HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/22/2003AGENDA
MAPLEWOOD COMMUNITY DESIGN REVIEW BOARD
April 22, 2003
6:00 P.M.
Maplewood City Hall Council Chambers
1830 County Road B East
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Call to Order
Roll Call
Approval of Agenda
Approval of the March 25, 2003 Minutes
Unfinished Business: None Scheduled
Design Review:
a,
b.
Visitor Presentations:
Board Presentations
Staff Presentations
Maplewood Auto Mall - 2525 White Bear Avenue
Beam Avenue Retail - 1800 Beam Avenue
None Scheduled
10. Adjoum
I1.
III.
IV.
MINUTES OF THE MAPLEWOOD COMMUNITY DESIGN REVIEW BOARD
1830 COUNTY ROAD B EAST, MAPLEWOOD, MINNESOTA
TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2003
CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Shankar called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Matt Ledvina
Craig Jorgenson
Diana Longrie-Kline
Linda Olson
Ananth Shankar
Absent
Present
Absent
Present
Present
Staff Present:
Shann Finwall, Associate Planner
Lisa Kroll, Recording Secretary
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Ms. Finwall requested removing the CDRB minutes for March 25, 2003, due to lack of board
members present at that meeting to approve the minutes. Board member Jorgenson and
Shankar were absent from the CDRB meeting on March 25, 2003. The minutes for March 25,
2003, will be brought back to the next CDRB meeting on May 13, 2003.
Board member Olson moved to approve the agenda with the change.
Board member Jorgenson seconded. Ayes- Jorgenson, Olson, Shankar
The motion passed.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.
DESIGN REVIEW
a. Maplewood Auto Mall - 2525 White Bear Avenue
Ms. Finwall said Brian Pellowski of PBK Investments, Inc., is proposing sign and design
changes for the Maplewood Auto Center at 2525 White Bear Ave. The Maplewood Auto
Center is a multi-tenant mall with two buildings including several auto-related tenants in one
building and the Super America gas station in another building. Sign changes include allowing
cabinet-style wall signs for the auto-related tenants and sign changes for the Super America
gas station. Ms. Finwall said the design changes include painting the Super America building
white and red. Staff recommends that approval of the requested sign and design changes be
conditioned on both buildings being painted and the maintenance issues listed in the staff
report being corrected.
Community Design Review Board
Minutes 4-22-2003
Board member Olson said she knows these buildings are painted the same color. However,
she gets the impression the owners want to distinguish the different buildings by using
alternative colors. She said she thinks staff has done a good job listing conditions that need to
be addressed and that the parking lot needs repair.
Chairperson Shankar said in the staff report it states 2 different recommendations. He asked if
the first recommendation was for the wall sign for building A and the second recommendation
was for signs at the Super America gas station?
Ms. Finwall said the first recommendation covers the comprehensive sign amendment and it
outlines the changes from the originally proposed comprehensive sign plan on the entire site.
The second recommendation covers the design review changes for the site.
Chairperson Shankar asked the applicant to address the board.
Mr. Dave Earls, Director of Properties for PBK Investments who are the owners of the
buildings, addressed the board. He said they are trying to distinguish differences between the
buildings by painting them different colors. He said they have had problems with some
companies going bankrupt. When people come back to those companies and discover they
are no longer in business, they go into Super America asking questions about the companies
thinking they are connected to Super America, when really there is no connection between SA
and the auto center. He said they want Super America to stand out on their own.
Mr. Earls said two years ago when Alamo Car Rental came to the city and wanted a special
use permit the city required them to update their landscape plan. Updating the landscape cost
PBK Investments $5,000 to satisfy the city's requirements. The landscaping has a one-year
guarantee through Mogren's landscaping company. He said some of the landscaping died
through the winter but will be replaced at no charge. As far as the parking lot, in Minnesota
there are many parking lots that have potholes from the Minnesota winters. Last week he met
with Intercity Asphalt, a company that takes care of their parking lots. They gave a bid to
repair the potholes and restripe the parking lot. Last year, Intercity Asphalt came out to their
location twice to fix pothole problems from the carwash at Super America.
