HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-07-14 CDRB Minutes
MINUTES OF THE MAPLEWOOD COMMUNITY DESIGN REVIEW BOARD
1830 COUNTY ROAD BEAST, MAPLEWOOD, MINNESOTA
TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2009
I. CALL TO ORDER
Vice-chair Ledvina called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Boardmember Jason Lamers
Vice-Chairperson Matt Ledvina
Boardmember Michael Mireau
Boardmember Ananth Shankar
Boardmember Matt Wise
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present at 6:05 p.m.
Staff Present:
Michael Martin. Planner
III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Boardmember Shankar moved to approve the amended agenda, adding item 9.b.-Election of
CDRB Officers.
Boardmember Lamers seconded
The motion passed.
Ayes - all
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a. May12,2009
Boardmember Shankar moved to approve the minutes of May 12, 2009 as presented.
Boardmember Wise seconded Ayes - Ledvina, Shankar, Wise
Abstentions - Lamers, Mireau
The motion passed.
b. May 26, 2009
Boardmember Lamers moved to approve the minutes of May 26, 2009 as presented.
Boardmember Mireau seconded Ayes - Lamers, Ledvina, Mireau, Wise
Abstentions - Shankar
The motion passed.
V. DESIGN REVIEW
a. Century Trails Senior Apartments, Common Bond Communities, Benet Road and Monastery
Road
Planner Michael Martin presented the staff report for this request from Common Bond Communities
to build their second phase of development at the Sl. Paul's Monastery property, located at the
northwest corner of Larpenteur and Century Avenues. Mr. Martin said this proposal is for a three-
story, 40-unit apartment building for seniors.
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Minutes 07-14-2009
Boardmember Ledvina asked if there is any plan to connect the existing sidewalks with the
planned sidewalk around the building. Planner Martin said there is no recommendation to connect
these sidewalks.
Boardmember Wise asked if Metro Transit has been contacted to see if they might modify their bus
route to go past this development. Planner Martin responded that staff can contact Metro Transit to
see if this might possible.
Boardmember Shankar commented that the landscaping plan seems sparse with just a few shrubs
and asked if the shrubs would be in mulch. Planner Martin said the applicant can better respond to
this comment on landscaping when he speaks.
Boardmember Ledvina mentioned the condition of the staff recommendation that would require a
fence or hedge on the slope to the east and north of the building for safety. Mr. Ledvina said there
are no entrances or sidewalks in that area and would only be used in an emergency. Mr. Ledvina
asked staff if he was missing other considerations that would require a barrier. Planner Martin
responded that Mr. Ledvina's assessment of the intent of the recommendation is correct and there
is no sidewalk in that area.
Judith Wurdoch, of Common Bond Communities, reported that the first phase of family housing for
this project is full and has a long waiting list. Ms. Wurdoch explained plans for the second phase of
construction. Ms. Wurdoch said she is willing to call Metropolitan Transit to see if an additional bus
stop could be added closer to the senior housing area.
Paul Holms, of Pope Architects, gave a presentation of the design elements of the project. Mr.
Holms explained plans for the fire access that the fire marshal requires. Mr. Holms said the request
for a hedge as a barrier to the steep slope on the east and north of the building seems reasonable
to guard against accidents and this will be done. Mr. Holms said trash and recycling will be kept
within the building and also explained that the exterior colors for the building will be the same as
those that were used for the existing townhomes. Mr. Holms said cultured stone will be used all
around the building foundation, since all sides of the building are visible. Mr. Holms described the
hearty board siding and Timberline shingles that will be used and showed a shingle sample.
Mr. Holms explained that HUD has determined that if there is ample room to build outdoor parking,
HUD funds may not be used to build underground parking. Mr. Holms explained that the project
details for the 2007 approval of this project clearly stated a request by the applicant for a parking
variance and also clearly showed surface parking only. Mr. Holms explained that Common Bond
owns and manages all of its developments and that its own maintenance people would coordinate
snow plowing and moving cars with tenants.
Boardmember Lamers asked if a connection is planned to connect the new sidewalk to the existing
sidewalk, which would make a better access for residents to the current bus stop. Mr. Holms said
this is a good idea and should be added to the plan.
