HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/14/2002AGENDA
MAPLEWOOD COMMUNITY DESIGN REVIEW BOARD
May 14, 2002
6:00 P.M.
Maplewood City Hall Council Chambers
1830 County Road B East
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
10.
Call to Order
Roll Call
Approval of Agenda
Approval of the March 12, 2002 Minutes
Unfinished Business: None Scheduled
Design Review:
a. Kline Nissan Automobile Dealership - 3090 and 3110 Maplewood Drive
b. 3M Building #277 - Conway Avenue East of McKnight Road
Visitor Presentations
Board Presentations
Staff Presentations:
a. Second City Council Meeting in May Rescheduled to May 28, 2002
(Tuesday) - Relocate May 28 CDRB Meeting to Maplewood Room
b. Interview of Applicants for CDRB Membership
Adjourn
II.
III.
IV.
MINUTES OF THE MAPLEWOOD COMMUNITY DESIGN REVIEW BOARD
1830 COUNTY ROAD B EAST, MAPLEWOOD, MINNESOTA
TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2002
CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Ledvina called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Matt Ledvina
Craig Jorgenson
Linda OIson
Ananth Shankar
Staff Present:
APPROVAL OFAGENDA
Present
Absent
Present
Present
Shann Finwall, Associate Planner
Lisa Kroll, Recording Secretary
Board member Olson moved to approve the agenda.
Board member Shankar seconded.
Ayes-Ledvina, Olson, Shankar
The motion passed.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approval of the CDRB minutes for March 12, 2002.
Board member Olson had a correction on page 6 in the eighth paragraph. It should
read Board member Olson stated that at a recent meeting at work she learned that with
rather than when.
Chairperson Ledvina had a correction on page 5 in the first paragraph. It should read
part of the reason the driveway is curved rather than curbed. Another change is in the
fifth paragraph it should read pea gravel rather than peat gravel.
Board member Olson moved approval of the minutes for March 12, 2002, with the
amended changes.
Chairperson Ledvina seconded.
Ayes---Olson, Ledvina
Abstention -Shankar
The motion passed.
Community Design Review Board
Minutes 5-14-2002
V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.
VI. DESIGN REVIEW
a. Kline Nissan Automobile Dealership - 3090 and 3110 Maplewood Drive
Ms. Finwall said Rick Kline, of Kline Auto World, is proposing to build a 25,502-square-
foot, two-story Nissan dealership with a 16-bay automobile maintenance garage. The
dealership will be constructed at 3090 and 3110 Maplewood Drive (Highway 61). This
site is zoned M-l, Light Manufacturing, and currently contains two vacant single-family
homes.
The applicant is requesting that the city council approve:
A 75-foot-wide wetland buffer variance. The Ramsey/Washington Metro
Watershed District has classified the wetland on the site as a Class 1 wetland.
City code requires a 100-foot-wide wetland buffer along Class 1 wetlands. The
applicant is proposing a 25-foot-wide wetland buffer.
A conditional use permit (CUP) for a maintenance garage. The sale of new and
used vehicles is permitted. City code requires a CUP for service and
maintenance garages.
3. Design review (architectural, site, landscape, and lighting plans).
The applicant proposes to grade up to the wetland edge and to reestablish an
"improved" 25-foot-wide buffer. The parking lot will be constructed 25 feet from the
wetland's edge. The applicant is working with Sunde Engineering to design and install a
subsurface storm water infiltration system that will help treat the water prior to being
deposited into the wetland. This type of system was also installed at the Volvo
dealership located to the south of the Nissan site.
On April 4, 2002, the Ramsey/Washington Metro Watershed District approved the Kline
Nissan dealership proposal. The watershed district requires only a 75-foot-wide
wetland buffer for Class 1 wetlands, as opposed to the city's required 100-foot-wide
buffer. Therefore, the watershed district approved a 50-foot-wide wetland buffer
variance that allows the applicant to remove the entire buffer and to provide an
"improved" 25-foot-wide-buffer with reestablished native vegetation once the subsurface
storm water infiltration system is installed.
After much debate, staff had determined that preserving more of the natural wetland
buffer along the northeast side of the property would be a suitable compromise,
especially since the watershed district indicated that the flood plain wetland to the east
is particularly sensitive.
Community Design Review Board
Minutes 5-14-2002
Ms. Finwall said allowing the proposed 25-foot-wide wetland buffer on the east and
south would preserve much of the applicant's site plan and cause the least disruption to
the parking and traffic patterns as proposed.
R.J. Ryan Construction submitted a new site plan for review after the planning
commission meeting. The new site plan shows the 50-foot-wide wetland buffer setback
on the northeast side of the property. With this alternative, the applicant would lose 29
parking spaces from their originally submitted site plan, for a total of 240. For
comparison, this would be 64 more parking spaces than the Kline Volvo dealership,
(they have 88 spaces). The newly submitted site plan meets the recommendations of
staff and the planning commission. However, Mr. Stearns, the Vice President and
C.E.O. of Kline Volvo has not approved of the change to Kline Nissan's proposal.