Mr. Earls said the garbage problem is from Caribou Coffee, Super America, Rainbow Foods
and the other sites. He said they send someone out twice a day to pick up garbage that blows
around. When the garbage is picked up, it tends to blow out of the dumpster. The garbage
attendants don't get out of their vehicles to pick anything up. They are trying to keep a better
eye on the garbage situation. When he started with PBK Investments the auto center was at
40% capacity and now they are 100% capacity. When space is full this gives them more
capital to work with. However, recently they have had four companies file chapter 7. As
property owners, they have to invest money into the property and they run the chance of
having to raise the rent. The signs that are on the buildings now were up when he came to
work for PBK. It was an oversight not looking into the sign ordinance. He agrees they need
sign consistency for both buildings. He said the cabinet-style signs cost about $2,000 a piece
and channel letter signs cost about $6,000. He said he thinks they need to keep the Sparks
and Super America signs in channel letters.
Community Design Review Board 3
Minutes 4-22-2003
Chairperson Shanker asked the applicant if PBK Investments was willing to repaint Building A
the same color it is now (green and beige)?
Mr. Earls said it would cost $30,000 to repaint Building A. It would cost even more to change
the paint color because it requires two coats of paint. The roof on Building A needs to be fixed
as well and that will cost roughly $40,000. PBK Investments has to justify the cost and they
need to decide what they can afford to do now and what will have to wait.
Board member Olson asked the applicant at what point do they do an overlay as opposed to
the bit patch repair on the potholes?
Mr. Earls said they would do an overlay after a complete break up of the whole parking lot,
such as having a really bad section or uneven parking. The majority of their potholes are
created by water runoff from the carwash. They do have some bad spots where the semi-
trucks come in and out. He said the asphalt company would saw cut the bad areas and then
patch the problem spots.
Board member Olson asked the applicant if the parking lot would get an overlay in the next two
years?
Mr. Earls said he estimates they are two-to-five years away from having a parking lot overlay.
Board member Olson asked Mr. Earls if he agreed with the recommendation to paint the fascia
trim and bollards on building A?
Mr. Earls said he took a bid last year for painting and he will get another bid this year. He said
the plan is to have the fascia trim and the bollards painted. He said the nicer they keep their
building the more appealing it is to the companies that lease space from them. He said it's a
hard building to lease because of the building placement.
Board member Jorgenson asked the applicant how he felt regarding the staff recommendation
for the concrete work?
Mr. Earls said he agreed there are a couple of curbs that need to be replaced which
deteriorated from the salt and snowplows over the winter.
Board member Jorgenson asked Mr. Earls if there were any problems regarding replacing the
landscaping?
Mr. Earls said Mogren's Landscaping across the street gave them a one-year warranty and will
replace any landscaping that died over the winter.
Chairperson Shankar asked the applicant what the intention was for the trash enclosures and
the garbage problem?
Mr. Earls said first they are going to switch trash companies to Randy's Sanitation.
Community Design Review Board
Minutes 4-22-2003
Mr. Earls said the trash enclosure problem is that the dumpster gets lifted up and it doesn't get
put back in the right place. They have tried locking the dumpster enclosure and they have
tried leaving the door open. The refuse company they hire has to guarantee they will put the
dumpster back in the proper place. Mr. Earls said at this location people have come in the
middle of the night and dumped garbage. He said they have worked with the police
department regarding this problem but the police have better things to do then patrol their
garbage dumpster. He said Randy's Sanitation has guaranteed they will handle the situation
properly. He will take a look at the dumpster situation at both buildings. They are going to
have someone walk the area picking up garbage a few times a day to keep a handle on the
situation.
Board member Olson said she would be happy to have the applicant paint the fascia and the
bollards. She understands the cost factor and the tight financial situation, especially with the
upcoming roof costs. She said she likes the idea of the buildings being painted different colors
to distinguish the uses of the buildings.
Chairperson Shankar said he does not have a problem with the applicant repainting the fascia
and the bollards, but he thinks a condition should be added stating a timeline when the whole
building has to be completely repainted. He thinks the estimated timeframe should be to
repaint Building A within three years.
Mr. Earls said he would like to bring that proposal back to the owner of the building.
Ms. Finwall asked for clarification regarding painting the freestanding pylon signs.
