06-19-13 PC Special Meeting Minutes

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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION –JUNE 19, 201310 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 architecture of the building. The applicant was unable to accommodate the building’s trash facilities 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 to the public sidewalk network and which includes striping where pedestrians must cross parking areas. A total of four bicycle stands are located near the building entrances. The four stands should be able to accommodate up to eight bicycles. 3. Traffic Study A traffic study was completed by the SRF Consulting Group for the Lexington Station project. The main objectives of the study were to review existing operations within the study area, evaluate the traffic impacts to the adjacent roadway network, and to recommend any necessary improvements to accommodate the proposed development. The study evaluated all three phases of the development to help illustrate the timeframe in which improvements may be necessary. To evaluate the existing traffic operations, SRF gathered data for the intersections at I-694 and Lexington Avenue; Red Fox Road and Lexington Avenue; Target Service Road and Lexington Avenue; and Grey Fox Road and Lexington Avenue. Based on an analysis of current conditions, it was determined that all intersections are operating at an acceptable Level of Service (LOS) C or better during the a.m. and p.m. peak hours.