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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—OCTOBER 21, 2013 8 Community Development Intern Bachler reviewed the proposed amendments to the B-2 and B- 3 district design standards. He explained the guiding plan for the B-2 district was accepted in October of 2008. This plan included design guidelines for development in the B-2 district and proposed standards for building and site design, facade treatment, pedestrian circulation, and parking. He noted that four projects have been completed under the new standards: the McDonald's PUD, Walgreens PUD, 1201 County Road E Master PUD and the Lexington Station Master PUD. Lexington Station is the only project of the four that is in the B-3 district. Community Development Intern Bachler stated that through the process of reviewing these developments, the City has had the opportunity to identify aspects of the design standards that may require adjustments or additions. Staff is currently drafting changes to requirements on building materials, commercial facade transparency, and bicycle parking. These revisions will help update the design standards to provide developers with more clarity on the City's expectations in the development review process and to ensure that future development in the B-2 and B-3 districts are well-designed. This draft was reviewed by the Planning Commission at their May 3, 2013, meeting. Community Development Intern Bachler discussed the proposed language changes to the sections addressing building materials, commercial facade transparency and bicycle parking in detail with the Council. He requested feedback on the proposed changes from the Council. Councilmember Holden requested the term "brick veneer"be changed. Community Development Intern Bachler stated this could be amended to simulated brick. Mayor Grant recommended that the approved building material language requires that brick construction includes mortar. Councilmember Holden recommended the transparent window issue that arose with Walgreens be addressed in revising the B-2 design standards. Councilmember Holmes supported this recommendation. Community Development Intern Bachler agreed that this issue needed to be addressed. Mayor Grant commented on Section 4 regarding awnings and overhangs. He questioned if canvas should be used on awnings. It was his opinion that canvas materials fade and stretch out over time. Councilmember Holden indicated that the language requires that overhangs remain in good condition. She recommended that this be followed for all future developments. Mayor Grant reported canvas awnings were just installed at 1201 County Road E by Mr. Davidson. He suggested the "shall" within the overhang language be changed to "may". In addition, he recommended the language be amended to read that overhangs "shall not be canvas" and"shall be provided at main entries".