HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/08/2004AGENDA
MAPLEWOOD COMMUNITY DESIGN REVIEW BOARD
Tuesday, June 8, 2004
6:00 P.M.
Council Chambers - Maplewood City Hall
1830 County Road B East
2.
3.
4.
5.
Call to Order
Roll Call
Approval of Agenda
Approval of the May 25, 2004, Minutes
Design Review:
a. The Myth Nightclub - 3090 Southlawn Drive
Visitor Presentations: None Scheduled
Board Presentations
Staff Presentations:
a. CDRB Ordinance and Rules of Procedure Changes
b. CDRB Representation at the June 28, 2004, City Council Meeting
Adjourn
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II.
III.
IV.
MINUTES OF THE MAPLEWOOD COMMUNITY DESIGN REVIEW BOARD
1830 COUNTY ROAD B EAST, MAPLEWOOD, MINNESOTA
TUESDAY, JUNE 8, 2004
CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Longrie-Kline called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Chairperson Diana Longrie-Kline
Vice-Chairperson Ledvina
Board member Judy Driscoll
Board member Linda Olson
Board member Ananth Shankar
Staff Present:
APPROVAL OFAGENDA
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
Shann Finwall, Planner
Lisa Kroll, Recording Secretary
Board member Olson moved to approve the agenda.
Board member Ledvina seconded.
Ayes - Driscoll, Ledvina, Longrie-Kline,
OIson, Shankar
The motion passed.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approval of the CDRB minutes for May 25, 2004.
Chairperson Longrie-Kline had a correction on the first page under the roll call changing the
error that vice-chair Ledvina was absent when he wasn't present.
Chairperson Longrie-Kline had another correction on page 4, in the tenth paragraph, at the end
of the first sentence change the word is to are.
Board member Olson had a clarification to page 5, in the ninth paragraph, second sentence. It
should read: Ifa corner area is built she wants to ensure children would not hide there.
Chairperson Longrie-Kline had a correction to the conditions on page 9, number 18 should
read: The applicant shall work with the city staff to shield the gas and electric meters
and those units adjacent to Hazelwood Street and County Road D will not have the
"meter room" attached to the side of the building facing Hazelwood Street and County
Road D.
Board member Shankar moved approval of the minutes of May 25, 2004, as amended.
Community Design Review Board
Minutes 06-08-2004
Board member Driscoll seconded.
Ayes ---Driscoll, Longrie-Kline, OIson, Shankar
Abstention - Ledvina
The motion passed.
V. DESIGN REVIEW
a. The Myth Nightclub - 3090 Southlawn Drive
Ms. Finwall said Reg Plowman of RJ Marco, representing Mike Ogren and Noah Castle
(property owners), is proposing to remodel the Just for Feet building at 3090 Southlawn Drive,
into a nightclub called The Myth. The owners are purchasing the adjacent vacant lot located to
the north of the site for an expansion of the existing parking lot.
The applicants are proposing to add approximately 3,875 square feet of foundation area to the
north side and 1,210 square feet of foundation area to the west side of the existing Just for
Feet building. The northern addition would be three stories with a large skylight constructed
above the third floor. The western addition will be two stories.
Ms. Finwall said city code requires nightclubs to have parking spaces up to one space per 50
square feet of patron area and patron area being areas of the building that are open to the
public. The patron area in the proposed nightclub would be 18,566 square feet, which would
create the need for 371 parking spaces. With the proposed parking lot expansion the overall
parking on the site would be 399 spaces, which would meet the city code requirement for
regular dance club nights. The parking needs for the national acts should be based on the
maximum capacity of the building, which could be up to 3,200 people. This calculation should
reflect the number of people arriving per vehicle. The city code doesn't calculate this directly
so city staff suggests a calculation of four people per vehicle, which would leave a parking
need of 800 parking spaces calculated at 3,200 people divided by 4 for the nights there is a
national act. In order to accommodate an additional 401 parking spaces, the applicants are
attempting to work with the adjacent property owners to arrange for shared parking
agreements. These parking agreements must be approved by the city council. To date the
applicants have been unsuccessful in reaching an agreement. In order to ensure no national
acts are hosted by the nightclub until the applicants have the necessary parking agreements,
the agreements must be approved by the city council.
