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lt �-`iIQEN(HILLS MEMORANDUM DATE: September 9, 2015 PC Work Session Item 2.A TO: Planning Commission FROM: Matthew Bachler, Associate Planner SUBJECT: Planning Case #15-019: B-2 and B-3 District Design Standards — Fagade Transparency Requirements Requested Action Review recommended amendments to the B-2 and B-3 District Design Standards to clarify fagade transparency requirements. Provide feedback and direction to staff. Background At their joint work session on March 16, 2015, the City Council and Planning Commission discussed the need to clarify the fagade transparency requirements included in the B-2 and B-3 District Design Standards. Currently, the Design Standards require commercial and multi -family residential buildings to provide a certain percentage of transparent window coverage on fagades that front a public street or that are reasonably visible from the right-of-way. There have been recent development projects in the City where questions have arisen about the intent of the transparency requirements and how visible a building's interior needs to be to satisfy the standards. Discussion Staff has reviewed the existing language on facade transparency requirements in the B-2 and B-3 District Design Standards (Section 1325.05, Subd. 8, Paragraph F of the Zoning Code). Recommended revisions have been made to state that transparent windows or doors must allow views of interior uses or activities. The purpose of this revision is to prohibit the use of walls, display areas, or other obstructions that block views of the building's interior from the exterior. The language being recommended by staff is similar to the standard used by the City of Eden Prairie for their Town Center Zoning District. City of Arden Hills Planning Commission Work Session for September 9, 2015 P: IPlanninglPlanning Cases120MPC 15-019 - Zoning Code Amendment - B-2 & B-3 Design Standards - Window TransparencylMemos_Reports_15-019 Page 1 of 2