On May 6, 2002, the planning commission recommended approval of Nissan's
proposed conditional use permit and wetland buffer variance with the condition that
Nissan maintain a 50-foot-wide wetland buffer along the northeast portion of the site as
recommended by staff. At the meeting, Mr. Stearns, indicated that he agreed with all of
staff's recommendations except the 50-foot-wide wetland buffer setback on the
northeast side of the site. He indicated that the site was very expensive and because of
this they would need every square foot of land they would get.
The city's parking ordinance does not clearly define the special parking requirements for
an automobile dealership, i.e., parking spaces for automobile inventory. However,
using the ratio of 1 space for each 200 square feet of office/showroom, 1 space for
every 1,000 square feet of parts storage, 3 spaces for each service bay, and 1 space
per employee, the Nissan site is required to have 131 parking spaces. The applicant's
original site plan shows 269 parking spaces and the newly submitted site plan shows
240 parking spaces.
The proposed building will have a front exterior of flat metal panel wall systems,
corrugated metal panels, and anodized aluminum frames with insulated glass. The
sides and rear exterior will be rock-face concrete block and EIFS (exterior insulation
finish system - a stucco-look material).
The front and south side of the building will be visible from Highway 61. The south side
of the building has a large expanse of rock-face concrete block, giving the appearance
of a very large plain wall. For this reason, staff recommends that design elements
found on the front of the building also be implemented onto the south side, including the
extension of the flat metal panel wall systems with decorative corrugated metal panels.
Much of the north elevation is already treated decoratively.
After the May 6, 2002, planning commission meeting, R.J. Ryan Construction submitted
a new south elevation showing five, small square windows along the top portion of the
elevation. This proposal was submitted due to staff's concerns over the large rock-face
concrete block wall that will be visible from Highway 61.
Community Design Review Board
Minutes 5-14-2002
4
Installing five small windows breaks up the wall only slightly. Therefore, staff further
recommends that additional design elements be implemented on the south side.
The city's tree preservation ordinance requires that all quality trees that have a trunk
diameter of at least 8 inches be removed from the site, be restored one for one up to 10
trees per acre. The site has 18 large trees, 14 of which will be removed. Therefore, the
applicant is only required to plant 14 trees on the site. The proposed landscape plan
shows a total of 35 trees on the site, exceeding the tree preservation requirements. The
applicant has not provided a turf restoration plan for the wetland buffer. This plan
should be submitted to the city and the watershed district prior to issuance of a building
permit.
The lighting plan meets city requirements and includes 24 parking lot pole lights (25 feet
high) and 4 wall-pack lights. The maximum light intensity at the property line is .4-foot
candles.
There are six vehicle display pads shown on the site plan in addition to the 269 to 240
parking spaces proposed. Two of the display pads are shown constructed within the
requested 25-foot-wide wetland buffer on the south side of the lot. A new site plan
should be submitted which shows that the vehicle display pads do not encroach into the
wetland buffer.
Chairperson Ledvina said the the wetland variance represents a land use issue and is
not really up for discussion at this meeting. That land use issue was discussed at the
May 6, 2002, planning commission meeting. He suggested that board members focus
on the design elements.
Board member Olson asked staff about the letter from Lieutenant Banick recommending
this proposal be denied. She asked if staff has spoken with the Maplewood Police
Department?
Ms. Finwall said the police department has concerns because the proposed dealership
is being constructed with the building towards the front of the property and most of the
parking in the back. Their concern is that there will be automobile vandalism. It should
be noted that the lighting at Kline Nissan appears to be adequate and the dealership
does not express the same concern. The police department has these same concerns
at the other dealerships in the city. It is an ongoing problem.
Board member Olson said this relates more to the fact that the city does not have
enough police officers, is that correct?
Ms. Finwall said that could be part of the problem.
Board member Shankar asked if in addition to the two display units staff was
mentioning, some on-grade parking would also be within the wetland easement that
would have to be taken out?
Community Design Review Board
Minutes 5-14-2002
Ms. Finwall asked if Mr. Shankar was referring to the south portion of the parking lot?
Mr. Shankar said yes.
Ms. Finwall said it does not appear that any of the parking encroaches into the 25-foot
setback.
Chairperson Ledvina said to clarify there will be two wetland setbacks on this property.
A 50-foot setback on the northeast property line and all other areas on the south would
be a 25-foot setback.
Ms. Finwall said that is correct as proposed by staff and recommended by planning
commission.
Chairperson Ledvina asked staff if there are dedicated parking stalls for customer
parking? He knows the board has had issues with this with other car dealerships.
Basically customers don't have enough room to park and the inventory takes all the
parking stalls up. Is there any type of requirement or designation on the site plan that
would help the board with this?
Ms. Finwall said currently the applicant does not designate a specific number of
customer parking stalls?
Chairperson Ledvina asked what the staff's opinion is in this regard?
Ms. Finwall said this has been a problem with other dealerships. The inventory was
such that it left little customer parking. However, the applicant is proposing 269 parking
spaces. It was a requirement for Maplewood Toyota that they assign several of their
spaces as customer parking only. If the board would like to add that as a condition that
the applicant assign several parking spaces as customer parking only that would make
sense.
