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City Council Summary Memo – Work Session #2 – Zoning Ordinance Update– May 6, 2025 2 Existing Lot Standards District Use type Minimum Lot Area B-4 Mixed Use Project or Multiple Occupancy Center 5 acres Single Use Project or Freestanding Building 2 acres Gateway Business Non-Residential Uses 5 acres Mixed Use Project or Multiple Occupancy Center 20 acres Single Use Project or Freestanding Building 10 acres Proposed Lot Standards District Use type Minimum Lot Area Business Park --- 2 acres Gateway Business --- 5 acres Commissioners agreed that changing the minimum standards to allow more lots to be conforming was a good objective. They did not see the need to distinguish between multiple occupancy and single use projects, and supported the recommendations for updating the lot standards. Site Standards Looking at the site standards for nonresidential and mixed use zoning districts, HKGi recommended reducing the required front yard setback for the Mixed Use (B-2) zoning district to help support a pedestrian and bicycle friendly street environment. This would allow buildings to be placed closer to the street and could encourage parking lots to locate to the side or rear of buildings. The corner side yard setback in the B-2 district is already set at 20 feet – the front yard setback should match this. The 50 foot front yard setbacks in the Corridor Business (B-3) and Business Park (B-4) districts could also be reduced. Commissioners supported this approach to creating better pedestrian environments. HKGi noted that the maximum height of 35 feet is currently exceeded in both the I -1 and INST districts (Boston Scientific as well as Bethel and Northwestern). Staff noted that these campuses were likely approved via PUD and that allowed the exception. Comm issioners suggested that rather than increase the maximum height by-right across these districts, additional height could be allowed by Conditional Use Permit so that individual proposals could be evaluated. Many of the lots in the Business Park (B-4) zoning district have lot coverage in excess of the 25% allowed. HKGi recommended increasing this amount to 40% to make more of the lots conforming. On a related note, the minimum amounts of required landscaping in the B-4 and CC districts are currently 25% and 20% respectively. A low maximum lot coverage for structures (smaller building footprints) combined with a low minimum landscaped area may encourage extensive surface parking lots. HKGi recommended bringing these standards into better alignment in order to encourage the right amount of landscaping. Commissioners agreed.