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AGENDA
MAPLEWOOD COMMUNITY DESIGN REVIEW BOARD
May 13, 2003
6:00 P.M.
taaplewood City Hall Council Chambers
1830 County Road B East
Call to Order
Roll Call
Approval of Agenda
Approval of Minutes:
a. March 25, 2003
b. April 22, 2003
Unfinished Business: None Scheduled
Design Review:
a. Dearborn Meadow East - 15-UnitTownhouse Development on Castle
Avenue
b. Hillcrest Village Design Standards (Lighting and Landscaping)
Visitor Presentations: None Scheduled
Board Presentations
Staff Presentations:
a. May 27, 2003 Community Design Review Board Meeting -to be held in
Maplewood Room
b. Motions
10. Adjourn
II.
III.
IV.
MINUTES OF THE MAPLEWOOD COMMUNITY DESIGN REVIEW BOARD
1830 COUNTY ROAD B EAST, MAPLEWOOD, MINNESOTA
TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2003
CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Ledvina called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Matt Ledvina
Craig Jorgenson
Diana Longrie-Kline
Linda OIson
Ananth Shankar
Present
Absent
Absent
Present
Present
Staff Present:
Shann Finwall, Associate Planner
Lisa Kroll, Recording Secretary
APPROVAL OFAGENDA
Ms. Finwall recommended moving the approval of the minutes after Board Presentations.
Board member Olson moved to approve the agenda with the change.
Board member Shankar seconded.
Ayes - Ledvina, Olson, Shankar
The motion passed.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.
DESIGN REVIEW
a. Dearborn Meadow East - 15 Unit Townhouse Development on Castle
Ms. Finwall said Mr. Pat Kinney is proposing revisions to the approved Dearborn Meadow
townhouse development. In 2002, the city council approved plans for Dearborn Meadow with
nine townhouses (in four twin homes and one single unit). The revised plan now has a total of
15 townhouses (in seven twin homes and one single unit) on a 3.58-acre site on the south side
of Castle Avenue, north of Cope Avenue. Each building would have horizontal-lap vinyl siding,
aluminum soffits and fascia and brick veneer on the fronts. The planning commission
approved this proposal at their May 5, 2003, meeting.
Staff recommends approval of the design review with several conditions.
Board member Olson said she drove by the site and noticed a lot of water on the site. She
read one of the neighbor's comments and they were concerned about the drainage issues as
well. She asked staff if the city engineer expressed any concerns regarding the drainage and
if the water from the nursing home was going to be flowing onto this site?
Community Design Review Board 2
Minutes 5-13-2003
Ms. Finwall said she would refer board member Olson to the city engineer's report on page 26
in the staff report. She said maybe the applicant could answer to those issues as well.
Board member Shankar asked staff if Unit 1 and Unit 2 of Phase I was accessing directly off of
Castle Avenue?
Ms. Finwall said correct.
Chairperson Ledvina asked the applicant to address the board.
Pat Kinney, residing at 4108 Oakmeade Lane, White Bear Lake, addressed the board. The
standing water on the site is there because the road is cut in, but there is no storm sewer drain
installed on the site yet. The pond on the site was created to handle the drainage for this
development and the next phase of development as well. The standing water will drain once
the storm sewer drain is in and it will also handle the storm water runoff. He said the water
does not flow from the nursing home onto this property.
Chairperson Ledvina asked the applicant if he had any questions or concerns regarding the
staff report?
Mr. Kinney said no.
Chairperson Ledvina asked Mr. Kinney if he had any building samples to show the board?
Mr. Kinney said no he did not. He said the samples were shown when they applied for Phase I
of Dearborn Meadows.
Chairperson Ledvina asked if the applicant would be varying the color schemes of the
buildings?
Mr. Kinney said they plan on using the same color schemes as proposed in Phase I.
Board member Shankar asked if the city is allowing them to have parallel parking on Castle
Court?
Mr. Kinney said yes.
Chairperson Ledvina said he would like to see some visual differences in building colors. He
asked staff if they had any thoughts on changing the color scheme of the buildings?
Ms. Finwall said to just keep in mind that there are only eight twin homes and 1 single unit, so
having one color for that few of buildings is different than if it were a l O0-unit development
where color variety would be more important.
Chairperson Ledvina said the reason he brings the color scheme up is that he thought it would
add visual interest to the development varying the colors of the units such as light tan, beige,
or cream.
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Minutes 5-13-2003
Board member Shankar asked chairperson Ledvina if the intent of the applicant was to match
the development of Phase I?
Chairperson Ledvina said yes it is, but there is still time to change the colors since Phase II
has not been started yet.
Board member Shankar asked where in the staff report was the condition about adding brick
wainscoting.
Chairperson Ledvina said the condition to add brick wainscoting was on page 11, item 2. e.