Chairperson Ledvina asked staff what the appropriate number of customer parking
spaces are?
Ms. Finwall said the city ordinance does not clearly define that so the staff would
probably leave that up to the applicant to decide what their customer load would be.
Chairperson Ledvina said perhaps the applicant may have some information on that.
Chairperson Ledvina said it was unclear in the staff report whether the canopy shown
on page 19 is part of the proposal.
Ms. Finwall said that was not part of the proposal. She thought the design element
elevations would give board members an idea of what the building would look like but
that canopy is not part of this proposal.
Community Design Review Board
Minutes 5-14-2002
Chairperson Ledvina asked the applicant to address the board.
Mr. Jack Grotkin, the Vice President of R.J. Ryan Construction, Inc., addressed the
commission. Mr. Grotkin said he does not have any color renderings but he does have
some finish material sheets that were provided by Nissan from their factory prototype.
The entryway is going to have a red ACM material on it that is a fiberglass smooth
panel. The glass framing will be silver with a clear glass in it. The metal panels are a
gray material. The corrugated metal and louvers will match and are just there for an
accent. The EIFS and rock-face block will be painted in a coordinating gray color to
match.
Chairperson Ledvina asked if these metal panels are flat or gloss finish?
Mr. Grotkin said the metal panels are flat and look like brushed aluminum and come
directly from Nissan.
Board member Olson asked if the color scheme is primarily gray and silver with touches
of red?
Mr. Grotkin said correct.
Chairperson Ledvina asked if the metal panels are painted?
Mr. Grotkin said no they are pre-finished metal and are maintenance free.
Chairperson Ledvina asked if Mr. Grotkin could address the issue of providing customer
parking spaces?
Mr. Grotkin said they don't show any customer parking on this site plan. They did
address customer parking on the Kline Volvo dealership. For that dealership they used
the parking in the front for customer parking. He said there are 12 parking stalls in front
of the building that he would propose as customer parking.
Chairperson Ledvina asked if that would be sufficient?
Mr. Grotkin said he thinks it would be sufficient. He will leave it up to Mr. Kline if more
customer parking stalls should be designated or not.
Chairperson Ledvina asked if the applicant has any concerns regarding the staff report
recommendations?
Mr. Grotkin said other than the 50-foot wetland setback recommendation he doesn't
have any concerns.
Community Design Review Board
Minutes 5-14-2002
7
Chairperson Ledvina asked the applicant what he would propose to do to modify the
south elevation to reduce the visual impact of that large wall associated with the service
area.
Mr, Grotkin said he had proposed putting the windows on that elevation from the
planning commission meeting recommendation. They could also run a band of single
score block across the wall above or below the windows to break up the rock face block
wall. He said he would ask the architect about that.
Board member Shankar asked about the drainage off the roof.
Mr. Grotkin said the building will have interior roof drains and there are overflow
scuppers.
Board member Olson asked the applicant how they are going to resolve having the car
pads extend into the wetland area?
Mr. Grotkin said they will either reduce the size of the car pads or eliminate them
entirely. The oblong car pad will be reduced and the round car pad will probably be
eliminated completely.
Board member Shankar said he assumes the cars will be delivered on trucks. How will
the trucks get in and out of the site?
Mr. Grotkin said the trucks can either come off Highway 61 and exit onto County Road
D or enter onto County Road D and exit back onto Highway 61, Part of the concern
with reducing the setback from 25 feet to 50 feet is it tightens that up. It will still work
but it would have been nice to have a 25-foot wetland setback throughout site.
Board member Shankar asked the applicant if he thought there would be enough room
to have a semi truck go into the site and unload cars?
Mr. Grotkin said yes there is enough room and they are aware that there will be no
removing of cars on the highway.
Board member Olson said she is curious about the landscape plan.
Mr. Grotkin said they have done a tree mitigation report and they have hired a forester
to make a plan and follow the guidelines. They are removing quite a few trees from this
site but they will be planting new trees,
Board member Olson asked if there will be dedicated vegetation along the wetland
area?
Mr. Grotkin said it will be similar to the Volvo dealership next door with native plantings
in the buffer and an award winning drainage system installed in the parking lot.
Community Design Review Board
Minutes 5-14-2002
Chairperson Ledvina said the major concern for the CDRB is the large expansion of
concrete block on the south elevation. The applicant has made some effort by
incorporating some small windows into that wall. There may be some further
modifications board members may require.
Chairperson Ledvina and board member Shankar discussed various ideas for the south
elevation of the building to include smooth bands on the large expansion.
Board member Olson asked if final approval of the revised south elevation could be
done with staff approval?
It was determined that a smooth band should be added to align with the windows. The
banding should be approved by the staff prior to issuance of a building permit.
