HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/09/2007
MINUTES OF THE MAPLEWOOD COMMUNITY DESIGN REVIEW BOARD
1830 COUNTY ROAD BEAST, MAPLEWOOD, MINNESOTA
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 9,2007
(ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION INVITED)
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Olson called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Board member John Demko
Vice-Chairperson Matt Ledvina
Chairperson Linda Olson
Board member Ananth Shankar
Board member Matt Wise
Present
Present
Present
Absent
Present
Staff Present:
Shann Finwall, Planner
Chuck Ahl, Public Works Director
Ginny Gaynor, Naturalist
Alan Kantrud, City Attorney
Environmental and Natural Resources Board Members: Chair Jim Beardsley
III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Board member Ledvina moved to approve the agenda as amended, adding item a.-Clear
Channel (City Attorney Alan Kantrud) under IX. Staff Presentations.
Board member Olson seconded.
Ayes - all
The motion passed.
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approval of the CDRB minutes for September 13, 2007.
Ms. Finwall noted a correction needed to agenda item 6. a.-The Shores, adding a condition of
approval requiring the removal and maintenance of buckthorn, as discussed at the meeting.
Board member Wise questioned whether the developer would be allowed by the city to remove
buckthorn around and in the ponding area. Ms. Finwall responded that the city would allow
removal of a noxious weed such as buckthorn within the wetland buffer.
City naturalist Ginny Gaynor explained that buckthorn is classified by the state as a noxious
weed, but does not legally require that buckthorn be removed. The city removes buckthorn
from city land when possible and encourages property owners to remove buckthorn from their
property. Staff fully supports the board's recommendation to require the developer of the
Shores to remove and maintain all buckthorn from the property, including around the wetland
area.
Community Design Review Board
Minutes 10-09-07
2
Jim Beardsley of the city environmental and natural resources commission encouraged board
members to require property owners to remove buckthorn from their property when possible.
Board member Wise moved approval to add on page seven of the minutes of September 13,
2007: Item c. 7) - Removal and maintenance of all buckthorn from the property.
Board member Olson seconded
The motion passed.
Ayes - all
Board member Wise moved approval of the amended minutes of September 13, 2007, adding
on page seven to agenda item 6. a. - The Shore: Item c. 7) - Removal of all buckthorn from
applicant's property.
Board member Demko seconded.
Ayes - Olson, Demko, Wise
Abstention - Ledvina
The motion passed.
V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
VI. DESIGN REVIEW
a. Gladstone Streetscaping - Presentation by Thomas Harrington, landscape
architect with Kimley-Horn and Associates, on the proposed concepts for
streetscaping in the Gladstone Redevelopment Area
Public Works Director Ahl reported on the project plan and time line.
Thomas Harrington of Kimley-Horn & Associates presented the details for the Phase I
streetscaping improvements and projected timelines. Some of the topics Mr. Harrington
discussed were sidewalks, decorative lighting options, plantings and materials, and irrigation.
Board member Wise asked whether utilities would be buried. Director Ahl responded that staff
will recommend that utilities be buried, but this will be an added cost. Mr. Wise also
commented that ground level solar lighting in the trail areas might be considered.
Board member Ledvina asked if the proposed trails would be linked with the Phalen trails.
Mr. Harrington explained which trails could be linked.
Board member Wise suggested plantings be chosen for the roundabout which would show
flowering throughout the seasons.
Environmental and Natural Resources (ENR) Commission Chair Jim Beardsley questioned
whether porous pavement and solar powered lighting have been considered.
Community Design Review Board
Minutes 10-09-07
3
Mr. Harrington responded that both are being considered at this time, but porous pavement is
generally more expensive and harder to maintain.
ENR Chair Beardsley also commented on appropriate kinds of trees to be planted.
Chair Olson suggested installing low maintenance pavements and crosswalks, lighting similar
to the Legacy Village project with a historic perspective, and that recycled plastic or resin
materials might be used for the benches rather than using wood.
Mr. Ahl explained the streetscaping options would be presented to the planning, parks, and
historical commission on October 16, and will then be brought to the city council for final
review. Phase I streetscaping improvements in Gladstone will be implemented spring 2008.
Since the applicant for item 6. b. was not yet present at the meeting, the board moved on to
consider item IX. Staff Presentations.
IX. STAFF PRESENTATIONS
a. City Attorney Alan Kantrud-Clear Channel
City attorney Alan Kantrud discussed a city council referral to the board regarding a
modification to the city sign ordinance. Mr. Kantrud, on behalf of the city council, asked the
board to review the data and report to the council any advice or information for their
consideration regarding: (1) the ordinance change striking prohibited sign language, (2) the
proposed ordinance regulating dynamic signs within the city, and (3) the settlement
agreement. The board discussed the issues concerning the proposed changes to the sign
ordinance and the settlement agreement proposal.
Chair Olson recommend that a conditional use permit be issued for the existing sign on 1-494
operated by Clear Channel, that a settlement agreement of $1 00,000 in cash for the
construction of this sign in violation of existing codes be presented to the city, and that the
board work with the city council regarding prohibited and dynamic sign language changes.
Board member Ledvina seconded the motion for discussion, but said he was uncomfortable
with naming a settlement amount in the motion. Board member Ledvina withdrew his motion
second; the motion died for lack of a second.
Board member Ledvina recommended the board work with the planning commission and city
council to adopt the proposed changes to the ordinance and draft dynamic sign language
concurrently at a future meeting. Mr. Ledvina further recommended any settlement the city
may make with Clear Channel should not involve the erection of more dynamic signs.
Board member Ledvina seconded
Ayes - Wise, Ledvina, Demko
Nay - Olson
The motion passed.
Chair Olson stated the reason she voted against the motion was due to the fact she would
prefer language in the recommendation regarding the amount of the settlement.
Community Design Review Board
Minutes 10-09-07
4
Continuation of Design Review items.
VI. DESIGN REVIEW
b. Concept Review - English Street Manufactured Home Site Redevelopment in the
Gladstone Neighborhood (1880 English Street)
Planner Shann Finwall presented the staff report on this proposal. Cal Seegar of Crossroads
Development explained the project. The only way they think this development would be cost
effective is to ensure a higher density development. That is why they are proposing the 38
units. The board discussed the proposal and agreed that the project has a very tight fit to the
property (i.e., very little green space). They suggested having a greater setback to allow for
tree plantings. They also discussed that the project would be more marketable if the developer
installed functioning balconies, rather than walk outs. The board stated that since this is
proposed as an active senior development, more parking stalls would probably be needed. In
addition, they felt roof dormers and other building details should be implemented into the
project.
VII. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
No visitors present.
VIII. BOARD PRESENTATIONS
No board presentations.
X. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:36 p.m.