HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015/06/03 - ADMIN - Agenda Packets - Planning Commission - RegularAGENDA
PLANNING COMMISSION
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
6:00 P.M.
JUNE 3, 2015
1. Call to order – Roll Call
2. Approval of Minutes of May 20, 2015
3. Hearings
A. West End Childcare Center – Conditional Use Permit
Location: 2230 Edgewood Ave. S.
Applicant: Khalid Gabeyre
Case No.: 15-20-CUP
B. Zoning Ordinance Amendment – Sign Code`
Applicant: City of St. Louis Park
Case No.: 15-22-ZA
4. Other Business
5. Communications
6. Adjournment
STUDY SESSION
1. Form Based Code (60 min.)
If you cannot attend the meeting, please call the Community Development Office, 952/924-2575.
Auxiliary aids for individuals with disabilities are available upon request. To make arrangements, please
call 952/924-2575 at least 96 hours in advance of meeting.
UNOFFICIAL MINUTES
PLANNING COMMISSION
ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
May 20, 2015 – 6:20 p.m.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
MEMBERS PRESENT: Robert Kramer, Lisa Peilen,
Richard Person, Carl Robertson,
Ethan Rickert (youth member)
MEMBERS ABSENT: Lynne Carper, Claudia Johnston-Madison, Joe Tatalovich
STAFF PRESENT: Alex Boyce, Ryan Kelley, Gary Morrison,
Sean Walther, Nancy Sells
1. Call to Order – Roll Call
2. Approval of Minutes of May 6, 2015
Commissioner Robertson moved approval of the minutes of May 6, 2015.
Commissioner Kramer seconded the motion, and the motion passed on a vote of
4-0.
3. Public Hearings
A. Conditional Use Permit for Off-Site Parking
Location: 7400 and 7500 Excelsior Boulevard
Applicant: Japs-Olson Company
Case No.: 15-08-CUP
Gary Morrison, Assistant Zoning Administrator, presented the staff report. He
explained that the Conditional Use Permit is requested to construct an off-site
parking lot, reduce the amount of required parking, and export more than 400
cubic yards of soil. He discussed the proposed expansion of the building which
would require the relocation of the parking lot. Mr. Morrison reviewed all
conditions related to the Conditional Use Permit request.
Commissioner Rickert asked about the duration of the proposed excavation.
Bruce Quam, D.J. Crans Co., project general contractor, responded that the
excavation process, including rough grading, will take about one month.
Chair Person opened the public hearing. As no one was present wishing to speak
he closed the public hearing.
Unofficial Minutes
Planning Commission
May 20, 2015
Page 2
Commissioner Robertson stated it is a straightforward and exciting project. He
asked that before the City Council review the accessible access parking aisles be
drawn at 8 ft. wide (Minn. Code) rather than 5 ft., and final parking numbers be
adjusted.
Commissioner Peilen said she agreed that it is exciting to see Japs Olson expand.
She noted they have been in St. Louis Park a long time and it is a good project.
Commissioner Robertson made a motion to recommend approval of the
Conditional Use Permit subject to conditions recommended by staff.
Commissioner Kramer seconded the motion, and the motion passed on a vote of
4-0.
B. Conditional Use Permit for Excavation and Fill
Location: 5320 West 23rd Street
Applicant: COB, LLC/Hillcrest Development
Case No.: 15-16-CUP
Alex Boyce, Community Development Intern, presented the staff report. He
stated the property is part of the former Nestle site which is currently undergoing
a major renovation. He explained that the excavation and fill is required for the
expansion of the existing facility for Lyman Lumber. Stormwater ponds, a ring-
road, and parking will also be created. Mr. Boyce noted that City Council has
heard a request for a vacation of easements on the site. Second reading of the
vacation request will be held on June 1.
Mr. Boyce discussed erosion control, stormwater, floodplain and hauling details.
He reviewed the conditions of approval.
Commissioner Peilen asked for clarification about a 24th St. exit to 394 for
hauling activities
Sean Walther, Senior Planner, said it is essentially Hwy. 100 southbound collector
distributor roadway alongside the freeway.
Charlie Nestor, Hillcrest Development, said the renovation is going well. Great
feedback has been received from many tenants.
Chair Person opened the public hearing. As no one was present wishing to speak
he closed the public hearing.
Commissioners Kramer and Robertson commented they were pleased to see
development at the site.
Unofficial Minutes
Planning Commission
May 20, 2015
Page 3
Commissioner Peilen made a motion recommending approval of the request for
conditional use permit. Commissioner Robertson seconded the motion, and the
motion passed on a vote of 4-0.
4. Other Business
Chair Person welcomed Ethan Rickert, Youth Member, to the Planning
Commission. Commissioner Rickert stated he is a freshman at St. Louis Park
High School.
5. Communications
6. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
A Study Session followed at 6:50 p.m. Study topics were the Bridgewater
Development concept plan and a proposed sign code amendment.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Sells
Administrative Secretary
Planning Commission
Meeting Date: June 3, 2015
Agenda Item 3A
3A. West End Childcare Center - Conditional Use Permit
Case No.: 15-20-CUP
Location: 2230 Edgewood Ave S
Applicant: Khalid Gabeyre
Recommended
Action:
Chair to close public hearing.
Motion to recommend approval of the Conditional Use Permit (CUP)
subject to conditions recommended by Staff.
Description of Request:
Requested is a Conditional Use Permit to operate a group daycare in the Industrial Park zoning
district.
Location:
Agenda Item No. 3A. Conditional Use Permit – West End Childcare Center Page 2
Meeting Date: June 3, 2015
Zoning Analysis:
Comprehensive Plan: Industrial
Zoning: Industrial Park (IP)
Neighborhood: Eliot View
Proposal:
The Applicant is proposing to operate a group daycare at 2230 Edgewood Ave S. The group
daycare has a maximum capacity of 73 children, and will have up to 10 employees.
Zoning Analysis:
The property is zoned Industrial Park, and a group daycare is allowed by Conditional Use Permit
(CUP), and with some conditions specific to this use. A summary of the conditions follows:
a. A minimum of 40 square feet of outside play space per pupil shall be provided and such
space shall be enclosed by a 42 inch minimum height fence.
This provision is met. The applicant is providing 2,691 square feet of outside play area.
The play area is divided up into two different areas on the property. The larger play area
(2,086 square feet) is located behind the building. A smaller play area (605 square feet) is
located in the front yard. The combined area meets the outside play area requirements for
up to 67 children. The daycare is designed for a capacity of 67 toddler, pre-school, and
school aged children.
b. An off-street drop-off and loading area shall be designed in order to maintain vehicular
and pedestrian safety.
This provision is met. The parking lot located behind the building will be utilized for the
pick-up/drop-off area. The reception area will be located at the main entrance behind the
building to facilitate this area as the pick-up/drop-off area instead of the on-street parking
area located in front of the building.
c. Outdoor play areas shall be located a minimum of 15 feet from any property lines.
This condition is met.
d. No outdoor play area shall be located within 200 feet of any principal arterial as defined
on the comprehensive plan.
This provision is met. The closest principal arterial is Highway 394, which is located 3,500
feet away, as the crow flies.
e. The daycare facility, including the outdoor play area, shall be no closer than 350 feet to
any property containing a sexually oriented business.
This provision is met. The closest sexually oriented business is located approximately
11,000 feet away.
f. The neighboring industrial uses shall not have an adverse impact on the operations and
health, safety and welfare of the proposed group daycare/nursery school. The
characteristics of such impacts shall be analyzed by the planning, fire and health officials,
and shall include, but not be limited to, dust, truck traffic, odors and hazardous materials.
The majority of the play area is located behind the building. This play area is bound on the
north and west sides by the walls of buildings located on adjacent properties, the parking
lot servicing the daycare is along the south side, and the daycare building is along the east
Agenda Item No. 3A. Conditional Use Permit – West End Childcare Center Page 3
Meeting Date: June 3, 2015
side. The building to the west is an indoor hockey rink, and the building to the north is
used for storage.
A smaller play area would be located in
front of the building. This play area is
located approximately 28 feet from the
edge of Edgewood Ave. As indicated in
the aerial photo below, Edgewood Ave is
the only access to the industrial properties
located within this industrial park.
Therefore, all truck traffic servicing the
industrial properties pass in front of this
play area. The only exception to this is
the bus yard and two other industrial
properties that are located to the north of
the daycare. Trucks and buses from these
properties do not pass in front of the
daycare while traveling to/from Cedar
Lake Road.
Agenda Item No. 3A. Conditional Use Permit – West End Childcare Center Page 4
Meeting Date: June 3, 2015
Building Occupancy:
The childcare would occupy approximately one-third of the building. The space to be occupied
by the daycare was previously occupied by an office/warehouse use. The remaining space in the
building is divided between four tenants. The tenants include an office use (which is located
next to the proposed daycare), a designer/showroom, a printing company and a warehouse.
Parking:
The proposed and existing uses require a minimum of 38 parking spaces.
Use Parking Spaces
Daycare (73 kids) 12 parking spaces
Office 11 parking spaces
Designer Showroom 4 parking spaces
Printing Company 9 parking spaces
Warehouse 2 parking spaces
TOTAL REQUIRED: 38 parking spaces
PARKING PROVIDED: 40 parking spaces
The parking lot has access to Edgewood Ave S. There is an existing loading dock on the south
side of the building that services the remaining four uses. The dock is configured in a way that a
truck parked at the dock will block the drive aisle leading to/from the parking lot (see below).
As a condition of this approval, staff is recommending that the existing dock be altered so the
truck parked at the dock will not block the drive aisle. The revised dock configuration is
reflected in the proposed site plan (see attached). Concrete curb will be added between the
parking lot and the play area.
Agenda Item No. 3A. Conditional Use Permit – West End Childcare Center Page 5
Meeting Date: June 3, 2015
Setbacks:
The outside play area is required to be located at least 15 feet from property lines. As shown on
the plans, this condition is met. The large play area in the back yard is 15 feet from the rear and
side property lines. The play area in the front is also 15 feet from the front and side property
lines.
Access:
The daycare has direct access to Edgewood Ave S. Customers and employees can drive to and
from the daycare by using Edgewood Ave S and Cedar Lake Rd.
Landscaping:
Three ornamental trees are proposed to be planted in the front yard between the play area and the
front lot line. The play area in the back yard will be improved with additional three trees and
shrubs. The existing pavement will be removed for the play area and a landscaped area along the
north and west property line will be added. Trees and shrubs will be planted in these areas to
bring the property closer to compliance with the landscaping ordinance. The ordinance requires
17 over story trees, and there is currently one.
Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of the Conditional Use Permit to operate a Group Daycare at 2300
Edgewood Ave S, subject to the following conditions:
1. The site shall be developed, used and maintained in conformance with the Official Exhibits.
a. Exhibit A: Site Plan
b. Exhibit B: Floor Plan
c. Exhibit C: Building Elevations
2. The existing truck dock shall be altered as shown on the official exhibits so that trucks
docked do not block the drive aisle.
3. Concrete curbing shall be installed as shown on the approved exhibit.
4. Landscaping shall be installed as shown on the approved exhibit.
5. The parking lot shall be used for customer and employee parking only; it cannot be used to
store vehicles, materials, or other goods.
6. A financial guarantee shall be submitted to ensure the completion of the landscaping,
sidewalk, and stormwater improvements.
7. The site shall meet all fire lane requirements.
Attachments: Aerial Photo
Site Plan
Building Plan
Prepared by: Gary Morrison, Assistant Zoning Administrator
Reviewed by: Sean Walther, Sr. Planner
Agenda Item No. 3A. Conditional Use Permit – West End Childcare Center Page 6
Meeting Date: June 3, 2015
AERIAL PHOTO
Planning Commission
Meeting Date: June 3, 2015
Agenda Item 3B
3B. Zoning Ordinance Amendment – Sign Code
Case No.:
15-22-ZA
Recommended
Action:
Chair to close public hearing.
Motion to recommend approval of the Zoning Ordinance
Amendment pertaining to Signs as recommended by staff.
REQUEST:
Staff is requesting an amendment to Section 36-362 of the Zoning Ordinance. This section
regulates signs, and the purpose of the amendment is to:
1. Increase the maximum sign area allowed for properties over 100,000 square feet in the
Industrial and Business Park zoning districts.
2. Apply the same sign regulations as allowed in the C-2 General Commercial district to the M-
X district.
3. Clarify and simplify the regulations pertaining to the multi-tenant exemption.
ANALYSIS:
Industrial Signage:
The property formerly occupied by the Novartis and Nestle companies is in the process of being
redeveloped into a multi-tenant industrial property. The existing building currently has three
large industrial uses, and several smaller office uses. Each of the industrial uses has a private
entrance for customers and employees. The office uses share a common entrance and facilities.
Through the course of the redevelopment of this property, it has become apparent that the
signage allowed for such a large property is insufficient, especially when utilized as a multi-
tenant building. The property is 24.84 acres (1,081,891 square feet) in area.
The sign regulations determine the maximum sign area a property receives based upon the
zoning district and lot size. In the Industrial district, the largest property size category covers
properties over 100,000 square feet, and allows up to 350 square feet of sign area. The proposed
amendment will create another size category for properties over 200,000 square feet, and allow
up to 400 square feet of sign area. It will also allow 300 square feet of sign area for properties
between 100,000 and 200,000 square feet.
Mixed-Use (M-X) district signage:
The current code does not specify sign area regulations for properties in the M-X district. Sign
rules are determined by the Planned Unit Development (PUD) approval. To date, PUDs
approved in the M-X district have been held to the sign code standards applied to the General
Commercial (C-2) district. Therefore, staff is recommending the M-X standards be changed to
incorporate the same standards applied to the C-2 district. Requiring all developments to comply
with the sign code, as opposed to creating standards for each development, results in consistent
Agenda Item No 3B. – Zoning Ordinance Amendment – Sign Code Page 2
Meeting Date: June 3, 2015
application of the sign standards. It also improves the application of the sign code moving
forward as tenants and uses change over time by eliminating the potential for each development
having unique sign standards that don’t apply anywhere else in the city.
Multi-Tenant Exemption:
This exemption is meant to provide signage for tenants occupying a strip mall like Miracle Mile
or Texa-Tonka. It exempts the sign installed on the wall of the tenant space as long as it does not
exceed 7% of their wall space and does not exceed 150 square feet per sign.
The amendment proposes to simplify the existing exemption for multi-tenant signs by:
1. Eliminating the short list of uses the exemption applies to. The exemption currently applies
to retail, private entertainment (indoors), restaurants with liquor, restaurants without liquor,
services, food services, printing process, banks, studios and showrooms. It does not include
office, medical office, or other uses that may be found in a mall. As a result of this list, uses
that are not on the list cannot take advantage of the exception and may not be able to install a
wall sign.
2. Clarifying that the exemption applies only to uses located on the ground floor with direct and
primary access to the outside of the building. This clarification prohibits a multi-tenant
building with shared entrances, such as a multi-story office building, from having a wall sign
for every tenant located in the building.
If approved, the revised multi-tenant exemption will read as follows:
(4) In the C-1, C-2, O, B-P, M-X, PUD, I-G and I-P districts, the total area of all wall signs on a
building which meets the following outlined conditions shall not be included in calculating the
aggregate sign area on a lot:
a. The building shall be a shopping center, a building containing multiple tenants, or a single-
tenant building located on a single lot with other principal buildings and is part of an approved
CUP or planned unit development.
b. The tenants are located on the ground floor of the building and have a direct and primary
access to the outside of the building.
c. The sign area of all wall, blade, canopy, or awning signs permitted by this section shall not
exceed seven percent of the exterior wall area of the space occupied by the tenant.
d. The sign is located on the exterior wall of the space occupied by the tenant from which the
seven percent sign area was derived.
e. No individual wall sign shall exceed 150 square feet in area, except in the C-1 district where
the maximum area of any individual sign shall not exceed 100 square feet.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the attached amendment to the Zoning Ordinance pertaining to
signs.
Attachments: Draft Zoning Amendment
Prepared by: Gary Morrison, Assistant Zoning Administrator
Reviewed by: Sean Walther, Senior Planner
Agenda Item No 3B. – Zoning Ordinance Amendment – Sign Code Page 3
Meeting Date: June 3, 2015
ORDINANCE NO.______
CITY OF ST. LOUIS PARK
HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 36 OF THE
ST. LOUIS PARK CITY CODE PERTAINING TO SIGNAGE
THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS PARK DOES ORDAIN:
SECTION 1. Chapter 36 is amended to add the following:
ARTICLE V. SPECIAL PROVISIONS
Section 36-362
***
TABLE 36-362A
SIGN AREA AND HEIGHT
Use District
&Lot Size
(Sq. ft.)
Maximum
Sign
Height
(feet)
PERMANENT
SIGNAGE
TEMPORARY
SIGNAGE
REAL ESTATE
SIGNAGE
Maximum
Total
Area
(sq ft)
Maximum
Size of
Sign Face
(sq ft)
Maximum
Total
Area
(sq ft)
Maximum
Total
Area
(sq ft)
R-4 6 40 40 25 80
R-C
0 - 20,000 15 40 40 25 80
Over 20,000 15 80 60 25 80
C-1
0 -10,000 25 100 75 80 80
10,000 - 20,000 25 150 100 80 80
Over 20,000 25 200 150 80 80
C-2 / M-X
0 -10,000 25 100 75 80 80
10,000 - 20,000 25 200 100 80 80
20,000 - 50,000 25 250 150 80 80
50,000 - 200,000 25 300 150 80 80
Over 200,000 25 400 300 80 80
O
Agenda Item No 3B. – Zoning Ordinance Amendment – Sign Code Page 4
Meeting Date: June 3, 2015
Use District
&Lot Size
(Sq. ft.)
Maximum
Sign
Height
(feet)
PERMANENT
SIGNAGE
TEMPORARY
SIGNAGE
REAL ESTATE
SIGNAGE
Maximum
Total
Area
(sq ft)
Maximum
Size of
Sign Face
(sq ft)
Maximum
Total
Area
(sq ft)
Maximum
Total
Area
(sq ft)
0 - 20,000 25 100 100 80 80
20,000 - 50,000 25 200 100 80 80
50,000 - 100,000 25 300 150 80 80
Over 100,000 25 500 300 80 80
I-P / I-G / BP
0 - 20,000 25 100 75 80 80
20,000 - 50,000 25 200 100 80 80
50,000 – 100,000 25 250 150 80 80
Over 100,000-200,000 25 350 300 300 80 80
Over 200,000 25 400 300 80 80
I-G
0 - 20,000 25 100 75 80 80
20,000 - 50,000 25 200 100 80 80
Over 50,000 25 250 150 80 80
M-X 15 per
approval
150 50 80
POS
0 – 30 acres 15 80 60 80 0
Over 30 acres 25 450 150 80 0
***
(g) Adjustments to table 36-362A. Signs which qualify for any adjustment permitted under this
section shall conform to all other sections of this chapter.
