HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/25/2008
MINUTES OF THE MAPLEWOOD COMMUNITY DESIGN REVIEW BOARD
1830 COUNTY ROAD BEAST, MAPLEWOOD, MINNESOTA
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25,2008
I. CALL TO ORDER
Vice-Chairperson Ledvina called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Boardmember John Demko
Vice-Chairperson Matt Ledvina
Chairperson Linda Olson
Boardmember Ananth Shankar
Boardmember Matt Wise
Present
Present
Absent
Present
Present
Staff Present:
Michael Martin. Planner
III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Boardmember Wise moved to approve the amended agenda adding item 9.a.-Capstone Project
Update.
Boardmember Shankar seconded
The motion passed.
Ayes - all
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a. October 28, 2008
Boardmember Shankar moved approval of the minutes of October 28, 2008, as presented.
Boardmember Demko seconded
Ayes - Demko, Ledvina, Shankar
Abstention - Wise
The motion passed.
V. DESIGN REVIEW
a. Warehouse and Screening Fence Proposal, Menards, 2280 Maplewood Drive
Planner Michael Martin presented the staff report explaining the request by Menards, Inc., to build
a 16,750-square-foot unheated warehouse on the south side of the Menards store. Menards is also
proposing to replace an existing chain link fence between the store and Countryside VW/Saab on
the east side of the property to screen a pallet racking area.
Boardmember Ledvina asked staff if there was any discussion by the planning commission
regarding the design of the proposed building. Mr. Martin responded that the planning commission
did not have comments regarding the design of the building. Mr. Martin also said that the Menards
representative was asked if he was in agreement with the required conditions of the staff report
and he responded affirmatively.
Community Design Review Board 2
Minutes 11-25-2008
Boardmember Demko asked staff the height of the garden center. Mr. Martin responded that the
building has two main heights and they are the entrance height and the Highway 36 side of the
building height. Mr. Martin said the height of the garden center is more consistent with the Highway
36 side of the building and is within code and allowable.
Boardmember Shankar asked if the applicant is planning to modify or install lighting. Mr. Martin
responded that additional lighting within the warehouse building would be needed.
Thomas O'Neil of Menard, Inc., 4777 Menard Drive, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, reviewed the site
design for the board. Mr. O'Neil said the primary expansion is to incorporate the additional
warehousing area that is currently impervious surface and enclosed with a 14-foot-high screening
structure that would surround the lumber area. Mr. O'Neil said the warehouse would house the
treated lumber and would allow vehicles to drive through this area and load materials without being
out in the weather elements. Mr. O'Neil said the existing treated rack would be demolished.
Mr. O'Neil said incorporating the larger structure that is opaque on the backside of the fence will
create a further screening of the lumber yard and since it is 25 feet high it will block some of the
yard lighting and sound inside the yard. Mr. O'Neil said the primary reason for the 25 feet in height
was to slope the roof north and allow the runoff to flow away from the neighbors and north into their
storm sewer. Mr. O'Neil said replacing the fence on the east side of the site will allow better
organization and cleanup of the lumber area.
Mark Olson, general manager of the store, was also present and available to answer questions
from the board.
Boardmember Ledvina asked if the lighting will be added on the south side of the building. Mr.
O'Neil responded that they are not proposing additional lighting or much change to the lighting
inside the lumber yard and no lighting packs installed on the south side.
Boardmember Shankar asked if there would be lighting on the 14-foot screen wall. Mr. O'Neil said
there would be lighting similar to the lighting on the other screening structures on the site.
Boardmember Demko asked if the drive-through will be wide enough to accommodate two
vehicles. Mr. O'Neil said the drive-through is designed for one-way traffic, but there will be enough
room for one vehicle to pass another parked vehicle. Mr. Olson said the lumber yard had a one-
way drive-through in the 1990s before the current remodeling in 2000.
Boardmember Wise said he feels the plans seem to meet the needs of any concerns the neighbors
might have and he has no problem with the plans.
Boardmember Shankar asked about plantings planned for the south side of the site. Boardmember
Wise said he looked over the fence on the south side of the property and there is considerable
vegetation along the property line and over-story trees on the neighbors' property. Mr. Martin
reviewed the plans and said there is substantial vegetation in that area.
Boardmember Ledvina said he agrees with the staff recommendation and feels this modification is
a much more unifying design and he does not have any issues with this proposal.
The board discussed with staff how to incorporate the new elevation plan presented at tonight's
meeting into the staff recommendation. Mr. Martin advised the board how this could be presented.
Community Design Review Board 3
Minutes 11-25-2008
Boardmember Shankar moved approval of the site plan date-stamped October 1, 2008 and the
building elevations date-stamped November 24, 2008 as presented to the board on 11-25-08, for
the 16,750-square-foot unheated warehouse addition to Mendards at 2280 Maplewood Drive.
Approval is subject to the following conditions:
1. Repeat this review in two years if the city has not issued a building permit for this project.
2. The revised building elevations for the south elevation of the proposed building are
approved as presented to the review board on November 25, 2008. These revisions show
the south elevation with the wooden "fence" portion of this exterior wall matching the 14-foot
height of the proposed fencing on the east and west sides of the warehouse. The area
above the wooden siding shall be green corrugate metal as proposed on the building.
3. Before getting a building permit the applicant shall:
a. Submit grading, drainage, utility and erosion control plans to the city engineering
department for approval.
b. Submit to city staff 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.
4. All work shall follow the approved plans. Planning staff may approve minor changes.
Boardmember Demko seconded
Ayes - all
VI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
VII. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
None
VIII. BOARD PRESENTATIONS
None
IX. STAFF PRESENTATIONS
a. Update - Capstone Project
Planner Martin handed out information on the Sustainable Maplewood presentation given by the
University of Minnesota students discussing their three months of work between the city and their
Capstone course. Mr. Martin said the students will give their presentation at 6:30 p.m. on
December 11 at the Maplewood Community Center.
b. January City Council Meeting - CDRB representative needed for Menards project.
X. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 6:38 p.m.