Board member Shankar moved to approve the plans date-stamped March 5, March 20,
April 22, and May 9, 2002, for the proposed Nissan dealership at 3090 and 3110
Maplewood Drive, based on the findings required by the code. Approval is subject to
the following conditions:
ao
Repeat this review in two years if the city has not issued a building permit for this
project.
bo
Before getting a building permit, the applicant must submit to staff for approval
the following:
Dedicating a 50-foot-wide wetland protection buffer easement along the
northeast lot line and a 25-foot-wide wetland protection buffer easement
along the remaining wetland edge. This easement shall be prepared by a
land surveyor, shall describe the boundary of the buffer and shall prohibit
an building, mowing, cutting, filling or dumping within the buffer. The
applicant shall record this easement before the city will issue a building
permit.
=
Submitting a revised grading plan showing compliance with the required
wetland dedications. The grading plan shall include grading to within 10
feet of the wetland edge on the side where the 50-foot-wide wetland buffer
is required, with restoration of the remaining 40 feet of wetland buffer
consisting of native plantings to be approved by staff and the watershed
district.
=
Submitting a revised landscape plan for the restoration of 40 feet of the
wetland-protection buffer on the northeast side of the site and for the 25-
foot-wide buffer in the other wetland buffer areas. This plan shall be
subject to staff and watershed district approval. Underground irrigation is
required for all landscaped areas, excluding the wetland protection buffer.
Community Design Review Board
Minutes 5-14-2002
4. A revised site plan showing the following revisions:
a)
A 50-foot setback for the parking lot from the wetland on the
northeast side of the site. The revised site plan shall include the
reconfiguration of the parking stalls and will ensure that no vehicle
display pad encroaches into the required wetland buffer.
b)
A right-turn lane from Highway 61 into the site, subject to MnDOT's
approval.
c)
A trash enclosure that matches the building in material. This
enclosure shall not be placed in required parking spaces. It must
have a 100 percent opaque closeable gate. If the trash dumpster is
kept inside the building, an outdoor enclosure is not required.
Verification that all watershed district special provisions, as indicated on
the watershed district permit, are met prior to issuance of a building or
grading permit for the site.
A revised south building elevation showing a smooth faced band on the
concrete block to align with the windows. The banding shall also
align with the metal panels located on the side. This revision is
subject to staff approval
Combine the two parcels (3090 and 3110 Maplewood Drive) into one
parcel with Ramsey County. Proof of lot combination must be submitted
prior to issuance of a building permit.
Applicant shall submit to staff for review and approval a striped
parking plan which designates customer only parking spaces within
the site plan.
c. The applicant shall complete the following before occupying the building:
1. Replace any property irons removed because of this construction.
Install a reflectorized stop sign at the exit and a handicap-parking sign for
each handicap accessible parking space.
Construct a trash dumpster enclosure to meet code requirements, unless
trash dumpsters are stored indoors.
Community Design Review Board
Minutes 5-14-2002
]0
Install an in-ground lawn irrigation system for the parking lot islands and
the sodded areas between the highway and the parking lot. Lawn
irrigation in the right-of-way may be waived if MnDOT will not allow it. It is
also waived in the wetland buffer area.
5. Post signs identifying the customer and employee parking spaces.
Install city approved wetland buffer signs at the edge of the wetland buffer
easement that notifies that no building, mowing, cutting, filling or dumping
is allowed within the buffer.
d. If any required work is not done, the city may allow temporary occupancy if:
1)
The city determines that the work is not essential to the public health,
safety or welfare.
2)
The city receives a cash escrow or an irrevocable letter of credit for the
required work. The amount shall be 150 percent of the cost of the
unfinished work. Any unfinished landscaping shall be completed by June
1 if the building is occupied in the fall or winter or within six weeks if the
building is occupied in the spring or summer.
This approval does not include signage. All proposed signs must comply with the
city's sign ordinance and the applicant must obtain all required sign permits prior
to installation.
All work shall follow the approved plans. The director of community development
may approve minor changes.
Board member Olson seconded.
Ayes - Ledvina, Olson, Shankar
The motion passed.
This item goes to the city council on Tuesday, May 28, 2002.
b. 3M Building #277 - Conway Avenue East of McKnight Road
Ms. Finwall said 3M Company is proposing to build a 56,861-square-foot (total of both
floors), two-story building on the north side of Conway Avenue west of the Building #270
parking lot. The applicant would use this building to house computer and data-
processing equipment. They anticipate a parking need for 28 new parking spaces.
There would be 26 spaces west of the proposed building and two on the north side.
The paved area on the north is meant for dock access and deliveries.
Community Design Review Board
Minutes 5-14-2002
The building would have an exterior of brick, precast concrete and metal panels. The
brick would match the color of the other brick buildings in 3M Center. The metal panels
would be a compatible color to the brick, though the applicant has not determined the
panel color.
The proposed building would fit in with the other buildings at 3M Center. If the applicant
has not picked the color of the metal panels by the meeting date, staff suggests that the
review board direct staff to approve the building colors prior to building permit issuance.
The proposed building would have adequate parking. Should parking needs change
and more parking be needed in the future, there is a considerable amount of open and
ramped parking next to this site.
Ms. Finwall said the applicant proposes to remove 11 existing trees along 5th Street
and Conway Avenue but would replant the perimeter of the site with 30 new trees and
two planting beds.