***
(4) In the C-1, C-2, O, BP, M-X, PUD, I-G and I-P districts, the total area of all wall signs on a
building which meets the following outlined conditions shall not be included in calculating the
aggregate sign area on a lot:
a. The building shall be a shopping center, or a building containing multiple tenants,
including and limited to retail, private entertainment (indoors), restaurants with liquor,
restaurants without liquor, services, food services, printing process, banks, studios and
showrooms or a single-tenant building housing one of the land uses named in this
subsection (g)(4)a. if such single-tenant building is located on a single lot with other
principal buildings and is part of an approved CUP or planned unit development under
the provisions of this chapter.
Agenda Item No 3B. – Zoning Ordinance Amendment – Sign Code Page 5
Meeting Date: June 3, 2015
b. The tenants are located on the ground floor of the building and have a direct and primary
access to the outside of the building.
c.b. The sign area of all wall, blade, canopy, or awning signs permitted by this section shall
not exceed seven percent of the exterior wall area of the space occupied by the tenant.
building. If a shopping center or multitenant building contains land uses other than those
listed in subsection (g)(4)a. of this section, the amount of wall area which may be used to
calculate allowable signage shall be determined by multiplying the total wall area of the
building by a percentage equal to the percentage of the gross floor area of the building
occupied by the land uses listed in subsection (g)(4)a. of this section.
d. The sign is located on the exterior wall of the space occupied by the tenant from which
the seven percent sign area was derived.
e.c. No individual wall sign shall exceed 150 square feet in area, except in the C-1 district
where the maximum area of any individual sign shall not exceed 100 square feet.
SECTION 2. This Ordinance shall take effect fifteen days after its passage and
publication.
Public Hearing June 3, 2015
First Reading
Second Reading
Date of Publication
Date Ordinance takes effect
ADOPTED this ______ day of _______________, 2015, by the City Council of the City
of St. Louis Park.
Adopted by the City Council
Reviewed for Administration
City Manager Mayor
Attest: Approved as to Form and Execution:
City Clerk City Attorney
Planning Commission
Meeting Date: June 3, 2015
Study Session Agenda Item 1
Draft Form-Based Code Discussion
Background:
The purpose of this item is to present the draft form-based code (FBC) to the Planning
Commission for discussion. The City’s consultant, Leslie Oberholtzer, will be at the meeting to
provide an overview of FBC principles, the development and organization of the St. Louis Park
FBC, highlight some specific sections, and respond to Commissioner questions.
Staff have been meeting internally and with the Work Group to determine the specific
requirements and standards within the form-based district. The foundation for determining the
standards of the form-based district are the results of the image preference surveys held at two
community workshops and online, and previous station area plans including the: Beltline Design
Guidelines, Elmwood Study, Louisiana Station Area Plan and the Southwest Investment
Framework. The Planning Commission has previously discussed the Architectural Materials,
Parking and Sustainability sections of the FBC, and Staff would now like to provide the entire
Code to the Commission.
In addition to a brief review of form-based code principles and how an FBC can facilitate transit-
oriented development (TOD), Staff would particularly like to cover the following sections of the
Code at tonight’s meeting:
1. 12.1 Overview
2. 12.2 Administration
3. 12.3 Frontage Types
a. Staff would like to talk through the general requirements of frontage types, and
then walk through how the frontage type sections are organized. It may be helpful
to think of the Frontage Types as Zoning Districts, as each frontage type
corresponds to a specific building form and relationship to the public realm, so
each has its own specific requirements.
4. 12.6 Streets & Blocks
a. Staff would particularly like to discuss the idea of potential new streets within the
form-based district. Form-based codes are a tool to facilitate development that
focuses on the relationship between the private realm and public realm and
creating an environment that emphasizes the pedestrian and bicyclists. As such,
FBCs will often indicate general locations for potential new streets that could
provide a greater degree of connectivity and smaller block sizes which are
important characteristics for pedestrians, and in transit-oriented developments.
Staff are interested in the Commissioners thoughts on including such suggestions
in the Zoning Code.
The Council will discuss this same draft at their June 8th Study Session. Staff will consider
Commission and Council comments in another revision to the draft FBC. Property owner
meetings and a public open house are also being scheduled, with a tentative date for the Open
House set for June 23rd.
Attachments: Draft Form-Based Code
Prepared by: Ryan Kelley, Associate Planner
Reviewed by: Sean Walther, Senior Planner
City of St. Louis Park
DRAFT
May 27, 2015
Article IV: Zoning Districts
Division 10: Form-Based District
City of St. Louis Park
5005 Minnetonka Blvd.
St. Louis Park, MN 55416
City Mayor
Jeff Jacobs
City Council
Tim Brausen
Steve Hallfin
Greg Lindberg
Anne Mavity
Susan Sanger
Jake Spano
City Staff
Tom Harmening, City Manager
Kevin Locke, Director of Community Development
Meg McMonigal, Planning/Zoning Supervisor
Sean Walther, Senior Planner
Gary Morrison, Assistant Zoning Administrator
Phil Elkin, Senior Engineering Project Manager
Ryan Kelley, Associate Planner & Project Manager
Work Group
Carl Robertson, Planning Commission
Bob Cunningham
Bette Danielson
Renee McGarvey, Environment & Sustainability
Commission
Joel Libor
John McCain
Bob Risselman
Brent Rogers
Tom Whitlock
iii Article IV: Zoning Districts Division 12: Form-Based DistrictDRAFT
Division 10: FORM-BASED DISTRICT CONTENTS
10.1 OVERVIEW 1
10.1.1 INTENT, PURPOSE & APPLICABILITY ....................1
10.1.2 ORGANIZATION OF FORM-BASED DISTRICT
REGULATIONS ....................................................1
10.1.3 REGULATING MAPS ..................................................2
10.2 ADMINISTRATION 7
10.2.1 DEVELOPMENT APPROVAL PROCESS ..................7
10.2.2 DEVIATIONS ................................................................8
10.2.3 NONCONFORMITIES ................................................9
10.2.4 DEFINITIONS ...........................................................10
10.3 FRONTAGE TYPES 13
10.3.1 INTRODUCTION TO FRONTAGE TYPES .............13
10.3.2 GENERAL FRONTAGE TYPE REQUIREMENTS ..14
10.3.3 GENERAL DESIGN REQUIREMENTS ...................17
10.3.4 SHOP FRONTAGE ...................................................21
10.3.5 GENERAL FRONTAGE ............................................25
10.3.6 GENERAL ROW FRONTAGE ................................29
10.3.7 YARDHOUSE FRONTAGE .....................................33
10.3.8 WORKSHOP/WAREHOUSE FRONTAGE ...........37
10.3.9 CIVIC FRONTAGE ...................................................41
10.3.10 PARKING RAMP FRONTAGE .............................45
10.3.11 EXPLANATION OF SPECIFIC FRONTAGE TYPE
FORM REQUIREMENTS ...............................46
10.4 USES 55
10.4.1 GENERAL PROVISIONS .........................................55
10.4.2 RESIDENTIAL & LODGING USES .........................55
10.4.3 CIVIC & INSTITUTIONAL USES .............................56
10.4.4 COMMERCIAL USES ...............................................56
10.4.5 INDUSTRIAL USES ..................................................58
10.4.6 TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE USES 59
10.4.7 ACCESSORY USES .................................................59
10.5 PARKING & LOADING 63
10.5.1 PARKING ...................................................................63
10.5.2 VEHICULAR ACCESS & PARKING DESIGN ........65
10.6 STREETS & BLOCKS 67
10.6.1 GENERAL ..................................................................67
10.6.2 BLOCK & STREET LAYOUT. .................................67
10.6.3 STREETS. ..................................................................68
10.6.4 STORMWATER MANAGEMENT. ........................74
10.6.5 INTERSECTION DESIGN. ......................................74
10.6.6 STREETSCAPE REQUIREMENTS. ........................75
10.7 LANDSCAPE 77
10.7.1 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS ..................................77
10.7.2 BOULEVARD TREES ..............................................77
iv City of St. Louis Park May 27, 2015
10.7.3 STREET & PARKING YARD LANDSCAPE
REQUIREMENTS ............................................................78
10.7.4 VEHICULAR AREA BUFFER ...................................79
10.7.5 SIDE & REAR BUFFER ............................................80
10.8 SIGNS 81
10.8.1 SIGNS ........................................................................81
10.9 SUSTAINABILITY MEASURES 91
10.9.1 APPLICABILITY & CALCULATION ........................91
10.9.2 MEASURES & REQUIREMENTS ...........................92
10.10 OPEN SPACE 95
10.10.1 INTENT. .................................................................95
10.10.2 APPLICABILITY. ....................................................95
10.10.3 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS. ..............................95
10.10.4 STORMWATER IN OPEN SPACE TYPES. .........96
10.10.5 PLAZA. ...................................................................97
10.10.6 GREEN. ..................................................................97
10.10.7 COMMONS. ..........................................................98
10.10.8 PARK. .....................................................................98
DRAFT
Article IV: Zoning Districts Division 12: Form-Based District v
How To Use The Form-Based District
Locate parcel onRegulating Maps Figures 10.1-1, 10.1-2, & 10.1-3
to determine which frontage type is designated
1 10.1.C
Regulating Maps
Review
Streets & Blocks
for street location and design, streetscape improvements, and block requirements
5 10.6
Streets & Blocks
Division 12, Section 31 Streets & Blocks
72 City of St. Louis Park April 15, 2015
CONNECTOR STREET TYPE
Permitted Adjacent to Frontage Types all
Typical ROW Width 50’ to 70’
VEHICULAR REALM
Travel Lanes 2 lanes, 2 way
Lane Width 10’ to 12’
Allowable Turn Lanes Right turn lane in place of on-street parking at corner
Parking Lanes Parallel, diagonal, perpendicular; maximum 8.5’ wide
Pavement Width 29’ to 38’
Bicycle Facilities Shared, designated shared, dedicated lane, cycle track
PEDESTRIAN REALM
Pedestrian Facilities Minimum 5’ wide clear sidewalk on both sides
Street Buffer Minimum 6’, ideally 9’ landscape or furnishing zone
50'-0" Right-of-Way
WalkTravel LaneWalk
Parkway ParkwayParkingTravel Lane
Typical Connector (50' ROW)
6'-0" 5'-0" 7'-0"11'-0" 11'-0"5'-0" 5'-0"
29'-0"
58'-0" to 70'-0" Right-of-Way
WalkTravel LaneWalkParkway ParkwayParkingParkingTravel Lane
34' to 40'
Typical Connector (58' to 70' ROW)
Notes: 1) Ideal boulevard width is 9' with trees planted 30' on center for adequate permeable surface area
5' to 6'6' to 9'5' to 6'6' to 9'7' to 8'7' to 8'10' to 12'10' to 12'
66' to 86' Right-of-Way
WalkTravel LaneWalkParkway ParkwayParkingParking10' to 12'10' to 12'Travel Lane
44'-0" to 52'-0"
Typical Connector - Alternative with bike lanes (66' to 86' ROW)
5' to 8'6' to 9'5' to 6'
BikeBike
5' to 6'7' to 8'5' to 8'6' to 9'7' to 8'
Travel Lane Travel LaneHead-in Parking/Tree Islands WalkWalk
Typical Connector - Alternative with head-in/diagonal parking (63' to 66' ROW)
Parking/TreeIslands
63'-0" to 66'-0" Right-of-Way
51'-0"
7'-6"20'-0"2'-0"11'-0" 11'-0"7'-0" 7'-6"
6'-0" to 6'-0" to
Variation for Narrow Right-of-Way (parking one side only)
Variation with bike lanes or cycle track Variation with head-in or diagonal parking on one side
Typical Connector
Figure 12.36-476-6 Connector Street Type and Variations
DRAFT
Review
Landscape
for boulevard tree planting, site landscape, & screen/buffer requirements
6 10.7
Landscape
Divison 12, Sections 32 through 33 Landscape
Article IV: Zoning Districts Division 12: Form-Based District 81
Shade Tree.
Boulevard Tree.
Hedge.
Fence.
Shade Tree
Hedge
Boulevard Tree
Fence
7’ Buffer.Parking AreaSidewalkCurbBuilding
align with building face
Lot LinePlanting Location
Frontage Buffer Plan.
Frontage Buffer Section.
<NOTE THE FOLLOWING MAY BE INCLUDED INSTEAD OF THE SCREENING REQUIREMENTS OF THE EXISTING CODE.>
3. Front Buffera. Intent. To lessen the visual impact of vehicular areas visible from the street.b. General Applicability. Applies to lots where a vehicular area is visible from the street.(i) This buffer requirement does not prohibit the installation of or provision for openings necessary for allowable access drives and walkways connecting to the public sidewalk.c. Exceptions. Vehicular areas along alleys, except when residential is located across the alley, and all single and two-family lots.
Figure 12.33-1 Frontage Buffer Plan and Section
A
B
C
C
D
D
E
E
d. Buffer Depth & Location
A Depth 7’
B Location on the site
Between street facing lot line and parking area (refer to note a)
e. Buffer Landscape Requirements
Uses & Materials
Uses and materials other than those indicated are prohibited in the buffer
C Shade Trees
Medium or large shade tree required at least every 40’; Locate on the street side of the fence; Spacing should alternate with boulevard trees
D Hedge
Required continuous hedge on street side of fence, between shade trees & in front of vehicular areas
Hedge Composition
Individual shrubs with a minimum width of 24”, spaced no more than 36” on center, height maintained no more than 48”.
Existing Vegetation May be credited toward buffer area
f. Fence
E Location 2’ from back of curb of vehicular area
Materials
Steel or colored PVC; Masonry columns (maximum width 2’6”) and base (maximum 18” height) permitted
Minimum Height 3’
Maximum Height 4’
Colors Black, gray, or dark green
Opacity Minimum 30 percent; Maximum 60 percent
Gate/Opening
One gate permitted per street frontage; Opening width maximum 6’
Notes:a. In front, corner, and rear yards (on a through lot), when the parking area is located adjacent to any building on the lot, the buffer must be located so that it aligns with or is behind the face of the adjacent building back to the vehicular area. The area between the buffer and the lot line must be landscaped.
DRAFT
If the development is for a site that is3 acres or greater in size
go to Open Space
10.10
Open Space
are shown, go to Streets & Blocks
New Streets
If the development is for a site where
10.6
Streets & Blocks
Review
Uses3
to understand use categories and find any applicable conditions
10.4
Uses
Review
Parking & Loading4
to determine the minimum and maximum vehicle parking spaces and required bike parking
10.5
Parking & Loading
Review General & Specific
Frontage Type Requirements
to determine building envelope, site, facade design, and use requirements
2 10.3
Frontage Types
12.3 Frontage Types
Article IV: Zoning Districts Division 12: Form-Based District 27
F. APARTMENT/ROWHOUSE FRONTAGE
The following outlines the requirements for the Apartment/Rowhouse Frontage Type.
1. Intent. The Apartment/Rowhouse Frontage is a residential building form with multiple units that may share an entrance or be configured to each have their own entrance. The building is set back slightly from the sidewalk
and entrances are typically raised on a porch or stoop, providing privacy to residents.
2. Applicability. The following defines the requirements specific to this Frontage Type, as designated on the Regulating Maps (refer to 12.1.C Regulating Maps).
3. General Requirements for all Frontage Types. Refer to 12.3.B General Frontage Type Requirements and 12.3.M Explanation of Specific Frontage Type Form Requirements.
DRAFT
Figure 12.3-20 Apartment/Rowhouse Frontage Conceptual Illustration
Review
Signs
to determine sign quantity, location, and design requirements
7 10.8
Signs
Division 12, Section 34 Signs
86 City of St. Louis Park April 15, 2015
I. Projecting Sign
1. Description. A projecting sign is attached to and projects from a building face or hangs from a
support structure attached to the building face.
Sign faces are typically perpendicular to the building face, but may be at an angle greater
than 45 degrees from the facade. The sign may be vertically or horizontally oriented. Refer to
Figure 36-479-7.
2. General Requirements. Projecting signs shall be
developed according to the standards in Figure 36-479-6.
3. Computation. The area of a projecting sign is equal to the area of one of the sign’s faces, as
illustrated in Figure 36-479-8.
PROJECTING
S
I
G
N
Sign area is within the dashed line
PROJECTING
SIGN
minimum clearance
maximum projection
FIGURE 12.34-7 Example of Projecting Sign FIGURE 12.34-8 Area Calculation for Projecting Sign
PROJECTING SIGN REQUIREMENTS
Permitted Frontage Types Shopfront, General, Workshop/Warehouse
Sign Area 40 sq ft maximum per face; refer to Figure 36-479-2 for maximum per frontage
Height 12 ft maximum sign length, 8 ft minimum clearance to walk required
Location on the Building or Site
Permitted on all facades; sign and structural supports shall not extend above the eave or parapet
Placement on the Building or Site Shall not project closer than 6 ft from back of curb
Quantity
1 per building per street frontage; 1 per building per parking lot frontage; 1 additional projecting sign permitted per tenant maximum 4 sq ft.
Internal Illumination Permitted for individual letters and logos
Materials Solid wood, metal, masonry & neon glass; Plastic & synthetics permitted only as separate alphanumeric characters or logos
FIGURE 12.34-6 Projecting Sign Requirements
maximum height
DRAFT
Review
Sustainability Measures
to determine how the development will incorporate required sustainability measures
8 10.9
Sustainability Measures
Determine the applicable
Development Approval Process9to prepare all required application materials
10.2
Administration
Division 12, Section 31 Streets & Blocks
72 City of St. Louis Park April 15, 2015
CONNECTOR STREET TYPE
Permitted Adjacent to Frontage Types all
Typical ROW Width 50’ to 70’
VEHICULAR REALM
Travel Lanes 2 lanes, 2 way
Lane Width 10’ to 12’
Allowable Turn Lanes Right turn lane in place of on-street parking at corner
Parking Lanes Parallel, diagonal, perpendicular; maximum 8.5’ wide
Pavement Width 29’ to 38’
Bicycle Facilities Shared, designated shared, dedicated lane, cycle track
PEDESTRIAN REALM
Pedestrian Facilities Minimum 5’ wide clear sidewalk on both sides
Street Buffer Minimum 6’, ideally 9’ landscape or furnishing zone
50'-0" Right-of-Way
WalkTravel LaneWalk
Parkway ParkwayParkingTravel Lane
Typical Connector (50' ROW)
6'-0" 5'-0" 7'-0"11'-0" 11'-0"5'-0" 5'-0"
29'-0"
58'-0" to 70'-0" Right-of-Way
WalkTravel LaneWalkParkway ParkwayParkingParkingTravel Lane
34' to 40'
Typical Connector (58' to 70' ROW)
Notes: 1) Ideal boulevard width is 9' with trees planted 30' on center for adequate permeable surface area
5' to 6'6' to 9'5' to 6'6' to 9'7' to 8'7' to 8'10' to 12'10' to 12'
66' to 86' Right-of-Way
WalkTravel LaneWalkParkway ParkwayParkingParking10' to 12'10' to 12'Travel Lane
44'-0" to 52'-0"
Typical Connector - Alternative with bike lanes (66' to 86' ROW)
5' to 8'6' to 9'5' to 6'BikeBike5' to 6'7' to 8'5' to 8'6' to 9'7' to 8'
Travel Lane Travel LaneHead-in Parking/Tree Islands WalkWalk
Typical Connector - Alternative with head-in/diagonal parking (63' to 66' ROW)
Parking/TreeIslands
63'-0" to 66'-0" Right-of-Way
51'-0"
7'-6"20'-0"2'-0"11'-0" 11'-0"7'-0" 7'-6"
6'-0" to 6'-0" to
Variation for Narrow Right-of-Way (parking one side only)
Variation with bike lanes or cycle track Variation with head-in or diagonal parking on one side
Typical Connector
Figure 12.36-476-6 Connector Street Type and Variations
DRAFT
DRAFT
vi City of St. Louis Park May 27, 2015
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DRAFT
1 Article IV: Zoning Districts Division 12: Form-Based DistrictDRAFT
10.1.1 INTENT, PURPOSE & APPLICABILITY
A. Intent. The regulations of the Form-Based District
zoning district are intended to promote transit-
oriented development in areas surrounding St.