Board member Driscoll asked if the trash enclosure area would be surrounded by
landscaping? She wondered how the trash removal company would gain access to remove the
trash?
Ms. Finwall said there are existing evergreens located on the west side of the trash enclosure
and there is a proposed ten-foot wide drive aisle, which would be accessed to the trash
enclosure.
Board member Shankar asked if the increased parking spaces were within the board's
jurisdiction or was that a planning commission issue?
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Community Design Review Board
Minutes 06-08-2004
Ms. Finwall said city code requires one parking space per 50 square feet of patron area, which
the night club meets with the 399 parking spaces. Because this development only requires
design review and parking authorization approvals the city has to ensure there are control's to
be sure the national acts are not allowed until the city council approves the additional parking
spaces and parking agreements. Through the CDRB process, because of the building
approval, the city can approve a lower capacity than allowed. Currently the building could
have up to 3,200 people. Ms. Finwall said approving a capacity of 1,450 people is within the
jurisdiction of the CDRB.
Chairperson Longrie-Kline asked what three similar nightclubs Lt. Kevin Rabbett was referring
to on page 27 of the staff report?
Ms. Finwall said Lt. Rabbett was referring to the three nightclubs in Maplewood, which are The
Rock, T-Birds, and Star Gate.
Chairperson Longrie-Kline asked if those three nightclubs were required to have a high tech
security camera system?
Ms. Finwall said she doesn't have the answer to that, however, those clubs have been in
operation for several years and if they have not done that on their own, she is almost certain it
was not a condition of approval years ago.
Board member Olson asked if the police department is staffed to handle the development that
would occur in Legacy Village plus the addition of The Myth Nightclub with their national act
nights? Or would they have to hire additional staff? She is curious how the police department
would be able to respond to these additional needs because it could prove to be a challenge.
Ms. Finwall said the needs of the police department are reviewed and approved by the city
council. The police department has requested additional police staffing for the Legacy Village
development. The police department has indicated in their review that the nightclub would be
a challenge with the police staff they currently have. They are recommending on-site private
security, particularly during the national acts.
Chairperson Longrie-Kline asked the applicant to address the board.
Mr. Reg Plowman, President, RJ Marco, 75 West Viking Drive, Suite 104, Little Canada,
addressed the board.
Chairperson Longrie-Kline asked if the applicant knew the demographics of people that would
be attending the nightclub and how often the national acts would occur once the parking
agreements were in place?
Mr. Plowman said they believe the national acts would occur 10-12 times a year or roughly
once a month. The balance of the weeks would have a DJ and dance club, which they expect
anywhere from 700 to 1400 people in the nightclub during those nights. The upper level would
only be open for evenings with higher attendance.
Board member Olson asked how they would soundproof the skylight in the ceiling?
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Community Design Review Board
Minutes 06-08-2004
Mr. Plowman said the sound proofing issue came up regarding what the average noise level
was outside the club and how the inside of the club would be designed to accommodate the
noise. In order to soundproof the building they have interviewed a few sound people that have
worked on soundproofing of the Xcel Center. There is no need to soundproof the skylight
because there wouldn't be noise in that area that would strictly be storage space.
Chairperson Longrie-Kline asked how they propose to retrofit the new security system into the
existing building?
Mr. Plowman said they have had meetings with the police, fire and building department and
the client is willing, and it is architecturally feasible, to install a state of the art camera and
security system in the existing building as recommended. The client is also willing to handle
traffic control during the national acts and will hire additional people to handle crowd control.
Chairperson Longrie-Kline asked if the applicant brought building samples and colors to show
the board?
Mr. Plowman said he would like to ask the architect to address the board regarding that.
