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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-04-14 CDRB Minutes MINUTES OF THE MAPLEWOOD COMMUNITY DESIGN REVIEW BOARD 1830 COUNTY ROAD BEAST, MAPLEWOOD, MINNESOTA TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2009 I. CALL TO ORDER Vice-Chairperson Ledvina called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Boardmember John Demko Vice-Chairperson Matt Ledvina Chairperson Linda Olson Boardmember Ananth Shankar Boardmember Matt Wise Present Present Present at 6:15 p.m. Present Present Staff Present: Tom Ekstrand. Citv Planner Shann Finwall. Environmental Planner III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Boardmember Wise moved to approve the agenda as presented. Boardmember Demko seconded The motion passed. Ayes - all IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. February 10, 2009 Boardmember Shankar moved approval of the amended minutes of February 10, 2009, changing Matt Ledvina to Linda Olson under Call to Order. Boardmember Wise seconded Ayes - Demko, Olson, Shankar, Wise Abstention - Ledvina The motion passed. V. NEW BUSINESS a. University of Minnesota Urban Tree Management Program Environmental planner Shann Finwall introduced Dr. Gary Johnson, a professor at the University Minnesota, Department of Forest Resources. Dr. Johnson gave a presentation of the findings of research done by his spring semester graduate class regarding planting trees in an urban boulevard. Dr. Johnson received comments and questions from the board. Planner Finwall said the Urban Tree Management Program report and city ordinance prohibiting planting trees in the right-of-way will be reviewed in the coming months. At this time, Boardmember Olson took over as chairperson of the meeting. Community Design Review Board Minutes 04-14-2009 VI. DESIGN REVIEW 2 a. Ashley Furniture Comprehensive Sign Plan Amendment, 1770 County Road 0 Planner Ekstrand presented the staff report for the request of Demar's Signs for a comprehensive sign plan amendment for Ashley Furniture. Mr. Ekstrand said the applicant has three existing signs and is now proposing to install a fourth sign on the north elevation at the west end of the building. The applicant was not present at this meeting. Boardmember Shankar asked if the only reason for the sign is to direct customers to parking in the rear. Planner Ekstrand said the applicant discussed both the desire to catch the attention of Slumberland store shoppers and the need to direct customers to parking in the rear. Boardmember Olson said she is sympathetic to Ashley Furniture's circumstances with their building placement near County Road 0 and she does not have a problem with this additional sign req u est. Boardmember Ledvina said he understands Ashley Furniture's situation and he is okay with the sign, but he does not like the directional aspect of the sign. Boardmember Wise said he is in agreement with the other board members' comments and he is okay with the sign. Boardmember Wise moved to approve the revision to the comprehensive sign plan date-stamped February 27, 2009 for the proposed sign on the north elevation of Ashley Furniture, 1770 County Road D. Based on the approval, the allowed identification signs for this building are as follows: 1. The wall sign above the main customer entrance on the south side of the building. 2. The wall sign above the building entrance on the northeast corner of the building. 3. The wall sign on the west elevation at the north end of the building. 4. The wall sign on the north elevation at the west end of the building. For reference purposes, these signs are all shown in the report dated April 8, 2009. Staff may approve minor changes to this sign plan. Major changes are subject to the review and approval of the community design review board as an amendment of the comprehensive sign plan. Boardmember Shankar questioned whether the directional "parking in read" signage would be lit. Planner Ekstrand said he could assume if Ashley Furniture were trying to be more visible that the sign would be lit, but since the applicant was not present at the meeting to answer questions they could not know with certainty. Boardmember Shankar said he is not in favor of the "parking in rear" sign facing Highway 36. Boardmember Olson seconded Ayes - Demko, Ledvina, Olson, Wise Abstention - Shankar The motion passed. Boardmember Shankar said he abstained because he does not feel the "parking in rear" signage is appropriate for this location. Community Design Review Board Minutes 04-14-2009 3 VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Sign Code Amendment Update Planner Shann Finwall presented the staff report and said that the board's recommended approval of a revised sign code has had no action to date. Ms. Finwall said the city council discussed the draft sign code in May 2006, but did not take any action or give direction. Planner Finwall updated the board on the proposed sign code revisions and asked for direction on how the board wants to proceed. Boardmember Ledvina said he feels all of the groundwork was completed and reviewed by the various entities involved and he does not have anything to add to this draft. Boardmember Olson said her opinion of a temporary sign is for a maximum of 30 days and a maximum number of three times a year. Ms. Olson said she does not agree with a temporary sign duration being for 60 or 90 days. Ms. Olson said that it was discussed that window signs be reduced from 75% to 30%, but she feels that 30% might be too restrictive and her preference would be for 50%. Boardmember Ledvina said that as part of the board's previous review, the allowable size of window signs was surveyed with surrounding cities to see what percentage of total area they had used. Mr. Ledvina said a lot of staff and board time was spent analyzing and in discussion to determine the board members' opinions and what members felt was reasonable. Boardmember Ledvina said that the board determined at that time that 30% was a reasonable number and said he would not support changing that number. Boardmember Ledvina moved the community design review board support staff's pursuit of the sign code changes and that this be again taken up with the city council and further, that the language as the board finalized it in its last version be brought to the city council. Boardmember Shankar seconded Boardmember Olson asked if the draft amendment document discussed and reviewed tonight, with the addition of a sentence stating "as recommended by the city attorney", would be forwarded to the city council. Planner Finwall responded that it will be discussed with the city manager on how best to proceed, but that process is what is intended. The board voted: Ayes - all The motion passed. VIII. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS Mark Jenkins, 830 Century Blvd. S., commented regarding political sign age that one of things not caught from the last election was that candidates have single signs and also blocks of group signs. Mr. Jenkins wondered how the sign code would apply allowing one sign per candidate. Planner Finwall said the current political sign code was updated and approved in 2005 and would not be changed with this draft. Ms. Finwall said the code enforcement officer will enforce the sign code. Community Design Review Board Minutes 04-14-2009 4 IX. BOARD PRESENTATIONS Boardmember Wise commented that Dr. Gary Johnson mentioned a tree owner's manual in his presentation and suggested that it would be a great resource for the city to have available for residents. Planner Finwall reported on the April 13 city council meeting. X. STAFF PRESENTATIONS Planner Ekstrand informed the board of the schedule of interviews for the two board vacancies. Boardmember Olson asked if the board could submit questions for the city council to ask board applicants, since the board no longer interviews candidates. Planner Ekstrand said he would be happy to forward questions or comments from the board to the city council. Boardmember Olson said in the past the board has submitted one question for the interviews and she feels the board should have input on the selection of their committee members. Planner Ekstrand said he would clarify with the city council how they want to proceed and email board members with the information in the morning. XI. ADJOURNMENT Boardmember Shankar moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:40 p.m. Boardmember Demko seconded Ayes - all