Louis Park’s Southwest Light Rail Transit line
station areas.
B. Purpose. The Form-Based District has been
created to further the following public purposes.
1. Plan Compatibility. To guide new development
and redevelopment as stated by the following
studies:
a. Beltline Area Framework & Design
Guidelines (accepted June 2012)
b. Louisiana Station Area Framework & Design
Guidelines (accepted November 2013)
c. Wooddale LRT Station Site Development
Guidelines (accepted November 2013)
d. Elmwood Area Land Use, Transit and
Transportation Study (accepted February
2003)
e. Southwest Corridor Investment Framework.
2. Livable Community Principles. To support the
city’s 10 Livable Community Principles as stated
in the Comprehensive Plan (adopted 2009).
C. Applicability. These regulations apply to all new
construction and redevelopment on lots zoned
as the Form-Based District on the city’s zoning
map. Refer to 10.2.3 Nonconformities for triggers
requiring conformance when redeveloping existing
buildings.
D. Graphics. Graphics typically represent one
example of a regulation that could be developed
utilizing the requirements. Graphics are provided
to illustrate general intent. In case of a conflict, text
shall control over tables and graphics, and tables
shall control over graphics.
10.1.2 ORGANIZATION OF FORM-BASED DISTRICT REGULATIONS
The following sections are included in this Division
specific to the Form-Based District. Refer to the City’s
Code of Ordinances for all required information. The
10.1 OVERVIEW
requirements in this Division supersede any similar
requirements in other sections of the City’s code.
A. Overview. This section provides an overview
of the Form-Based District and includes the
Regulating Maps (refer to 10.1.3) and explanations
of the components of the maps.
B. Administration. This section includes an overview
of the development review process and definitions
specific to this Division.
C. Frontage Types. Frontage types are the
organizing structure of the Form-Based District.
Frontage types are delineated along street
frontages on the Regulating Maps (refer to
10.1.3), with different building design and use
requirements associated with each type.
General requirements for all Frontage Types
are included in 10.3.2 General Frontage Type
Requirements and 10.3.3 General Design
Requirements. Additionally, six Frontage Types
outline specific requirements and include form
requirements such as building and parking siting,
building height, facade & cap articulation, and use
requirements. Refer to 10.3.4 through 10.3.10 for
Frontage Types.
D. Uses. Use tables defining allowable uses by each
Frontage Type are located in Frontage Types
(10.3.4 through 10.3.10) . Definitions of the uses
and use categories in the tables are located in
10.4 Uses. Conditions specific to the Form-Based
District are included in 10.4 Uses.
E. Parking. Refer to 10.5 for parking and loading
requirements for all uses specific to the Form-
Based District. Refer to 36-364(f) Off street parking
areas for landscape requirements for parking lots
for all Frontage Types.
F. Streets & Blocks. Refer to 10.6 Streets & Blocks
for street design and block requirements specific
to the Form-Based District. Proposed new street
locations are shown on the Regulating Maps (refer
to 10.1.3).
2 City of St. Louis Park May 27, 2015
Overview
Regulating Maps
G. Landscape. Refer to 10.7 Landscape for landscape
requirements specific to the Form-Based District.
H. Signage. Refer to 10.8 Signs for sign requirements
specific to the Form-Based District.
I. Sustainabilty Measures. Refer to 10.9
Sustainability Measures for sustainability measures
required specific to the Form-Based District.
J. Open Space. Refer to 10.10 Open Space for
design of open spaces.
10.1.3 REGULATING MAPS
The areas designated by the Form-Based District are
further defined by Frontage Type on the Regulating
Maps on Figure 10.1-1 Beltline Station Regulating Map,
Figure 10.1-2 Wooddale Station Regulating Map, and
Figure 10.1-3 Louisiana Station Regulating Map.
The Regulating Maps illustrate the required locations of
the following:
A. Frontage Types. Frontage Types are located along
streets to define different building requirements
along different streets. Refer to 10.3 Frontage
Types for general and specific requirements of the
Frontage Types.
B. Primary and Secondary Street Frontages. The
Regulating Maps designate Primary and Secondary
Street Frontages for each Frontage Type. These
designations prioritize the street frontages for
required treatments as follows:
1. Primary Street Frontages. Frontage Types
along primary streets define a higher priority
for pedestrian activity by limiting driveway
locations and site access, locating front doors,
and requiring streetwall or a high level of
building coverage along the lot line. Refer
to 10.3.4 through 10.3.10 for Frontage Type
requirements.
2. Secondary Frontages. The secondary
frontages are permitted to have lower building
coverage and less transparency, and permits
interruptions by driveways per the Frontage
Type requirements (refer to 10.3.4 through
10.3.10).
3. Two Primary Frontages. When two primary
frontages and/or no secondary frontage exists
on the lot, the zoning administrator shall
determine which frontage is most appropriate
to serve as the secondary frontage. Orientation
of other parcels along the street and status of
the street shall be considered.
C. Open Space Frontage. Refer to 10.10 Open Space
for general requirements of permitted types of
Open Space along this frontage.
D. New Streets. The Regulating Maps designate
approximate locations for new streets.
1. Streets. Refer to 10.6 Streets & Blocks street
and block requirements, including variability
of location and appropriate street design.
All street and block requirements to be
coordinated with the Public Works Department.
2. Alleys. Alleys provide the preferred access
for parking, loading, service, and refuse/
recycling. New alley locations are illustrated
on the Regulating Map to provide guidance
for appropriate locations of new alleys. Refer
to Figure 10.6-10 Alley Street Type for an
acceptable alley section. Coordinate alleys with
the Public Works Department.
E. Regional Trail Frontage. The Regulating Maps
designate lot edges abutting the rail right-of-way
adjacent to the regional trail. These lots shall
provide the following:
1. Trail Connection. Minimum 6 foot wide
concrete sidewalks or trails shall connect
the public sidewalk along street frontages to
the regional trail through the lot. One fully
accessible connection is required for every 400
feet of rail frontage.
2. Vehicular Area Buffer. Frontage buffer per 10.7
Landscape, Subsection 10.7.4, shall be included
along all vehicular area edges adjacent to the
rail right-of-way line, unless otherwise required
by the zoning administrator.
F. Increased Maximum Height. The Regulating
Maps designate lots at key locations that may
increase the allowable maximum height of
buildings (refer to Frontage Types, subsections
10.3.4 through 10.3.10) on the lot by 2 additional
stories.
G. Increased Required Minimum Height. The
Regulating Maps designate lots at key locations
that require an increase in the minimum height of
the buildings (refer to Frontage Types, subsections
10.3.4 through 10.3.10) on the lot of 1 additional
story.
DRAFT
Overview
Regulating Maps
Article IV: Zoning Districts Division 12: Form-Based District 3
Figure 10.1-1 Beltline Station Regulating Map
KEY
For each Frontage Type, Primary and Secondary Street designations
are shown with the following line type:
Primary Street per Frontage Type
Secondary Street per Frontage Type
FRONTAGE TYPES
1.1 Shopfront: Beltline
1.3 Shopfront: Minnetonka
2.1 General: Beltline
3.1 General Row: Beltline
3.2 General Row: Minnetonka
4.1 Yardhouse: Minnetonka
INFRASTRUCTURE
O: Open Space Frontage
R: Regional trail Frontage
Potential New Street
Potential New Alley
SPECIFIC LOT REQUIREMENTS
Increased Maximum Height
Increased Minimum Height & Increased Maximum Height
DRAFT
4 City of St. Louis Park May 27, 2015
Overview
Regulating Maps
Figure 10.1-2 Wooddale Station Regulating Map
KEY
For each Frontage Type, Primary and Secondary Street designations
are shown with the following line type:
Primary Street per Frontage Type
Secondary Street per Frontage Type
FRONTAGE TYPES
1.2 Shopfront: Wooddale
1.4 Shopfront: Lake
2.2 General: Wooddale
2.3 General: Neighborhood
3.3 General Row: Wooddale
4.2 Yardhouse: Wooddale
INFRASTRUCTURE
O: Open Space
R: Regional trail Frontage
Potential New Street
Potential New Alley
REFER TO FIGURE 10.1-3
LOUISIANA STATION REGULATING
MAP FOR THIS AREA
DRAFT
Overview
Regulating Maps
Article IV: Zoning Districts Division 12: Form-Based District 5
Figure 10.1-3 Louisiana Station Regulating Map
KEY
For each Frontage Type, Primary and Secondary Street designations
are shown with the following line type:
Primary Street per Frontage Type
Secondary Street per Frontage Type
FRONTAGE TYPES
1.4 Shopfront: Lake
1.5 Shopfront: Oxford
2.1 General: Beltline
2.4 General: Louisiana
5.1 Workshop Warehouse: Cambridge
5.2 Workshop Warehouse: Gorham/Republic
INFRASTRUCTURE
O: Open Space
R: Regional trail Frontage
Potential New Street
Potential New Alley
REFER TO FIGURE 10.1-2
WOODDALE STATION REGULATING
MAP FOR THIS AREA
DRAFT
6 City of St. Louis Park May 27, 2015
Overview
Regulating Maps
This page intentionally left blank.
DRAFT
7 Article IV: Zoning Districts Division 12: Form-Based DistrictDRAFT
10.2.1 DEVELOPMENT APPROVAL PROCESS
A. Zoning Permits & Processes. All provisions of
Article II Administration and Enforcement apply to
all development within the Form-Based District.
The following processes are listed for reference.
1. Registration of Land Use. An approved
Registration of Land Use (RLU) is required per
36-32 for occupation of any land or building
within the city.
2. Conditional Use Permit. A Conditional Use
Permit is required only as required by the
Use Tables per Frontage Type (refer to
10.3.4 through 10.3.10), and shall be granted
according to the requirements and procedures
in 36-33.
3. Sign Permit. Refer to Section 36-362(f)(1).
4. Variance. Refer to Section 36-34.
5. Right of Appeal. Refer to Section 36-31.
6. Amendments. Refer to Section 36-35.
B. Planned Unit Developments. Planned Unit
Developments (PUDs), as provided in 36-32
Planned Unit Development (PUD) process, are not
permitted within the Form-Based District.
C. Subdivisions. Subdivisions and platting within the
Form-Based District are subject to the procedures
and application requirements as stated in Chapter
26 Subdivisions of the St. Louis Park City Code,
with the following provisions and exceptions.
1. Sketch Plan. A sketch plan of the subdivision,
in accordance with 26-81 and 26-121 Sketch
Plan, shall be submitted to the community
development director for approval prior to the
Site Plan Review application.
2. Exception to Design Standards. The
requirements of 26-152 Blocks and Lots and
26-153 Streets and Alleys shall be superseded
by 10.6 Streets and Blocks within Division 10.
10.2 ADMINISTRATION
D. Site Plan Review. The Site Plan Review
process outlined in this section applies only to
development within the Form-Based District, and
supersedes permit requirements for building
materials, building design, and awnings and
canopies as stated in 36-366 Architectural Design.
1. Applicability. Site Plan Review is required for all
development or redevelopment activity within
the Form-Based District.
a. Maintenance. Unless otherwise noted
in Article VI. Nonconformities, 36-405(2)
Special Requirements or deemed
differently by the zoning administrator,
routine maintenance and repair that does
not require a building permit shall not
trigger site plan review.
2. Decision. The zoning administrator shall
be responsible for approving or denying all
Site Plan Review applications based on the
provisions of Division 10: Form-Based District
regulations.
3. Appeals. Following the zoning administrator’s
decision, an applicant may make an appeal per
the provisions of 36-31.
4. Application Submittal Requirements. The
following documents are required for all
applications requiring Site Plan Review. All maps
and plans shall include the date of preparation,
north arrow, and scale.
a. Application & Fee. An application and
payment of required application fee. A fee
table is available at City Hall or on the City’s
website.
b. Site Location Map. Location of site within
a half mile context of streets, rail lines,
stations, and notable sites.
c. Survey Plat. Legal description of site,
dimensions of property lines, easements,
rights-of-way.
d. Boundaries. Development boundaries and
proposed phasing (as applicable).
e. Existing Conditions Plan. Existing on-site
and adjacent off-site structures, streets,
8 City of St. Louis Park May 27, 2015
Administration
Deviations
utilities, easements, pavement noted either
on an aerial photograph or site survey.
f. Existing Natural Conditions Plan. Existing
topography, vegetation, drainageways,
floodplain/way, or other unique features
either on an aerial photograph or site
survey.
g. Site Plan. A site plan delineating all
proposed structures and surfaces,
including parking, pavement, decks, patios,
landscape, and retaining walls.
h. Building Plan(s). Floor plans for all
buildings illustrating compliance with
the requirements of the Frontage Type
requirements found in 10.3.4 through
10.3.10.
i. Use Requirements. A table of uses is
required on the Building Plan delineating
locations and gross square footages
of categories of uses, and illustrating
compliance with the Use Table for the
applicable Frontage Type, per 10.4 Uses.
j. Building Elevations. Building elevations
of all facades, rendered to illustrate
compliance with the Frontage Type
requirements of 10.3.4 through 10.3.10,
including but not limited to such items
as color, materials, depth of details on
facades, glass locations, and specifications
of glass.
k. Landscape Plan, Tree Survey, Tree
Protection Plans. Plans illustrating
compliance with the requirements of 10.7
Landscape. All ground plane vegetation
shall be illustrated. For sites with less than
10 percent landscape area, the Landscape
Plan may be combined with the Site Plan.
l. Parking Plan. Parking layout plan with
table of spaces keyed to plan, illustrating
compliance with 10.5 Parking & Loading.
Driveways, shared parking and driveway
arrangements shall be included and noted
for compliance with the Form-Based
District regulations.
m. Sign Plan. (As applicable), sign plan and
elevation illustrating compliance with the
requirements of 10.8 Signs.
n. Other Requested Documents. Any
materials required by the city.
10.2.2 DEVIATIONS
The Applicant shall submit requested deviations to
the zoning administrator with the Site Plan Review
application.
A. Administrative Deviations. The zoning
administrator may approve minor deviations to any
dimension or percentage as follows:
1. The location of the building within up to one
foot from any minimum setback requirement or
build-to zone width/location.
2. Up to 10 percent increase in total impervious
coverage, not to exceed the total amount
of permitted impervious plus semi-pervious
coverage.
3. Up to 10 percent decrease in Primary Lot Line
Coverage requirements.
4. Additional height of any story up to 2 feet, as
long as the overall building height does not
exceed the allowable height of all floors at
maximum permitted height.
B. Minor Deviations. The Planning Commission
shall review and make a recommendation for the
following deviations.
1. Alternative Building Materials. Alternative
building materials from the requirements of
10.3.3.A through D, with the exception of the
prohibited materials.
a. Application Requirements. The applicant
shall submit samples and local examples of
the material.
2. Facade Variety Alternative. A reprieve from
the facade variety requirements defined in
10.3.11.N Facade Variety Requirements, and as
required per Frontage Type.
a. Application Requirements. The Applicant
shall submit fully rendered elevations and
three-dimensional drawings of all street
facades with materials samples for all
surfaces to prove a higher quality building
design with variation and relief from
monotony.
3. Multiple Principal Buildings. A minor deviation
may be sought for multiple buildings on a
single lot, provided all buildings fulfill the
requirements of all regulations.
DRAFT
Administration
Nonconformities
Article IV: Zoning Districts Division 12: Form-Based District 9
4. Existing Buildings. The following deviations
apply to the renovation of an existing
building(s).
a. Primary Lot Line Coverage. The maximum
primary property line coverage may be
waived with an existing coverage of 60
percent; however, any expansion on
the ground story shall contribute to
the extension of the front property line
coverage.
b. Build-To Zones/Setbacks. The
requirements for building placement may
be waived if the existing building is within 5
feet of any minimum yard requirement or
build-to zone width or location.
i. Minimum Heights. The minimum height
of the ground story and upper story may
be increased or decreased by up to 2
feet for existing stories.
5. Other Deviations. Other dimensional
requirements may be modified up to 5 feet or
10 percent, whichever is less, unless otherwise
modified by this section.
C. Major Deviations. Major deviations from any
Frontage Type requirement may be submitted with
the site plan application and will be reviewed and
approved, denied, or approved with conditions by
the City Council.
10.2.3 NONCONFORMITIES
The provisions of Article VI Nonconformities and 36-
362(i) Nonconforming Signs of the Zoning Code shall
be fully applicable to all structures and uses within the
Form-Based District, with the following exceptions and
additions:
A. Exception to Section 36-404(3) Expansion
prohibited. The following categories of
nonconformities are established for the Form-
Based District.
1. Nonconforming Uses. Nonconforming uses
shall not expand in any manner, as defined per
Section 36-404(3).
2. Nonconforming Site. Nonconforming site
characteristics shall not expand in any
manner, unless otherwise allowed in Article VI.
Nonconformities. Site characteristics include
requirements related to landscaping, signs,
and/or parking.
3. Nonconforming Building. Nonconforming
buildings are permitted to expand up to 60
percent of the existing gross floor area. Refer
to 10.2.3.C, below, for required compliance with
portions of or all of the requirements of the
Form-Based District.
B. Exception to Section 36-405(2)(b) Permitted
Construction. Additions and alterations to
buildings containing nonconforming dwelling units
shall require conformance with all Form-Based
District regulations.
C. Requirements for Expansions and
Renovations. The following regulations apply to
expansions and renovations to nonconforming
buildings within the Form-Based District.
1. Expansions. Any expansion greater than 60
percent in gross building square footage,
including multiple expansions over a 5 year
period, shall meet all requirements of Division
10: Form-Based District.
