HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/11/2007
MINUTES OF THE MAPLEWOOD COMMUNITY DESIGN REVIEW BOARD
1830 COUNTY ROAD BEAST, MAPLEWOOD, MINNESOTA
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2007
I. CALL TO ORDER
Vice-Chairperson Ledvina called the meeting to order at 6:00 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 at 6:15
Present
Present
Staff Present:
Shann Finwall, Planner
Ginny Gaynor, Open Space Coordinator
Also Present:
Jim Beardsley, Environmental and Natural Resources Commission
Ginny Yingling, Environmental and Natural Resources Commission
III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Board member Shankar moved to approve the agenda as submitted.
Board member Wise seconded.
The motion passed.
Ayes - all
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a. November 27, 2007
Board member Demko moved approval of the amended minutes of November 27, 2007, as
submitted.
Board member Wise seconded
The motion passed.
Ayes - all
V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
VI. DESIGN REVIEW
None
VII. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
None
VIII. BOARD PRESENTATIONS
a. December 4,2007 Planning Commission Meeting: Dynamic Display Sign Code
Amendment
Community Design Review Board 2
Minutes 11-27-2007
Board member Ledvina reported on this meeting. He said that the planning commission
requested clarification on the recommended display time change from eight to twelve
seconds. Mr. Ledvina said the commission agreed with the change to twelve seconds.
b. December 10, 2007 City Council Meeting: Dynamic Display Sign Code Amendment
Mr. Ledvina said when he attended this meeting, the dynamic display sign code amendment
was not listed on the agenda. He said there was a second reading of an amendment to the
prohibited sign code on the agenda that night which passed, but the council did not consider
the dynamic sign code amendment.
Mr. Ledvina said the council discussed tabled the conditional use permit for the expansion
of the billboard on Highway 36 and White Bear Avenue for a dynamic display sign at this
meeting, but he did not comment on that issue since the CUP was not a board topic.
Staff explained that the next possible date to schedule the first reading of the dynamic
display sign code amendment for council consideration will be at the first council meeting in
January.
IX. STAFF PRESENTATIONS
a. Wetland Ordinance Discussion
Planner Shann Finwall presented the staff report. Ms. Finwall explained that the proposed
draft wetland ordinance is being presented for the board's consideration.
Ginny Gaynor, open space coordinator, explained the details and proposed changes in the
ordinance. Ms. Gaynor said the major changes proposed were made to the classification
system of the ordinance, based on the Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District's
(RWMWD) adoption of the Minnesota Routine Assessment Method (MnRAM) wetland
classification system.
Ms. Gaynor explained the A+ Class is one additional class that is being recommended for
adoption, which would be used for the highest quality wetlands. Ms. Gaynor said 50 feet is
the minimum buffer being proposed for adoption in any of the buffers and averages.
Board member Ledvina said he recognizes that there are several agencies that have
requirements for filling or altering wetlands, but he recommends that a statement be added
to the proposed ordinance stating that a variance is required any time a wetland is proposed
for filling or alteration.
Ms. Gaynor agreed that Mr. Ledvina's suggestion of a clarifying statement requiring a
variance permit for filling or alteration in a wetland should be added to the ordinance.
Jim Beardsley of the Environmental and Natural Resources Commission said that since the
state requires a permit to alter any wetlands, a requirement was not included in the
ordinance. Mr. Beardsley agreed a requirement statement should be added to the draft.
Board member Ledvina said there have been instances in the past of filling in a wetland
without a variance and he feels it would be prudent to include a variance requirement in the
ordinance so any filling or alteration would be done appropriately. Mr. Ledvina also
Community Design Review Board 3
Minutes 11-27-2007
suggested a minor administrative change to move number five regarding variances to
number eight in the ordinance.
Mr. Beardsley said this shows the importance of the review by the community design review
board and planning commission for this ordinance proposal and thanked Mr. Ledvina for his
suggestions.
At this time, Chairperson Linda Olson took over the duties of chairing the meeting as Vice-Chairperson
Ledvina needed to leave the meeting.
Board member Olson said she did not see any clarification on managing weeds in wetlands
and also questioned how the city and county overlapping wetlands would be managed.
Ms. Gaynor responded that any wetlands in Maplewood would follow the requirements of
the Maplewood wetland ordinance. Ms. Gaynor also said in response to management of
weeds in wetlands that weeds listed on the state's noxious weed law would apply in
Maplewood and that each situation would be considered individually for the best strategy.
Board member Olson said she is generally in agreement with the draft of the wetland
ordinance.
Board member Wise asked what criteria was used to determine buffer areas for those
differing from RWMWD's code.
Mr. Beardsley responded that it was a long process of reviewing various literature on the
criteria for determining an effective buffer. Mr. Beardsley said that most of the literature
reviewed considered 50 feet as the minimum distance in order to protect a wetland.
Mr. Wise asked whether the same buffer exemptions would be allowed for commercial
properties.
Planner Finwall responded that the commercial exemption issue was considered and it was
determined that the city should allow exemptions for residential property owners to ensure
affordability to these residents in being able to upgrade their home to make them livable
through phases of their lives. Commercial property owners generally have access and the
opportunity to hire architects and explore unique alternatives.
Chairperson Olson expressed her appreciation for the opportunity to review and comment
on this proposed ordinance draft, since the criteria and conditions are issues that the board
must consider when making recommendations.
b. Cancellation of Second CDRB meeting in December
Planner Shann Finwall reminded the board of the cancellation of their second December
meeting and that the next meeting will be the second Tuesday in January.
x. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m.