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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—MARCH 10, 2014 4 <br /> involves the application of a colored coating to the glass and the construction of a wall directly <br /> behind the window. Darkly shaded spandrel windows can often give retail stores the appearance <br /> of being closed and the applicant believes their proposal for back-lit, frosted glazing windows will <br /> help simulate an "open for business" appearance. Roberts Management Group has included a <br /> project narrative and a detailed drawing that provides more detail on the proposed window design. <br /> Associate Planner Bachler stated the design standards for properties in the B-3 District require <br /> that commercial buildings provide at least 50 percent transparency coverage on the first level <br /> fagade that fronts a public street. In this case, the Lexington Avenue and Red Fox Road fagades <br /> would be required to meet this standard. At least 20 percent of all other fagades that are <br /> reasonably visible from the public right-of-way must include transparent window or door <br /> openings. On these fagades, simulated windows may be used on service areas. This standard <br /> would apply to the two remaining building fagades. For one-story buildings, only the first twelve <br /> feet of the building fagade is used when calculating the transparency coverage. <br /> Associate Planner Bachler noted the City may consider a proportional reduction in the <br /> transparent window and door requirement on the public street fagades if additional transparent <br /> glass is used on the remaining sides. For buildings with a use that does not readily allow <br /> transparent windows, the transparency requirements may also be reduced at the discretion of the <br /> City Council <br /> Associate Planner Bachler commented that in Planning Case 13-003, the City approved a certain <br /> amount of transparency coverage on all four sides of the building. The proposal would reduce <br /> transparency coverage on the east, north, and south fagades. The transparency coverage on the <br /> west fagade and the total amount of window coverage on all four sides would remain unchanged. <br /> Associate Planner Bachler reported the Planning Commission reviewed Planning Case 14-010 at <br /> their meeting on March 5, 2014, and generally supported the proposed design of the windows. The <br /> Planning Commission discussed how the master plan concept for the site shows all of the <br /> buildings oriented to face inwards onto a central open area. As a result, the primary entrances to <br /> the Phase I and Phase III buildings with frontage on Lexington Avenue will face west away from <br /> the roadway. The Planning Commission noted that with the proposal, the applicant would still be <br /> providing significant transparency coverage on the west fagade of the Phase I building. <br /> Associate Planner Bachler explained that in the Master and Final PUD proposal for Lexington <br /> Station, the applicant worked with the City to include design elements on the eastern fagade of the <br /> Phase I building to give it the appearance of being the front of the building. These features include <br /> awnings, light fixtures, landscaping, and the use of brick on the entirety of the fagade. The <br /> majority of the Commissioners felt that the use of simulated windows on the east building wall <br /> would not significantly detract from the overall aesthetics of this fagade. It was also noted that the <br /> retaining wall and drive-thru lane in front of the building would partially obscure this side of the <br /> building from view of pedestrians and drivers on Lexington Avenue. <br /> Associate Planner Bachler indicated the Planning Commission discussed the proposed lighting <br /> on the interior of the frosted windows and how the light fixtures would be replaced. The applicant <br /> explained that a sheetrocked wall would be constructed six inches from each window and that an <br /> access door would be provided to allow for maintenance of the lights. The Planning Commission <br />