05-08-13 PC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION MAY 8, 2013 9 needed in order to update the design standards to reflect new practices and standards, to provide developers wit development review process, and to ensure that future development in the B-2 District is well designed. Discussion Bicycle Parking Community Development Intern Matthew Bachler stated Section P of the B-2 District design standards addresses pedestrian and bicycle circulation improvements. Specifically, the section states that projects which are required to meet the design standards must comply with the following ear a public additional guidance is given regarding the design, dimensions, or location of bicycle parking on the site. Further, a minimum number of bicycle parking spaces is not specified. Staff has drafted an amendment to the design standards to provide detailed specifications on bicycle parking (Attachment A). These revisions address what qualifies as bicycle parking, where bicycle parking should be located in relation to buildings and the overall site, dimension and installation requirements, and the total number of bicycle parking spaces required. Staff reviewed bicycle parking regulations used in other municipalities to inform the draft revisions. Municipalities consulted included Roseville, St. Paul, and Minneapolis. Additionally, information on dimension criteria for bicycle parking was obtained from the Minnesota Department of Transportation Bikeway Facility Design Manual. Building Materials Community Development Intern Matthew Bachler commented Section D of the B-2 District design standards specifies acceptable and undesirable exterior building materials. Staff has revised this section to expand and refine the list of permitted and discouraged materials as well as to build in more flexibility for Staff in the development review process. Staff has conducted research on high-quality building materials that are not currently on the acceptable materials list and which meet B-2 design guidelines. Many of these materials are also permitted by municipalities in the metro that have established similar design standards for their primary commercial centers or downtowns. Design guidelines for Roseville, Shoreview, Burnsville, and Hopkins were reviewed. Staff has relied on industry standards and aesthetic considerations in determining which materials are appropriate as principal building materials as opposed to trim and accent materials. The draft revision to the building materials section incorporates these new materials. Community Development Intern Matthew Bachler stated the section on undesirable building materials has been revised to include more stringent restrictions on the use of mirrored or reflective glass in the B-2 District. Previously, the extensive use of mirrored glass on the first floor of a building was listed as undesirable. Staff believes the City should discourage the use of this material entirely in the district. Given the pace at which building material technology evolves, Staff believes a provision should be included in the section that allows the Community Development Department to approve new materials of equal quality other than those listed. An example of how this provision could be worded is included in the current draft.