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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL MARCH 10, 20144 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 up has included a project narrative and a detailed drawing that provides more detail on the proposed window design. Associate Planner Bachler stated 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. Associate Planner Bachler noted 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. Associate Planner Bachler commented that 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 window coverage on all four sides would remain unchanged. Associate Planner Bachler reported the Planning Commission reviewed Planning Case 14-010 at their meeting on March 5, 2014, and generally supported the proposed design of the windows. The Planning Commission discussed how the master plan concept for the site shows all of the buildings oriented to face inwards onto a central open area. As a result, the primary entrances to the Phase I and Phase III buildings with frontage on Lexington Avenue will face west away from the roadway. The Planning Commission noted that with the proposal, the applicant would still be providing significant transparency coverage on the west façade of the Phase I building. Associate Planner Bachler explained that in the Master and Final PUD proposal for Lexington Station, the applicant worked with the City to include design elements on the eastern façade of the Phase I building to give it the appearance of being the front of the building. These features include awnings, light fixtures, landscaping, and the use of brick on the entirety of the façade. The majority of the Commissioners felt that the use of simulated windows on the east building wall would not significantly detract from the overall aesthetics of this façade. It was also noted that the retaining wall and drive-thru lane in front of the building would partially obscure this side of the building from view of pedestrians and drivers on Lexington Avenue. Associate Planner Bachler indicated the Planning Commission discussed the proposed lighting on the interior of the frosted windows and how the light fixtures would be replaced. The applicant explained that a sheetrocked wall would be constructed six inches from each window and that an access door would be provided to allow for maintenance of the lights. The Planning Commission