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City of Arden Hills Planning Commission Meeting for August 5, 2015 P:\Planning\Planning Cases\2015\PC 15-016 - Arden Plaza - Final PUD Phase III\Memos_Reports_15-016 Page 2 of 16 The City approved a second amendment to the Master PUD and a Preliminary Plat in March 2015 for the further subdivision of Lot 3, where the existing retail center is located, into three smaller lots (Planning Case 15-002). Approval of the Final Plat was conditioned on building improvements that are now under construction by Arden Plaza, LLC. Planning Case 15-002 also included modifications to the retail center parking lot and an increase in the Phase III building footprint. The new plat is titled Arden Plaza 2nd Addition, and Lot 1 within the plat is proposed for the Tavern Restaurant development. The Master PUD specifically identifies the Lexington Avenue site where the Tavern Restaurant development is proposed as Phase III. It should be noted that Phase II of the Master PUD has not yet been completed. Phase II will include the development of the parcel on County Road E adjacent to the Walgreens pharmacy for a 6,000 square foot retail or restaurant use. Arden Plaza, LLC continues to market this site to potential buyers and tenants. 1. Overview of Request Hemisphere Restaurant Partners has requested a Final PUD for Phase III of the Arden Plaza Master PUD to develop Lot 1, Arden Plaza 2nd Addition for a sit-down restaurant. The Master PUD Site Plan shows Phase III being developed as a 20,136 square foot retail building. The proposal by Hemisphere Restaurant Partners would result in an overall lower density development on the site than what was originally approved for Phase III. The development plans are in substantial conformance with the Master PUD plans. Hemisphere currently operates three Tavern Restaurants in the Twin Cities metro, with locations in Edina, Woodbury, and Blaine. The proposed Tavern Restaurant in Arden Hills would be similar to these other restaurants and would provide a relaxed but up-scale atmosphere. The development would include the restaurant building, which would have a footprint of 9,500 square feet, and an attached 3,050 square foot outdoor patio area for seasonal seating. The proposed site design orients the restaurant towards the other buildings within the Arden Plaza retail center. The main entrance is located at the southwest corner of the building and features a prominent tower structure comprised primarily of transparent glass. Sidewalks have been provided to create safe pedestrian connections with the public sidewalk on Lexington Avenue as well as the internal sidewalks between the Walgreens pharmacy and the retail center. The building façades would be comprised of stucco with accents of stone and wood. Each side of the building would include a minimum of 20 percent transparent window coverage. A variety of shade and ornamental trees, shrubs, and perennial plantings would be focused around the perimeter of the building and patio area and would also provide screening of the kitchen and utility areas.