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Through the process of reviewing these projects, the City has had the opportunity to identify sections in the design standards that need adjustments or additions. Staff has completed revisions to help clarify certain design requirements and to provide applicants with more flexibility in the development review process. The updated standards also ensure that future development in the B-2 and B-3 Districts will continue to be well designed. The City Council previously discussed the proposed ordinance at the October 21, 2013, Work Session (Attachment C). Staff has attempted to incorporate comments from this meeting into the revised ordinance. Summary of Proposed Ordinance Amendments Ordinance 2013-012 amends Chapter 1325 (General Regulations) of the Zoning Code. The ordinance includes revisions to the following sections of the design standards: building materials, building design, commercial facade transparency, and bicycle parking. Other minor changes include removing provisions that are either redundant or subjective, or that do not directly address design or land use issues. In preparing the amendments, staff reviewed similar design guidelines that have been adopted by eight cities in the metropolitan area. Section 1325.05, Subd. 8 Additional Design Standards for New Development, Redevelopment, and Modifications to Existing Sites in the B2 and B3 Districts Section D: Building Materials Section D specifies acceptable and undesirable exterior building materials. Research was conducted on materials that are currently not on the acceptable materials list and meet the Zoning Code requirement that building materials be enduring, timeless, and well detailed. Tile masonry and synthetic stone were added to the acceptable principal materials list. A specification was included to clarify that brick building walls should be of masonry construction and not precast. Split faced block and stucco were added as acceptable building trim and accent materials. A provision was included to limit the use of EIFS to 12 feet above the ground line. EIFS can be easily damaged and prohibiting its use within 12 feet of the ground floor can help prevent the material from being impaired. A revision was made to provide staff with more flexibility in the development review process. Given the pace at which building material technology evolves, a provision was added to Section D allowing the Community Development Department to approve new materials of equal or better quality other than those listed. Section E: Building Design Section E provides guidelines for the overall design of buildings, including façade articulation and building placement in relation to lot lines. Currently, the design standards require awnings or City of Arden Hills City Council Meeting for November 25, 2013 P:\Planning\Planning Cases\2013\PC 13-007 - B-2 Design Standard Amendments (Pending)\CC Packet (11-25- 13)_PC-13-007 25 Page of