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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION – DECEMBER 21, 2020 6 <br /> <br />existing language in subsection A provides the city the authority to wave the transparency <br />requirements when privacy concerns are warranted otherwise all windows shall consist of <br />transparent glass. <br /> <br />Community Development Manager/City Planner Mrosla commented further on the B-2 <br />Zoning Code update and noted this item would move forward for approval at a future Planning <br />Commission and City Council meeting. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden stated these design standards came about because of the Walgreens on <br />County Road E. She questioned how these standards would address the windows that were <br />installed along County Road E. <br /> <br />Community Development Manager/City Planner Mrosla said the proposed standards would <br />require store fronts to be public street facing. He commented the intent of the ordinance would be <br />to have buildings visible from the street for safety and customer visibility purposes. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holmes discussed how the parking for this Walgreens was flipped. She believed <br />the concerns of the Council were addressed within the B-2 Zoning Code updates. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden stated she wanted to be assured that lighting would be required behind <br />fake windows, especially for corner properties. <br /> <br />Further discussion ensued regarding the window requirements within the revised B-2 design <br />standards. <br /> <br />Councilmember McClung commented he did not oppose spandrel windows. He was pleased by <br />the standards that were being proposed within the amendments. <br /> <br />Community Development Manager/City Planner Mrosla discussed how the last sentence <br />regarding transparent glass could be removed as this would ensure 50% of all first level building <br />facades that front a public street shall be comprised of transparent windows or doors. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden supported the last sentence being removed. She asked if the City could <br />require lighting behind spandrel glass. <br /> <br />Community Development Manager/City Planner Mrosla reported this may be difficult because <br />spandrel glass is not opaque. He stated he could review this language further to address viewing <br />the level of activity in the building. He thanked Councilmember Holmes for addressing the <br />setback changes. He noted he would work to add some language to address Councilmember <br />Holden’s concerns. <br /> <br />C. Arden Hills Foundation Benches and GreenStep City Signs <br /> <br />Community Development Manager/City Planner Mrosla stated at a recent meeting the City <br />Council discussed asking the Arden Hills Foundation for financial contribution to assist in <br />acquiring additional parks benches and GreenStep Cities participation signage. Previously the <br />Arden Hills Foundation provided funding to the City to acquire neighborhood watch signs. Staff