2. General Design Requirements. The
requirements of 10.3.3 General Design
Requirements shall be met under the following:
a. New exterior facades as a result of
expansion of additional floor area shall
meet all requirements of 10.3.3.
b. Renovation resulting in the replacement
of 30 percent or more of the exterior
DRAFT
10 City of St. Louis Park May 27, 2015
Administration
Definitions
facade material shall meet the material
requirements of 10.3.3.
c. Renovation or addition of 30 percent
or more of the windows on any exterior
facade shall meet the window and
materials requirements of 10.3.3.
d. Renovation or addition to any door or
balcony on any exterior facade shall meet
the door and balcony requirements of
10.3.3.
3. Facade Articulation Requirements. If the
facade exists or will be constructed within the
required build-to zone of these regulations, the
Facade Requirements, not including the Cap
Types, of the applicable Frontage Type shall be
met if any one of the following is included in the
renovation or expansion:
a. New exterior facades as a result of
expansion of additional floor area.
b. Installation of two or more additional doors
or a change in location of two or more
doors.
c. Expansion or change in location of 30
percent of windows.
d. Replacement of 30 percent or more of
facade materials with a different facade
material.
4. Roof Renovation. The Cap Type Requirements
of the applicable Frontage Type shall be met
if the renovation of the shape or style of more
than 60 percent of the roof occurs and 30
percent of the façade exists within the build-to
zone of the applicable Frontage Type, .
10.2.4 DEFINITIONS
For the purposes of Division 10: Form-Based District
regulations, the following terms shall have the following
meanings. Refer to Article I, Section 36-4 for additional
definitions.
A. Build-to Zone. An area in which the primary or
secondary facade of a building shall be placed; it
may or may not be located directly adjacent to a lot
line. The zone dictates the minimum and maximum
distance a structure may be placed from a lot line.
Refer to Figure 10.2.1 Build-to Zone vs. Setback
Line.
BUILD-TO ZONES ALONG FRONTAGE LINE A build-to zone indicates a zone or area in which the facade of a building must be located. The use of a build-to zone allows control over building placement, while the range provides some flexibility. This method provides more predictability in building placement.
SETBACK LINES ALONG FRONTAGE LINE A setback line indicates the closest a building may be placed to a property line, but is silent on where behind that line a building may be placed. Secondary StreetStreetPrimary Street
Street
Primary Build-to Zone
Secondary Build-to Zone
Side Setback Lines
Rear Setback Line
Rear Setback Line
Front Setback Line
Figure 10.2-1. Build-to Zone vs Setback Line
DRAFT
Administration
Definitions
Article IV: Zoning Districts Division 12: Form-Based District 11
B. Courtyard. An outdoor area enclosed by a
building facade on at least 3 sides and open to the
sky.
C. Expression Line. An architectural feature
consisting of a decorative, three-dimensional,
linear element, horizontal or vertical, protruding
or indented at least 1.25 inches from the exterior
facade of a building. It is typically utilized to
delineate the top or bottom of floors or stories of
a building.
D. Frontage. The building and lot area facing and
directly adjacent to a street right-of-way line.
E. Frontage, Primary. A frontage that receives
priority over other frontages, defining a higher level
of pedestrian orientation, for lots that have more
than one adjacent street right-of-way (not including
alleys). Refer to 10.1.3 Regulating Maps.
F. Frontage, Secondary. A frontage that is
secondary to the Primary Frontage, requiring less
streetwall coverage and lower transparency levels,
and permitting more interruptions by driveways,
for lots that have more than one adjacent street
right-of-way (not including alleys). Refer to 10.1.3
Regulating Maps.
G. Frontage Type. Requirements for building form,
design, and use as designated on the Regulating
Maps (refer to 10.1.3 Regulating Maps).
H. Impervious Site Coverage. The percentage
of a lot developed with principal or accessory
structures and impervious surfaces, such as
driveways, sidewalks, and patios. Refer to 36.4 for
definition of impervious surface.
I. Landscape Area. Area on a lot not dedicated
to a structure, sidewalk or pedestrian pathway,
parking or loading facility, frontage buffer, side
and rear buffer, or interior parking lot landscaping.
Landscape areas shall be fully landscaped per 36-
364(d).
J. Occupied Space. Interior building space regularly
occupied by the building users. It does not include
storage areas, utility space, or parking.
K. Pedestrianway. A pathway designed for use by
pedestrians; it can be located mid-block allowing
pedestrian movement from one street to another
without traveling along the block’s perimeter.
L. Semi-pervious Surface. Also referred to as semi-
pervious material. A material that allows for at least
40 percent absorption of water into the ground or
plant material, such as pervious pavers, permeable
asphalt and concrete, or gravel.
M. Story, Ground. Also referred to as ground floor.
The first floor of a building that is level to or
elevated above the finished grade on the front and
corner facades, excluding basements or cellars.
N. Story, Half. A story either in the base of the
building, partially below grade and partially above
grade, or a story fully within the roof structure with
transparency facing the street.
O. Story, Upper. Also referred to as upper floor. The
floors located above the ground story of a building.
P. Street Face. The facade of a building that faces a
street right-of-way.
Q. Transparency. For the purposes of Division 10
and in addition to the standard definition of the
word, the measurement of the percentage of a
facade that has highly transparent, low reflectance
windows. Mirrored glass is not permitted. Refer
to 10.3.11.H Minimum Required Transparency for
explanation of measurement.
R. Yard, Street. The space on a lot between the
principal structure and the primary or secondary
street frontage line or street side lot line for the
lot and extending to any minimum side or rear
setback line.
S. Visible Basement. A half story partially below
grade and partially exposed above with required
transparency on the street facade.
T. Zoning Administrator. The zoning administrator
or her/his designee.
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12 City of St. Louis Park May 27, 2015
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DRAFT
13 Article IV: Zoning Districts Division 12: Form-Based DistrictDRAFT
10.3 FRONTAGE TYPES
Figure 10.3-1 Application of Frontage Types to Example Sites
10.3.1 INTRODUCTION TO FRONTAGE TYPES
The requirements detailed in this section outline the
building forms and uses permitted by Frontage Types
located on the Regulating Maps (refer to 10.1.3).
A. Intent of Frontage Types. Frontage Types define
how each building occupies a lot and engages with
the surrounding street to help define the public
space of the street, lot by lot.
B. Applicability of Frontage Types to a Lot. Figure
10.3-1 Application of Frontage Type to Example
Site illustrates the following:
1. Corner Treatment. The primary frontage may
extend around a corner up to 100 feet along a
side street.
2. Only Secondary Street Frontage. When a parcel
only has secondary street frontage, that street
shall be treated as its primary frontage.
3. Rear of the Lot. Refer to 10.3.2.G Location
of Uses on Site and 10.3.11.F Minimum &
Maximum Heights for information about how
use and height requirements apply to the rear
of the lot at the intersection of two Frontage
Types.
4. Driveways. Refer to 10.3.2.E Driveways for the
hierarchy of permitted locations of driveways
along the Frontage Types.
C. Organization of Regulations. Regulations for
Frontage Types are organized in the following
sections:
1. General Frontage Type Requirements. These
provisions apply to all Frontage Types. Refer to
10.3.2 General Frontage Type Requirements
and 10.3.3 General Design Requirements.
2. Specific Frontage Type Requirements. Building
Siting, Height, Facade & Cap Articulation, and
Use requirements specific to each Frontage
Type are established in 10.3.4 through 10.3.10
by Frontage Type. Explanation and definition
of these requirements is provided in 10.3.11
Explanation of Specific Frontage Type Form
Requirements.
Frontage Type A designated per
10.1.3 Regulating Maps.
Frontage Type B
designated per 10.1.3 Regulating
Maps as a Secondary Street
Frontage.Frontage Type for Corner Site
Primary Frontage Type may extend around the corner up to 100 feet
Refer to 10.3.2.G and 10.3.11.F for use and height information in the rear of parcels with two Frontage Types.
Rear Setback required per Frontage Type, 10.3.3 through 10.3.J
Side Setback required per Frontage Type, 10.3.D through 10.3.J
Parking Location Per Frontage Type, refer to 10.3.D through 10.3.J
Primary Build-to Zone for Frontage Type A
Secondary Build-to Zone for Frontage Type A
Primary Build-to Zone for Frontage Type B
100 feet
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14 City of St. Louis Park May 27, 2015
Frontage Types
General Frontage Type Requirements
10.3.2 GENERAL FRONTAGE TYPE REQUIREMENTS
A. Applicability. The requirements of this division
apply to all Frontage Types, as provided in 10.3.4
through 10.3.10.
B. Permanent Structures. All buildings shall be
permanent construction without a chassis, hitch,
or wheels, or other features that would make the
structure mobile.
C. Multiple Principal Buildings on One Lot.
Multiple principal buildings are not permitted on
a single lot. The lot may be subdivided or a minor
deviation may be requested per 10.2.2.B.
D. Treatment of Street Yards & Setbacks. Refer to
Figure 10.3-2 for an Illustration of Street & Parking
Yards. All yards are defined by the location of the
building on the lot.
1. Street Yards. All street yards shall consist only
of landscape areas, patio space, and/or sidewalk
space, unless otherwise specifically stated.
Parking is not permitted in any street yard.
a. Primary Street Yard. The primary street
yard is located between the primary
facade(s) of the building and the primary
frontage lot line, and extends to side lot
lines and/or intersecting rights-of-way lines.
b. Secondary Street Yard. The secondary
street yard is located between the
secondary facade(s) of the building and the
secondary frontage lot line, and extends to
side or rear lot lines and/or primary street
yard.
2. Parking Yards. Parking yards may contain
parking lots or ramps, as permitted by Frontage
Type. All parking yards that do not contain
parking lots or ramps shall consist only of
landscape areas, patio space, and/or sidewalk
space, unless otherwise specifically stated.
a. Parking Yard - Rear. The rear parking yard
is located between the rear facade(s) of
the building and the minimum rear setback
line, and extends to street yards and/or
side parking yards. If the building extends
to the minimum rear setback line, no rear
parking yard will exist.
b. Parking Yard - Side. The side parking yard
is located between the side facade(s) of
the building and the minimum side setback
line, and extends to street yards and/
or minimum side or rear setback lines. If
the building extends to the minimum side
setback line, no side parking yard will exist.
3. Driveways. Driveways may cross
perpendicularly through any yard, when
permitted per 10.3.2.E, below, or to connect to
a parking lot on an abutting lot.
4. Minimum Side & Rear Setbacks. The minimum
side & rear setback area shall only contain
landscape unless otherwise noted. Sidewalks
may cross perpendicularly through any
minimum setback area.
Figure 10.3-2. Illustration of Street & Parking Yards
Primary StreetSecondary StreetREAR PARKING YARD
SECONDARY STREET YARDPRIMARY STREET YARD
PARKING YARD-SIDE
Minimum
Side
Setback
Line
Rear Lot Line
Building Footprint
Primary Frontage Lot Line Side Lot LineSecondary Frontage Lot LineMinimum
Rear
Setback
Line
DRAFT
Frontage Types
General Frontage Type Requirements
Article IV: Zoning Districts Division 12: Form-Based District 15
E. Driveways. Driveways shall be minimized to the
extent practicable, located to have the least impact
on pedestrian accessibility, safety, and comfort.
1. Driveway Location. Location of vehicular
driveway access is based on the primary
and secondary frontage designation on the
Regulating Maps (refer to 10.1.3). A hierarchy of
permitted access points is defined as follows.
a. Access from an adjacent alley is unlimited.
Construction of new alleys through blocks
is encouraged. Refer to Figure 10.6-10 Alley
Street Type.
b. If no alley exists and the lot is on a
corner, one driveway is permitted off the
Secondary Frontage.
c. If no alley exists and the lot is not on a
corner, one driveway is permitted off a
Primary Frontage.
d. If the lot has no Secondary Frontage, the
zoning administrator shall determine which
frontage is most appropriate for driveways
per 10.1.3 Regulating Maps.
e. One additional driveway off a Secondary
Frontage is permitted on frontages longer
than 150 feet.
f. When side yard parking is utilized as
permitted by the Frontage Type, one
driveway is permitted off the Primary
Frontage.
2. Shared Driveways. Shared driveways are
encouraged.
Figure 10.3-3 Driveway Location
Rear
Setback
Line
Primary
Build-to
Zone
Secondary
Build-to Zone
Side
Setback
Line
Semi-Pervious
Coverage
Impervious Coverage
(dashed outline)
Figure 10.3-4 Measurement of Impervious and Additional Semi-
Pervious Coverage
PRIMARY STREETSECONDARY STREET3. Inter-Lot Drives. When two or more parking
lots are located adjacently in the rear and
each lot contains the same Frontage Type, the
parking lots shall be connected with a drive
perpendicularly crossing the minimum setback.
4. Pedestrian facilities. Designated pedestrian
routes, including sidewalks and crossings, shall
be supplied connecting each parking space to
either the front sidewalk (and front entrance) or
a rear public entrance.
a. Crossings shall include pavers or colored
concrete pavement across driveways.
b. Driveways shall not be utilized as
designated pedestrian routes.
5. Driveway Width. Driveways shall be no greater
than 22 feet in width at the right-of-way line.
Refer to 10.5.2 VEhicular Access & Parking
Design.
F. Maximum Impervious and Semi-Pervious
Coverage. Refer to 10.2.4 Definitions for
Impervious and Semi-Pervious Coverage.
1. All Lots. All lots shall meet the following with
the exception of lots designated with the
Rowhouse/Yard Frontage Type.
a. Maximum Impervious Coverage. The
maximum imperviousness of any lot shall
be 75 percent.
b. Additional Semi-Pervious Coverage. An
additional area of semi-pervious coverage,
DRAFT
Primary Frontage Type Designation
Secondary Frontage Type Designation
Primary frontage with permitted Limited Parking Yard-Side
Primary frontage with no other access point
Preferred driveway location
Driveway Permitted
16 City of St. Louis Park May 27, 2015
Frontage Types
General Frontage Type Requirements
30 feet deep
Occupied Space
above the maximum permitted impervious
coverage, is permitted up to 85 percent.
2. Rowhouse/Yard Frontage Type. The Rowhouse/
Yard Frontage Type shall have a maximum
imperviousness of 65 percent with an additional
area of semi-perviousness up to 75 percent.
G. Location of Uses on Site. Permitted Uses are
defined per Frontage Type (refer to 10.3.4 through
10.3.10 for each Frontage Type).
1. Occupied Space. The first 30 feet behind the
facade on each frontage into the building shall
contain active permitted uses, not including
parking, storage areas, and utility closets/
rooms. Refer to Figure 10.3-5 Location of Uses
on Site.
2. Any Use Permitted. Beyond the first 30 feet
of the building, any use permitted on the lot
(according to designated Frontage Types) is
permitted within the building on any floor,
including accessory parking. Refer to Figure
10.3-5 Location of Uses on Site.
3. Parking within the Building. Parking is
permitted fully in any basement and in the rear
of any building, located behind the required
occupied space (refer to 10.3.2.G.1, above).
Entrance to the parking within the building is
permitted off the rear or side facades only,
unless otherwise noted per the Frontage Type.PRIMARY STREETParking permitted within the building fully in basement
Parking permitted behind occupied space required along all street frontages
DRAFT
30 feet
30 feet
Any use permitted by any Frontage Type on the lot is permitted on any floor in the rear of the lot, including accessory parking
Uses permitted per Frontage Type
Figure 10.3-5 Location of Uses on Site
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Frontage Types
General Design Requirements
Article IV: Zoning Districts Division 12: Form-Based District 17
10.3.3 GENERAL DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
The following requirements supersede the
requirements in Article V, Section 36-366 Architectural
Design and apply to all Principal and Accessory
Buildings.
A. Dominant Facade Materials. A minimum of 60
80% percent of each facade shall be constructed of
dominant facade materials.
1. Permitted Materials. Dominant facade
materials shall be high quality, durable,
finish materials. The following are acceptable
dominant facade materials. Refer to Figure 10.3-
6 Example of Permitted Dominant Materials.
a. Stone
b. Brick
c. Glass
d. Cement-based stucco
e. Wood lap siding and shingles
f. Architectural metal panels
2. Other Materials with Approval. Other high
quality synthetic materials may be approved
during the site plan process with an approved
sample and examples of successful, high quality
local installations.
3. Prohibited Dominant Materials. The following
materials are not permitted for use as dominant
facade materials:
a. Exposed concrete
b. Synthetic stucco
c. Unfinished wood
d. Concrete masonry units (CMU)
e. Glass block
f. Vinyl siding
Primary Materials: Brick
Figure 10.3-6 Example of Permitted Dominant Materials
4. Limited Use Dominant Facade Materials.
The following materials are permitted only on
specific Frontage Types.
a. Brick types larger than 3 inches in height,
such as economy bricks, are permitted only
on the Warehouse/Workshop Frontage.
b. Fiber cement lap siding or shingles (such
as HardiePlank or HardieShingle or
similar) are permitted on the General Row
Frontage and the Yardhouse Frontage.
B. Facade Accent Materials. Facade Accent
materials are limited to trim, details, and other
accent areas that combine to less than 20 percent
of the total facade surface.
1. Dominant Facade Materials. All permitted
dominant facade materials may serve as facade
accent materials.
2. Permitted Facade Accent Materials. Additional
facade accent materials include the following:
a. Fiber cement and wood trim pieces
b. Metal for beams, lintels, trim, and
ornamentation
c. Burnished, glazed, or honed concrete
masonry units (CMU) or block for trim and
details, but not surfaces
d. Split-face, honed, or glazed concrete
masonry units with a height less than 4.5
inches for surfaces less than 10 percent of
the facade surface
e. Cast stone concrete elements
f. Vinyl for trim and details
3. Limited Use Facade Accent Materials. The
following materials are permitted as facade
accent materials on upper floor facades only:
a. Synthetic stucco or exterior insulation and
finishing systems (EIFS), such as Dryvit
b. Fiber cement lap siding or shingles (such as
HardiePlank or HardieShingle or similar)
4. Limited Use Facade Accent Materials by
Frontage Type. Burnished, glazed, or honed
concrete masonry units (CMU) or block are
permitted as facade accent materials in the
Workshop/Warehouse Frontage Type for trim
and details, and surfaces up to 40 percent of
the facade. Split-face, honed, or glazed concrete
masonry units with a height less than 4.5 inches
are permitted as secondary materials in the
General Frontage Type and the General Row
Frontage Type for surfaces less than 10 percent
of the facade surface. Scored concrete panels
or block are not permitted.
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18 City of St. Louis Park May 27, 2015
Frontage Types
General Design Requirements
C. Appropriate Grade of Materials. Commercial
quality doors, windows, and hardware shall be
used on all building types with the exception of the
General Row and Yardhouse Frontage Type.
D. Color. Dominant building colors shall utilize
any historic palettes from any major paint
manufacturer. Other colors may be utilized for
details and accents, not to exceed a total area
larger than 10 percent of the facade surface area.
