Loading...
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. Community Design Review Board 2 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. Community Design Review Board Minutes 07-14-2009 3 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. Community Design Review Board 4 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.