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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION WORK SESSION – OCTOBER 8, 2014 2 <br /> <br />Community Development Director Hutmacher reported that Chapter 7 (Building Design <br />Standards) addresses façade composition, building materials, and the design of drive-throughs <br />and parking structures. Commercial readiness standards are placed on the ground floors of <br />buildings adjacent to Pedestrian Priority frontages. While this does not require first floor retail or <br />office uses, it allows buildings to be easily converted over time should those uses become <br />desirable. Pedestrian Priority frontages are currently depicted only in the center of the Office <br />Mixed Use, Retail Mixed Use, and Town Center Districts around the planned open space/plaza <br />areas. <br /> <br />Discussion ensued regarding the proposed property setbacks. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holmes explained that she was having a hard time visualizing how the setbacks <br />and building spacing would work. She did not want to see the Town Center in TCAAP as tight <br />as development in downtown Minneapolis. She questioned what would be planted between <br />buildings and the street. <br /> <br />Community Development Director Hutmacher stated this was yet to be determined. She then <br />discussed the differences between downtown Minneapolis to downtown Osseo. She explained <br />that staff was trying to create a space where people wanted to be and businesses would want to <br />locate. <br /> <br />Commissioner Holewa questioned whether roof-mounted solar panels would be exempt from <br />the maximum building height regulations. <br /> <br />Commissioner Jones discussed the benefits of urban development noting that the Town Center <br />area would be more walkable without large setbacks with areas of grass and other plantings. <br /> <br />Commissioner Zimmerman asked if one developer would be chosen for the Town Center. <br /> <br />Community Development Director Hutmacher anticipated that one developer would be <br />chosen for the retail area in the Town Center. <br /> <br />Commissioner Jones recommended the City maintain the sidewalks in the Town Center area in <br />order to create uniformity with snow removal and grass mowing. <br /> <br />Vice Chair Thompson provided comment on the “Parklet” concept that the City of Minneapolis <br />started this past summer. <br /> <br />Community Development Director Hutmacher further discussed development ideas for the <br />retail area and believed it would closely reflect the Lexington Station development with buildings <br />pulled closely to the street, while remaining pedestrian friendly. <br /> <br />Commissioner Holewa discussed the importance of providing bike lanes. <br /> <br />Commissioner Zimmerman recommended that separate paths for pedestrians and bicyclists be <br />provided to reduce conflicts.