E. Windows. Percent of transparency is required per
Frontage Type.
1. Recessed. All upper story windows on all
buildings shall be recessed.
2. Clear Glass. Tinted or reflective glass, and glass
block are prohibited on street facades.
F. Awnings. Refer to Figure 10.3-7 Examples of
Permitted Awnings
1. Material. All awnings shall be canvas or metal.
Plastic awnings are prohibited.
2. Supports. Frames shall be metal and shall be
wall mounted. Support poles are not permitted
unless approved during the site plan review
process for outdoor eating areas.
3. Clearance. All portions of any awning shall
provide at least 8 feet of clearance over any
walkway and shall not extend over any drive.
4. Multiple Awnings on the Facade. When more
than one awning is mounted on a facade, the
awning types and colors shall be coordinated.
G. Shutters. If installed, shutters on any street facing
facade, whether functional or not, shall meet the
following requirements:
1. Scale. All shutters shall be sized for the
windows, so that if the shutters were to
be closed, they would not be too small for
complete coverage of the window. Refer to
Figure 10.3-8 Appropriate versus Inappropriate
Shutter Scale
2. Materials. Shutters shall be wood, metal, or
fiber cement. Vinyl shutters are also permitted
in a color consistent with the trim of the
building. Other “engineered” woods may be
approved during the site plan process with an
approved sample and examples of successful,
high quality local installations. Figure 10.3-8 Appropriate versus Inappropriate Shutter Scale
NOT PERMITTED
Appropriately Scaled Shutters.
Inappropriately Scaled Shutters.
Permitted Awnings: Metal
Permitted Awnings: Canvas
Figure 10.3-7 Examples of Permitted Awnings
DRAFT
Frontage Types
General Design Requirements
Article IV: Zoning Districts Division 12: Form-Based District 19
H. Principal Entryway. Principal entrances to
buildings or units shall be clearly delineated
through one or more of the following:
1. Cap or Canopy. The entryway shall be covered
by a cap or canopy differentiating it from the
overall building cap.
2. Sidelights and Transom. Sidelights and
transom windows shall be included around the
entryway.
3. Extended Articulation. The entryway shall
be included in a separate bay of the building
extended up at least two stories. The entryway
bay shall be treated with a different dominant
material than the adjacent facades.
4. Other Design Options. Approval of other design
options that add emphasis and draw attention
to the entryway may be approved during site
plan review.
I. Balconies. The use of balconies on street facades
is encouraged.
1. Applicability. These provisions apply to
locations where balconies are incorporated into
the facade design facing any street.
2. Size. Balconies shall be a minimum of 6 feet
deep and 5 feet wide.
3. Balcony Structure. Balconies shall be integral to
the facade. Balconies on stepped-back stories
may be independently secured, extending
from the facade. Balcony structure shall not
include more than one balcony. Refer to Figure
10.3-9 Examples of Permitted and Prohibited
Balconies.
4. Facade Coverage. A maximum of 40 percent
of the primary and secondary facades, as
calculated separately, may be covered with
balconies, including street-facing railing and
balcony structure.
J. Shading. All developments shall consider the
effect of sun angles and shade patterns on
adjacent existing single family houses.
1. Shadow Casts. All new buildings and additions
shall be located so that the structure does
not cast a shadow that covers more than 50
percent of another building wall for a period
greater than 2 hours between 9:00 a.m. and
3:00 p.m. for more than 60 days of the year.
Balconies: Not Permitted.Balconies Appropriately Attached to or Incorporated into Facade.
Figure 10.3-9 Examples of Permitted and Prohibited Balconies.
NOT PERMITTED
DRAFT
20 City of St. Louis Park May 27, 2015
Frontage Types
General Design Requirements
K. Security Grills. Interior and exterior bars, grills,
mesh or similar obstructions, whether permanently
or temporarily affixed, shall not cover any exterior
door or more than ten percent of any individual
window or contiguous window area.
L. Rooftop Equipment. The visual impact of rooftop
equipment shall be minimized using one of the
following methods. Where rooftop equipment is
located on buildings and is visible within 400 feet
from property in an R district, only the items listed
in subsections 1 and 2, below, shall be used.
1. A parapet wall.
2. A fence the height of which extends at least one
foot above the top of the rooftop equipment
and incorporates the architectural features of
the building.
3. The rooftop equipment shall be painted to
match the roof or the sky, whichever is most
effective.
DRAFT
Frontage Types
Shop Frontage
Article IV: Zoning Districts Division 12: Form-Based District 21
10.3.4 SHOP FRONTAGE
The following outlines the requirements for the Shop Frontage Type.
A. Intent. The Shop Frontage is a mixed use building frontage built up to a wide sidewalk. The ground story
is treated to welcome pedestrians in from the sidewalk with large amounts of storefront glass and multiple
entrances.
B. Applicability. The following defines the requirements specific to this Frontage Type, as designated on the
Regulating Maps (refer to 10.1.3 Regulating Maps).
C. General Requirements for all Frontage Types. Refer to 10.3.2 General Frontage Type Requirements, 10.3.3
General Design Requirements, and 10.3.11 Explanation of Specific Frontage Type Form Requirements.
DRAFT
Figure 10.3-10 Shop Frontage Conceptual Illustration
22 City of St. Louis Park May 27, 2015
Frontage Types
Shop Frontage
D. Shop Frontage Form Requirements. The following defines the form requirements specific to this Frontage
Type. Refer to 10.3.2 and 10.3.3 for requirements applicable to all Frontage Types.
1. Building Siting. Refer to Figure 10.3-11 Shop Frontage: Building Siting, as well as 10.3.11.A through 10.3.11.E
for explanation of building siting requirements.
1.1 BELTLINE 1.2 WOODDALE 1.3
MINNETONKA 1.4 LAKE 1.5 OXFORD
A MiNiMuM PriMArY LOT LiNe
COVerAge
80%
(refer to note a)
90%
(refer to note a)50%80%
(refer to note a)
65%
(refer to note a)
B PriMArY BuiLD-TO ZONe 5’ to 15’5’ to 10’7.5’ to 15’10’ to 15’5’ to 10’
C SeCONDArY BuiLD-TO ZONe
if applicable 10’ to 20’5’ to 10’5’ to 25’5’ to 15’5’ to 10’
D MiNiMuM SiDe BuiLDiNg
SeTBACK
0 abutting Shopfront Frontage; 5’ abutting General, Workshop/Warehouse, & Civic
Frontages; 10’ abutting single-family uses; 15’ for accessory parking structures
E MiNiMuM reAr BuiLDiNg
SeTBACK
5’ except 15’ abutting all-residential Frontage Types and single-family uses; and 15’ for
accessory parking structures
F PArKiNg & LOADiNg LOCATiON Rear parking yards & limited side parking yard for surface lots; Rear parking yard for
accessory structured parking. Rear parking yard for all loading.
2. Height. Refer to Figure 10.3-12 Shop Frontage: Height Requirements, as well as 10.3.11.F through 10.3.11.G
for explanation of height requirements.
G
MiNiMuM HeigHT 3 stories 2 stories 2 stories 1 stories 3 stories
MAXiMuM HeigHT 8 stories
(refer to note b.)
6 stories
(refer to note b.)4 stories 3 stories 8 stories
(refer to note b.)
H PriMArY grOuND STOrY
HeigHT (measured floor-to-floor)
15’ to 24’
(refer to note av.)
15’ to 24’
(refer to note av.)12’ to 16’14’ to 18’15’ to 30’
(refer to note av.)
I ALL OTHer STOrieS HeigHT
(measured floor-to-floor)10’ to 15’ 10’ to 15’ ’10’ to 15’ 10’ to 15’ 10’ to 15’
3. Facade & Cap Articulation. Refer to Figure 10.3-13 Shop Frontage: Facade & Cap Requirements, 10.3.11.H
through 10.3.11.O for explanation of facade requirements, and 10.3.3 for general design requirements.
J MiNiMuM PriMArY FACADe
grOuND STOrY TrANSPAreNCY
(measured between 2’ and 8’ above grade)
70% 65% 65% 65% 70%
K MiNiMuM reQuireD
TrANSPAreNCY Per STOrY 20% on street facades; 12% on rear and side facades
L eNTrANCe LOCATiON & NuMBer Principal entrance required on primary facade; entrances required a minimum of one
every 70’ of building facade
M eNTrANCe reQuireMeNTS Recessed between 3’ and 8’ from the portion of the front facade closest to the street
N eNTrANCe eLeVATiON 80% of entrances shall be within 1.5’ of adjacent sidewalk elevation
O HOriZONTAL STreeT FACADe
DiViSiONS
Required within 3’ of the top of the ground story, the bottom of any 5th story, and
below the cap
P grOuND STOrY VerTiCAL
STreeT FACADe DiViSiONS Division required at a minimum of every 32’ of facade width
Q STreeT FACADe VArieTY
reQuireD Required per each 70’ of building frontage
R PerMiTTeD CAP TYPeS Parapet, Flat, Barrel; Tower Parapet, Flat;
Tower
Parapet,
Pitched; Tower
Parapet, Flat;
Tower
4. Notes.
a. Courtyard. A courtyard up to 35% of the width of the front facade is permitted and may contribute to the
minimum primary lot line coverage. Refer to 10.2.4 Definitions for definition of courtyard.
b. Step-backed Stories. All stories above the 5th shall be stepped back from the front facade a minimum of
10 feet and a maximum of 30 feet.
c. Tall Stories. 18’ or more in floor-to-floor ground story height counts as 2 stories towards maximum
building height.
DRAFT
Frontage Types
Shop Frontage
Article IV: Zoning Districts Division 12: Form-Based District 23 DRAFT
Figure 10.3-11 Shop Frontage: Building Siting
C
B
DF
F
PRIMARY STREETSECONDARY STREETPrincipal
Building
Courtyard
(refer to 10.3.4.D.4 Notes.)
A
Figure 10.3-12 Shop Frontage: Height Requirements Figure 10.3-13 Shop Frontage: Facade & Cap
Requirements
R
O
L
N
Occupied Space required per
10.3.2.7.a
G
H
I
I
I
I
I
I
J
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
J
Primary Street Frontage Line
Rear Lot Line
Secondary Street Frontage LineSide Lot LineE
P
Parking within Building
permitted per 10.3.2.7.c
Parking within Building
permitted per 10.3.2.7.c
24 City of St. Louis Park May 27, 2015
Frontage Types
Shop Frontage
E. Shop Frontage Use Requirements. The following defines the permitted uses specific to this Frontage Type.
Refer to 10.4 Uses for definitions and conditions of uses.
1.1 BELTLINE 1.2 WOODDALE 1.3
MINNETONKA 1.4 LAKE 1.5 OXFORD Section
Reference
RESIDENTIAL & LODGING USES 10.4.2
Single- & Two-Family residences Category PL PL PL PL
Multifamily residential Category PL PL PL PL
Live-Work unit PC PC PC P
roominghouse PL PL PL PL PL
residential Care Category PL PL PL PL PL
Hotel/inn Category PL P PC P P
CIVIC & INSTITUTIONAL USES 10.4.3
Assembly Category P P P P
Police/Fire Station PC PC PC PC PC
Museum/Library Category P P P P P
education/Academic PL P P
Hospital CUP CUP CUP
Park Category note: parks only permitted with park frontage
COMMERCIAL USES 10.4.4
retail Category, less than 8,000 square feet P P P P P
retail Category, 8,000 square feet or larger P P P
Brewery PC PC PC PC PC
Liquor Store CUP CUP CUP
retail, Large item P
grocery Store PC PC PC PC PC
Service Category, less than 8,000 square feet P P P P P
Service Category, 8,000 square feet or larger P P P
Office Category PL PL P P P
Motor Vehicles Service and repair
Private entertainment (indoor)CUP CUP CUP CUP
INDUSTRIAL USES 10.4.5
research/Testing Laboratory Category PL PL PL PL
Cottage industry/Studio Category PC PC PC PC PC
Low-impact Manufacturing Category PC PC PC
Warehouse/Storage
TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE USES 10.4.6
Principal Parking Category CUP CUP CUP
Public or Private utility/Service Category CUP CUP CUP CUP CUP
ACCESSORY STRUCTURES & USES 10.4.7
in-Vehicle Sales or Service CUP CUP
Accessory Off-Street Parking PC PC PC PC PC
Home Occupation PL PL PL PL
Outdoor Sales PC PC PC PC PC
Outdoor Dining PC PC PC PC PC
Accessory utility Structures Category PC PC PC PC PC
KEY: P = PerMiTTeD PL = PerMiTTeD iN LiMiTeD STOrieS ONLY PC = PerMiTTeD WiTH CONDiTiONS CUP = reQuireS CONDiTiONAL uSe PerMiT
Figure 10.3-14 Shop Frontage Use Table
DRAFT
Frontage Types
General Frontage
Article IV: Zoning Districts Division 12: Form-Based District 25
10.3.5 GENERAL FRONTAGE
The following outlines the requirements for the General Frontage Type.
A. Intent. The General Frontage typically houses civic and commercial uses in a building that is close to the front
and corner property lines, allowing easy access to passing pedestrians and transit riders.
B. Applicability. The following defines the requirements specific to this Frontage Type, as designated on the
Regulating Maps (refer to 10.1.3 Regulating Maps).
C. General Requirements for all Frontage Types. Refer to 10.3.2 General Frontage Type Requirements, 10.3.3
General Design Requirements, and 10.3.11 Explanation of Specific Frontage Type Form Requirements.
DRAFT
Figure 10.3-15 General Frontage Conceptual Illustration
26 City of St. Louis Park May 27, 2015
Frontage Types
General Frontage
D. General Frontage Form Requirements. The following defines the requirements specific to this Frontage Type.
Refer to 10.3.2 and 10.3.3 for requirements applicable to all Frontage Types.
1. Building Siting. Refer to Figure 10.3-16 General Frontage: Building Siting and 10.3.11.A through 10.3.11.E for
explanation of building siting requirements.
2.1 BELTLINE 2.2 WOODDALE
2.3 NEIGHBORHOOD OFFICE
2.4 LOUISIANA
A MiNiMuM PriMArY LOT LiNe
COVerAge
65%
(refer to note a)
80%
(refer to note a)50%65%
(refer to note a)
B PriMArY BuiLD-TO ZONe 10’ to 20’10’ to 20’10’ to 25’5’ to 10’
C SeCONDArY BuiLD-TO ZONe if
applicable 10’ to 20’5’ to 10’5’ to 25’5’ to 10’
D MiNiMuM SiDe BuiLDiNg
SeTBACK
5’ abutting all Frontage Types except 10’ abutting Yardhouse & single-family; 15’ for
accessory parking structures
E MiNiMuM reAr BuiLDiNg
SeTBACK
5’ except 15’ abutting all-residential Frontage Types and single-family uses; and 15’ for
accessory parking structures
F PArKiNg & LOADiNg LOCATiON Rear parking yards & limited side parking yard for surface lots; Rear parking yard for
accessory structured parking. Rear parking yard for all loading.
2. Height. Refer to Figure 10.3-17 General Frontage: Height Requirements and 10.3.11.F through 10.3.11.G for
explanation of height requirements.
G
MiNiMuM HeigHT 2 stories 2 stories 1 stories 2 stories
MAXiMuM HeigHT 8 stories
(refer to note b.)
8 stories
(refer to note b.)3.5 stories 8.5 stories
(refer to note b.)
H PriMArY grOuND STOrY
HeigHT (measured floor-to-floor)
10’ to 24’
(refer to note c.)10’ to 18’10’ to 15’12’ to 30’
(refer to note c.)
I ALL OTHer STOrieS HeigHT
(measured floor-to-floor)10’ to 15’ 10’ to 15’ 10’ to 15’ 10’ to 15’
3. Facade & Cap Articulation. Refer to Figure 10.3-18 General Frontage: Facade & Cap Requirements, 10.3.11.H
through 10.3.11.O for explanation of facade requirements, and 10.3.3 for general design requirements.
K MiNiMuM reQuireD
TrANSPAreNCY Per STOrY 20% on street facades; 15% on visible side & rear facades
L eNTrANCe LOCATiON & NuMBer Principal entrance required on primary facade, minimum 1 per 100’ of building facade.
M eNTrANCe reQuireMeNTS Entrance shall be off a stoop, minimum 6’ wide and 3’ deep
N eNTrANCe eLeVATiON Each street entrance shall be within 30” of adjacent street sidewalk average grade
OR between 30” and 5’ permitted with visible basement (transparency required)
O HOriZONTAL STreeT
FACADe DiViSiONS
Required within 3’ of the top of the ground story, the bottom of any 5th story, and
below the cap
P grOuND STOrY VerTiCAL
STreeT FACADe DiViSiONS Required at a minimum of every 100’’ of facade width
Q STreeT FACADe VArieTY
reQuireD Not required Not required
Required per each
60’ of building
frontage
Required per each
100’ of building
frontage
R PerMiTTeD CAP TYPeS Parapet, Flat, Barrel; Tower Parapet, Flat,
Pitched
Parapet, Flat, Barrel;
Tower
4. Notes:
a. Courtyard. A courtyard up to 35% of the width of the front facade is permitted and may contribute to
the minimum primary lot line coverage. Refer to 10.2.4 Definitions for definition of courtyard.
b. Step-backed Stories. All stories above the 5th shall be stepped back from the front facade a minimum of
10 feet and a maximum of 30 feet.
c. Tall Stories. 18’ or more in floor-to-floor ground story height counts as 2 stories towards maximum
building height.
DRAFT
Frontage Types
General Frontage
Article IV: Zoning Districts Division 12: Form-Based District 27
Figure 10.3-17 General Frontage – Height Requirements Figure 10.3-18 General Frontage: Facade & Cap
Requirements
Figure 10.3-16 General Frontage: Building Siting
DRAFT
C
B
D
E
F
F
PRIMARY STREETSECONDARY STREETPrincipal
Building
Courtyard
(refer to 10.3.5.D.4 Notes.)
