on the south side?
Mr. Moreno asked if they meant installing spandrel windows above the emergency exit door?
Board member Schurke said he was suggesting a band of transom windows that would end up
going across the wall horizontally and be proportional to the front windows.
Mr. Moreno said you would be looking into a storage closet and corridor that doesn't have an
acoustical ceiling. There is a hallway with employee lockers there with unfinished space.
Chairperson Olson asked about extending the cornice or adding something more decorative
other than the almond color metal band around the top of the building.
Board members and the applicant discussed ideas back and forth regarding how to add more
interest to the south elevation of the building exterior.
Board member Schurke dismissed himself at 7:10p.m.
Chairperson Olson said staff has recommended that the bright blue awnings on the current
buildings be changed to match the green awnings for the Walgreens proposal, how do you feel
about that?
Mr. Oillon said they agree that would look better. They would prefer to use a green fabric as
opposed to a green metal.
Chairperson Olson asked how the board felt about that?
The board agreed that would look nicer.
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Chairperson Olson asked if they had a trash enclosure plan yet? Are you leaning towards
replacing the existing fence or are you planning on a different product or material?
Mr. Oillon said they haven't chosen a product yet for the trash enclosure. Because of the
damage that may have been caused by the snow plow or by kids, they are looking at more of a
permanent solution to the problems that have occurred to the trash enclosure and would work
with staff regarding the final decision.
Board member Shankar moved to approve the plans date-stamped October 3, 2006, and the
November 13. 2006 buildinq elevation for the Walgreens' retail store and pharmacy within the
Crown Plaza Shopping Center at 1700 Rice Street and the October 24, 2006, sign criteria for a
comprehensive sign plan amendment for the Crown Plaza Shopping Center. Approval is based
on the findings as specified in Section 2-290(b)(1 )(2)(3) of the city code (community design
review board ordinance) and is subject to the applicant doing the following (additions 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. Prior to issuance of a grading or building permit, the applicant shall submit to staff for
approval the following items:
a. A revised grading and drainage plan which complies with the city's engineering
review dated November 7, 2006, which includes, but is not limited to, the
construction of a six-foot-wide sidewalk along the entire length of the property
adjacent Larpenteur Avenue: a stormwater treatment svstem capable of
removinq floatable debris and larqe-qrained particles as well as small qrained
particles desiqned for 80 percent total suspended solid removal: and a storm
water maintenance aqreement for the maintenance of storm water treatment
structures and other best manaqement practices on the site.
b. A revised site plan which shows the following:
1) A six-foot-wide sidewalk along the entire length of the property adjacent
Larpenteur Avenue.
2) Ten-foot-wide landscape medians in the reconstructed portion of the
parking lot.
3) Location and size of all existing and proposed dumpster enclosures.
c. Revised elevations showing the following:
1) West (Front) Building Elevation: The top of the spandrel qlass frame
shall line UP with the top of the entry door in the elevation.WindO'....s
boginning four feot from ground grode. This can be accomplished by tho
addition of true or false '....indo'lls.
2) South (Side) Building Elevation:
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ill
Reposition the smooth faced manufactured limestone facade
sliqhtlv to the east so that the service door is centered within the
center of the facade.
Q2
Transom windows to match the front transom windows on the west
elevation. Transom windows to be added in between in the brick
area in between the three manufactured limestone
pilasters./\ddition of smooth faced manufactured limestone,
windows (beginning four feet from ground grade), and overhead
canopies similar to the vwst elevation.
3) Crown Plaza Shopping Center - Auto Uses Front Elevation: Alternative
canopy design and color to be compatible with Walgreens' green metal
seam canopies for the front fa<;:ade of all Crown Plaza tenant spaces.
4) Oumpster Enclosure Elevation: Expansion of existing enclosures or the
addition of new dumpster enclosures along the back side of the Crown
Plaza building. The dumpster enclosures should be designed to screen all
trash and recycling dumpsters on the site, should be 100 percent opaque,
at least 6 feet in height, with a closeable gate, and should be constructed
of materials which are compatible to the building.
5) Fence: Four-foot-high decorative fence to be located along the east
property line (if existing fence is rebuilt and not repaired).
d. Revised landscape plan which shows the following:
1) Location of the existing landscaping and the addition of at least 26 new
trees and 74 new shrubs on the site, in addition to the landscaping
proposed in the landscape plan submitted for the Walgreens'
development (date stamped October 3, 2006).