Mr. Earls said the freestanding pylon signs are not proposed to be painted. He said he would
have to talk to the owner about that. He said the owner is in the process of checking into
replacing the freestanding pylon signs because they are having some electrical issues with the
transformers.
Board member Olson asked the applicant if he anticipated coming back before the board with
plans for the new pylon signs?
Mr. Earls said he is not sure because new freestanding pylon signs could cost $70,000 to
$100,000 to replace.
Chairperson Shankar said he is not comfortable approving the design changes without painting
the freestanding pylon signs.
Mr. Earls said he would have to check with the owner. There are so many cost issues and he
is not sure what the owner plans on doing with the pylon signs yet.
Board member Olson said since you will already have the paint for the fascia and bollards you
could have the pylon signs repainted.
Mr. Earls said the pylon signs are stucco and the paint is not peeling, it is just faded and he
would still have to check with the owner.
Community Design Review Board
Minutes 4-22-2003
Chairperson Shankar said the applicant has the right to appeal any of the CDRB's conditions
of approval to the city council.
Ms. Finwall would recommend that Super America's freestanding pylon sign be repainted to
match the Super America colors.
Board member Jorgenson moved to approve Brian Pellowski's request for a comprehensive
sign plan amendment for the Maplewood Auto Center at 2525 White Bear Avenue subject to
the following conditions (deletions are stricken and additions are underlined to reflect
changes to the original comprehensive sign plan conditions):
Wall Siqns for Tenants of Buildinq A
Exterior tenant signage shall consist of store identification only and copy shall be
restricted to the tenant's proper name and major product or service offered. Corporate
Iogos, emblems, shields, and similar identifying devices shall be permitted f~
~rc cc,''~;'~'~'~..,. ,..... '"~*~'~'~..... ,,,, *~"~.,,.. =!gn w.......ho-"~ ~-c~,, upon approval of the landlord.
The signs shall be located in the recessed area above the tenant windows and garage
bays '~o;~-~*~ c!gn
· , ,~
Tenants located on the western side of the building are allowed use of cabinet-style
si~na~e !nd!¥!d-'-'a! !!!urn!hated !attar= only and the tenant located on the eastern side of
the building, facing White Bear Avenue, is allowed individual illuminated "-"-'o '"""' ~'""~
.~, ..... ,~ ..,.~;,,;.~, ,o, a,, ,,..,;,..,,.~ channel letter signafle only Th~.~ rn, ,c.,I..1:,..,,11 .... ~.~ ~l~f..~;I
Maximum size of cabinet-style signage for tenants located on the western side of the
building shall not exceed 24 inches in height and shall be centered in the recessed area
above the tenant windows and garage bays. Maximum size of channel letter signage
for the tenant located on the eastern side of the building, facing White Bear Avenue,
shall not exceed 28 inches in height and must maintain at least an 18-inch margin at
both ends. Prior to approval of the April 22, 2003, comprehensive sign plan
amendment. Northeast Import's cabinet-style sign must be relocated to be centered in
the recessed area above the tenant space. ~v; .... ~**... ~.,.~,-,~,, ;~ o,~ ;~,,.~,,~
~"""'~;"". '~ .... '~"'"'. ,~. m~rgln '-~ 18 ~""~'-" '"',,"* h,. ,.,...~.,,~,...,~ "~"~' ""'~ cf tho
'"'"~"*.v,, . .. ""'"""'"" T~';" '~'"'"~" "" "'"""~" '~'"'~'......'"*"'~...-. '""'"' '~'"""' '""'"'"'"*" on '~"-' ""-'""-""'~
Community Design Review Board
Minutes 4-22-2003
Electrical connections and junction box with circuit breaker will be located in the tenant
space. Access panels will be provided on the backside of the signage panel. The
landlord will provide one 20-amp circuit to the center of each storefront and it will be the
responsibility of the installing company to provide secondary wiring to face of canopy
and provide final hookup.
f,h,
Tenant may, if desired, place name and suite number on service doors. Signage for
service doors to read the same as the signage used on the tenant's storefront. Signage
on service doors shall be of 3-inch block Helvetica lettering.