A
L P
K
KK
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
N
Occupied Space required per
10.3.2.7 Occupied Space
G
H
I
I
I
I
I
I
O
Rear Lot Line
Side Lot LinePrimary Street Frontage LineSecondary Street Frontage LineParking within Building
permitted per 10.3.2.7.c
Parking within Building
permitted per 10.3.2.7.c
Q
28 City of St. Louis Park May 27, 2015
Frontage Types
General Frontage
2.1 BELTLINE 2.2 WOODDALE
2.3 NEIGHBORHOOD OFFICE
2.4 LOUISIANA Section
Reference
RESIDENTIAL & LODGING USES 10.4.2
Single- & Two-Family residences Category PL
Multifamily residential Category PL
Live-Work unit PC P
roominghouse PL
residential Care Category PL
Hotel/inn Category P
CIVIC & INSTITUTIONAL USES 10.4.3
Assembly Category P P
Police/Fire Station PC PC PC PC
Museum/Library Category P P P P
education/Academic P P P
Hospital CUP CUP CUP
Park Category note: parks only permitted with park frontage
COMMERCIAL USES 10.4.4
retail Category, less than 8,000 sf PC PC PC PC
retail Category, 8,000 sf or more
Brewery PC PC
Liquor Store
retail, Large item
grocery Store
Service Category, less than 8,000 square feet PC PC PC
Service Category, 8,000 square feet or larger PC
Office Category P P P P
Motor Vehicles Service and repair
Private entertainment (indoor)P CUP P
INDUSTRIAL USES 10.4.5
research/Testing Laboratory Category P P P P
Cottage industry/Studio Category PC PC PC
Low-impact Manufacturing Category PC
Warehouse/Storage P
TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE USES 10.4.6
Principal Parking Category CUP CUP
Public or Private utility/Service Category CUP CUP CUP
ACCESSORY STRUCTURES & USES 10.4.7
in-Vehicle Sales or Service
Accessory Off-Street Parking PC PC PC PC
Home Occupation
Outdoor Sales
Outdoor Dining PC PC PC PC
Accessory utility Structures Category PC PC PC PC
KEY: P = PerMiTTeD PL = PerMiTTeD iN LiMiTeD STOrieS ONLY PC = PerMiTTeD WiTH CONDiTiONS CUP = reQuireS CONDiTiONAL uSe PerMiT
Figure 10.3-19 General Frontage Use Table
F. General Frontage Use Requirements. The following defines the permitted uses specific to this Frontage
Type. Refer to 10.4 Uses for definitions and conditions of uses.
DRAFT
Frontage Types
General Row Frontage
Article IV: Zoning Districts Division 12: Form-Based District 29
10.3.6 GENERAL ROW FRONTAGE
The following outlines the requirements for the General Row Frontage Type.
A. Intent. The General Row Frontage is a residential building form with multiple units that may share an entrance
or be configured to each have their own entrance. The building is set back slightly from the sidewalk and
entrances are typically raised on a porch or stoop, providing privacy to residents.
B. Applicability. The following defines the requirements specific to this Frontage Type, as designated on the
Regulating Maps (refer to 10.1.3 Regulating Maps).
C. General Requirements for all Frontage Types. Refer to 10.3.2 General Frontage Type Requirements, 10.3.3
General Design Requirements, and 10.3.11 Explanation of Specific Frontage Type Form Requirements.
DRAFT
Figure 10.3-20 General Row Frontage Conceptual Illustration
30 City of St. Louis Park May 27, 2015
Frontage Types
General Row Frontage
D. General Row Frontage Form Requirements. The following defines the requirements specific to this Frontage
Type. Refer to 10.3.2 and 10.3.3 for requirements applicable to all Frontage Types.
1. Building Siting. Refer to Figure 10.3-21 General Row Frontage: Building Siting, as well as 10.3.11.A through
10.3.11.E for explanation of building siting requirements.
3.1 BELTLINE 3.2 MINNETONKA 3.3 WOODDALE
A MiNiMuM PriMArY LOT LiNe
COVerAge
80%
(refer to note a)
65%
(refer to note a)
80%
(refer to note a)
B PriMArY BuiLD-TO ZONe 15’ to 25’20’ to 30’15’ to 20’
C SeCONDArY BuiLD-TO ZONe if
applicable 10’ to 25’10’ to 20’10’ to 25’
D MiNiMuM SiDe BuiLDiNg
SeTBACK
10’ abutting all Frontage Types and single-family uses; 15’ for accessory parking
structures
E MiNiMuM reAr BuiLDiNg
SeTBACK
5’ except 15’ abutting all-residential Frontage Types and single-family uses; and 15’ for
accessory parking structures
F PArKiNg & LOADiNg LOCATiON Rear parking yard only. Refer to 36-339.
2. Height. Refer to Figure 10.3-22 General Row Frontage: Height Requirements, as well as 10.3.11.F through
10.3.11.G for explanation of height requirements.
G
MiNiMuM HeigHT 3 stories 2 stories 2 stories
MAXiMuM HeigHT 8.5 stories
(refer to note b)
4 stories
(refer to note c)
5 stories
(refer to note c)
H ALL STOrieS HeigHT
(measured floor-to-floor)10’ to 15’ 10’ to 15’ ’10’ to 15’
3. Facade & Cap Articulation. Refer to Figure 10.3-23 General Row Frontage: Facade & Cap Requirements,
10.3.11.H through 10.3.11.O for explanation of facade requirements, and 10.3.3 for general design
requirements.
I MiNiMuM reQuireD
TrANSPAreNCY Per STOrY 20% on street facades; 15% on visible side & rear facades
J eNTrANCe LOCATiON & NuMBer Principal entrance required on primary facade, minimum 1 per 50’ of building facade.
K eNTrANCe reQuireMeNTS Entrance shall be off a stoop minimum 6’ wide & 3’ deep; or a porch minimum 8’ wide
& 5’ deep (refer to 10.2.4 for definitions of stoop & porch)
L eNTrANCe eLeVATiON Each street entrance shall be within 30” of adjacent street sidewalk average grade
OR between 30” and 5’ permitted with visible basement (transparency required)
M HOriZONTAL STreeT
FACADe DiViSiONS
Required within 3’ of the top of the ground story, the bottom of any 5th story, and
below the cap
N grOuND STOrY VerTiCAL
STreeT FACADe DiViSiONS Required at a minimum of every 60’ of facade width
O STreeT FACADe VArieTY
reQuireD
Required per each 90’ of
building frontage
Required per each 60’ of
building frontage
Required per each 90’ of
building frontage
P PerMiTTeD CAP TYPeS Parapet, Flat, Pitched; Tower Parapet, Flat, Pitched Parapet, Flat, Pitched
4. Notes:
a. Courtyard. A courtyard up to 35% of the width of the front facade is permitted and may contribute to
the minimum primary lot line coverage. Refer to 10.2.4 Definitions for definition of courtyard.
b. Step-backed Stories. All stories above the 4th shall be stepped back from the front facade a minimum of
10 feet and a maximum of 30 feet.
c. Step-backed Stories. All stories above the 3rd shall be stepped back from the front facade a minimum of
10 feet and a maximum of 30 feet.
DRAFT
Frontage Types
General Row Frontage
Article IV: Zoning Districts Division 12: Form-Based District 31
Figure 10.3-22 General Row: Height Requirements Figure 10.3-23 General Row: Facade & Cap
Requirements
Figure 10.3-21 General Row: Building Siting
DRAFT
C
B
D
E
F
PRIMARY STREETSECONDARY STREETPrincipal
Building
Courtyard
(refer to 10.3.6.D.4 Notes)
Tower
A
P
J
I I I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
Occupied Space required per
10.3.2.G.1
G
H
H
H
L
M
N
Rear Lot Line
Side Lot LinePrimary Street Frontage LineSecondary Street Frontage LineParking within Building
permitted per 10.3.2.G.3
Parking within Building
permitted per 10.3.2.7.c
32 City of St. Louis Park May 27, 2015
Frontage Types
General Row Frontage
3.1 BELTLINE 3.2 MINNETONKA 3.3 WOODDALE Section
Reference
RESIDENTIAL & LODGING USES 10.4.2
Single- & Two-Family residences Category P P P
Multifamily residential Category P P P
Live-Work unit P P P
roominghouse P P
residential Care Category P P
Hotel/inn Category P P
CIVIC & INSTITUTIONAL USES 10.4.3
Assembly Category P P P
Police/Fire Station PC PC PC
Museum/Library Category P
education/Academic P
Hospital
Park Category note: parks only permitted with park frontage
COMMERCIAL USES 10.4.4
retail Category, less than 8,000 square feet PC PC PC
retail Category, 8,000 square feet or larger
Brewery
Liquor Store
retail, Large item
grocery Store
Service Category, less than 8,000 square feet PC PC PC
Service Category, 8,000 square feet or larger
Office Category P P P
Motor Vehicles Service and repair
Private entertainment (indoor)CUP CUP CUP
INDUSTRIAL USES 10.4.5
research/Testing Laboratory Category
Cottage industry/Studio Category PC
Low-impact Manufacturing Category
Warehouse/Storage
TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE USES 10.4.6
Principal Parking Category CUP CUP
Public or Private utility/Service Category CUP CUP CUP
ACCESSORY STRUCTURES & USES 10.4.7
in-Vehicle Sales or Service
Accessory Off-Street Parking PC PC PC
Home Occupation P P P
Outdoor Sales
Outdoor Dining
Accessory utility Structures Category PC PC PC
KEY: P = PerMiTTeD PL = PerMiTTeD iN LiMiTeD STOrieS ONLY PC = PerMiTTeD WiTH CONDiTiONS CUP = reQuireS CONDiTiONAL uSe PerMiT
Figure 10.3-24 General Row Frontage Use Table
E. General Row Frontage Use Requirements. The following defines the permitted uses specific to this Frontage
Type. Refer to 10.4 Uses for definitions and conditions of uses.
DRAFT
Frontage Types
Yardhouse Frontage
Article IV: Zoning Districts Division 12: Form-Based District 33
10.3.7 YARDHOUSE FRONTAGE
The following outlines the requirements for the Yardhouse Frontage Type.
A. Intent. The Yardhouse Frontage is a residential building form with one or more attached or detached units that
each have their own entrance. The building is set back slightly from the sidewalk and entrances are typically
raised on a porch or stoop, providing privacy to residents.
B. Applicability. The following defines the requirements specific to this Frontage Type, as designated on the
Regulating Maps (refer to 10.1.3 Regulating Maps).
C. General Requirements for all Frontage Types. Refer to 10.3.2 General Frontage Type Requirements, 10.3.3
General Design Requirements, and 10.3.11 Explanation of Specific Frontage Type Form Requirements.
DRAFT
Figure 10.3-25 Yardhouse Frontage Conceptual Illustration
34 City of St. Louis Park May 27, 2015
Frontage Types
Yardhouse Frontage
D. Yardhouse Frontage Form Requirements. The following defines the requirements specific to this Frontage
Type. Refer to 10.3.2 and 10.3.3 for requirements applicable to all Frontage Types.
1. Building Siting. Refer to Figure 10.3-26 Yardhouse Frontage: Building Siting, as well as 10.3.11.A
through 10.3.11.E for explanation of building siting requirements.
4.1 MINNETONKA 4.2 WOODDALE
A MiNiMuM PriMArY LOT LiNe
COVerAge 50% (refer to note a)50% (refer to note a)
B PriMArY BuiLD-TO ZONe 20’ to 30’25’ to 35’
C SeCONDArY BuiLD-TO ZONe if
applicable 10’ to 20’10’ to 20’
D MiNiMuM SiDe BuiLDiNg SeTBACK 15’ abutting all Frontage Types and single-family uses; 15’ for accessory
parking structures
E MiNiMuM reAr BuiLDiNg SeTBACK 5’ except 15’ abutting all-residential Frontage Types and single-family uses;
and 15’ for accessory parking structures
F PArKiNg, TrASH, & uTiLiTY LOCATiON Rear parking yard only; garage doors on rear facade only (refer to ii.)
2. Height. Refer to Figure 10.3-27 Yardhouse Frontage: Height Requirements, as well as 10.3.11.F through
10.3.11.G for explanation of height requirements.
G
MiNiMuM HeigHT 2 stories 2 stories
MAXiMuM HeigHT 3.5 stories 4 stories
H ALL STOrieS HeigHT (measured floor-to-floor)9’ to 14’ 9’ to 14’
3. Facade & Cap Articulation. Refer to Figure 10.3-28 Yardhouse Frontage: Facade & Cap Requirements,
10.3.11.H through 10.3.11.O for explanation of facade requirements, and 10.3.3 for general design
requirements.
J MiNiMuM reQuireD TrANSPAreNCY
Per STOrY 20% on street facades; 15% on visible side & rear facades
K eNTrANCe LOCATiON & NuMBer Principal entrance required on primary facade, minimum 1 per 50’ of
building facade.
L eNTrANCe reQuireMeNTS
Entrance shall be off a stoop minimum 6’ wide & 3’ deep; or a porch
minimum 8’ wide & 5’ deep (refer to 10.2.4 for definitions of stoop &
porch)
K FrONT grOuND STOrY eLeVATiON
Each street entrance shall be within 30” of adjacent street sidewalk
average grade
OR between 30” and 5’ permitted with visible basement (transparency
required)
N HOriZONTAL STreeT
FACADe DiViSiONS
Required within 3’ of the top of the ground story, the bottom of any 5th
story, and below the cap
O grOuND STOrY VerTiCAL STreeT
FACADe DiViSiONS Required at a minimum of every 60’ of facade width
P STreeT FACADe VArieTY reQuireD Required per each 90’ of building
frontage
Required per each 60’ of building
frontage
Q PerMiTTeD CAP TYPeS Parapet, Flat, Pitched; Tower Parapet, Flat, Pitched
4. Notes:
a. Courtyard. For every 3 units located in the Primary or Secondary Build-to Zone, one unit may front
a courtyard. Refer to 10.2.4 Definitions for definition of courtyard.
b. Garages. Attached garages are considered part of the principal structure. Detached garages shall
meet all setbacks unless an alley is present. Refer to 10.4.G.2 for specifics on accessory structures.
DRAFT
Frontage Types
Yardhouse Frontage
Article IV: Zoning Districts Division 12: Form-Based District 35
General Residential
Edge
DRAFT
Figure 10.3-27 Yardhouse: Height Requirements Figure 10.3-28 Yardhouse: Facade & Cap Requirements
Figure 10.3-26 Yardhouse: Building Siting
C
B
C
B
B
B
F
PRIMARY STREETSECONDARY STREETA
D
E
J J J J J J
J J J J J JJJJJJ J
J J J J J J
Occupied
Space
required per
10.3.2.7.a
G
H
H
H
I
N
Q
Rear Lot Line
Side Lot LineC
F
F
F F
F
PRIMARY STREET
PRIMARY STREETSECONDARY STREETSECONDARY STREETD
E
E
Rear Lot Line
Rear Lot Line
Side Lot LineK
Primary Street Frontage Line
Primary Street Frontage Line
Courtyard
(refer to
10.3.7.D.4
Notes)
Courtyard Siting Option.Secondary Street Frontage LineSecondary Street Frontage LineSide Lot LinePrimary Street Frontage LineSecondary Street Frontage LineParking within
Building
permitted per
10.3.2.7.c
Parking within Building
permitted per 10.3.2.7.c
Principal
Building
Principal
Buildingunit
unitunitunitunit
driveway
driveway
drivewaydrivewaydrivewayunit
unit
unit unit
unit
unit
unit unit
unit
unit
unitunitunitunitunitunitunitunitunitunitunitunitunitunitunitunitunitunitunit
36 City of St. Louis Park May 27, 2015
Frontage Types
Yardhouse Frontage
4.1 MINNETONKA 4.2 WOODDALE Section
Reference
RESIDENTIAL & LODGING USES 10.4.3
Single- & Two-Family residences Category P P
Multifamily residential Category P P
Live-Work unit P
roominghouse P
residential Care Category P
Hotel/inn Category PC
CIVIC & INSTITUTIONAL USES 10.4.4
Assembly Category
Police/Fire Station
Museum/Library Category P
education/Academic
Hospital
Park Category note: parks only permitted with park frontage
COMMERCIAL USES 10.4.5
retail Category, less than 8,000 square feet
retail Category, 8,000 square feet or larger
Brewery
Liquor Store
retail, Large item
grocery Store
Service Category, less than 8,000 square feet
Service Category, 8,000 square feet or larger
Office Category
Motor Vehicles Service and repair
Private entertainment (indoor)
INDUSTRIAL USES 10.4.6
research/Testing Laboratory Category
Cottage industry/Studio Category
Low-impact Manufacturing Category
Warehouse/Storage
TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE USES 10.4.7
Principal Parking Category
Public or Private utility/Service Category CUP CUP
ACCESSORY STRUCTURES & USES 10.4.8
in-Vehicle Sales or Service
Accessory Off-Street Parking PC PC
Home Occupation P P
Outdoor Sales
Outdoor Dining
Accessory utility Structures Category PC PC
KEY: P = PerMiTTeD PL = PerMiTTeD iN LiMiTeD STOrieS ONLY PC = PerMiTTeD WiTH CONDiTiONS CUP = reQuireS CONDiTiONAL uSe PerMiT
Figure 10.3-29 Yardhouse Frontage Use Table
E. Yardhouse Frontage Use Requirements. The following defines the permitted uses specific to this Frontage
Type. Refer to 10.4 Uses for definitions and conditions of uses.
DRAFT
Frontage Types
Workshop/Warehouse Frontage
Article IV: Zoning Districts Division 12: Form-Based District 37
10.3.8 WORKSHOP/WAREHOUSE FRONTAGE
The following outlines the requirements for the Workshop/Warehouse Frontage Type.
A. Intent. The Workshop/Warehouse Frontage accommodates a variety of commercial, civic, and industrial uses. It
permits a lower level of ground floor transparency and up to three single vehicle bays with garage door access
on the facade. Workshop/Warehouse Frontages are still intended to be built close to the front and corner
property lines, allowing easy access to passing pedestrians and transit riders.
B. Applicability. The following defines the requirements specific to this Frontage Type, as designated on the
Regulating Maps (refer to 10.1.3.)
C. General Requirements for all Frontage Types. Refer to 10.3.2 General Frontage Type Requirements, 10.3.3
General Design Requirements, and 10.3.11 Explanation of Specific Frontage Type Form Requirements.
DRAFT
Figure 10.3-30 Workshop/Warehouse Frontage Conceptual Illustration
38 City of St. Louis Park May 27, 2015
Frontage Types
Workshop/Warehouse Frontage
D. Workshop/Warehouse Frontage Form Requirements. The following defines the requirements specific to this
Frontage Type. Refer to 10.3.2 and 10.3.3 for requirements applicable to all Frontage Types.
1. Building Siting. Refer to Figure 10.3-31 Workshop/Warehouse Frontage: Building Siting, as well as 10.3.11.A
through 10.3.11.E for explanation of building siting requirements.
5.1 GORHAM 5.2 CAMBRIDGE
A MiNiMuM PriMArY LOT LiNe
COVerAge (refer to note a)
60%
(refer to note a)
60%
(refer to note a)
B PriMArY BuiLD-TO ZONe 10’ to 15’15’ to 25’
C SeCONDArY BuiLD-TO ZONe if
applicable 10’ to 20’10’ to 20’
D MiNiMuM SiDe BuiLDiNg SeTBACK 5’ abutting all Frontage Types except 15’ abutting all-residential Frontage Types
and single-family uses; 15’ for accessory parking structures
E MiNiMuM reAr BuiLDiNg SeTBACK 5’ except 15’ abutting all-residential Frontage Types and single-family usesand 15’
for accessory parking structure
F PArKiNg & LOADiNg LOCATiON Rear parking yards or limited side parking yard; see note b for permitted street
facade loading
2. Height. Refer to Figure 10.3-32 Workshop/Warehouse Frontage: Height Requirements, as well as 10.3.11.F
through 10.3.11.G for explanation of height requirements.
