HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/10/2008
MINUTES OF THE MAPLEWOOD COMMUNITY DESIGN REVIEW BOARD
1830 COUNTY ROAD BEAST, MAPLEWOOD, MINNESOTA
TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2008
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Olson called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Boardmember John Demko
Vice-Chairperson Matt Ledvina
Chairperson Linda Olson
Boardmember Ananth Shankar
Boardmember Matt Wise
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
Staff Present:
Tom Ekstrand. Senior Planner
III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Boardmember Shankar moved to approve the agenda as presented.
Boardmember Ledvina seconded
The motion passed.
Ayes - all
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a. May 27, 2008
Boardmember Ledvina moved approval of the amended minutes of May 27, 2008, correcting
Boardmember Olson's comments in paragraph five on page five.
Boardmember Demko seconded
Ayes - Demko, Ledvina, Olson, Wise
Abstention - Shankar
The motion passed.
V. DESIGN REVIEW
a. Gethsemane Senior Housing (south of 241 0 Stillwater Road)
City Planner Tom Ekstrand presented the staff report regarding the request from Presbyterian
Homes and Gethsemane Lutheran Church to build a 111-unit senior housing facility.
Bob Van Slyke of Presbyterian Homes of Minnesota, one of the applicants of the project, explained
that Presbyterian Homes and Gethsemane Lutheran Church have a non-profit partnership and
together have a combined 123 years of community service in Maplewood. Mr. Van Slyke noted the
trash and recycling area will be located inside of the building in the lower level underground garage
and will be taken outside for pickup. Mr. Van Slyke explained that this project will have a full
continuum of services including independent living, assisted living, and memory care all in one
structure. Mr. Van Slyke said that this will be Maplewood's first project with a full continuum of
services.
Community Design Review Board 2
Minutes 06-10-2008
Greg Kinney Isaacson of Pope Architects, the architect for this project, explained the site plan. Mr.
Kinney discussed the elevations and landscaping that is proposed for the project. Mr. Kinney
explained the exterior building materials and colors examples saying that this building is designed
and materials proposed to complement the design of the existing Gethsemane Lutheran Church.
Boardmember Shankar suggested that the yellow color shown on the elevations rendering is not
the same yellow color as the sample submitted. Mr. Shankar said the sample yellow color is too
yellow and that the rendering's toned-down yellow color is more attractive since it is the
predominant color.
Mr. Kinney responded that they try to match colors well but the yellow of the sample is an earlier
color version and the color has recently been toned down a bit. Mr. Kinney said at the beginning of
a project's construction, a small sample wall is constructed at the site using all of the proposed
materials. Mr. Kinney invited board members to attend and view the completed sample wall.
Boardmember Olson asked staff to notify board members when the sample wall is completed.
Boardmember Wise asked the height of the building from ground level to the top of the gable. Mr.
Kinney responded that this height is an elevation of 38 feet. The board discussed whether the
height would be compatible with the church building. Planner Ekstrand explained that discussion at
the previous planning commission meeting revealed a key element of the project's design was that
this project needed to complement the church building, with the church being predominant. Mr.
Van Slyke agreed adding that materials were chosen for this project to complement the church
building's exterior.
Boardmember Demko asked whether there is a provision for exterior building lighting. Mr. Van
Slyke said the main entry will have decorative lighting and wall pack lighting is planned for the
outside of the building. Mr. Van Slyke said all meters will be in the lower level garage area.
Boardmember Demko asked what material will be used for the retaining wall fencing. Mr. Van
Slyke responded the fencing will be a decorative metal railing that is factory painted.
Boardmember Olson asked whether the public would be allowed to use the walking paths to the
park. Mr. Van Slyke said the facility needs to maintain control of the paths, but as long as the use
is compatible with the seniors, the neighbors could use the walking paths.
Boardmember Wise referred to a resident's comment about a drainage issue from the tot lot and
asked whether this is an issue for the applicants and how they might mitigate this. Mr. Van Slyke
responded saying there is a city engineering concern with drainage in the area and that the water
from the church parking lot is now being redirected to drain to the pond area. It was discussed
whether the drainage ponding area may need perimeter fencing for safety concerns.
