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organization of the design standards,minor adjustments from the Guiding Plan, and other notable points. Summary of Proposed Ordinance Amendments and Additions Creating design regulations can be a challenge. While people are often in agreement about the purpose and intent of design regulations, opinions on how the standards should be applied, how detailed or flexible they should be,and what counts as"good"or"bad" design can be quite variable. Design regulations often include hard standards such as height limitations, approved building materials, minimum landscaping, etc. However, design regulations must also be flexible and promote creativity,which means that some standards will require interpretation and some open-endedness. The style of design regulations proposed in this ordinance is not meant to design each specific building; instead,these regulations are meant to create a framework for compatible design that sets boundaries but leaves options open. One of the more difficult parts of establishing design regulations is finding the balance so that design regulations are not so strict or vague to discourage development or improvement to properties. The City and future developers need a certain amount of predictability, an understanding of expectations, and some flexibility since it is impossible to predict all possible proposals beforehand. In preparing these design standards, staff reviewed standards from more than ten other cities. The City of Arden Hills expects top quality design and materials,but what constitutes top quality design and materials will change over time and varies from person to person. It is important to review design regulations from a holistic standpoint and how the regulations as a whole would impact the overall design of a site and building. When proposals come forward, it is almost certain that variations will be requested, which is not necessarily a bad thing provided it results in a better overall development. The proposed Ordinance 2008-010 amends, repeals, or adds regulations to three chapters of the Zoning Code: A. 1305.04—Definitions(new definition) B. 1320—District Provisions(new, amended, and deleted regulations) C. 1325—General Regulations (new regulations) The changes to each chapter are outlined in the below sections. 1305.04—Definitions The Zoning Code currently has definitions and regulations for"drive-in businesses"and"fast food restaurants;"however,those definitions do not quite reach to all "drive-up windows"(see 1305.04 Subd 50 and 1325.04). The underlying intent of the existing provisions is to regulate City of Arden Hills Planning Commission Meeting for November 5, 2008 I UhdocsllahUHdatalPlanninglPlanning CasesI2008W-028 82 Design StandardsW 0508-PC report-B2 Design Standards.doe Page 2 of 8