Mr. Ken Nordby, Architect for NAI Architects, 245 Roselawn Avenue East, Suite 30,
Maplewood, addressed the board. He passed a color board around to show the board the
actual product to be installed for the building. They also provided a sample of the blue channel
siding to be used on the perimeter of the building exterior. The photos provided show both a
daytime and evening appearance. He said the skylight is on the 3rd floor, which is separated
from the sound and dance area of the building. That will be a storage and maintenance room
for the elevator. When there is a national act the workers would be taking the chairs and
tables onto the elevator and into the storage area. The skylight would be used as a secondary
sign and would be lit up in the evening hours in the summer months and in the late afternoon
in the winter months as another way to represent that they are open. He said they will follow
any requirements by the city regarding the skylight and exterior lighting area.
Board member Ledvina asked if the glass would be tinted?
Mr. Nordby said the glass would be tinted at the lower level and at the entrance or second floor
level it will have a reflective quality during the day and act as a mirror. At night the effect on
the glass would be dependant on if the second floor was open and light up or not. It would
either remain a mirroring effect or it would allow some shadowing from the inside of the
building to go to the outside.
Board member Shankar asked if the dark blue color shown is used for the square porcelain
tiles?
Mr. Nordby said the dark blue color is for the 12"X 12" polished porcelain tiles.
Board member Shankar asked if there was any concern regarding the head lights shining off
the reflective materials to be used on the building?
Community Design Review Board
Minutes 06-08-2004
Mr. Nordby said the main drive is parallel to the building so headlights should not be a problem
as far as the reflective materials being used on the building.
Board member Driscoll asked what material would be used behind the script on the Myth sign?
Mr. Nordby said that would be a light blue Teflon panel with lighting behind it. They have
provided a color rendering of the building exterior for review, however that would actually be
part of the sign permit, which is a separate permit.
Board member Olson asked if they had proposed a strip of neon lights along the top of the
building?
Mr. Nordby said the blue light isn't actually a neon strip but is a LED light that is an enclosed
plastic light source. It isn't a neon light as we all know neon to be but it does reflect a brilliant
blue color.
Board member Ledvina said the west elevation shows the lighting along the top roofline, he
asked if that appears on the south and east elevations as well?
Mr. Nordby said yes.
Chairperson Longrie-Kline asked staff if the sign approval would come before the community
design review board for approval?
Ms. Finwall said the signage would only require a sign permit approved by city staff. She
would like to point out that city staff was not aware of the LED lighting on the building exterior
and, therefore did not include that information in the staff report.
Board member Driscoll asked if the applicants think the design of the building will become
dated?
Mr. Nordby said the dating of the design is difficult to address. But as an example, the current
building was built in 1997 and is already being remodeling into something else. The building
product itself has a 20 year guarantee against fading, so he feels the exterior will hold up very
well. They feel the colors they are using on the building would enhance the area not detract
from it.
Chairperson Longrie-Kline asked if the building material was easy to maintain with all the
grooves?
Mr. Nordby said the product is easy to maintain and tends to be self cleaning because of the
way the rain runs off of it. A power washer can be used on the exterior to clean any dirt that
accumulates in the grooves. The Nissan building in Maplewood has used this same building
product in silver instead of the dark blue they have proposed. The commercial building
product has been around a long time and hasn't been a problem.
Board member Ledvina said he thinks this is a nice proposal. He said it's disappointing to see
a vacant building sit unused and he was happy the applicant decided to remodel the existing
building to fit their needs instead of building a new building.
Community Design Review Board
Minutes 06-08-2004
Board member Ledvina thinks the LED lights used on the building exterior are appropriate and
match the design and character of the nightclub building. He said this nightclub will be a great
addition to the City of Maplewood.
Chairperson Longrie-Kline said she thinks the colors used for the nightclub are a beautiful
blend of colors. It's a challenge to retrofit an existing building into something that is beautiful
and she thinks that has been done with this design. Chairperson Longrie-Kline said the LED
lighting is appropriate and she thinks this nightclub will be a nice addition to the city and would
help keep customers on this side of town. Having national acts appearing at The Myth in
Maplewood will be great for the city as well.
