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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.