09-08-21 PC - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – September 8, 2021 9 greenspace for a commercial property. He commented further on the parking and screening that would be in place. Acting Chair Wicklund requested further information from the applicant regarding the flexibility that was requested for the free standing signs and pedestrian/bicycle circulation. Mr. Anderson stated sidewalks would be provided on both frontages (Lexington Avenue and Grey Fox Road). He noted the County was part of this project and would provide a new sidewalk along Lexington Avenue. He then discussed the free standing signs that would be installed on the property. He explained City Code allows 100 square feet of signs and he was requesting 110 square feet between the three tenants, which was how the architecture of the signs fell. Mr. Anderson commented that they would review the site plan to adjust the sidewalk width along Grey Fox Road and reduce the freestanding sign area to meet ordinance requirements. Acting Chair Wicklund requested further comment on the flexibility that was requested for the wall signs and drive-thru facilities. Mr. Anderson commented with double frontages it was ideal to have visibility from both sides of the building. For this reason, signs were requested for the building facades that faced Lexington Avenue and Grey Fox Road. He believed this helped with driver safety as well. He discussed the code requirements for drive-thrus in Arden Hills and noted the proposed drive-thru was not further than 1,320 feet from another drive-thru, which then required flexibility. He explained that the world was changing due to COVID and more businesses were in need of drive- thrus. Acting Chair Wicklund reported drive-thru flexibility has been offered by the City in the past for Dunn Brothers, the Goodwill, Jimmy John’s and Caribou. Commissioner Jefferys requested further information from the applicant regarding the building material flexibility. Mr. Anderson discussed the building materials that would be used for the Aldi building. He noted the upper story windows would provide natural light and transparency into the building. He reported the back of the building would be used for storage and coolers. He requested flexibility and that windows not be required along this elevation. He explained the building had been modified from the typical prototype to fit the site and the City’s requirements. Chad Haller, 10K Architecture representative, commented on the building materials that would be used on the out parcel building. He explained one elevation of the building would have store rooms and visible glass would create a long-term challenge. He discussed how the building materials were varied along this elevation to create interest. He indicated spandrel glass could be considered to assist him with meeting the City’s requirements. Councilmember Holmes commented on the spandrel glass that was used on the Goodwill. She encouraged the developer to consider using spandrel glass for the elevation facing Lexington Avenue.