Board member OIson said she likes the colors and the mixture of building materials and the
way they have dressed this building up combining linear and vertical elements along with the
triangle and circles are very nice. She is concerned about the added traffic in the area
especially when a national act comes to the nightclub. Even though County Road D is going to
be improved it will still be added vehicles traveling on the roadways.
Board member Ledvina said he sees this building as a complementary use to other activities in
the area and he doesn't see the traffic as an issue especially with County Road D realigned.
Board member Ledvina moved to approve the plans date-stamped April 29, 2004, and May 18,
2004, and the building elevations and building samples submitted at the June 8, 2004,
community design review board meeting for The Myth Nightclub at 3090 Southlawn Drive.
Approval is subject to the applicant doing the following: (additions or changes to the original
conditions are in bold, deletions are stricken,)
Repeat this review in two years if the city has not issued a building permit for this
project.
Prior to issuance of a grading or building permit, the applicant must submit to staff for
approval the following items:
A revised grading, drainage, utility, erosion control plan to be approved by the
city engineer which meets all requirements of the May 28, 2004, city engineering
review.
Revised building plans that meet all city building official and city fire marshal
requirements, including the installation of an elevator and sound control within
the building to ensure no noise leaves the site.
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A plan for a technologically-advanced security camera system that will record
virtually all of the interior public spaces as well as entrances and the main
parking area. The security camera system must be approved by the police
department prior to issuance of a building permit.
Proof of the combination of the two parcels into one parcel for tax and
identification purposes.
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Minutes 06-08-2004
Proof of signed cross parking (33 parking spaces) and access easements with
the Toys R Us property at 1852 County Road D.
f. Dedicate and record a 17-foot-wide right-of-way easement along County Road D.
g. Dedicate and record a 10-foot-wide pedestrian and utility easement along
Southlawn Drive.
h. A revised site plan that shows the following:
1 ) A 17-foot-wide right-of-way easement along County Road D.
2)
An 8-foot-wide trail/walkway within the County Road D right-of-way
easement. This trail/walkway shall be constructed per the engineering
department requirements as specified in the May 28, 2004, engineering
review.
3) A 10-foot-wide pedestrian and utility easement along Southlawn Drive.
4)
A 6-foot-wide sidewalk within the Southlawn Drive pedestrian and utility
easement. This sidewalk shall be constructed per the engineering
department requirements as specified in the May 28, 2004, engineering
review.
A revised landscape plan that shows landscaping around the foundation of the
building as well as an underground irrigation plan to ensure all landscaping is
irrigated per city code.
j. A revised lighting plan that shows the following:
1)
The height of the freestanding lights at a maximum of 25 feet, including
the base of the light pole.
2)
A detailed plan of the proposed skylight which gives a description of the
luminaire including wattage, the light spread and foot candle levels of the
proposed luminaire, and descriptions on how the light will be designed,
installed and maintained to prevent light trespass and light pollution.
The skylight is limited to a constraint glow of white light, with no flashing
or variation in colors.
A trash/recycling container plan showing that the enclosure is large enough to
accommodate trash and recycling, is constructed with materials to match the
building with a height of at least six feet, and has a 100 percent opaque gate.
Watershed district approval.
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.
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Minutes 06-08-2004
The building permit will be conditioned on a maximum capacity of !,000 '1,450 people
within the building, unless the city council approves a shared parking agreement to
accommodate the parking needs of the national act nights or other events with more
than I,..,...nnn 1,450 people at the nightclub.
The applicant shall complete the following before occupying the building:
Install the eight-foot-wide trail/walkway along County Road D.
Install the six-foot-wide sidewalk along Southlawn Drive.
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If any
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Replace any property irons removed because of this construction.
Provide continuous concrete curb and gutter around the parking lot and
driveways and remove all existing bituminous curb from the site.