Boardmember Ledvina moved approval of plans date-stamped February 1, 2008 for the
Gethsemane Senior Housing project, located south of Gethsemane Lutheran Church, 2420
Stillwater Road. Approval is based on the findings for approval required by ordinance and subject
to the developer doing the twelve conditions required by staff in the staff report.
Richard White, senior pastor at Gethsemane Lutheran Church, spoke in favor of this proposal.
Boardmember Ledvina moved approval of plans date-stamped February 1, 2008 for the
Gethsemane Senior Housing project, located south of Gethsemane Lutheran Church, 2420
Stillwater Road. Approval is based on the findings for approval required by ordinance and subject
to the developer doing the following:
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Minutes 06-10-2008
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1. Repeat this review in two years if the applicant has not obtained a building permit by that time.
After two years this review must be repeated.
2. Obtain the requested zoning approvals before the city will issue a building permit. These
approvals are: a comprehensive land use plan amendment from P (park) to R3H (high density
residential), a conditional use permit for a planned unit development, a parking waiver and a
final plat.
3. The applicant shall comply with the requirements in the city engineering report by Steve
Kummer dated February 13, 2008.
4. The developer of the housing facility shall obtain a cross easement from Gethsemane Lutheran
Church for access and overflow parking before the city will issue a building permit for this
development.
5. The developer shall provide a trash enclosure for trash and recyclables if they are not kept
within the garage and if they would not be properly concealed by the retaining wall if they would
be kept outside the garage.
6. Before obtaining a building permit, the applicant shall provide an irrevocable letter of credit in
the amount of 150 percent of the cost of completing landscaping and other site improvements.
This irrevocable letter of credit shall include the following provisions:
. The letter of credit must clearly indicate that it is an irrevocable letter of credit in the
name of the City of Maplewood, payable on demand, to assure compliance with the
terms of the developer's agreement.
. The letter of credit must allow for partial withdrawals as needed to guarantee partial
project payments covered under the terms of the letter of credit.
. The letter of credit shall be for a one year duration and must have a condition indicating
automatic renewal, with notification to the city a minimum of 60 days prior to its
expiration.
7. All parking and drive areas shall have continuous concrete curbing.
8. The applicant shall install in-ground lawn irrigation as required by city ordinance.
9. Post Bartelmy Lane for "No Truck, Trash Hauling or Delivery Access," subject to the approval of
the city engineer.
10. Obtain any necessary permits from the Minnesota Department of Transportation and the
Ramsey Washington Metro Watershed District.
11. The applicant shall comply with applicable noise-mitigation requirements. This will require the
applicant to provide a noise study to evaluate the noise level generated by traffic on Stillwater
Road to determine what, if any, mitigation measures are required for the proposed living units.
12. All work shall follow the approved plans. The city planner may approve minor changes.
Boardmember Shankar suggested a friendly amendment to the motion adding the following two
conditions:
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Minutes 06-10-2008
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13. Resubmittal of the elevation rendering with the more appropriate toned down yellow color.
14. Staff shall inform the board when the mock-up sample wall is available on site for review of
building colors.
Boardmember Ledvina accepted this friendly amendment to his motion.
Boardmember Wise suggested that he has concerns with the safety of the neighbors with the
ponding area and requested city staff review the applicants' ponding plans with regard to a need
for fencing around the pond.
Mr. Van Slyke responded saying he is not opposed to the fencing suggestion or staff review, but
noted that safety around the pond can generally be provided by the pond's design and not
necessarily by fencing.
Boardmember Olson suggested a friendly amendment to add the following two conditions:
15. Require staff review of the revised landscaping plan to show what plants will be used in the
ponding area.
16. Require staff review of the exterior building lighting.
Boardmember Ledvina accepted this friendly amendment to his motion.
Boardmember Demko seconded
The motion passed.
Ayes - all
VI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
VII. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
None
VIII. BOARD PRESENTATIONS
a. Boardmember Ledvina reported on the previous city council meeting actions.
IX. STAFF PRESENTATIONS
a. Planner Ekstrand reported that city planner Ken Roberts has resigned effective June 11.
b. Cancellation of the June 24 CDRB meeting.
c. July 14 city council meeting volunteer: Mr. Demko possibly, but to be discussed further
when the board meets on July 8.
d. City bus tour on June 30 reminder.
X. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 7:17 p.m.