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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – August 5, 2015 2 Associate Planner Bachler stated that 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. Associate Planner Bachler explained that 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. Associate Planner Bachler noted that 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. Associate Planner Bachler stated that 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. Associate Planner Bachler reported that the Planned Unit Development process is a tool that provides additional flexibility for development that an underlying zoning district would not otherwise allow. For example, a PUD may make exceptions to setbacks, lot coverage, parking requirements, signage, building materials, or landscaping requirements. It is intended to overcome the limitations of zoning regulations and improve the overall design of a project. While the PUD process allows the City to negotiate certain aspects of the development, any conditions imposed on the PUD must have a rational basis related to the expected impact of the development. A PUD cannot be used to permit uses that would not otherwise be permitted in the underlying zoning district. Associate Planner Bachler commented that when a PUD is comprised of multiple lots, it is often treated as one continuous development. The development as a whole would be expected to meet the landscaping, stormwater, and other similar requirements. For example, one property in the PUD may have 60 percent building coverage, but the development as a whole may not exceed 50 percent building coverage to maintain conformance with the underlying zoning district. In order to maintain shared amenities, such as parking spaces, access drives, and stormwater ponds, the development is required to create a legal entity to manage and maintain the shared facilities. Site Data Land Use Plan: Community Mixed Use Existing Land Use: Retail/Commercial Zoning: B-2: General Business District