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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/13/2008 MINUTES OF THE MAPLEWOOD COMMUNITY DESIGN REVIEW BOARD 1830 COUNTY ROAD BEAST, MAPLEWOOD, MINNESOTA TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2008 I. CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Olson called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Boardmember John Demko Vice-Chairperson Matt Ledvina Chairperson Linda Olson Boardmember Ananth Shankar Boardmember Matt Wise Absent Absent Present Present Absent Staff Present: Shann Finwall, Environmental Planner III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The agenda was approved by consensus. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. April 22, 2008 Due to lack of a quorum, the minutes were tabled by consensus until the next meeting. V. DESIGN REVIEW None VI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Comprehensive Plan - Sustainability Section and Design Provisions Planner Shann Finwall presented the staff report and explained that the city desires to include a sustainability section into the comprehensive plan in order to become more sustainable in all aspects of its operations and regulatory review. Planner Finwall said she needs comments from the board tonight in order to do a more formal document for the next meeting for the board's final comments. She will then submit the document to the environmental and natural resources committee for their review. Ms. Finwall said staff plans to have the comprehensive plan completed by July in order to allow adjacent communities time for their review and comments. Ms. Finwall mentioned that the next open house for the comprehensive plan review public comments will be held on May 22 and the last open house is scheduled for June 26. Planner Finwall suggested the city might recommend following some of the LEEDS program guidelines but without requiring certification in the program. Boardmember Shankar explained he is very familiar with the LEEDS program and that it is an expensive program and includes a great deal of paper work to get to a certifiable level in the Community Design Review Board Minutes 05-13-2008 2 program. Mr. Shankar mentioned there are 65 points in the LEEDS program certification levels, but that the city might mandate that only 10 of the lowest level points are attained, which would be an easy thing to do. Boardmember Olson said she would like to encourage a separate goal for landscaping, including preferred and nonpreferred plants, and for permeable green space surfaces. It was discussed that city ordinance currently prohibits planting boulevard trees; the board suggested that the city reconsider this issue and encourage boulevard planting of canopy trees as a method of sustainability. Boardmember Shankar suggested that the city should provide incentives for using sustainable practices such as a reduction in permit fees. Boardmember Shankar mentioned that requiring irrigation systems is not a sustainable practice. The board discussed low impact planting such as native plants that do not need as much watering and also the need for more sidewalks and trails. Board member Olson mentioned that there are financial questions for the city to consider as well when considering sustainability issues and questioned whether the board should be responsible to financial issues. Boardmember Shankar said the board should establish baselines that have minimum financial implications yet meet the goals of sustainability for both new development and operations. Mr. Shankar said both financial and social responsibilities need to be taken into account when considering sustainability practices. Planner Finwall said she would request comments from the board members who are absent tonight and then update the report for the next board meeting. VII. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS None VIII. BOARD PRESENTATIONS None IX. STAFF PRESENTATIONS None X. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:05 p.m.