Tenant signage shall be properly maintained and kept in safe condition. Any signage
that is unsafe, deteriorated or defaced shall be repaired or removed by tenant. Prior to
approval of the April 22, 2003, comprehensive siqn plan amendment, the two defaced
cabinet-style signs will be removed or faced with tenant signage.
Any type of signage other than those specified in this document shall be prohibited.
These include:
(1)
Any type of illuminated sign or sign composed of electrical components other
than thus listed, especially those with components which flash, revolve, rotate, or
make noise.
(2)(3-) Any type of plaque signage.
3.(.~.H-)--Signs employing molded or formed letters, or letters with no returns or exposed
fastenings.
Cloth, wood, paper or cardboard signs, stickers, decals or signs, letters, symbols,
or identification painted directly on the surface of the premises. Auxiliary
signage, such as that used for grand openings and sales may be subject to
landlord and city approval. Materials such as these may not cover more than 25
percent of total window area. Prior to approval of the April 22, 2003,
comprehensive sign plan amendment, the plywood sign and all banners that
have been used as permanent signs will be removed and replaced with the
required cabinet-style si.qna.qe.
(5)(6) Any exposed neon sign.
Wall Signs for Tenants of Building B (Super America Gas Station)
ao
Wall signage is limited to two siqns including one of individual channel letters not to
exceed 28-inches high and one readerboard siqn not to exceed 24 square feet. Both
signs to be placed on the east side of the building.
Canopy signage is limited to one individual channel letter sign not to exceed 24 inches
high. Canopy signage is limited to the east side of the canopy.
Community Design Review Board
Minutes 4-22-2003
7
Pylon Signs
Two pylon signs are allowed for the site as approved by the community design review board
on March 22, 1988 (Building B) and October 11, 1988 (Building A). Prior to approval of the
April 22, 2003, comprehensive siqn plan amendment the applicants must paint the two pylon
signs as follows:
a_ Building A Pylon Sign:
('_areen).
Top fascia of the sign must be repainted the existing color
Building B Pylon Sign: Painted white on the top fascia and light grey on the bottom
block. Elevations showing the above-described colors for the pylon sign must be
approved by staff.
Paintinq of both pylon signs as described above must be complete prior issuance of sign
permits for Super America's siqn changeover1 or after submittal of a letter of credit or escrow in
the amount of 150 percent of the required work.
All work shall follow the approved plans. The director of community development may approve
minor changes.
Board member Olson seconded.
Ayes- Jorgenson, Olson, Shankar
Board member Olson moved to approve Brian Pellowski's request for a design review change
for the Maplewood Auto Center at 2525 White Bear Avenue to include painting the Super
America building from green and ivory to white and light grey with red trim subject to the
following conditions (deletions are stricken and additions are underlined to reflect
changes to the original design review conditions):
Approval of plans by the Community Design Review Board does not constitute approval
of a building permit.
All trash dumpsters shall be stored in screening enclosures with a 100 percent opaque
wooden gate and shall be a color and material compatible with the building. Enclosures
shall be protected by concrete-filled steel posts, or the equivalent, anchored in the
ground at the front corners of the structure. If the enclosure is masonry, the protective
posts may be omitted.
Any exterior building or rooftop equipment that is not adequately screened by the
parapet shall be additionally screened and hidden from view.
Parking areas shall be striped and all bituminous areas shall have continuous concrete
curbing. Parking lots shall be kept in a continual state of repair. Prior to approval of the
April 22, 2003, design change, the applicant must repair and restripe the entire parking
lot to include repair or replacement of all concrete curbinq. This work must be done
prior to issuance of siqn permits for the Super America siqn changeover, or after
submittal of a letter of credit or escrow in the amount of 150 percent of the required
work.
Community Design Review Board
Minutes 4-22-2003
If construction has not begun within two years of approval, board review shall be
repeated.
Site security lighting shall be provided and shall be directed or shielded so not to cause
any undue glare onto adjacent properties or roadways.
go
If any adjacent property is disturbed or property irons removed due to construction of
the site, that property shall be restored and irons replaced by the applicant.
Grading, drainage and utility plans shall be subject to the city engineer's approval. Any
erosion control plan, acceptable to the city engineer, shall be submitted prior to the
issuance of a building permit for erosion control during construction.
The curb cut along White Bear Avenue shall properly blend in to match the sidewalk
grade.