Install all required landscaping and an in-ground lawn irrigation system for all
landscaped areas.
Install reflectorized stop signs at both exits, a handicap parking sign for each
handicap parking space, and an address on the building.
Paint the rooftop mechanical equipment to match the building color. The
applicant shall provide screening enclosures around the equipment unless the
community design review board waives the screening requirement.
Install all required landscaping.
Install all required outdoor lighting.
Install the required trash/recycling container.
Installation and operation of an extensive and technologically-advanced security
camera system that will record virtually all of the interior public spaces as well as
entrances and the main parking area.
required work is not done, the city may allow temporary occupancy if:
The city determines that the work is not essential to the public health, safety or
welfare.
The above-required letter of credit or cash escrow is held by the City of
Maplewood for all required exterior improvements. The owner or contractor shall
complete any unfinished exterior improvements by June 1 of the following year
if occupancy of the building is in the fall or winter or within six weeks of
occupancy of the building if occupancy is in the spring or summer.
Community Design Review Board
Minutes 06-08-2004
This approval does not include signage. All proposed signs must comply with the city's
sign ordinance and the applicant must obtain all required sign permits prior to
installation.
All work shall follow the approved plans. The director of community development may
approve minor changes.
Board member Shankar seconded.
Ayes - Driscoll, Ledvina, Longrie-Kline,
Olson, Shankar
The motion passed.
This item goes to the city council on June 28, 2004, provided the applicant is prepared for the
parking authorization.
VI. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
No visitors present.
VII. BOARD PRESENTATIONS
Chairperson Longrie-Kline thanked board member Linda Olson for getting Mr. Kevin Miller of
URS Corporation to appear on cable access, channel 15 on June 23, 2004, at 7:30 p.m. Mr.
Miller will be giving a presentation on green roof technology focusing on the design and
benefits of green roof technology in both commercial and residential applications.
VIII. STAFF PRESENTATIONS
a. CDRB Ordinance and Rules of Procedure Changes
Ms. Finwall said on March 22, 2004, the city council revised the proposed policy for the
appointment to commissions and boards. The council made minor revisions and
suggestions to the proposed policy to put them into effect. The community design
review board should revise their respective rules of procedure to reflect the new policy
of the city council and make a recommendation to the city council as shown on page 4
of the staff report.
Chairperson Longrie-Kline asked staff if the planning commission reviewed this change
and forwarded their recommendation to the city council?
Ms. Finwall asked the recording secretary if she could give a recount of the planning
commission meeting?
Ms. Lisa Kroll, the recording secretary, said after a very lengthy discussion the planning
commission reviewed the ordinance and rules of procedure change and the planning
commission recommended denial of the ordinance and rules of procedure change.
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Board member Shankar said he thought staff stated this change was already decided
upon on March 22, 2004, and therefore, the CDRB did not have a say in the change of
the policy?
Ms. Finwall said the city council did approve the policy change. However, according to
city ordinance the planning commission needed to review and make recommendations
to the ordinance change and the CDRB should make recommendations to the policy
changes. This is procedural and it also gives the board the opportunity in a public forum
to discuss the city council's decision to change these policies.
Board member Olson said apparently the city council must have discussed this item in a
workshop because this was not part of any city council meeting she saw rebroadcast on
cable. If this is the case, she wants to know why the city council is removing the
CDRB's opportunity to nominate their own chair and taking a heavy-handed approach to
managing the board?
Ms. Finwall said she doesn't have an answer to that question but she would speculate
that the city council saw a need for a change in a particular commission or board chair
where it wasn't happening internally.
Ms. Kroll added that councilmember Rossbach was present at the planning commission
meeting. He stated the city council discovered Maplewood was the only city of
surrounding cities where the boards and commissions chose their own chairperson and
vice chairperson. The city council wanted to follow suit with the procedures of the other
surrounding cities.
Chairperson Longrie-Kline said Mr. Rossbach had mentioned that fact to her as well.