2) Several shrubs and perennials to be located under the Crown Plaza
freestanding sign located on the southwest corner of the site
(intersection of Larpenteur Avenue and Rice Street).
3) At least one ornamental tree and several shrubs to be located within the
redesigned landscape medians in the parking lot.
4) Size of trees must meet the following minimum requirements: deciduous
trees - 2% inches in diameter, evergreen trees - 6 feet in height;
ornamental trees -1% inches in diameter.
5) The location of underground irrigation for the new landscaping installed
as part of the Walgreens' development along Larpenteur Avenue.
e. Comprehensive sign plan for the center is approved as follows:
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1) For consistency, all wall signs for the Crown Plaza tenants shall be
individually-illuminated letters, except that the Florist sign may be a
cabinet sign. Sign height shall not exceed 36 inches. Signs shall not
extend closer than 36 inches to the sides of the tenant's store front.
These signs shall be placed on the designated sign band.
2) Signage for the two automotive buildings shall comply with the same
size and spacing criteria as noted in condition one.
3) Burger King signage shall comply with code (two signs for each street
frontage ).
4) Signs are not allowed on the awnings.
5) Shopping center wall signs are allowed above the store tenant space on
the north (above the windows), east west, and south elevations only.
This language was not included in the comprehensive sign plan minutes
but was approved as part of the site plan date stamped October 4, 1989.
6) Wall signs for the auto mall are allowed on the west side of the buildings
only. This language was not included in the comprehensive sign plan
minutes but was approved as part of the site plan date stamped October
4, 1989.
7) Two pylon signs are allowed for the Crown Plaza Shopping Center. The
freestanding sign on the interior of the parking lot is allowed at 336
square feet in area, 39 feet in height. The sign on the southwest corner
is allowed at 144 square feet in area, 24 feet high. This language was
not included in the comprehensive sign plan minutes but was approved
as part of the site plan date stamped October 4, 1989.
ill Wall siqns for the Walqreens retail store and pharmacv located on the
south side of the Crown Plaza Shoppinq Center is limited to the center of
the smooth faced manufactured limestone facades on the west and
south elevation. Wall siqns to meet Crown Plaza tenant siqn criteria as
described above.
The applicant must submit a revised tenant sign criteria which reflects these
requirements.
f. Revised lighting and photometrics plan which shows the following:
1) All existing and proposed exterior lights on the center.
2) Elevation of all proposed lights (including height of freestanding lights as
measured from the ground grade to the top of the luminary).
3) Photometrics which reflects that the light illumination from the new lights
does not exceed A-foot candles at all property lines.
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g. A cash escrow or an irrevocable letter of credit for all required landscaping and
dumpster enclosure improvements. The amount shall be 150 percent of the cost
of the work.
3. The applicant or owner shall complete the following before certificate of occupancy is
issued for the Walgreens' building:
a. Complete the parking lot improvements.
b. Complete the lighting improvements.
c. Install all required landscaping and underground irrigation.
d. Construct the required dumpster enclosures.
e. Remove all containers from the Crown Plaza Shopping Center site.
f. Repair or reconstruct the four-foot-high fence along the east property line.
g. Construct the 6-foot-wide sidewalk along the entire length of the property
adjacent Larpenteur Avenue.
4. If any required work is not done, the city may allow a certificate of 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 of
Maplewood for all required exterior improvements. The owner or contractor shall
complete any unfinished exterior improvements by June 1 if occupancy of the
building is in the fall or winter, or within six weeks of occupancy of the building if
occupancy is in the spring or summer.
5. All work shall follow the approved plans. The director of community development may
approve minor changes.
Board member Ledvina seconded.
Ayes - Hinzman, Ledvina, Olson, Shankar
The motion passed.
VII. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
No visitors present.
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VIII. BOARD PRESENTATIONS
Ms. Finwall reported on the city council meeting of Monday, November 13, 2006. The city
council held a public hearing regarding the electric franchise fee which was tabled until a later
date. The city council also discussed the south Maplewood development moratorium for the
area of the city south of Highwood Avenue. The St. Paul Tourist Cabin closing was discussed
and the developer has negotiated with all the property owners except one. The city council
directed the developer to negotiate with the property owner for a possible agreement and if
they could not come to an agreement the city council will decide on a fair price at the next
meeting.
IX. STAFF PRESENTATIONS
a. Board member Hinzman will be the CDRB representative at the November 27,
2006, city council meeting - the only item to discuss is the public hearing for
Boca Chica Taco House Sign Variance.
X. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m.