Prior to issuance of a grading permit or building permit, the applicant shall obtain
approval from Ramsey County for the curb cut and the realignment of the drainage
ditch.
The exit to White Bear Avenue shall have only one exit lane, a no left turn sign and stop
sign.
All grass areas along the south and east lot lines shall be sod, not seed. Those areas
adjacent to the ditch shall be sod or seed.
All required landscape areas shall be continually and properly maintained. Prior to
approval of the April 22, 2003, design chanqe, the applicant must ensure that all
previously required landscaping is installed and/or maintained. The city will retain the
August 24, 2001, letter of credit for the required landscaping until such work is
complete.
n. All required plant materials that die shall be replaced by the owner within one year.
o. Reflectorized stop signs and handicap parking signs shall be provided.
po
All public boulevards that are disturbed due to this construction shall be restored and
resodded.
The applicant shall provide a monetary guarantee, in the form acceptable to staff, in the
amount of 150 percent of the established cost of any site improvements that are not
completed by occupancy.
The parking stall depth and drive aisle widths north and south of Building B shall be 19
feet and 24 feet.
There shall be no outside storage or displays of products or merchandise. Prior to
approval of the April 22, 2003, design chan.qel all outside storaqe and unlicensed
vehicles must be removed from the site.
Community Design Review Board
Minutes 4-22-2003
to
Prior to approval of the April 22, 2003, design chanqe, Building A must be repainted as
follows: repaint the wall pack lights, bollards and top fascia the same color as existinq
(green). This work must be complete prior to issuance of sign permits for the Super
America siqn changeover, or after submittal of a letter of credit or escrow in the amount
of 150 percent of the required work. Buildinq A must be repainted in its entirety within
two years of the date of this approval (April 22, 2005). If new colors are proposed for
Buildinq A, the Community Design Review Board must review the chanqe.
Mo
Prior to approval of the April 22, 2003, design chanqe, Building B must be painted the
following colors: white on the top fascia, garage doors, window trim, bollards and wall
li_~hts; li(~ht (~rey on the middle section of the block; and red on the top flashing.
Elevations showinq the above-described colors for Buildinq B must be approved by
staff. This work must be complete prior to issuance of sign permits for the Super
America siqn changeover, or after submittal of a letter of credit or escrow in the amount
of 150 percent of the required work.
All work shall follow the approved plans.
approve minor chanqes.
The director of community development may
Board member Jorgenson seconded.
Ayes- Jorgenson, Olson, Shankar
The motion passed.
b. Beam Avenue Retail- 1800 Beam Avenue
Ms. Finwall said Azure Properties, representing the owner of the property, Richard Schreier, is
proposing to develop a retail/office center at 1800 Beam Avenue called Beam Avenue Retail.
The proposal includes three buildings that will encompass a total of 19,776 square feet and will
house retail and/or office tenants. The buildings will be constructed on the same 3.16-acre lot
as the existing Chili's Restaurant. Staff recommends approval with several conditions
Board member Olson asked staff if the applicant added the six-foot high fence for screening
would they still have to add the evergreen trees?
Ms. Finwall said the fencing will meet the city code requirement for a commercial property
adjacent residential by creating an 80% opaque screen. She was suggesting that perhaps the
evergreen trees could be relocated on the site. However, she said it would be nice to see both
the fence and the evergreen trees on the south side of the property.
Board member Jorgenson said a revised landscape plan should be submitted showing the
relocation of the evergreen trees.
Board member Olson said she thinks the neighbors would appreciate the fence but where
does it state the material and color of the fence?
Ms. Finwall said staff is recommending the applicant submit fence elevations to include a six-
foot high maintenance free fence.
Community Design Review Board
Minutes 4-22-2003
Chairperson Shankar said staff stated in the report that the building elevations were not
compatible with the surrounding buildings. He asked staff how the proposed buildings would
be compatible to Chili's building?
Ms. Finwall said many of the buildings along Beam Avenue, including Aspen Medical Building
to the east, have brick as the main building material. For that reason, staff is recommending
that the new buildings be more consistent with the buildings along Beam Avenue.
Chairperson Shankar asked the applicant to address the board.
