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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION March 5, 2014 2 the window. Darkly shaded non-transparent windows can often give retail stores the appearance of being closed and the applicant believes their proposal for back-lit, frosted glazing windows Site Data Future Land Use Plan: Commercial Existing Land Use: Vacant Zoning: B-3: Service Business District Current Lot Sizes: 1.34 Acres Topography: Level Associate Planner Bachler reviewed the surrounding area and the Plan Evaluation. He explained the Planning Commission must make a finding as to whether or not the proposed PUD Amendment at 3833 Lexington Avenue North would adversely affect the surrounding neighborhood or the community as a whole based on the aforementioned factors. Staff offers the following eight (8) findings for consideration: 1. The property is located in the B-3 Service Business Zoning District. 2. The City has adopted design standards for the B-3 District within the Zoning Code. 3. The Master Planned Unit Development and Final Planned Unit Development for Phase I of the Lexington Station redevelopment project was approved by the City on July 8, 2013 in Planning Case 13-003. 4. The applicant is proposing an amendment to the approved Final PUD for Phase I for a revised building plan that would reduce the façade transparency on the Phase I building. The applicant has cited a need to reduce transparency coverage in order to accommodate kitchen and restroom facilities used by tenants in the building. 5. The design standards for the B-3 District allow the City to grant a proportional reduction in the transparency requirement on the public street façades if additional transparent glass is used on the remaining sides. 6. 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. 7. The proposed PUD Amendment is in substantial conformance with the requirements of 8. regulations through a negotiated process with a developer. Associate Planner Bachler reported that based on the submitted plans and findings of fact, staff recommends approval of Planning Case 14-010 for a Planned Unit Development Amendment at 3833 Lexington Avenue North. Staff recommends the following three (3) conditions be included with the approval: 1. The project shall be completed in accordance with the plans submitted as amended by the conditions of approval. Any significant changes to these plans, as determined by the City Planner, shall require review by the Planning Commission and review and approval by the City Council.