06-19-13 PC Special Meeting Minutes

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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION –JUNE 19, 20139 Staff believes the proposed number of parking spaces is reasonable. The applicant has given special consideration to the mix of tenants on the site to support uses with staggered traffic periods during the day. Additionally, the inclusion of sidewalks, crosswalks, and landscaping in the design of the parking lot will help facilitate pedestrian mobility between buildings. This in turn will support the proposed shared parking amongst the properties. 2. Design Standards –Section 1325.05 Subd. 8 The building proposed for Phase I was evaluated based on the additional design standards for the B3 District included in the City Code. While all future phases of the development will also have to meet these design standards, only Phase I is currently under review for Final PUD approval. Phase II and III will require a similar evaluation before the Planning Commission and City Council. Building Materials –Exceeds Requirements The City Code requires that at least 75 percent of the exterior building materials must be of brick, stone, decorative concrete plank, or transparent glass. Permitted trim materials include metal, wood, and EIFS. Nearly the entire exterior of the proposed building is comprised of brick and transparent glass. Rough face cast stone is used as a trim material at the base of the building and along the roof line. A standing seam metal roof is proposed at the northern and southern end of the building. Building Design –Flexibility Requested The building design section of the B3 District design standards includes several provisions, most of which are met by the proposal. At least 50 percent of the largest building on each site is required to be constructed at the front setback line. In this case, the applicant has asked for flexibilityto allow for the Phase I building to be situated closer to the front property line than setback regulations would normally permit. The proposed design includes façade treatment on all four sides of the building and 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 proposed building’s first level façade will be transparent. At least 20 percent of the remaining sides 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