Mr. Tom Schuette of Azure Properties, addressed the board. Mr. Schuette said he read the
report and he would like to touch on some of the issues. Regarding the rear elevations of the
buildings, they proposed the evergreen trees at six-feet high. He said in the past they typically
have been given the chance to have the trees grow and have not had to install a fence along
with the trees for screening. They would rather plant the trees than install a fence. He said he
has driven around the buildings in that area and none of the buildings other than Chili's
restaurant have a fence at the back of the property but do have brick on the rear and sides of
the property. He said it is too extensive to be required to have brick, trees and a fence along
the back of the property. He would suggest that the fencing be deleted and that the trees be
considered adequate. He said they will take responsibility for the fence on the south side that
is currently on the property. He said there are trees growing through the fence and they are
not sure whose fence it is but they will repair the fence.
Mr. Schuette said they have no problem with the landscape requirement. He said he would
like to get a copy of the landscaping plan from 1990 so they know what to put back into the
plan and what is missing from Chili's site. He said Chili's put the drive through window and
drive through lane in without checking with Azure Properties and apparently were reprimanded
by the city. He said ten years ago it was not a common thing to have a drive through, so it was
not an issue back then, but times have changed and now Chili's and Outback Steakhouse
have the drive through feature. He said the biggest issue with the lighting is the safety. There
is a lot of parking in the back and the employees will be working after dark. They would like to
see if they can work with staff to provide lighting that is on the building and is easier to
maintain and less subject to the vandalism and being hit by the snowplows.
Mr. Schuette said as far as the sidewalk goes, they will have the only sidewalk between
Southlawn Avenue and White Bear Avenue. He knows Aspen Medical Building doubled their
size and they were not required to install a sidewalk. He said there is no demand for sidewalks
and if the city feels sidewalks are necessary then they should assess the surrounding
properties to have them installed. He doesn't believe new properties should be responsible for
installing the sidewalks when other areas have not been required to have them. They want to
build buildings with rent that companies can afford. Because of the expense he doesn't think it
is necessary to have brick on all elevations of the buildings. He believes the parking lot is in
good shape and there is no need to overlay the parking lot. He said there is a possibility of
having food establishments such as Quizno's and Caribou Coffee in these buildings in the
future. They are not opposed to having a restaurant but there is a provision in the Chili's lease
limiting the size of a future restaurant on the site. The dumpster can be moved behind building
C rather than behind Chili's Restaurant so it would be more accessible to the tenants.
Community Design Review Board
Minutes 4-22-2003
Board member Jorgenson asked Mr. Schuette if the three buildings would be built concurrently
or phased in?
Mr. Schuette said the buildings would be phased in. He said the landscaping, paving, curbing
and parking would be put in right away and he said it could take a couple years for completion.
Board member Jorgenson asked Mr. Schuette how many years he estimates it would take?
Mr. Schuette said he the buildings could take up to three years. He said there is a lot of
commercial action and demand on Beam Avenue.
Board member Olson asked Mr. Schuette how he felt about the Legacy Village development
proposed on the other side of Beam Avenue?
Mr. Schuette said they would like to begin building before Legacy Village gets started. He said
he believes they have a better location then the proposed Legacy Village does. However,
when County Road D goes through over to Highway 61 this will help the Legacy Village
location. He said he thinks Beam Avenue is a stronger retail location. As far as a food
competitor, this would depend on what is put in at the old movie theatre location on White Bear
Avenue. He heard MTC has switched the proposed Park and Ride site to the theatre site on
Beam Avenue rather than White Bear Avenue. He said the Simon Group is marketing the
White Bear Avenue theatre site to restaurant developers.
Board member Jorgenson asked if building A would house 2 retail spaces, building B would
house 4 retail spaces and building C would house 2 retail spaces?
Mr. Schuette said the buildings are 60-65 feet deep and could be divided into 1200 square foot
or even smaller tenant spaces.
Board member Olson said the sidewalk issue is something the city council feels very strongly
about and she has a strong feeling about sidewalks as well. She said if everyone came to the
board and said the neighboring company does not have a sidewalk, then nobody in the city
would have sidewalks. She said the city council decided to begin requiring all new
construction to install sidewalks for pedestrians. She believes the applicant would be happy
they had the sidewalk put in for their customers.