Board member Olson said the applicant should add brick wainscoting on the east and west
sides.
Chairperson Levina said the board should be specific in the recommendation to add brick
wainscoting to units 8 and 9.
Board member Shankar said that means you would be requiring brick wainscoting on the
backsides of units 8 and 9.
Chairperson Ledvina said correct.
Board member Olson asked if units 2 and 3 would be looking out at a plain wall as well?
Chairperson Ledvina said that's what the building elevation shows.
Board member Shankar moved to approve the plans date-stamped April 7, 2003, (site plan,
landscape plan, grading, drainage plans and building elevations) for Dearborn Meadow. The
city bases this approval on the findings required by the code. The developer or contractor
shall do the following: (changes have a strike through them, additions are in bold),
1. Repeat this review in two years if the city has not issued a building permit for this
project.
Complete the following before the city issues a building permit:
a.*
Have the city engineer approve final construction and engineering plans. These
plans shall include: grading, utility, drainage, erosion control, tree, sidewalk and
driveway and parking lot plans. The plans shall meet the following conditions:
(1) The erosion control plan shall be consistent with city code.
(2) The grading plan shall:
(a) Include building, floor elevation and contour information.
(b)
Include contour information for the land that the construction will
disturb.
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Minutes 5-13-2003
(c) Show sedimentation basins or ponds as may be required by the
watershed board or by the city engineer.
(d)
Show a berm (two to four feet high) along the south property line of
the site.
(3) *The tree plan shall:
(a) Be approved by the city engineer before site grading or tree
removal.
(b)
Show where the developer will remove, save or replace large trees.
This plan shall include an inventory of all existing large trees on the
site.
(c)
Show the size, species and location of the replacement trees. The
deciduous trees shall be at least two and one half (2Y2) inches in
diameter and shall be a mix of red and white oaks and sugar
maples.
(d) Show no tree removal beyond the approved grading and tree limits.
(4)
All the parking areas and driveways shall have continuous concrete curb
and gutter except where the city engineer decides that it is not needed.
(5)
There shall be no parking on one side of the 28-foot-wide driveway (Castle
Place). The developer or contractor shall post Castle Place with no
parking signs to meet the above-listed standard. The city will allow
parking on Castle Court.
(6)
The site plan shall be submitted to the fire marshal for approval
regarding emergency vehicle access and turn around space.
Submit a certificate of survey for all new construction and have each building
staked by a registered land surveyor.
Submit a revised landscape plan to staff for approval that incorporates the
following details:
(1)
All trees would be consistent with city standards for size, location and
species.
(2)
Planting (instead of sodding) the disturbed areas around the wetland
with native grasses and native flowering plants. The native grasses and
flowering plants shall be those needing little or no maintenance and shall
extend at least four feet from the ordinary high water mark (OHWM) of
the pond. This is to reduce maintenance costs and to reduce the
temptation of people mowing into the pond.
Community Design Review Board
Minutes 5-13-2003
5
(3) The ash trees must be at least 21/2 inches in caliper, balled and
burlapped.
(4) The plantings proposed around the front of the units shown on the
landscape plan date-stamped April 7, 2003, shall remain on the plan.
(5) In addition to the above, the contractor shall sod all front, side and rear
yard areas (except for mulched and edged planting beds and the area
within the wetland easement).
(6) No landscaping shall take place in the Castle Avenue boulevard. The
contractor shall restore the boulevard with sod.
(7) Adding ten more evergreen trees (Black Hills Spruce or Austrian Pines)
to the proposed evergreen trees along the north and south property lines
of the site. These trees are to be at least six feet tall and the contractor
shall plant these trees in staggered rows on the berm.
d. Present a color scheme to staff for approval for each building.
e. Present a revised building plan for staff approval that shows brick wainscoting on
~ all sides of all thc units 8 and 9 along Castle Avenue.
f. If necessary, get an access permit from MnDot for the driveways that will be on
Castle Avenue (as MnDot has not turned Castle Avenue back to the city).
g. Provide the city with a letter of credit or cash escrows for all required exterior
improvements. The amount shall be 150 percent of the cost of the work.
h. The applicant shall provide a lighting plan for staff approval.
Complete the following before occupying each building:
a. Replace property irons that are removed because of this construction.
b. Restore and sod damaged boulevards. Sod all landscaped areas, except for the
area within the easement, which may be seeded.
c. Install continuous concrete curb and gutter along all interior driveways and
around all open parking stalls.
d. The developer or contractor shall:
(1) Place temporary orange safety fencing and signs at the grading limits.
(2) Remove any debris or junk from the site.
e. Put addresses on each building for each unit.
f. Provide a driveway turn around for Lot 7 on Castle Avenue.
