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Page 2 of 3 F. Window and Door Openings 1. Commercial Façade Transparency. a) Fifty percent (50%) of all first level building façades that front a public street shall be comprised of transparent windows or doors in order to allow views of interior uses and activities. Transparency requirement may be waived by the City where privacy concerns warrant. b) Twenty percent (20%) of all other first level building facades that are reasonably visible from the public right of way shall be comprised of window or door openings. Simulated or opaque windows may be used on service areas. b) If the building is a one-story design and the first floor elevation exceeds twelve (12) feet, then only the first twelve (12) feet shall be included in calculating the façade area. c) The City may consider a proportional reduction in the transparent window and door requirement on the public street façade if additional transparent glass is used on the remaining sides. d) Spandrel (translucent) glass may be used on service areas. At its August 12, 2019 special work session, the City Council and staff continued discussing the façade transparency requirements on mechanical and storage areas in the B-2 and B-3 Districts. At that time staff recommend adding subsection E shown above. The proposed language would allow applicants the ability to use spandrel glass (simulated glass) on service areas. Examples of buildings with spandrel or translucent glass are shown in Attachment B. During the discussion, Council directed staff to review and see if spandrel glass could be illuminated to appear as an active storefront when viewed from an adjacent public street. Upon review it was determined that spandrel glass should not be illuminated. Unlike typical window glass, which is meant to be transparent, spandrel glass is designed to be opaque in order to help hide features between the floors of a building, including vents, wires, slab ends and mechanical equipment. If the intent is to have the space to look occupied by illumination, spandrel glass should not be used. In response staff offers the following two proposals for Council to consider. Option 1. Add a subsection allowing applicants the ability to use simulated or opaque glass on service areas. Option 2. Do not add any language addressing the use of simulated or opaque glass on service areas and utilize existing language in subsection A as it allows the City to wave the transparency requirements when privacy concerns are warranted. “Fifty percent (50%) of all first level building façades that front a public street shall be comprised of transparent windows or doors in order to allow views of interior uses and activities. Transparency requirement may be waived by the City where privacy concerns warrant.”