She then contacted the City of Roseville since they are also a plan B city, are organized
the same way Maplewood is, share a common boundary with Maplewood, are similar in
size, and are a first ring suburb. According to the assistant administrator at the City of
Roseville, the planning commission is the only commission that doesn't elect the chair
person. All of the other commissions within Roseville elect their own chair person.
Because of the similarities between Roseville and Maplewood she telephoned the City
of Roseville, however she did not check with any other cities.
Board member Ledvina said according to the new policy the board is able to nominate
two people they want on the chair and vice chair.
Chairperson Longrie-Kline said according to the way the policy is written the city council
does not have to select the two people's names that are written down by the board or
commission.
Chairperson Longrie-Kline said the wording in the policy states the board or commission
"shall" give two names and that means the board or commission "must" have two
names. If there is really only one person that wants to serve as chair than what is the
validity for the process of providing two names to the city council?
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Board member Ledvina said he would recommend striking that terminology if the city
council doesn't have to choose any of the names that have been written down for the
city council, what is the validity of that?
Ms. Kroll stated Chairperson Fischer asked planning commissioners if the ordinance
were reworded would commissioners vote for the change? Two commissioners said
they would vote "for" the ordinance if it were reworded.
Board member Ledvina said the city council is elected and the boards and commissions
are not.
Board member Olson said the city council has taken away any opportunity the board
has for input on new board members and every member on this committee is appointed
by the city council. There is no opportunity for feedback on new members and she
would think it would be to the city council's benefit to get opinions of the committee.
She thinks the two combined procedural changes, besides the fact that the city council
wants to select the chairperson, seem excessive. She believes the city council needs to
be open to people that would like the opportunity for input and may have valid points of
view.
Chairperson Longrie-Kline said when she looks at this she sees the potential to open a
can of worms. This could serve to politicize the selection of the committee members as
well as the chairperson. She believes it is important for the boards and commissions to
be as non-partisan as possible because they are volunteers and they make
recommendations based upon their skills, knowledge, and backgrounds of being
citizens and professionals in the community. In order to be on the CDRB there are
criteria and safeguards as to who can be on the board. It is important for volunteers to
feel like they have some self governance to pick their own chairperson. Since the board
can't make recommendations as to who may appoint openings she thinks it is important
to have some self governance. The board serves at the city council's pleasure. The
board also has to feel they have some measure of accountability and responsibility
within their own organization. She appreciated that she was elected to this position and
she would hope that if her peers elect her again, and she was willing to serve again, the
decision would come from her peers and not by the city council. The same holds true if
they did not reelect her, she would appreciate it if that decision came from the board
and not the city council.
Board member Olson said she thinks the board should have the opportunity to rotate
chairs.
Chairperson Longrie-Kline said she would agree.
Board member Olson said any recommendation the board makes is only a
recommendation and the city council does not have to follow the recommendation. The
board is limited to what they can discuss during the review process. She believes the
city council is going the wrong direction with this policy change.
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Board member Ledvina said he shares the same opinion as other members do. The
board would like more autonomy than not, which is a natural tendency for just about
everyone to have.
Board member Ledvina moved to recommend denial of the proposed code
amendments to the community design review board ordinance.
Board member Ledvina moved to recommend denial of the proposed revision to the
CDRB Rules of Procedure.
Chairperson Longrie-Kline seconded.
Ayes - Driscoll, Ledvina, Longrie-Kline,
Olson, Shankar
The motion carried.
This item goes to the city council on June 28, 2004.
b. CDRB Representation at the June 28, 2004, City Council Meeting
Chairperson Longrie-Kline said she would be absent during a few meetings because
she will be teaching in China during the month of July and part of August. Therefore,
she volunteered to be the CDRB representative at the June 28, 2004, city council
meeting. Items to discuss include The Myth Nightclub at 3090 Southlawn Drive, if the
applicant is prepared to discuss the parking authorization, and the CDRB Ordinance
and Rules of Procedure changes.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:13 p.m.