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Community Design Review Board
Minutes 5-13-2003
4. If any required work is not done, the city may allow temporary occupancy if:
The city determines that the work is not essential to the public health, safety or
welfare.
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 is
in the spring or summer.
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All work shall follow the approved plans. The director of community development may
approve minor changes.
Board member Olson seconded.
Mr. Kinney asked if he could comment on the conditions the board changed or added?
Chairperson Ledvina said yes.
Mr. Kinney said he understands the concern about the brick wainscoting on the back of units 8
and 9 for consistency, but the building will have one walk out basement and one ground-level.
He doesn't see how the brick wainscoting would be done or how nice it would look.
Board member Olson asked how the rear of units 8 and 9 would relate to Castle Avenue?
Mr. Kinney said the street slopes at that point. The single unit will be higher in elevation and
then the elevation starts to slope down. Because of the elevations, the brick probably wouldn't
be visible from the street.
Board member Shankar asked if the front and back elevation for units 8 and 9 is the same or is
there a slope?
Mr. Kinney said there could be a possible lookout. Lot 8 has a flat lot and lot 9 is a lookout lot
so the elevation slopes from east to west going downwards.
Chairperson Ledvina asked Mr. Kinney what he would propose to improve the aesthetics from
Castle Avenue?
Mr. Kinney said he would be willing to plant more trees, which would add a pleasing
appearance for the homeowner and it would buffer the highway noise. He thinks adding the
brick wainscoting on the back of units 8 and 9 would not be visible from the highway anyway.
Chairperson Ledvina said in his opinion the brick wainscoting should be on all elevations of the
home. He doesn't think it would look nice to have brick on the rear elevation but not on the
sides.
Community Design Review Board
Minutes 5-13-2003
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Board member Olson said she thinks that would make the units more attractive because of its
proximity to the highway and increase the market value. It is also easier to maintain brick than
the vinyl siding.
Board member Shankar said in his opinion the deck railings for unit 8 are going to stick out
because they will be at eye level.
Chairperson Ledvina added a friendly amendment to item d. on page 11. To read: the
applicant shall review the current color schemes to identify possibilities of varying colors to
improve the aesthetics of the overall development. The color scheme shall be submitted for
staff approval.
Board member Shankar asked what if the applicant comes back and tells staff that they looked
at the color scheme possibilities and could not agree on anything?
Chairperson Ledvina said the board should then be clear with the recommendation to read: the
applicant should submit a color scheme that has multiple colors for siding materials. The color
scheme shall be subject to approval by staff.
Chairperson Ledvina said the curbing on the utility plan for Castle Court shows some right
angle curbing. He would like to have the applicant and staff review the curbing plan to
eliminate 90-degree angles and to smooth out those curbs. He asked staff if they had any
comment on where that friendly amendment would go?
Chairperson Ledvina made a friendly amendment stating: The city engineer and the applicant
shall review the curbing plan to eliminate right angles on the east end of Castle Court.
Board member Olson said she is concerned about the fire truck and utility issue. It says the
Fire Marshal wants to make sure the end driveways are large enough for proper snow removal
and to maneuver emergency vehicles. She wonders if there is turn around space at the end of
Castle Place and if the fire truck access is the driveway of the residents if emergency vehicles
need to get in there?
Ms. Finwall said she assumes they would have to turn around at the end of the driveways.
She said a condition could be added stating that concern under item 2. a. (6).
Board member Olson wanted to add that condition under 2. a. (6) stating the site plan shall be
submitted to the fire marshal for approval regarding emergency vehicle access and turn
around space.
Chairperson Ledvina repeated that board member Shankar made the motion, board member
Olson seconded. Ayes - Ledvina, Olson, Shankar
The motion passed.
This goes to the city council on Tuesday, May 27, 2003.
Community Design Review Board
Minutes 5-13-2003
b. Hillcrest Village Design Standards (Lighting and Landscaping)
Ms. Finwall said city staff is receiving comments and guidance from the planning commission
and community design review board on the drafting of a new zoning district called the mixed-
use zoning district. This meeting's discussion will focus on lighting and landscaping. Lighting
within the new mixed-use zoning district will consist of decorative streetlights as well as private
security and decorative lights. The lighting types will consist of streetlights and private security
and decorative lights.
Ms. Finwall said the City of Maplewood's existing landscaping ordinance deals mainly with
screening. The code states that required screening will be accomplished with an evergreen
planting screen, berm and shrubs, or a fence. The landscape ordinance further states that all
landscaping shall comply with the plans approved by the city. This language is vague and can
lead to a sparsely landscaped site. Street trees and landscaping will be important elements in
the new mixed-use zoning district. They will help soften the urban environment and bring
color, texture, and seasonal interest to the street. For this reason, additional landscape
requirements should be added to the mixed-use zoning district to ensure quality landscaping.