Mr. Schuette said the sidewalk would be beneficial if it went further.
Board member Olson said in the near future the sidewalks would all connect.
Mr. Schuette asked staff if there was a reason why the city was not on an assessment plan for
sidewalk installation?
Ms. Finwall said she did not have an answer to that.
Board member Olson said she is speculating that it is budgetary. She said doing blanket
assessments on every commercial property in order to implement the sidewalk projects be
completed would be very impractical at this time. She said there isn't the staff to manage that
at this time.
Community Design Review Board
Minutes 4-22-2003
Mr. Schuette said Azure Properties has a project proposed at the old Pizza Hut site and that
proposal has been required to install sidewalks, which would cost $18,000.
Board member Jorgenson said the sidewalk issue is not going to go away. Everyone will be
required to have sidewalks, which will eventually connect for pedestrian and customer use.
Board member Olson asked the applicant, which two requirements would he prefer, the brick,
the trees, or the fence?
Mr. Schuette said it is budgetary, so he would probably pick the trees and the fence because
the brick is so expensive.
Chairperson Shankar asked if there was anybody in the audience who wanted to speak on this
proposal to come forward and address the board.
Mr. Richard McKane, residing at 1825 Radatz Avenue East, Maplewood, addressed the board.
He said he is the only neighbor that came to this hearing. He is concerned about the traffic
flow out of the area. He wants to ensure that traffic will flow out to Beam Avenue?
Ms. Finwall said the original 1990 proposal for Chili's Restaurant had a condition that the south
driveway have a right turn only sign installed. This was required to ensure no traffic in the
residential area. However, the same type of sign would need to be installed on the north
driveway. Also, the Outback Steakhouse across the street does not have these types of signs.
Staff foresees the south driveway being used mainly by employees. She said most traffic
would turn right to access Beam Avenue.
Mr. McKane said there are parking problems on Southlawn Avenue from the customer
overflow from the restaurants. He wants to know what the plan is to keep the cars off the
street? He also wondered what the hours of operation would be for these proposed buildings?
Board member Jorgenson said he thinks the hours of operation would differ from the
surrounding properties and would not experience the same parking problems.
Ms. Finwall said city code does not limit hours of operation. However, staff foresees the hours
of the retail and office tenants varying from the restaurant's peak evening hours.
Mr. McKane said he would be in favor of the applicant installing pole lights instead of using
wall pack lights. He said the Outback Steakhouse has the light poles with residential homes
next to it. He is an electrician by trade and he knows the light can be directed downward to
control glare. Mr. McKane said if the trash dumpster is not moved it will be located at the
corner near his home and his neighbor's home. More and more companies are installing
rooftop units with air exchangers and the noise carries out and he has a concern about that.
He said behind the Aspen Medical Building there are 40-foot tall evergreen trees. He thinks
large evergreen trees look nicer instead of a fence.
Board member Olson asked staff if there was any other neighborhood feedback received?
Ms. Finwall said no.
Community Design Review Board
Minutes 4-22-2003
Mr. Schuette said it is Azure Properties intent to have a monument or pylon sign for the new
buildings and for that reason they will be coming back with those sign plans.
Ms. Finwall said because of the multi-tenant use the signs would require a comprehensive sign
plan. She stated she was not aware the buildings would be phased in. She said there should
be something added in the conditions regarding the phasing. She said the design review
board approval lasts two years and then would be required to come back for review again.
Board member Olson moved to approve the plans date-stamped February 26, 2003, for the
proposed Beam Avenue Retail center at 1800 Beam Avenue. Approval is subject to the
following conditions. {chanqes made bv the Community Design Review Board at the April
22~ 2003~ meeting are underlined if added and stricken if deleted):
Repeat this review in two years if the city has not issued a building permit for all three
buildin(~s proposed in this project within that time.
The applicant must submit the following items to staff for approval prior to issuance of a
building permit:
Revised grading, drainage, utility, and erosion control plan which addresses all of
the assistant city engineer's concerns as outlined in his March 31, 2003,
engineering plan review. In addition, the revised plan must specify the
construction phasin.q of the buildings and the establishment of turf in the areas
not initially built on.
b. Revised site plan showing:
(1) Curb and gutter around the new parking lot.
