HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-12-08 CDRB Minutes
MINUTES OF THE MAPLEWOOD COMMUNITY DESIGN REVIEW BOARD
1830 COUNTY ROAD BEAST, MAPLEWOOD, MINNESOTA
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 08,2009
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Ledvina called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Boardmember Jason Lamers
Chairperson Matt Ledvina
Boardmember Michael Mireau
Boardmember Ananth Shankar
Vice Chairperson Matt Wise
Present
Present
Absent
Present
Absent
Staff Present:
Michael Martin. Planner
Shann Finwall. Environmental Planner
Ginnv Gavnor. Natural Resources Coordinator
III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Boardmember Shankar moved to approve the agenda as presented.
Boardmember Lamers seconded
The motion passed.
Ayes - all
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a. October 13, 2009, November 10, 2009 and November 24,2009
It was decided by consensus to move this item to later in the meeting due to lack of a quorum.
V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a. Sign ordinance Amendments
Planner Shann Finwall updated the board on the adoption of the first reading by the city council of
the sign ordinance amendments. Planner Finwall explained neighboring communities' sign
ordinance regulations regarding window signs and presented photos showing examples.
Boardmember Shankar said he prefers sign coverage to consist of 50 percent of the glass on each
window pane and also, zero percent coverage on the door glass as a safety issue. Planner Finwall
said she would review with the building official the 50 percent coverage on door glass and get
some feedback on the safety issue.
The board decided that the window sign coverage recommendation should remain at 50 percent
and the door glass coverage should be reviewed by staff.
Planner Finwall explained the neighboring communities' regulations on off-site real estate
directional signs.
Community Design Review Board 2
Minutes 12-08-2009
The board discussed the acceptable time for off-site real estate directional signs to be in the right-
of-way and changed their recommendation from 30 days to 14 days for these signs to be allowed.
The board discussed portable temporary signs and recommended that the city require a deposit, in
addition to the temporary sign permit fee, which would be returned if the applicant abides by the
city's sign permit and ordinance requirements.
The board reviewed the off-site directional signs for nonprofits and looked at neighboring cities
regulations. The board recommended that these signs be allowed for non profits such as places of
worship, hospitals, nursing homes, parks and schools and should be approved by the government
body responsible for the right-of-way on which the sign is installed. The board also recommended
that signs be limited to four square feet with a maximum number of three signs per nonprofit.
Boardmember Ledvina volunteered to attend the city council meeting as board representative for
the second reading on January 11.
VI. NEW BUSINESS
a. Vegetation Guidelines for Maplewood
Ginny Gaynor, Natural Resources Coordinator, gave a presentation to discuss developing
vegetation guidelines for Maplewood as part of establishing policies to encourage sustainable
vegetation. Coordinator Gaynor said the board will have a presentation and discussion on the
MnDOT Landscaping Partnership at the January 12, 2010 board meeting. Ms. Gaynor explained
that this MnDOT program provides grants to communities to landscape along highways, which
includes the landscape design and materials. Ms. Gaynor said the city would be required to
prepare the site, plant it and maintain it. Ms. Gaynor said staff is looking to landscape along
Highway 36 in 2010 as part of this program. Ms. Gaynor asked the board to think about what
Maplewood streets they feel are the most important for establishing plantings.
b. Community Design Review Board Membership Interview Questions
Planner Martin presented the staff report concerning the interview questions for the city council to
consider when they interview for board vacancies and reappointments.
Boardmember Ledvina suggested a question be included on the role of sustainability in building
design and also a question to get an applicant's experience and opinion regarding specific things in
Maplewood.
c. City of Maplewood Commission Handbook Appendices
Planner Martin handed out the appendices for the commission handbook.
VII. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
James Llanas, 2424 Barclay Street, thanked board members for their service to the city and also
noting the sign ordinance amendments, reminded them that the decisions they make impact
business owners and thanked them for their work
Community Design Review Board
Minutes 12-08-2009
3
VIII. BOARD PRESENTATIONS
Boardmember Lamers moved to table the minutes of October 13, November 10 and November 24,
2009, due to lack of a quorum.
Boardmember Shankar seconded
The motion passed.
Ayes - all
IX. STAFF PRESENTATIONS
a. Planner Martin mentioned that Boardmember Mireau is scheduled as board representative
at the December 14, 2009 city council meeting.
b. December 22, 2009 CDRB meeting
As there were no items for consideration, the board decided by consensus to cancel the meeting of
December 22, 2009.
X. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 7:01 p.m.