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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION JUNE 19, 2013 9 the building façades are broken up into regular, smaller increments using windows, doors, and light fixtures. Awnings have been included at all entryways except the entrance doorways for the two central tenants. The applicant did not include awnings above these entryways for aesthetic reasons. The City Council and Planning Commission have previously expressed concern about the design of the eastern side of the building. While traditionally this is where the primary building entrance would be located, the building is oriented towards the interior of the site and the back of the building faces Lexington Avenue. Staff has worked with the developer to ensure that this side of the building is well designed. Awnings and light fixtures have been included to break up the façade. Landscaping in the adjacent right of way will help partially screen the building. Additionally, the developer has proposed constructing the façade entirely with brick and all service doors will be painted to match the color of the brick used. Commercial Façade Transparency Exceeds Requirements For commercial buildings, at least 50 percent of the first level façade that includes the primary store entrances must be made of transparent windows and doors. Approximately 54 percent of the that are visible to the public must be window coverage, half of which may be spandrel glass. The applicant has proposed approximately 38 percent transparent window coverage for the northern and southern facades, and 23 percent transparent window coverage for the eastern building façade. None of the proposed window coverage would be tinted, reflective, or frosted. The developer has indicated that depending on the needs of the tenants located in the northern, central, and southern bays of the building, a certain percentage of the window coverage on the eastern, northern, and southern sides of the building may need to be non-transparent. The Planning Commission should determine how much non-transparent window coverage would be permitted on these three sides of the building and include this requirement as a condition of approval. Site Furnishing and Seating Areas Meets Requirements Benches and decorative plantings are required near the primary entrance of all buildings. Restaurants must provide for an outdoor seating area. The applicant has proposed a large public sidewalk area, measuring from 15 to 20 feet in width, which would wrap around the western and southern sides of the building. Included in this space would be benches, decorative plantings, bicycle parking stands, and outdoor seating for the two restaurant tenants. Screening Flexibility Requested The City Code requires that trash equipment and containers be fully enclosed and integrated into the in the interior of the building and has proposed to locate an exterior trash enclosure in the northeast corner of the site. This facility would be fully enclosed and would be constructed with brick and rough cast stone to match the exterior materials used for the principal building. A proposed retaining wall along the northern and eastern sides of the northeastern corner of the property would completely screen the structure from vehicles and pedestrians. Staff is generally favorable to this approach. By removing the trash facilities from the interior of the building, the developer will have more leeway in ensuring that the eastern side of the building facing Lexington Avenue is well designed and aesthetically appealing. Pedestrian and Bicycle Circulation Meets Requirements Sites must be designed to accommodate the safe mobility of pedestrians and bicyclists. The applicant has proposed a pedestrian mobility plan that provides sidewalks linking the entrances of the building