St. Paul's traditional-neighborhood zoning district has three landscape requirements. Another
good example of landscape requirements is within the Heart of the City development in
Burnsville. There are four objective and quality landscaping requirements. Staff proposes
adopting both the traditional-neighborhood and Heart of the City landscape requirements in the
new mixed-use zoning district.
Staff recommends that the community design review board offer comments and guidance on
the lighting and landscaping requirements proposed within the Hillcrest Village redevelopment
area. Staff will use this feedback to draft a new mixed-use zoning district for the Hillcrest
Village redevelopment area, as well as other redevelopment sites within the city.
Board member Olson said she has a comment on the private security and decorative lights
issue regarding reducing the height of private freestanding lights allowed within the new mixed-
use zoning district from the current maximum of 25 feet to a maximum height of 15 feet. In her
opinion, reducing it to 15 feet is too much and would affect people with recreational vehicles, or
two story homes, or a garage with a large roof. She also had a comment on item 4 on page 3.
She thinks the requirement should be more than one over story tree for every 500 square feet
of landscaped area.
Board member Shankar asked about the banner on the light poles. He thought the light pole
with the banner on it was too Iow and the other example was at a perfect height. He asked
staff if there was any reason for the height difference?
Ms. Finwall said the street lighting would be an architectural element and is something the city
is not proposing to put in the ordinance. Any proposed streetlights within the Hillcrest Village
area would be reviewed by the CDRB. Those types of comments will be for those discussions.
Chairperson Ledvina asked staff about item 1. on page 3 for the Heart of the City
development. He asked staff about the requirement that at least 10 percent of the total land
area within the perimeter of private parking and driveway areas shall be landscaped. He
asked staff if that referred to parking islands?
Community Design Review Board
Minutes 5-13-2003
Chairperson Ledvina asked if there were only a driveway would it be required to have some
type of green space within the driveway area? He mentioned to staff that number 2. is very
similar to item number 1. and he wondered if the two could be combined.
Board member Olson asked staff if that was meant to include setbacks between the curb and
the edge of the property if there is perimeter around the parking area?
Ms. Finwall said the statement regarding private parking should be specified more clearly. If
there was only a one-stall driveway you would not require a landscape perimeter within the
driveway.
Chairperson Ledvina said staff should look at a few more scenarios and maybe a small site
plan. There will likely be small site plans and it will not be possible for applicants to meet this
landscape requirement. He also commented on the requirement for one over story tree for
every 500 square feet and he thought that was fine.
Board member Olson said after hearing chairperson Ledvina relate the size of an over story
tree she agreed and withdrew her past comment to staff.
Chairperson Ledvina said he thought staff could use the landscaping standards for St. Paul
because they fit well and those comments could be used as the narrative incorporated into the
language to be developed.
Ms. Finwall asked board member Olson if 15 feet is too Iow then what height would she
propose for freestanding lights?
Board member Olson said she isn't sure that 15 feet is too Iow it is really only a gut feeling.
She was thinking a compromise could be 20 feet, which is between 15 and 25 feet. She thinks
maybe she needs more information regarding what kind of traffic is going to go around these
freestanding lights. The height may be an issue because there will be commercial delivery
trucks.
Chairperson Ledvina said maybe staff could do more research on the height of lights in relation
to truck clearance.
VI. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
No visitors present.
VII. BOARD PRESENTATIONS
There were no board presentations.
VII. STAFF PRESENTATIONS
a. May 27, 2003, CDRB meeting.
Ms. Finwall said the CDRB meeting will be held in the Maplewood Room on Tuesday, May 27,
2003, and the meeting will not be cablecast.
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Minutes 5-13-2003
lo
Ms. Finwall said because of the Memorial Day holiday the city council will be meeting on
Tuesday evening as well and they will be in the city council chambers. Ms. Finwall said at the
May 27, 2003, city council meeting CDRB items to be discussed include the Dearborn Meadow
proposal and Maplewood Auto Center's appeal of the CDRB conditions.
Board member Shankar will represent the CDRB at the Tuesday, May 27, 2003, city council
meeting if time permits after the CDRB meeting.
b. Motions
Ms. Finwall said she has noticed at times the board has been having difficulty not knowing
where to add the conditions. She said if a motion is made with additional conditions it is not
that important to indicate exactly where the condition should be added, as staff can do that
after the fact. This will save time and help avoid confusion during the meeting.
IX. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approval of the minutes for March 25, 2003.
Chairperson Ledvina moved to approve the minutes for March 25, 2003.
Board member Olson seconded.
Ayes - Ledvina, Olson
Abstention - Shankar
Approval of the minutes for April 22, 2003.
Board member Shankar moved to approve the minutes for April 22, 2003.
Board member Olson seconded. Ayes - Olson, Shankar
Abstention - Ledvina
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 p.m.