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District Design Guidelines <br /> Building Height and Size <br /> The B2 District should be visually distinct from the rest of Arden Hills <br /> and clearly express that distinction. It should grow to be a visual,social <br /> and psychological center of Arden Hills. <br /> It should an intensely developed part of the community,and that density <br /> should foster increased walking. <br /> The way in which buildings relate to the public street is one of the key <br /> aspects of creating a sense of place and identity. Building placement and <br /> height should serve to enclose and define the edges of County Road E, <br /> making it somewhat of an outdoor room. <br /> Building Setbacks <br /> To support walking and enhance a sense of place,buildings should be set <br /> close to the public street rather than being separated from the street by <br /> parking. A landscaped space between the sidewalk and the building <br /> " . approximately 20 feet wide would be appropriate. <br /> Encourage that at least 50 percent of the largest building on each site <br /> occupy the street frontage at the"build-to"line. <br /> • Coordinate building architecture to try to create active spaces in side <br /> yards rather than just parking or service functions. <br /> Building Height <br /> Most new office,residential or mixed-use buildings are anticipated to be <br /> _ in the height range of two to four stories. Buildings exclusively devoted <br /> to retail and service businesses are expected to be one story. <br /> Commercial building(s)taller than one story would be desirable on the <br /> northern end of Arden Plaza to compensate for the difference in <br /> elevation between the road and the site. At a minimum, a raised parapet <br /> wall is needed there to shield rooftop equipment from views from the <br /> road. A"second story expression"technique(exterior facade only) <br /> could also be used. <br /> Buildings taller than four stories may be considered northwest of County <br /> Road E,where the tallest buildings and greatest intensity of land <br /> coverage should be guided. Building height may be limited by the effect <br /> of the project on traffic circulation,which will be assessed during the <br /> review process. <br /> 20 October Guiding Plan for the B2 District 5-7 <br />