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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION MAY 8, 2013 10 Commercial Façade Transparency Community Development Intern Matthew Bachler indicated Section F of the B-2 District design standards includes specifications on the configuration and transparency of windows and doors for commercial properties. The section does not address window transparency for multi-family residential uses, which are allowed in the B-2 District within a Planned Unit Development. Additionally, specific guidelines on the arrangement of windows on a building and the permitted materials for windows and doors are not included. Staff has revised Section F to include transparency requirements for residential facades. These specifications are intended to keep with the established design principals while also recognizing that commercial façade transparency requirements are not necessarilyappropriate for residential buildings. Guidelines on how windows and doors should be arranged along a building wall are included in the draft revisions. These specifications are meant to ensure consistency between the overall design of the building façade and the placement of window and door openings. The list of acceptable materials for windows and doors is based on industry standards and complements the permitted building wall materials for the district. Further Points of Discussion Community Development Intern Matthew Bachler stated the drafts that Staff are currently working on represent initial recommended revisions to the B-2 District design standards. Staff is hoping to start an on-going discussion with the Planning Commission about the existing design standards and areas within the standards that could be improved. Additional points of discussion might include the following: Do the draft bicycle parking space requirements accurately reflect the demand for bicycle parking facilities in Arden Hills? Are the new materials added to the acceptable building materials list enduring, timeless, and well-detailed? Are there additional types of materials that should be added to the list? concerns regarding the quality of building materials? Are the residential façade transparency requirements appropriate? What additional sections of the B-2 District design standards need to be revised? Staff has identified the provisions on parking and franchise architecture as areas that should be studied further. Community Development Intern Matthew Bachler requested the Planning Commission review the initial recommendations for amendments to the B-2 District Design Standards and provide further direction to staff. Vice Chair Thompson opened the floor to Commissioner comments. Commissioner Zimmerman questioned if Chair Larson had provided comment on these points of discussion. Community Development Intern Matthew Bachler stated staff planned to have a discussion with Chair Larson to gain additional feedback.