The proposed landscaping seems somewhat sparse in consideration of the large south
elevation of the proposed building. Staff recommends that the applicant add
landscaping along the south side by including three to four planting beds spaced along
the front to break up and soften this long elevation. The revised plan should also
identify the planting species, sizes and quantities. City code requires deciduous trees to
be at least 2~/~ inches in caliper, balled and burlapped. Coniferous trees must be at
least six feet tall.
Ms. Finwall said the site is currently used as a parking area for semi trailers. These
would be relocated to 3M's Case Street distribution center in St. Paul.
Ms. Finwall said Chris Cavett, Maplewood Assistant City Engineer, reviewed the
applicant's civil drawings. Mr. Cavett felt that the applicant should develop the plans
further. He outlined his concerns in the staff report. The review board should require
the applicant to submit revised civil engineering plans for review and approval of the city
engineer.
Chairperson Ledvina asked the applicant to come forward and address the board.
Mr. Jeff Rudin, the project manager for Sebesta Blomberg, addressed the board.
Sebesta Blomberg is the architecture and engineering firm for this proposed project at
3M Company. He said the building is the technical operations system and houses
computer equipment. It is a two-story building with a 20,000 square foot second floor
that will be a machine room for the computers. The color of the metal panels will be
gray and are pre-finished. The precast stone is cream in color and is a veneer material.
This material acts as a wainscot and will be around the east and west elevations and
along the north wall at the loading dock. The columns are wrapped in the precast stone
as well.
Community Design Review Board 12
Minutes 5-14-2002
Board member Shankar asked if the drainage from the roof is internal? He does not see
any scuppers.
Mr. Rudin said there is a step in the roof beyond the main roof expanse over the
machine room. This drains into an interior roof drain system on the east and west side.
The building is essentially wrapped on three sides by a single story structure. Mr. Rudin
said the Iow roof on the north actually drains to the north into a storm sector and out to a
catch basin that is located in Avenue "N". The east and west Iow roofs on the west side
drain into the 12-inch diameter pipe that goes to the drainage well under the parking lot.
The drainage from the single story roof to the east actually drains out onto the grade
and they use the natural landscaping as a filter for the solids and phosphorus before it
enters the street. This seemed to be consistent with what the staff was looking for.
Board member Shankar asked if the glass is going to be green like the other buildings
adjacent to this?
Mr. Rudin said no the glass is clear. That building you're referring to is old. They are
trying to tie this proposed building into the triad of buildings north of Conway Avenue.
Chairperson Ledvina said this will be a big improvement from what is currently there.
The storm water drainage and the landscaping will definitely be a huge plus for this site
and he is very happy to see this development there. The architecture is such that the
building does not appear massive and has some features and variations of building
materials and he does not see any issues to bring up.
Board member Olson said considering there are not very many windows this is quite an
attractive product. Regarding the letter from Chris Cavett about storm water
management, were all of his concerns in the staff report addressed yet?
Ms. Finwall said none of those issues have been addressed yet.
Chairperson Ledvina said those are conditions of approval so staff would anticipate the
applicant would meet those.
Board member Shankar said he would agree with Mr. Ledvina's comments. He is not a
fan of 3M brick but having massive amounts of metal panels like they are proposing
breaks it up. Otherwise, he said an entire building of 3M brick would be over-bearing.
Board member Shankar moved to approve the plans date-stamped April 17, 2002, for
the proposed building #277 at 3M Center on Conway Avenue. Approval is subject to
the applicant doing the following:
Repeat this review in two years if the city has not issued a building permit for this
project.
Community Design Review Board
Minutes 5-14-2002
Before getting a building permit, the applicant shall submit the following to staff
for approval:
A revised grading, drainage and erosion-control plan addressing the
issues in the assistant city engineer's memorandum dated April 29, 2002.
A revised landscape plan that includes three to four additional planting
beds in front of the south elevation. The revised plan shall also identify
the planting species, sizes and quantities.
3. If any required work is not done, the city may allow temporary occupancy if:
ao
The city determines that the work is not essential to the public health,
safety or welfare.
bo
The city receives a cash escrow or an irrevocable letter of credit for the
required work. The amount shall be 150 percent of the cost of the
unfinished work. Any unfinished landscaping shall be completed by June
1 if the building is occupied in the fall or winter or within six weeks if the
building is occupied in the spring or summer.
Board member Olson seconded.
Ayes - Ledvina, Olson, Shankar
The motion passed.
VII. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
No visitors present.
VIII. BOARD PRESENTATIONS
Board member Olson briefly reviewed the last city council meeting she attended in
March. The city council discussed the Hillcrest Animal Hospital and the Lighting
Ordinance and that was all that pertained to the CDRB.
IX. STAFF PRESENTATIONS
aB
Second City Council Meeting in May Rescheduled to May 28, 2002
(Tuesday) - Relocate May 28 CDRB Meeting to Maplewood Room
Ms. Finwall reported that the city council would be meeting in the council chambers on
Tuesday, May 28, 2002, because of the Memorial Day holiday. Therefore, the CDRB
meeting will be moved to the Maplewood Room at 6:00 p.m. on May 28, 2002. She
said there are four items to be reviewed.