G
MiNiMuM HeigHT 1 stories 1 stories
MAXiMuM HeigHT 3 stories 3 stories
H PriMArY grOuND STOrY HeigHT
(measured floor-to-floor)12’ to 18’15’ to 24’ (refer to note c)
I ALL OTHer STOrieS HeigHT
(measured floor-to-floor)10’ to 15’10’ to 15’
3. Facade & Cap Articulation. Refer to Figure 10.3-33 Workshop/Warehouse Frontage: Facade & Cap
Requirements, 10.3.11.H through 10.3.11.O for explanation of facade requirements, and 10.3.3 for general
design requirements.
K MiNiMuM reQuireD TrANSPAreNCY
Per STOrY 20% on primary street facade, 15% on secondary street facade
L eNTrANCe LOCATiON & NuMBer Principal entrance required on street or side facade
M eNTrANCe reQuireMeNTS Entrance shall be off a stoop, minimum 4’ deep & 8’ wide
N eNTrANCe eLeVATiON Each street entrance shall be within 30” of adjacent street sidewalk average grade
OR between 30” and 5’ permitted with visible basement (transparency required)
O HOriZONTAL STreeT
FACADe DiViSiONS
Required within 3’ of the top of the ground story, the bottom of any 5th story, and
below the cap
P grOuND STOrY VerTiCAL STreeT
FACADe DiViSiONS Required at a minimum of every 32’ of facade width
Q STreeT FACADe VArieTY reQuireD Required per each 60’ of building frontage for buildings over 150’ in width
R PerMiTTeD CAP TYPeS Parapet, Flat
4. Notes.
a. Courtyard. A courtyard up to 35% of the width of the front facade is permitted and may contribute to
the minimum primary lot line coverage. Refer to 10.2.4 Definitions for definition of courtyard.
b. Loading on Street Facade. Up to 3 loading bays may be located on one street facade of any building,
provided the bays do not occupy more than 35% of that street facade width and the garage doors on
the bays have a minimum of 60 percent glass.
c. Tall Stories. 18’ or more in floor-to-floor ground story height counts as 2 stories towards maximum
building height.
DRAFT
Frontage Types
Workshop/Warehouse Frontage
Article IV: Zoning Districts Division 12: Form-Based District 39 DRAFT
Figure 10.3-31 Workshop/Warehouse Frontage: Building Siting
C
B
D
E
F
F
PRIMARY STREETSECONDARY STREETPrincipal
Building Courtyard
(see 10.3.8.D.4 Notes)
A
Figure 10.3-32 Workshop/Warehouse Frontage: Height
Requirements
Figure 10.3-33 Workshop/Warehouse Frontage:
Facade & Cap Requirements
L P
K K
N
Occupied Space required per
10.3.2.7.a
G
H
I
Front loading bays
permitted (see 36-
345(d)(4) Notes.
O
R
Rear Lot Line
Side Lot LinePrimary Street Frontage LineSecondary Street Frontage LineParking within
Building
permitted per
10.3.2.7.c
Parking within Building permitted per
10.3.2.7.c
40 City of St. Louis Park May 27, 2015
Frontage Types
Workshop/Warehouse Frontage
5.1 GORHAM 5.2 CAMBRIDGE Section
Reference
RESIDENTIAL & LODGING USES 10.4.2
Single- & Two-Family residences Category
Multifamily residential Category
Live-Work unit
roominghouse
residential Care Category
Hotel/inn Category
CIVIC & INSTITUTIONAL USES 10.4.3
Assembly Category
Police/Fire Station PC PC
Museum/Library Category P P
education/Academic P P
Hospital
Park Category note: parks only permitted with park frontage
COMMERCIAL USES 10.4.4
retail Category, less than 8,000 square feet PC PC
retail Category, 8,000 square feet or larger CUP CUP
Brewery
Liquor Store
retail, Large item P P
grocery Store
Service Category, less than 8,000 square feet PC PC
Service Category, 8,000 square feet or larger CUP CUP
Office Category P P
Motor Vehicles Service and repair PC
Private entertainment (indoor)P P
INDUSTRIAL USES 10.4.5
research/Testing Laboratory Category P P
Cottage industry/Studio Category PC PC
Low-impact Manufacturing Category P P
Warehouse/Storage P P
TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE USES 10.4.6
Principal Parking Category CUP CUP
Public or Private utility/Service Category CUP CUP
ACCESSORY STRUCTURES & USES 10.4.7
in-Vehicle Sales or Service
Accessory Off-Street Parking P P
Home Occupation
Outdoor Sales
Outdoor Dining
Accessory utility Structures Category PC PC
KEY: P = PerMiTTeD PL = PerMiTTeD iN LiMiTeD STOrieS ONLY PC = PerMiTTeD WiTH CONDiTiONS CUP = reQuireS CONDiTiONAL uSe PerMiT
Figure 10.3-34 Warehouse/Workshop Frontage Use Table
E. Workshop/Warehouse Frontage Use Requirements. The following defines the permitted uses specific to
this Frontage Type. Refer to 10.4 Uses for definitions and conditions of uses.
DRAFT
Frontage Types
Civic Frontage
Article IV: Zoning Districts Division 12: Form-Based District 41
10.3.9 CIVIC FRONTAGE
The following outlines the requirements for the Civic Frontage Type.
A. Intent. The Civic Frontage is the most flexible Frontage Type in terms of form, but is limited to very specific uses,
mainly civic and institutional uses. These buildings are often distinctive landmarks within a community, and could
be designed as iconic structures.
B. Applicability. The following defines the requirements specific to this Frontage Type. This Frontage Type is
permitted in any location on the Regulating Maps (refer to 10.1.3 Regulating Maps), limited by the uses permitted
in the Use Table (refer to 10.3.I.5).
C. General Requirements for all Frontage Types. Refer to 10.3.2 General Frontage Type Requirements, 10.3.3
General Design Requirements, and 10.3.11 Explanation of Specific Frontage Type Form Requirements.
DRAFT
Figure 10.3-35 Civic Frontage Conceptual Illustration
42 City of St. Louis Park May 27, 2015
Frontage Types
Civic Frontage
D. Civic Frontage Form Requirements. The following defines the requirements specific to this Frontage Type.
Refer to 10.3.2 and 10.3.3 for requirements applicable to all Frontage Types.
1. Building Siting. Refer to Figure 10.3-36 Civic Frontage: Building Siting, as well as12.3.K.1 through 10.3.11.E for
explanation of building siting requirements.
ALL LOCATIONS
A MiNiMuM PriMArY LOT LiNe
COVerAge 65%
B PriMArY SeTBACK 20’ (refer to note a)
C SeCONDArY SeTBACK, iF APPLiCABLe 15’ (refer to note a)
D MiNiMuM SiDe BuiLDiNg SeTBACK 5’ abutting all Frontage Types except 15’ abutting existing single-family uses; 15’ for
accessory parking structure
E MiNiMuM reAr BuiLDiNg SeTBACK 5’ except 15’ abutting residential uses and 15’ for accessory parking structures
F PArKiNg/gArAge LOCATiON Rear parking yard and side for surface lots; rear parking yard for accessory
structured parking
2. Height. Refer to Figure 10.3-37 Civic Frontage: Height Requirements, as well as 10.3.11.F through 10.3.11.G
for explanation of height requirements.
G
MiNiMuM HeigHT 1 stories
MAXiMuM HeigHT 3.5 stories
H PriMArY grOuND STOrY HeigHT
(measured floor-to-floor)
10’ to 24’
(refer to note b.)
I ALL OTHer STOrieS HeigHT
(measured floor-to-floor)10’ to 15’
3. Facade & Cap Articulation. Refer to Figure 10.3-38 Civic Frontage: Facade & Cap Requirements, 10.3.11.H
through 10.3.11.O for explanation of facade requirements, and 10.3.3 for general design requirements.
J MiNiMuM reQuireD TrANSPAreNCY
Per STOrY 20% on street facades; 15% on visible side & rear facades
K eNTrANCe LOCATiON & NuMBer Principal entrance required on primary facade, minimum 1 per 100’ of building
facade.
L eNTrANCe reQuireMeNTS Entrance shall be off a stoop, minimum 4’ deep & 8’ wide
M eNTrANCe eLeVATiON Each street entrance shall be within 30” of adjacent street sidewalk average grade
OR between 30” and 5’ permitted with visible basement (transparency required)
N HOriZONTAL STreeT
FACADe DiViSiONS Not required
O grOuND STOrY VerTiCAL STreeT
FACADe DiViSiONS Not required
P STreeT FACADe VArieTY reQuireD Not required
Q PerMiTTeD CAP TYPeS Parapet, Flat, Pitched, other permitted by special permit (see note x); Tower
4. Notes:
a. Setbacks: Unlike all other Frontage Types, the Civic Frontage uses a setback line to locate the building
anywhere on the lot beyond the setback line. The street-facing yard(s) defined by the building facades
are required to be landscaped per 10.3.2.4 Treatment of Street Yards & Setbacks.
b. Tall Stories. 18’ or more in floor-to-floor ground story height counts as 2 stories towards maximum
building height.
DRAFT
Frontage Types
Civic Frontage
Article IV: Zoning Districts Division 12: Form-Based District 43 DRAFT
Figure 10.3-37 Civic Frontage: Height Requirements Figure 10.3-38 Civic Frontage: Facade &
Cap Requirements
M
Q
N
K
K
O
KK
KK
K
K
K
K
K
K
Occupied Space required per
10.3.2.7.a
G
H
I
I
Figure 10.3-36 Civic Frontage: Building SIting
C
D
E
PRIMARY STREETSECONDARY STREETPrincipal
Building
A
B
F
F
Rear Lot Line
Side Lot LinePrimary Street Frontage LineSecondary Street Frontage LineParking within Building
permitted per 10.3.2.7.c
Parking within Building
permitted per 10.3.2.7.c
44 City of St. Louis Park May 27, 2015
Frontage Types
Civic Frontage
E. Civic Frontage Use Requirements. The following defines the permitted uses specific to this Frontage Type.
Refer to 10.4 Uses for definitions and conditions of uses.
ALL LOCATIONS Section
Reference
RESIDENTIAL & LODGING USES 10.4.2
Single- & Two-Family residences Category
Multifamily residential Category
Live-Work unit
roominghouse
residential Care Category
Hotel/inn Category
CIVIC & INSTITUTIONAL USES 10.4.3
Assembly Category P
Police/Fire Station PC
Museum/Library Category P
education/Academic P
Hospital P
Park Category note: parks only permitted with park frontage
COMMERCIAL USES 10.4.4
retail Category, less than 8,000 square feet
retail Category, 8,000 square feet or larger
Brewery
Liquor Store
retail, Large item
grocery Store
Service Category, less than 8,000 square feet
Service Category, 8,000 square feet or larger
Office Category
Motor Vehicles Service and repair
Private entertainment (indoor)CUP
INDUSTRIAL USES 10.4.5
research/Testing Laboratory Category
Cottage industry/Studio Category
Low-impact Manufacturing Category
Warehouse/Storage
TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE USES 10.4.6
Principal Parking =Category
Public or Private utility/Service Category
ACCESSORY STRUCTURES & USES 10.4.7
in-Vehicle Sales or Service
Accessory Off-Street Parking
Home Occupation
Outdoor Sales
Outdoor Dining
Accessory utility Structures Category
KEY: P = PerMiTTeD PL = PerMiTTeD iN LiMiTeD STOrieS ONLY PC = PerMiTTeD WiTH CONDiTiONS CUP = reQuireS CONDiTiONAL uSe PerMiT
Figure 10.3-39 Civic Frontage Use Table
DRAFT
Frontage Types
Parking Ramp Frontage
Article IV: Zoning Districts Division 12: Form-Based District 45
10.3.10 PARKING RAMP FRONTAGE
The following defines the requirements specific to this
Frontage Type.
A. Intent. This frontage is intended to address the
design of parking structures located at the street
frontage, requiring high quality materials, and
an appropriate scale for the components of the
facade at the pedestrian realm.
B. Applicability. All principal and accessory parking
ramps located with a facade at a street frontage
shall meet the following requirements.
C. Permitted Locations. Refer to 10.4 Uses and
Use Tables for each Frontage Type location for
permitted parking ramps.
1. Principal Use. Parking ramps as the principal
use on the lot require a conditional use permit
(refer to 36-33 Conditional Use Permits) in
any Frontage Type location designated on the
Regulating Maps.
2. Accessory Use. Parking ramps as accessory use
on a lot are permitted per the Use Tables for
each Frontage Type.
D. General Requirements for all Frontage
Types. Refer to 10.3.2 General Frontage
Type Requirements, 10.3.3 General Design
Requirements, and 10.3.11 Explanation of Specific
Frontage Type Form Requirements.
Entry Tower
Cap
Vehicular Entrance
Vertical Divisions
Blank Wall Limitations and No Ramps or Slopes
Figure 10.3-40 Example of Parking Ramp Frontage
E. Parking Ramp Frontage Form Requirements.
Refer to Figure 10.3-40 Example of Permitted
Parking ramp for one example of a parking ramp
illustrating several of these requirements.
1. Materials. Primary and secondary material
requirements shall be met on all street facades.
Additional permitted secondary material is
stained, finished concrete. Refer to 10.3.3
General Design Requirements.
2. Ramps. Ramps and slopes shall be located in
the rear or side of the struture, or on secondary
frontages as designated in 10.1.3 Regulating
Maps.
3. Facade Divisions. Vertical divisions a minimum
of 60% of the height of the structure are
required every 30 feet to de-emphasize the
horizontal decks. Divisions shall be a minimum
of 2 feet in width with a minimum projection of
2 inches.
4. Blank Wall Limitations. No rectangular area
greater than 30 percent of any story’s facade, as
measured from floor-to-floor, and no horizontal
segment of a story’s facade greater than 15 feet
in width may be solid, blank wall.
5. Entry Tower. A defined pedestrian entrance/
exit is required separate from the vehicular
entrance and directly accessing the sidewalk.
Refer to 10.3.11.O.5 Tower. If the space is
enclosed, windows are required to meet a
transparency rate of 65 percent. Refer to
10.3.11.H Minimum Required Transparency.
6. Cap. The top story of the parking ramp shall
include a parapet or cap type along the street
facades. Refer to 10.3.11.O Permitted Cap
Types.
7. Vehicular Entrances. Driveways shall be no
wider than 20 feet and the entrance and exit
should be split if possible. Access should be
located on a non-primary street, when feasible.
No more than 2 access points shall be located
on any one street, totaling no more than 24 feet
of drives crossing sidewalk.
8. Signs. Signs are not permitted on parking
ramps.
DRAFT
46 City of St. Louis Park May 27, 2015
Frontage Types
Explanation of Specific Frontage Type Form Requirements
10.3.11 EXPLANATION OF SPECIFIC FRONTAGE TYPE FORM REQUIREMENTS
The following explains the form requirements outlined
for each specific Frontage Type, located in 10.3.4
through 10.3.10, for each Frontage Type.
A. Building Siting: Minimum Primary Lot Line
Coverage. This line item in the table defines the
minimum percentage of street wall or building
facade required along the street for each Primary
Frontage Type.
1. Measurement. The width of the principal
structure, as measured within the front build-to
zone, shall be divided by the maximum width
of the front build-to zone, not including corner
side. Refer to Figure 10.3-41 Minimum Primary
Lot Line Coverage for an illustration.
2. Exceptions. The following exceptions may apply:
the following exceptions.
a. Courtyards. When noted on the Frontage
Type form requirements, a courtyard (as
defined in 10.2.4 Definitions) located along
the facade in the build-to zone may count
towards the minimum coverage.
b. Driveways. When a driveway is permitted
per 10.3.2.E Driveways, is located at a
primary lot line, and side yard parking is not
utilized, a driveway width of 22 feet may
be deducted from the width of the build-to
zone and is not included in the calculation
of the minimum primary lot line.
B. Primary & Secondary Build-to Zones. Refer
to 10.2.4 Definitions for the definition of build-to
zone and a comparison to the term “setback.” The
primary build-to zone is located along a Primary
Frontage of a lot, as designated on the Regulating
Maps (refer to 10.1.3).
1. Measurement. Build-to zones are measured
from the associated lot line into the lot, parallel
to the lot line. Refer to Figure 10.3-42 Build-to
Zones for an illustration.
2. Encroachments. Awnings and signage are
permitted to encroach beyond the build-to
zone.
3. Intersection of Two Build-to Zones. All buildings
located on corner lots shall be built to the
corner unless otherwise stated. The corner of
the lot is defined as the intersection of the two
Build-to Zones. Refer to Figure 10.3-42 Build-to
PRIMARY STREETSECONDARY STREETPrimary Build-to Zone
Secondary Build-to Zone Side Setback Lines
Rear Setback Line
Corner of lot
Figure 10.3-42 Build-to Zones
Figure 10.3-41 Minimum Primary Lot Line Coverage
Primary Build-to Zone
Width of Building within Primary Build-to Zone
Lot Width
Side Setback Lines
Rear Setback Line
Width of Building within Primary Build-to Zone
Lot Width minus Minimum Side Setbacks = Primary Frontage
Lot Line Coverage
DRAFT
Frontage Types
Explanation of Specific Frontage Type Form Requirements
Article IV: Zoning Districts Division 12: Form-Based District 47
Zones. Courtyards, per definition, cannot be
located in this area.
C. Side Setback. The side building setback for all
lots is located along the side lot line, the lot line
perpendicular to a primary street and between
two lots.
1. Setback Distance. The minimum building
setback distance is determined by the Frontage
Type of the property and the Frontage Type
or existing use of the abutting property to
the side lot line per the Frontage Type Form
Requirements for each Frontage Type. Refer
to Figure 10.3-43 Side and Rear Setback
Locations.
2. Accessory Garages or Parking Structures. For
all Frontage Types unless otherwise noted on
the Form Requirements for each Frontage
Type, Accessory Parking Structures may not be
located closer than 15 feet to the side lot line.
D. Rear Setback. The rear building setback for all
lots is located along the rear lot line, the lot line
perpendicular to a secondary street and between
2 lots or on the interior of the block with no
connection to a street lot line.
1. Setback Distance. The minimum building
setback distance is determined by the Frontage
Type of the property and the Frontage Type
or existing use of the abutting property to
the rear lot line per the Frontage Type Form
Requirements for each Frontage Type. Refer
to Figure 10.3-43 Side and Rear Setback
Locations.
2. Accessory Garages or Parking Structures. For
all Frontage Types unless otherwise noted on
the Form Requirements for each Frontage
Type, Accessory Parking Structures may not be
located closer than 15 feet to the side lot line.
E. Parking, Trash, Loading, & Utility Location.
The Form Requirements for each Frontage Type
define the permitted yards within which surface
parking lots and accessory parking structures
may be located. Refer to 10.2.4 Definitions for
yard definition and Figure 10.3-44 Surface Parking
Location.