(2)
Location of a sidewalk along the entire Beam Avenue frontage. The
sidewalk shall be six feet wide, have pedestrian ramps, and be installed
seven feet behind the back of the curb.
(3)
One on-site directional sign to be located on the south curb cut on
Southlawn Drive directing Chili's carry-out traffic around the south side of
the new buildings to the east side of Chili's building. The directional sign
shall not exceed four square feet in area.
(4)
The dumpster enclosure relocated from the southeast corner of the lot to
behind Chili's Restaurant or directly behind Retail Center C.
(5)
The construction phasing of buildings and the establishment of turf in the
areas not initially built on.
(6) Location of any proposed retaining walls.
c. Revised elevations showing:
Community Design Review Board
Minutes 4-22-2003
(1) Building elevations of all three buildings as follows: front and side
elevations shall have brick extending to the bottom of the EIFS and the
rear elevation shall have a 3-foot-hiqh brick wainscot. '.';!th face bt!c?, as
(2)(3-) Dumpster enclosure constructed of materials compatible to the buildings,
including a 100 percent opaque gate.
(3)~ Retaining wall details.
d. Revised landscape plan showing:
(1) Landscaping for the entire site, including Chili's Restaurant. Any required
landscaping removed from the Chili's Restaurant site must be replaced.
(2) Turf establishment plan including turf in the areas not initially built on.
(3) Landscaping for the ponding areas and the area labeled "rainwater
garden" on the grading plan. The ponding areas and rainwater garden
should include revegetation with native grasses and Forbes. The mix
design must be pre-approved by the city in advance of seeding. In
addition, shrubbery and trees should be incorporated around the high
water level of the impounding areas.
(4) Plans for an underground lawn irrigation system for all landscaped areas,
excluding the ponding areas and the rainwater garden.
e. Revised lighting plan showing:
(1) Removal of all wall-pack lights on the south side of the buildings.
(2) Location and design of freestanding lights on the south side of the parking
lot. These lights must not exceed 15 feet in height and must be equipped
with sharp cutoffs to ensure no light glare onto adjacent residential
properties.
(3) Photometrics for the new lights showing that the light illumination does not
exceed .4 foot candles at all property lines.
f. A cash escrow or an irrevocable letter of credit for all required exterior
improvements. The amount shall be 150 percent of the cost of the work.
~ Building samples must be submitted to staff for approval.
Obtain permits from Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District and the Minnesota
Pollution Control Agency.
Community Design Review Board
Minutes 4-22-2003
15
4. The applicant shall complete the following before occupying the building:
Install reflectorized stop signs at the new exit, install handicap accessible parking
signs for each handicap parking space and install addresses on the buildings.
All roof-mounted equipment must be screened from view of adjacent residential
properties. All roof-mounted equipment visible from the street must be painted to
match the color of the upper part of the buildings.
c. Construct the approved trash enclosure.
d. Install the required landscaping and underground lawn irrigation system.
so
Construct the parking lot with required curb and gutter. In addition, the existing
parking lot must be repaired, resurfaced and restriped.
5. This approval does not include signage except for the above-mentioned on-site
directional sign.
6. 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 if
occupancy is in the spring or summer.
All work shall follow the approved plans. The director of community development may
approve minor changes.
Board member Jorgenson seconded.
Ayes- Jorgenson, Olson, Shankar
The motion passed.
Chairperson Shankar asked staff when this goes to the city council?
Ms. Finwall said this will not go to the city council unless the applicant would like to appeal one
of the board's conditions, in which case the applicant should submit an appeal to the city
council within 15 days of today's date, April 22, 2003.
VI. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
No visitors present.
Community Design Review Board
Minutes 4-22-2003
VII. BOARD PRESENTATIONS
VIII.
IX,
Board member Olson gave a review of the April 14, 2003, city council meeting. The Van Dyke
Village Town house land use change was denied and the action on the PUD was tabled.
STAFF PRESENTATIONS
Ms. Finwall said the next CDRB meeting would be on Tuesday, May 13, 2003. She said
CDRB representation is not needed at the city council meeting on April 28, 2003, because
there are no CDRB items to be discussed.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:08 p.m.