Community Design Review Board
Minutes 5-14-2002
14
1. Dearborn Meadows Town homes 2.
3. Tillges Medical Office Building 4.
Lexus Addition
S.P. Richards Addition
b. Interview of Applicants for CDRB Membership
Ms. Finwall said there are three applicants for the community design review board
(CDRB) vacancy. This vacancy is for the remainder of Board member Tim Johnson's
two-year term, which would end January 1, 2003. The three applicants are Diana
Longrie-Kline, Richard Eugene Currie, and Julie Lin Beitler. The board's
recommendations will go to the city council on Tuesday, May 28, 2002.
Chairperson Ledvina discussed the interview process with applicants. The applicants
were interviewed in alphabetical order by last name.
Julie Lin Beitler was the first applicant to be interviewed.
Chairperson Ledvina asked if she has any problem with the obligations of meeting two
Tuesdays a month at 6:00 p.m. or in the role of a community design review board
member?
Ms. Beitler said no. She is studying for her Master's degree and she has class on
Monday and Wednesday night.
Chairperson Ledvina asked while listening to the meeting this evening, if she had any
comments or impressions to share of the proposals and how things were handled
between staff, the board and the applicant?
Ms. Beitler said she thinks the CDRB needs a few more people on the board. It is kind
of quiet up there. She thinks the board pointed out some good things. Especially with
the Nissan dealership and adding the banding by the windows on the south elevation, it
is too plain. It is interesting to learn the details that are picked through. She is sure with
each applicant you gain more experience. The design review is interesting to her and
she would really like to learn more about the steps of putting up a building. So many
times you hear about the planning issues and you don't hear about the issues that went
into the coloring, the lighting, the landscaping and so forth. It would be something she
is definitely interested in.
Chairperson Ledvina asked if she thought there was anything that could have been
improved on that the board did not consider?
Ms. Beitler said the two projects were pretty straightforward and she did not see
anything that the board did not bring up or ask about.
Chairperson Ledvina asked if she had any comments about the strip mall called "The
Corner Shops" located off Highway 36 and White Bear Avenue regarding the design
and site plan?
Community Design Review Board
Minutes 5-14-2002
15
Ms. Beitler said she feels it is a problem driving into the parking lot and she always feels
like she is going to get into an accident there. You have cross traffic from McDonald's
and the other stores and restaurants and it is a bit dangerous. She is not sure of
another way the parking lot and entrance could have been designed but it is very busy
and congested. She is not impressed with the landscaping and the ramp coming off
Highway 36 onto White Bear Avenue has a lot of garbage there along the fence. She is
not sure if that is the city or the county right-of-way but it looks really bad and not very
appealing. Otherwise, she likes the restaurants that are there and it looks a lot better
than when Bali Hai restaurant was there.
Chairperson Ledvina asked if she has any thoughts about any recent developments.
One that looks really nice and one development that you wondered what the city was
thinking and who let this happen?
Ms. Beitler said she is not impressed with how Pier 1 and Michael's Arts and Crafts
development turned out from when the Bruentrup Farm was taken out. She likes the
pond but it needs more landscaping and it is a shame that the large tree died. She is a
preservationist and would have rather seen the farm stay. She does like Emma's Place
so far with the deep colors and they have turned something that was just an open lot
into something that she thinks will end up looking nice. She does live by the Woodland
Hills Church and she thinks that looks nice compared with what was there before. The
color scheme and the entrance is a nice design she thinks.
Board member Olson asked if she has heard about the Hillcrest Area?
Ms. Beitler asked if she is referring to turning the bowling alley into town homes?
Board member Olson was referring to the Hillcrest Village Concept plan that was in the
newspaper and presented at a Metropolitan Council meeting at the church not too long
ago. It does involve the City of Maplewood too.
Ms. Beitler said she knows it involves St. Paul. She thought it was odd to have town
homes right there on White Bear Avenue.
Board member Olson asked how long she has lived in Maplewood and what city did she
move here from?
Ms. Beitler said she has lived in Maplewood for two years. She moved here from White
Bear, where she lived for a while. She is originally from Osceola, Wisconsin.
Board member Olson asked if she liked Maplewood?
Ms. Beitler said Maplewood was the closest city with malls and restaurants from
Osceola, Wisconsin where she grew up. She felt at-home and comfortable here when
they were looking for a house.
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Board member Olson asked what her involvement was with GIS?
Ms. Beitler said right now her position with Minnegasco she is a GIS Specialist. She is
responsible for entering anything into the GIS database. GIS is a mapping and data
storage program. They put all the gas facilities and all the data that goes along with it.
They produce maps. She just started working in the field with contractor design,
specking and putting in gas mains and making sure that they get the notes. The main
part of the job is taking accurate dimensions and it is very important when you are
working with gas.
Board member Olson asked her why she wants to be on this committee?
Ms. Beitler said she applied for the planning commission opening but someone else got
the position. She did not know too much about the CDRB but Shann Finwall described
it to her and she became interested. She finds any land use issues interesting to her. It
was her major in college and she has not pursued it yet but it is really something she
wants to get into it right now. She said she does some volunteer work at Minnegasco
and it is a good feeling to give back.
