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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL JOINT WORK SESSION—JANUARY 19, 2016 3 <br /> Senior Planner Bachler indicated that the B-2 District Design Standards require commercial <br /> buildings with frontage on a public street to have a minimum fagade transparency of 50 percent. <br /> The approved development plans granted Goodwill flexibility on this requirement, allowing for <br /> transparent window coverage of 26.4 percent on the County Road E fagade. The addition of the <br /> two transparent windows would bring the development into closer conformity with the B-2 <br /> District Design Standards. <br /> Senior Planner Bachler stated that the Development Contract and PUD Agreement for the <br /> project requires that any significant changes to the approved plans be reviewed and approved by <br /> the Planning Commission and City Council. The City Attorney advised that because the <br /> modification is minor and brings the building in closer conformance with the City's standards the <br /> proposal could be approved administratively. <br /> Councilmember Holmes stated that she was dismayed that this item was on the agenda. She <br /> believed that the request should have been handled administratively. She questioned why the <br /> applicant could not follow the plan approved by the City. <br /> Community Development Director Hutmacher explained that the plan approved by the City <br /> Council for the Goodwill Store had some non-transparent windows on the County Road E facade. <br /> The applicant asked last Wednesday if two of the non-transparent windows could be replaced with <br /> transparent windows. She reported that normally any changes would have to be approved by the <br /> Council. However, the proposed change more closely aligned with the goals and objectives <br /> within City Code. After speaking with the City Attorney, it was determined that staff could <br /> approve the change. It was noted that staff sent an email to the City Councilmembers to see if <br /> there was any objection and one objection was brought to staff's attention. In the end, she reported <br /> that the applicant withdrew its request and would be installing the windows as shown in their <br /> plans. <br /> Councilmember Holden did not understand why the applicant assumed that they would receive <br /> an immediate response from City staff regarding this matter. <br /> Mayor Grant reiterated that typically when an applicant makes a change to their plans, this <br /> requires City Council review. <br /> Councilmember Holden suggested that the Council discuss the administrative/Council procedure <br /> for approving plan changes in the future. <br /> Councilmember McClung reported that he had no objection to the requested change by the <br /> applicant. He expressed some concern with the quick turnaround the applicant was demanding <br /> from the City. He was in favor of the Council discussing the administrative approval process at a <br /> future Council work session. <br /> Mayor Grant requested that administrative changes be discussed by the City Council at a future <br /> work session. <br /> C. Outdoor Display and Sales Zoning Regulations <br />