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Roberts Management Group to discuss the proposed changes to the Phase I building design and determined a PUD Amendment should be requested. Overview of Request Roberts Management has proposed using a back-lit, frosted glazing window design on the windows on the east elevation facing Lexington Avenue, two windows on the north elevation facing Red Fox Road, and one window on the south elevation (Attachment A). The west building elevation, which includes the primary entrances to the tenant spaces, would remain unchanged. The window panes would be treated with a frosted glazing and a light fixture would be included on the interior of the building directly above the top sill of each window. This light fixture would be connected to the tenants regular interior lighting systems and would remain on during regular business hours. The frosted window glazing would be opaque, allowing for light from the interior light fixture to pass through the windows. The proposed window design contrasts with the construction of simulated windows using spandrel glass. This is a commonly used approach that involves the application of a colored coating to the glass and the construction of a wall directly behind the window. Darkly shaded spandrel windows can often give retail stores the appearance of being closed and the applicant believes their proposal for back-lit, frosted glazing windows will Roberts Management Group has included a project narrative and a detailed drawing that provides more detail on the proposed window design (Attachment A). Discussion The design standards for properties in the B-3 District require that commercial buildings provide at least 50 percent transparency coverage on the first level façade that fronts a public street. In this case, the Lexington Avenue and Red Fox Road façades would be required to meet this standard. At least 20 percent of all other façades that are reasonably visible from the public right- of-way must include transparent window or door openings. On these façades, simulated windows may be used on service areas. This standard would apply to the two remaining building façades. For one-story buildings, only the first twelve feet of the building façade is used when calculating the transparency coverage. The City may consider a proportional reduction in the transparent window and door requirement on the public street façades if additional transparent glass is used on the remaining sides. For buildings with a use that does not readily allow transparent windows, the transparency requirements may also be reduced at the discretion of the City Council. In Planning Case 13-003, the City approved a certain amount of transparency coverage on all four sides of the building. The proposal would reduce transparency coverage on the east, north, and south façades. The transparency coverage on the west façade and the total amount of City of Arden Hills City Council Meeting for March 10, 2014 P:\Planning\Planning Cases\2014\PC 14-010 - Lexington Station - PUD Amendment\Memos_PC 14-010 Page 2 of 5