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<br />ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION - OCTOBER 3, 2007 <br /> <br /> <br />18 <br /> <br />G. PLANNING CASE # 07-027 - ZONING CODE TEXT AMENDMENT TO ADD <br />DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR THE B-2: GENERAL BUSINESS DISTRICT: CITY <br />OF ARDEN HILLS, 1245 WEST HIGHWAY 96-PUBLIC HEARING <br /> <br />Mr. Lehnhoff submitted a request for design standards for the B-2: General Business <br />District. He then provided background information and said staff recommends approval <br />of this zoning code text addition with conditional input from Planning Commission. <br /> <br />Chair Sand opened the floor to Commission questions. <br /> <br />Commissioner Zimmerman inquired if staff is happy with the recommendation. Mr. <br />Lehnhoff stated that it meets our most immediate needs and is a base for a more detailed <br />future plan. States it is not meant to be the final step. <br /> <br />Commissioner Zimmerman inquired if the intent would be to use this as the base and in <br />the future come forward with additional recommendations. Mr. Lehnhoff stated that <br />ideally when the Comprehensive Plan is completed it would provide a base for a small <br />area plan with more detail for this part ofthe City. <br /> <br />Commissioner Zimmerman stated that for expediency it would be best to pass it as it <br />stands. Mr. Lehnhoff stated that staff would like to see it or a modified version of it <br />passed. <br /> <br />Commissioner Larson inquired if staff considers EIFS to be undesirable. Mr. Lehnhoff <br />stated that past comments from the Commission and Council have indicated that EIFS is <br />less desirable and past design standards have limited EIFS; however, that limitation can <br />bemodified. <br /> <br />Commissioner Larson stated that the ability to articulate architectural detail with EIFS is <br />tremendous. He stated it is much easier to build with it and the limitation of its use <br />should be looked into further. He inquired if faux windows would be acceptable. Mr. <br />Lehnhoff stated that they would be acceptable, up to a certain percentage of the window <br />requirement. <br /> <br />Commissioner Larson inquired if a curtain walled fayade would be acceptable. Mr. <br />Lehnhoff stated that it is a minimum glass requirement and it would allow for an all-glass <br />building. <br /> <br />Commissioner Holewa stated they are looking for windows that show through. He stated <br />his concerned about the 20% requirement for each floor noting that glass is important for <br />the first floor and may not be as important for the other floors. <br /> <br />Chair Sand stated that it is for decorative purposes. <br />