Chairperson Ledvina thanked her for taking the time to interview and mentioned to her
there would be a voting process done by the board and those results will be passed on
to the city council. The city council interviews will be Tuesday, May 28, 2002. If she
has any questions about anything she should call Shann Finwall.
Richard Eu.qene Currie was the second applicant to be interviewed.
Chairperson Ledvina asked if he has any problem with the obligations of meeting two
Tuesday's a month at 6:00 p.m. and in the role of the community design review board?
Mr. Currie said no he can schedule his time as seen fit. His work at Twin City Nursery
was not happy tonight however because they were busy so they did not appreciate him
leaving early. He saw the ordinance about the 21~ inch caliper and sometimes your
smaller trees will take off better than bigger trees.
Chairperson Ledvina asked if there are any specific developments in the city he felt
were real quality developments and good examples of how to do things? Also on the flip
side do you know of any developments that were not?
Mr. Currie commented on the last time he was up there was when they were doing
Gander's Mountain. You have to realize he was on the fire department for 13 years so
he pre-planned all the buildings west of Highway 61. He had to go through and draw
out plans. They have all the drawings of where everything is. When you talk about
Gander's Mountain and you wanted to kick out and make an indentation. In fire fighting
when you get in there, guys get lost in a smoke filled place. Outside you can put some
artificial stuff. When you put nooks and crannies in it is not a good situation. Guldens
restaurant was one of them.
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He was in that fire and in the basement they had a cement wall and the fire was on one
side and the fire fighters were on the other side and they could not find the door to go to
the other side. Consequently they lost it. Most of the designs are good, He has not
seen anything way out of line. Tonight's drawing look like they are going to use all of
the same bushes right around the wetland where there am other plants that maybe they
could have used to get some more color contrast. There are red twigged and there are
also yellow twigged for wetland areas.
Chairperson Ledvina asked if he had any questions about how the board handled any of
the two proposals tonight?
Mr. Currie said he thought it went smooth. Of course 3M wants to have their whole
complex look the same. Nissan looks like they are going to unload cars out into the
street anyway. He sees the dealerships all the way down Highway 61 when he comes
home at night. They all say they don't do that but they do. It will look good. The
windows at Nissan could have been bigger. They looked too tiny for that wall. They
could have put some arborvitaes on the outside or something to break that wall up and
give it a whole different effect. If they had the parking lot about four foot from the
building and you can get arb's that only have a two to three foot spread and you would
still have enough room in the back of the building so they won't be up against it.
Chairperson Ledvina asked if he had any comments about the strip mall called "The
Corner Shops" located off Highway 36 and White Bear Avenue with the design and site
plan?
Mr. Currie said he doesn't get out that way. He goes on County Road B. It is
interesting; he read who is supposed to be on this committee. If you read it there is a
total of 6 people. You are supposed to have two architects, two landscapers, and two
lay people.
Chairperson Ledvina said he believes that was a recommendation. The reason they
have an odd number is to prevent a tie vote.
Ms. Finwall said there is an error in the CDRB ordinance. It states them will be five
members. However, it goes on to state there will be two from landscaping, two from
architecture and two lay people which adds up to six people instead of five.
Board member Olson asked if that is something the board should correct as a
committee?
Mr. Currie said it is probably that should either be corrected or add something else.
Ms. Finwall said she would supply a copy of the ordinance at the next meeting for
members to take a look at.
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Board member Olson said she did ask Tom Ekstrand about the number of CDRB
members. She said when the design review board only has four members and
someone can't make the meeting it is hard to make the quorum. Mr. Ekstrand's
response was that it is a bit of a problem getting the community out to apply for these
openings.
Mr. Currie said maybe go to seven members so you have a better chance of a quorum.
He said all the commissions he has applied for didn't seem to have a shortage of
applicants. The only one was the civil service board.
Board member Olson said maybe Mr. Ekstrand was referring to earlier and conditions
may have changed.
Board member Olson asked Mr. Currie how long he has lived in Maplewood?
Mr. Currie said 49~ years.
Board member Olson asked him if he ever had a wish to move somewhere else?
Mr. Currie said no. He has his ma's house and you can't take him out. He was offered
to move to Oregon and run the nursery in St. Paul, Oregon.
Board member Shankar asked Mr. Currie if he could give the board one example of a
building he liked in the City of Maplewood for building design and one that you like for
landscape design?
Mr. Currie said he likes the landscape design at St. Jerome's because he did it. His
least favorite is the golf dome.
Chairperson Ledvina said thank you for taking the time to interview with the board and
he can contact Shann Finwall if he has any questions.
Mr. Currie said okay and he will see everyone on Mondays.
Diana Lonqrie-Kline was the third applicant to be interviewed.
Chairperson Ledvina asked while listening to the meeting this evening, were there any
comments or impressions of the proposals of how things were handled between staff,
the board and the applicant?