Boardmember Ledvina asked why this site does not have drainage retention on-site. Mr. Holms
explained the drainage ponds were modified to be enlarged from the original site plan and moved
across Benet Road.
Boardmember Mireau suggested that screening could be added to help deter vehicle lights from
shining into the units on the first floor on the parking lot side of the building. Mr. Holms responded
that he doesn't feel much light will actually enter the units due to the grade, but it would be a great
place for enhanced landscaping if there are dollars available to upgrade.
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Minutes 07-14-2009
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Boardmember Mireau asked for details on the windows to be used and why they will be different
than those used in the townhomes. Mr. Holms explained the windows will be sliders, which are
typically easier for the senior population to use.
Boardmember Ledvina suggested the monument sign be constructed to match the cultured stone
material used on the building foundation.
Boardmember Mireau said he is comfortable with the planned outdoor parking if the Common Bond
maintenance staff will be on hand when snow storms happen and during snow removal
procedures. Mr. Mireau said this project is to provide affordable housing and people need an
affordable place to live more than they need a place to park a car. Mr. Mireau said he agrees with
removing the condition to require underground parking.
Boardmember Ledvina said underground parking is a great amenity for our area, but people
coming into this project know this is HUD housing. Mr. Ledvina said he feels the applicant is doing
the best they can with this site and that doesn't include underground parking. Mr. Ledvina said that
other communities with similar senior projects with outdoor parking have indicated that this has not
been a negative situation. Mr. Ledvina said he can accept this and agrees with removing the
condition requiring underground parking.
Boardmember Shankar moved to recommend approval of plans date-stamped May 22, 2009 for
the Century Trails apartments located at the corner of Benet Road, Monastery Way and Century
Avenue. Approval is subject to the applicant doing the following:
1. Repeat this review in one year if the city has not issued a building permit for this project.
2. Before getting a building permit, the applicant shall provide cash escrow or an irrevocable letter
of credit in the amount of 150 percent of the cost of completing exterior improvements like
landscaping, in-ground lawn irrigation, parking lot striping and the like.
3. Meet all requirements of the building official, fire marshal and police.
4. Comply with the city engineer's report dated June 17, 2009.
5. Provide lighting fixture details for staff approval of the fixture design and light pole height.
6. Comply with applicable May 14, 2007 city council PU 0 conditions.
7. Provide a site and design plan for the screening of any trash and recycling containers if they
would be kept outside. Should a trash enclosure area be proposed in the future, it shall not be
placed in any parking space.
8. Provide in-ground lawn irrigation as required by the city code.
9. The community design review board shall review major changes to these plans. Minor changes
may be approved by staff.
10. The developer shall provide a hedge on top of the slope to the east and north of the building as
a barrier from the slope.
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Minutes 07-14-2009
11. Applicant shall add landscaping adjacent to the building on the south side of the building. Staff
shall review this additional landscaping.
12. Site plan shall show the additional sidewalk that shall connect to the sidewalk shown on
Monastery Way.
Boardmember Wise seconded
Boardmember Wise suggested adding the following friendly amendment to the motion:
13. Partner with city staff on the modification of design of the cultured stone around the building to
replace the hearty board directly over the windows with cultured stone.
14. Partner with city staff on the landscape screening along the first level.
15. Partner with city staff on the cultured stone around the monument sign and ensure it matches
the stone on the building. Any addition of building signs shall be brought to the community
design review board for review.
16. Coordinate with MTC to either add a bus stop or propose a reroute.
The friendly amendment made by Boardmember Wise was accepted by Boardmember Shankar,
who made the motion.
The board voted:
The motion passed.
Ayes - all
VI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
VII. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
None
VIII. BOARD PRESENTATIONS
None
IX. STAFF PRESENTATIONS
a. Representation at the July 27, 2009 City Council Meeting: Boardmember Shankar
b. Election of Chair and Vice Chair
Boardmember Wise moved to nominate Boardmember Ledvina as Chair.
Boardmember Lamers seconded Ayes - all
The motion passed.
Boardmember Ledvina moved to nominate Boardmember Wise as Vice Chair.
Boardmember Shankar seconded Ayes - all
The motion passed.
X. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 7:18 p.m.