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<br /> <br /> <br /> <br />District Design Guidelines <br /> <br />Building Height and Size <br /> <br />The B2 District should be visually distinct from the rest of Arden Hills <br />and clearly express that distinction. It should grow to be a visual, social <br />and psychological center of Arden Hills. <br /> <br />It should an intensely developed part of the community, and that density <br />should foster increased walking. <br /> <br />The way in which buildings relate to the public street is one of the key <br />aspects of creating a sense of place and identity. Building placement and <br />height should serve to enclose and define the edges of County Road E, <br />making it somewhat of an outdoor room. <br /> <br />Building Setbacks <br /> <br />To support walking and enhance a sense of place, buildings should be set <br />close to the public street rather than being separated from the street by <br />parking. A landscaped space between the sidewalk and the building <br />approximately 20 feet wide would be appropriate. <br /> <br />Encourage that at least 50 percent of the largest building on each site <br />occupy the street frontage at the '''build-to'' line. <br /> <br />Coordinate building architecture to try to create active spaces in side <br />yards rather than just parking or service functions. <br /> <br />Building Height <br /> <br />Most new office, residential or mixed-use buildings are anticipated to be <br />in the height range of two to four stories. Buildings exclusively devoted <br />to retail and service businesses are expected to be one story. <br /> <br />Commercial building(s) taller than one story would be desirable on the <br />northern end of Arden Plaza to compensate for the difference in <br />elevation between the road and the site. At a minimum, a raised parapet <br />wall is needed there to shield rooftop equipment from views from the <br />road. A "second story expression" technique (exterior fayade only) <br />could also be used. <br /> <br />Buildings taller than four stories may be considered northwest of County <br />Road E, where the tallest buildings and greatest intensity of land <br />coverage should be guided. Building height may be limited by the effect <br />of the project on traffic circulation, which will be assessed during the <br />reVIew process. <br /> <br />20 October <br /> <br />Guiding Plan for the 82 District 5-7 <br />