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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 7 of 16 C. Screening – Section 1325.05 Subd. 4 The building will be serviced by roof-mounted mechanical operating equipment. The applicant has provided illustrations showing the approximate location of equipment on the roof and the view of the site from Lexington Avenue (Attachment E). The Zoning Code requires that roof- mounted equipment be screened from view of adjacent streets. The applicant has acknowledged that this equipment will either be screened with a durable material or painted to match the adjacent wall structure. D. Fence Regulations - Section 1325.05, Subdivision 4 As part of the development plans the existing retaining wall along Lexington Avenue will be reconstructed. A 42-inch tall ornamental metal fence would be installed at the top of the retaining wall for safety purposes. The Zoning Code restricts the height of fences to no more than six feet. Section 1325.05 Subd. 8 – B-2 District Design Standards Building Materials At least 75 percent of exterior building materials are required to be brick or tile masonry, stone, decorative concrete plank, or transparent glass. Accent materials may include metal, wood, split faced block, stucco, or EIFS. Approximately 40 percent of the total façade area of the building would be stucco. For secondary materials, stone would comprise 21 percent, transparent glass 21 percent, and wood 15 percent of the total façade area. Stucco would primarily be used on the upper portion of the building walls above the metal roof and on the kitchen portion of the building. A higher percentage of stone, wood, and transparent glass would be used on the bar and dining portions of the building. The applicant has addressed the use of stucco as the primary building material in the project narrative. Stucco is being proposed in this case to provide a more neutral building material that will help accentuate the stone and wood materials. Also addressed in the narrative is the application process that would be used for the stucco material to ensure its long-term durability. The explanation provided addresses the two primary concerns staff has regarding this material, which are aesthetics and durability. Staff is supportive of the building materials included in the plans and believes it will result in a more visually interesting building than if the design standards were strictly followed in this case. Building Design The building design section includes several requirements. At least 50 percent of the largest building on each site is required to be constructed at the front setback line of 20 feet. In this case, the building would be located 36.2 feet from the front setback line. Given the elevation difference between Lexington Avenue and the development site, there are existing conditions that prevent the applicant from satisfying this requirement.