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. . . ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - JULY 14. 1997 12 Mayor Probst inquired what the activities at the loading dock would consist of. He inquired if there was any way the paved area could be decreased. Mr. Zehring replied this entire area was necessary for the maneuvering of truck traffic. He further stated at least one building was likely to be all one tenant, and possibly only one of the three buildings would be multi-tenant. Mayor Probst inquired if the loading docks could be pushed to one end and the landscaping in this area increased. Mr. Zehring replied it would be difficult to do so, as it was uncertain at this time what the configuration of the tenants would be. He stated that the Phase IV building has the potential for a 30% reduction in bituminous. Mayor Probst suggested pulling back the loading area 20-30 feet and additional landscaping may alleviate some concerns, however he was still not comfortable with giving final approval of this project at this meeting. Mr. Ringwald stated the applicant has followed all recommendations of the Plarming Commission and staff when they were given. Councilmember Hicks inquired if a rendering of Phase I was available for comparison purposes. Mr. Zehring stated he did not have one available. Mayor Probst stated that while the Phase I building seemed to fit the site, the other three were boxy, and had much less character. Mr. Zehring stated they tried to soften the monolithic effect mainly by topography ofthe area, and landscaping, which will be more evident in the finished product. He stated it was not necessary to have all the buildings the same color or all the entrances the same. He stated the Plarming Commission recommended Phase III and IV should look the same, but Phase II could appear different. Mayor Probst stated he was more concerned with the aesthetics of Phase III and IV because of their higher visibility. Mr. Zehring suggested looking at methods of improving the lake view. Mayor Probst inquired if everything except the architectural details was approved at tonight's meeting, would the applicant be able to go forward on schedule. Mr. Zehring replied it would be very difficult to stay on schedule without final approval. Mayor Probst inquired if the structural drawings had been completed. Lynn Sloat, Genesis Architects, replied they have been begun but are not completed. Council member Aplikowski inquired ifround corners and turrets were being suggested to soften the buildings. Mayor Probst stated that could be one option, and that minor modifications to the buildings could still be made at this time. Mr. Sloat stated cropping the corners would reduce the mass of the buildings, but tenants usually prefer corners. He suggested cropping the corners on Phase III and IV, and possibly Phase II, to reduce the mass that faces Fourteenth Street. Mr. Zehring stated he was willing to commit to reworking the comers that present to Fourteenth Street, and stated the designs could be modified so the corners are not so severe.