Ms. Longrie-Kline said she was surprised that the first applicant for Nissan did not have
their color renderings prepared and ready to go and that it was hard to match up the
colors with the design that they were presenting. If she were asking questions she may
have asked what were the peak times of the day and how many customer's do they
have on average during this peak time?
Community Design Review Board
Minutes 5-14-2002
She knows whenever she has been to a dealership there is never any customer
parking. People are parking in the fire lanes and that can be a safety hazard. Ms.
Longrie-Kline said she would have asked how many employees will they have and
where will the employees park? She thinks 12 customer parking spaces is probably the
minimum. Those would have been some of the questions she might have asked. With
regard to the south elevations, she thinks the idea of having a band on the wall along is
a good idea. She works for the Target stores in the real estate department and she is a
senior property administrator. Her region of responsibility is primarily on the east coast
so she does not work with any shopping centers in Minnesota whatsoever so there is no
conflict of interest. One of the things she does quite often is review architecture and
signage for different Target centers. Target has approval rights at these centers and
that is part of what she does besides review legal documentation and draft legal
documents. One of the architectural items she likes to look for is to ensure that a block
wall isn't just a big block wall.
Ms. Longrie-Kline said she likes the idea of having the band on the south elevation on
the Nissan building between the windows. She illustrated how she would have
suggested banding to the board. In regards to the 3M Center proposal, she thought
they did a pretty good job with their building. She thought it could have used a little
more landscaping.
Chairperson Ledvina asked if she has any concerns about the obligations for being a
board member?
Ms. Longrie-Kline said none whatsoever. She said she does not travel for her job and
she lives 15 minutes away. She works in Minneapolis but if she knows what time the
meeting is she just leaves early enough to get here in time.
Chairperson Ledvina asked if there are specific developments in the city she felt were
real quality developments and good examples of how to do things? Also on the flip side
do you know of any developments that were not?
Ms. Longrie-Kline said it is like the old saying if something is good you never remember
it, but if something is bad that sticks out in your mind. You see it and it is pleasing and it
seems fine. At the Maplewood Mall she did not like the big box store called Just For
Feet. She looks at a lot of signage and reviews documentation for signage in her
position. For this reason she thought that the large Birch Run Sign was a massive sign,
maybe a bit too large.
Chairperson Ledvina asked if she had any comments about the strip mall called "The
Corner Shops" located off Highway 36 and White Bear Avenue with the design and site
plan?
Ms. Longrie-Kline said she does drive by the development and she used to occasionally
go to the Bali Hai restaurant that was there.
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2O
She does go to Kinko's in that strip mall and she thinks the parking is fine at least for the
times she goes there. The mix of tenants seem to work fine.
She said she likes the looks of the architectural features and she thinks it looks kind of
trendy and fun.
Board member Olson asked if there was any other commission that she might be
interested in if she can't be on this commission?
Ms. Longrie-Kline said she has applied for the planning commission and she is also
interested in the community design review board. She has been trying to get on the
planning commission for some time now and she will keep trying until she can get on a
commission.
Board member Olson said her commitment to Maplewood appears to be very strong. Is
there another community that you have ties to?
Ms. Longrie-Kline said she has lived here for 18 years. She works in Minneapolis and is
on the Hennepin County Bar Association. She is also involved with the volunteer
lawyers network and she does pro-bono cases occasionally for them. She is also on
the board for the St. Croix Valley Boys Choir and has been on that board for five years.
Board member Shankar asked if you had to review two projects and approve only one,
and one project had a strong site plan but the building design was mediocre. The other
project, the building design was spectacular but the site plan was lacking, which one
would you approve?
Ms. Longrie-Kline said she thinks it is very important to have a good site plan. That site
plan has all the elements you need for functionality of the site whether or not it is
parking, drainage, access to roads etc. and a building can be a mediocre and it can be
very functional inside and it can be a fine building without being beautiful.
Chairperson Ledvina thanked her for her time during the interview with the board. He
said the board will vote and if you have any questions you can contact Shann Finwall.
Chairperson Ledvina asked each member to vote accordingly with 3 being the hi~qhest
score and 1 being the lowest score.
Ms. Finwall stated the voting results were as follows:
Julie Lin Beitler had 5 points.
Richard Euqene Currie had 4 points.
Diana Longrie-Kline had 9 points.
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Board member Shankar said Diana Longrie-Kline had well-rounded answers.
interests in a wide variety of things.
She had
Chairperson Ledvina said Diana Longrie-Kline has a lot of very strong qualities that will
improve the board's decision making and the contributions to the proposals that come
before the board.
Board member Olson said Diana Longrie-Kline had excellent answers. She would like
to add that Diana's knowledge of signage in her position at Target would prove to be
particularly valuable to the board as the review of the sign code moves forward,
Chairperson Ledvina agreed that he was interested when Diana talked about signs. Her
knowledge would be a real plus when the board reviews the sign code.
Board member Olson moved that the CDRB recommend to the city council to approve
Diana Longrie-Kline for the CDRB vacancy.
Board member Shankar seconded. Ayes - Ledvina, Olson, Shankar
The motion passed.
X. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:07 p.m.