1. Street Yards. Parking is not permitted in any
street yard. Refer to 10.2.4 Definitions.
2. Parking Yard - Rear. Parking may be permitted
in the rear of the lot, but may not encroach
30'-0"30'-0"Figure 10.3-43 Side and Rear Setbacks Locations PRIMARY STREETSECONDARY STREET
Rear Setback Lines
Rear Setback Lines
Side Setback LinesSide Setback LinesFigure 10.3-44 Surface Parking Location
PRIMARY STREETSECONDARY STREETPrincipal Building
Parking Yard- Rear
Limited Parking Yard - Side
into the minimum rear and side setback areas
and shall be fully screened from the front by
the building. Refer to 10.3.2.D Treatment of
Street Yards & Setbacks. Note that accessory
parking structures have separate side and rear
setbacks.
3. Limited Parking Yard - Side. When Limited
Parking -Side is permitted per the Form
Requirements of each Frontage Type, the
following applies:
a. Location. The parking is permitted only to
the side parking yard of the building (refer
to 10.3.2.D.2) and may not encroach into
the minimum side yard setback.
b. Limited Width. Up to one double-loaded
aisle of surface parking is permitted with a
maximum width of 65 feet.
c. Perpendicular to the Street. The parking
lot shall be located perpendicular to the
street with the centerline of the drive aisle
perpendicular to the centerline of the
street.
DRAFT
48 City of St. Louis Park May 27, 2015
Frontage Types
Explanation of Specific Frontage Type Form Requirements
d. Accessory Parking Structures. Accessory
parking structures are not permitted in the
side yard of a Primary Frontage.
4. Garage Entrances. Vehicular entrances to
structured parking within the building are noted
in the Form Requirements for each Frontage
Type, and generally shall be located on the rear
facade, unless otherwise noted.
5. Refuse, Utility, & Loading Location. Loading,
refuse and recycling collection, & utilities shall
occur in the rear yard, unless otherwise noted
in the Form Requirements for each Frontage
Type. Refer to 36-364(e) Screening for screening
requirements.
F. Minimum and Maximum Heights. Minimum and
maximum heights are defined in stories for each
Frontage Type in the Form Requirements.
1. Minimum Height. Minimum heights are defined
to required a minimum number of stories on
the primary facade of the building. The building
must meet the minimum required height for
the first 30 feet of occupiable building space
measured from the primary facade into the
building. Refer to Figure 10.3-45 Minimum
Height.
2. Maximum Height. Maximum heights apply to
entire building with the exception of lots with
more than one Frontage Type:
a. Lots with More than One Frontage Type.
For lots with more than one Frontage Type,
the maximum heights of each Frontage
Type applies up to the first 70 feet from
Figure 10.3-46 Example Application of Maximum Height for Lot
with More than One Frontage Type
the primary facade. The lowest maximum
height applies to the remaining portion of
the lot. Refer to Figure 10.3-46 Example
Application of Maximum Height for Lot with
More than One Frontage Type.
3. Measuring Height in Stories. The following
applies to all minimum and maximum height
requirements defined per Frontage Type.
a. Half Stories. Half stories are located either
completely within the roof structure or in
a visible basement exposed a maximum of
one half story above grade.
b. Two Half Stories. A building incorporating
both a half story within the roof and a
visible basement shall count the height of
the two half stories as one full story.
c. Step-Backed Heights. When noted on
the Form Requirements for a Frontage
Type, a building facade may be required
to step-back as the height increases. The
upper stories of any building facade with
street frontage shall then be set back a
designated amount beyond the building
facade of the lower stories. All facade
requirements (such as transparency,
divisions, materials) apply to the stepped-
back facade.
d. Tall Stories. When noted on the Form
Requirements of a Frontage Type, taller
floor-to-floor heights may count as 2
stories. Refer to 10.3.11.G.3 Taller Spaces,
below.
e. Clearly Visible Floor Delineation. Floors
within the building shall be visibly
DRAFT
30 feet
30 feet
Minimum Height Required within Shaded Area within first 30 feet of Frontage
Figure 10.3-45 Minimum Height
70 feet
70 feet
Maximum Height for Frontage Type A Applies
Lowest Maximum Height Applies
Taller Maximum Height Applies
FRONTA
G
E
T
Y
P
E
A FRONTAGE TYPE BMaximum Height for Frontage Type B Applies
Frontage Types
Explanation of Specific Frontage Type Form Requirements
Article IV: Zoning Districts Division 12: Form-Based District 49
delineated on the street facades by the
use of expression lines or the layout of the
windows.
G. Floor-to-floor Heights per Story. Each story is
measured with a range of permitted floor-to-floor
heights. Refer to Figure 10.3-47 Measuring Stories
with Floor-to-Floor Height.
1. Measurement. Floor height is measured in
feet between the floor of a story to the floor
of the story above it. Minimum and maximum
floor-to-floor heights are required to be met on
floors touching street facades, a minimum of 80
percent of each story.
2. Single Story Buildings & Top Floor
Measurement. For single story buildings and
the uppermost story of a multiple story building,
floor-to-floor height shall be one foot less than
noted per Frontage Type and measured from
the floor of the story to the ceiling.
3. Taller Spaces. Floor-to-floor heights over the
maximums may be located along any non-street
facade, but shall count as 2 stories towards the
overall height of the building.
H. Minimum Required Transparency. Per the Form
Requirements of each Frontage Type, a minimum
Figure 10.3-48 Measuring Minimum Ground Story Transparency
Figure 10.3-49 Measuring Minimum Facade Transparency
2’
8’
Grade
Grade
Ground Story
Ground Story
Upper Story
Upper Stories
Roof Type
Roof Type
Figure 10.3-47 Measuring Stories with Floor-to-Floor Height
amount of transparency is required on all stories
of all facades.
1. Measurement. Minimum facade transparency
is measured from floor-to-floor of each story
separately. Refer to Figure 10.3-49 Measuring
Minimum Facade Transparency. Transparency,
defined in 10.2.4 Definitions, includes windows
and any glass in doors that is highly transparent
with low reflectance. The measurement may
include the frame, mullions, and muntins, but
shall not include trim or casing.
2. Blank Wall Segments. No more than a 15-foot
wide section, measured horizontally, and no
more than 30 percent of any story shall be
without transparency.
3. Exception. When a facade of any story is
located within 3 feet of a parallel building
facade, no minimum transparency is required
for that story.
4. Minimum Ground Story Transparency. When
required by the Frontage Type, ground story
transparency shall be measured between 2
feet and 8 feet from the average grade at the
base of the facade. Minimum ground story
Upper
Story
Upper
Story
Ground Story
Ground Story
= Transparency Included in Calculation (Numerator)
= Area of Overall Measurement (Denominator)
Half Story
= Percent Transparency
DRAFT
50 City of St. Louis Park May 27, 2015
Frontage Types
Explanation of Specific Frontage Type Form Requirements
L. Horizontal Facade Divisions. When required
by the Form Requirements of the Frontage Type,
a horizontally oriented expression line or form
shall divide portions of the facade into horizontal
divisions. Elements may include a cornice,
belt course, molding, string courses, or other
continuous horizontal ornamentation.
1. Shadow Line. The expression line or horizontal
element shall be a minimum of 1.5 inches deep,
casting a shadow during most parts of the day.
2. Length. The expression line or horizontal
element shall extend a minimum of 90 percent
of the width of the facade.
M. Ground Story Vertical Divisions. When required
by the Form Requirements of the Frontage Type,
a vertically oriented expression line or form shall
divide the ground story facade into increments no
greater than the dimension shown. Elements may
include a column, pilaster, or other continuous
vertical ornamentation.
1. Measurement. The spacing of the vertical
divisions shall be measured along the base of
the facade, and shall extend a minimum of 80
percent from the average grade of the facade
elevation to the interior ceiling.
N. Facade Variety Requirements. When required
by the Form Requirements of the Frontage Type,
building design shall vary between designated
vertical facade divisions and from adjacent
buildings per the following. Refer to Figure 10.3-50
Building with Facade Variety for an example.
1. Material or Color Variety. The type of dominant
material or color, scale, or orientation of that
material shall vary between the noted divisions
and from adjacent buildings.
transparency supersedes the overall minimum
transparency required for the Frontage Type.
Refer to Figure 10.3-48 Measuring Minimum
Ground Story Transparency.
5. Tall Stories. Stories that are 18 feet or taller
in height shall be counted as 2 stories for
the purpose of calculating minimum facade
transparency, with each horizontal half of the
story calculated separately.
6. Half Stories. All half stories located within roof
structure and visible basements are required to
meet the minimum transparency.
I. Entrance Location & Number. The principal
entrance shall be the entrance and address
location of the building or space.
1. Location. The principal entrance shall be
located per the Frontage Type, generally on the
primary facade of the building.
2. Number. The number of required entrances
is set to activate the street, encouraging
pedestrian activity along the frontages.
J. Entrance Requirements. Entrance requirements
apply to all street entrances of the Frontage Type.
1. Type. Entrance requirements may list an
appropriate type or types that are permitted,
including a recessed entry, stoop, or porch
entrance. Refer to 10.2.4 Definitions for
definitions and illustrations of a stoop or porch.
2. Dimensions. Entrance requirements may define
specific minimum or maximum dimensions
for each permitted type, intending to provide
appropriate transition spaces between the
public space of the sidewalk and the private
interior of the building.
3. Other. Other requirements may be listed and
defined by Frontage Type in this section of the
Form Requirements table.
K. Entrance Elevation. Each Frontage Type may
include a requirement for the elevation level of
the principal or all street entrances on the ground
story.
1. Measurement. The elevation shall be measured
in relation to the closest street sidewalk to
the elevation of the floor directly inside the
doorway.
Figure 10.3-50. Building with Facade Variety.
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Frontage Types
Explanation of Specific Frontage Type Form Requirements
Article IV: Zoning Districts Division 12: Form-Based District 51
Figure 10.3-51 Parapet Cap Type
Cap Height
Expression Lines
upper floor
b. Multi-Story Buildings. Slopes less than 4:12
are permitted to occur on second story or
higher roofs.
c. Configurations. The following pitched roof
configurations are permitted.
i. Hipped, gabled, and a combination of
hips and gables with or without dormers
are permitted. Gambrel roofs are
permitted with the ridge perpendicular
to the front lot line.
ii. Butterfly roofs (inverted gable roof) are
permitted with a maximum height of 8
feet, inclusive of overhang.
iii. Parallel Ridge Lines. A gabled end or
perpendicular ridge line shall occur at
least every 100 feet of roof. (Refer to
10.3-52 Pitched Cap Type).
iv. On one and 1.5 story buildings, one
dormer is required for every segment
of uninterrupted parallel ridge line of 40
feet in length.
Parallel Ridge Line with Gable
Roof Slope
upper floor
Cap Type & Height
Pitched Cap Type (Gable Roof)
Roof Slope
upper floor
Cap Type & Height
Cap Type & Roof Height
Low Pitched Roof Cap Type (Hip Roof)
Roof Slope
upper floor
Figure 10.3-52 Pitched Cap Type
2. Additional Variety. At least 2 of the following
shall vary between the noted divisions and from
adjacent buildings.
a. A courtyard along the frontage.
b. A vertical recess or projection, a minimum
of 3 feet deep, extending a minimum of 3
stories in height.
c. A horizontal step-back of upper floors from
the front facade, a minimum of 10 feet and
a maximum of 30 feet.
d. A change in cap type.
e. A change in the fenestration pattern of
more than 50 percent.
O. Permitted Cap Types. The following define the
requirements for cap types permitted on the Form
Requirements table per each Frontage Type.
1. Parapet Cap Type. (Refer to Figure 10.3-51
Parapet Cap Type). A parapet is a low wall
projecting above a roof along the perimeter of
the building. It can be utilized with a flat, low
pitched, or barrel vault roof.
a. Parapet Height. Height is measured from
the top of the upper story to the top of the
parapet. Minimum height is 2 feet with a
maximum height of 6 feet.
b. Horizontal Expression Lines. An expression
line shall define the parapet from the
upper stories of the building and shall also
define the top of the cap.
c. Occupied Space. Occupied space shall not
be incorporated behind this cap type.
2. Pitched Cap Type. (Refer to Figure 10.3-52
Pitched Cap Type). This cap type has a sloped or
pitched roof. Slope is defined as the vertical rise
in proportion to the horizontal span or run.
a. Permitted Pitch. The main portion of the
roof shall not be sloped less than a 4:12
(rise:run) or more than 18:12.
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52 City of St. Louis Park May 27, 2015
Frontage Types
Explanation of Specific Frontage Type Form Requirements
d. Maximum Cap Height. Pitched roofs
without occupied space and/or dormers
shall have a maximum height on street-
facing facades equal to the maximum floor
height permitted for the Frontage Type.
e. Occupied Space. Occupied space may be
incorporated behind this cap type.
3. Flat Cap Type. (Refer to Figure 10.3-53). This
cap type has a flat roof with overhanging eaves.
a. Configuration. Roofs with no visible slope
are acceptable. Eaves are required on all
street facing facades.
b. Eave Depth. Eave depth is measured from
the building facade to the outside edge of
the eave. Eaves shall have a depth of at
least 14 inches.
c. Eave Thickness. Eave thickness is
measured at the outside edge of the eave,
from the bottom of the eave to the top of
the eave. Eaves shall be a minimum of 8
inches thick.
d. Interrupting Vertical Walls. Vertical walls
may interrupt the eave and extend above
the top of the eave with no discernible cap.
i. No more than one-half of the front
facade can consist of an interrupting
vertical wall.
ii. Vertical walls shall extend no more than
4 feet above the top of the eave.
e. Occupied Space. Occupied space shall not
be incorporated behind this cap type.
4. Barrel Cap Type. (Refer to Figure 10.3-54). This
cap type has a barrel vaulted roof and may be
combined with the parapet cap type.
a. Configuration. The barrel vault of the roof
shall run perpendicular to the front facade.
Eaves may or may not be utilized.
b. Vault Height. The vault height shall not
exceed half the vault width.
c. Parapet. When a parapet wall screens the
vault from the street, the parapet cap type
regulations (refer to 10.3.11.O.1) shall be
used.
Figure 10.3-53 Example of Flat Cap Type Figure 10.3-54 Example of Barrel Cap Type
CapVault Height
Cap
Eave Depth
Eave
Thickness
Vertical Wall Plane
upper flo
o
r
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Frontage Types
Explanation of Specific Frontage Type Form Requirements
Article IV: Zoning Districts Division 12: Form-Based District 53
d. Occupied Space. Occupied space may be
incorporated behind this cap type.
5. Towers. A tower is polygonal (simple), rectilinear
or cylindrical in plan and is a vertical element,
that shall be used with other cap types. (Refer
to Figure 10.3-55 Example of Tower).
a. Quantity. All Frontage Types, with the
exception of the Civic Frontage, are limited
to one tower per 200 feet of facade,
located within 30 feet of the facade. Up to
two additional towers are permitted 30 feet
beyond the facade.
b. Tower Height. Maximum height, measured
from the top of the parapet or eave to the
top of the tower, is the equivalent of the
height of one upper floor of the building to
which the tower is applied.
c. Tower Width. Maximum width along all
facades is one-third the width of the front
facade or 30 feet, whichever is less.
d. Transparency. Towers that meet the
minimum floor-to-floor to height of the
Frontage Type and are located within 30
feet of a facade are considered a story
and shall meet the minimum transparency
requirements of the building.
e. Horizontal Expression Lines. An expression
line is required between the 4th and 5th
stories of any tower, except on single family
or attached house residential Frontage
Types.
f. Occupied Space. Towers may be occupied
by the same uses allowed in upper stories
of the Frontage Type to which it is applied.
Figure 10.3-55 Example of Tower
Tower Width
Tower Height
Allowable Cap Type
g. Tower Cap. The tower may be capped by
the parapet, pitched, low pitched, or flat
roof cap types.
6. Other Cap Types with Special Approval. Other
building caps not listed as a specific type may
be requested with the following requirements:
a. The cap type shall not create additional
occupiable space beyond that permitted by
the Frontage Type.
b. The shape of the cap type shall be
significantly different from those defined
in this section, 10.3.11.O Permitted Cap
Types, i.e. a dome, spire.
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54 City of St. Louis Park May 27, 2015
Frontage Types
Explanation of Specific Frontage Type Form Requirements
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55 Article IV: Zoning Districts Division 12: Form-Based DistrictDRAFT
10.4.1 GENERAL PROVISIONS
The following establishes a set of uses permitted within
each Frontage Type.
A. Uses by Frontage Type. Uses are listed as
permitted, permitted in limited stories, permitted
with defined conditions, or requiring a conditional
use permit in the Use Tables for each Frontage
Type. Refer to 10.3.4 through 10.3.10 in 10.3
Frontage Types.
1. Principal or Accessory Use. Each use permitted
within a Frontage Type may function as either
a principal or accessory use, unless otherwise
specified. A lot may contain more than one use.
2. All uses are required to occur indoors, unless
otherwise noted.
3. All uses shall be located within a building
meeting the requirements of the permitted
Frontage Types.
B. Use Definitions. Uses listed in the Use Tables
for each Frontage Type (refer to 10.3.4 through
10.3.10 in 10.3 Frontage Types) are defined
in Article IV. Division 2. Land Use Descriptions
and Characteristics of the Zoning Ordinance.
Categories of these uses, defined to simplify the
Use Tables, are listed in this section.
C. Permitted Use (“P”). Uses listed in the Use Table
with a “P” symbol are permitted by-right in the
Frontage Types in which they are listed.
D. Permitted in Limited Stories (“PL”). Uses listed
in the Use Table with a “PL” symbol are permitted
by-right in the Frontage Types in which they are
listed, provided that the uses are located in the
upper stories of a structure; the basement; or in
the ground story, a minimum of 30 feet behind any
primary street facade and behind a permitted use.
E. Permitted with Conditions (“PC”). Uses listed
in the Use Table with a “PC” symbol are permitted
provided compliance with the listed conditions and
requirements. These conditions, combined with
the Frontage Type requirements, are intended to
help alleviate any negative impacts associated with
the use, making it appropriate in a location where
it otherwise might not have been appropriate.
F. Requires a Conditional Use Permit (CUP).
Uses listed in the Use Table with a “CUP” symbol
require a Conditional Use Permit; refer to 36-33
Conditional Use Permits.
10.4.2 RESIDENTIAL & LODGING USES
A. Single- and Two- Family Residences Category.
A category that includes the single-family dwelling
and two-family dwelling.
B. Multifamily Residential Category. A category
that includes the following uses: cluster housing;
multiple-family dwelling; elderly housing. For the
Form-Based District, the following exceptions apply
1. Building entrances are not required to be
internal to the building
2. Balconies may serve a single dwelling unit
3. Buildings are not required to be massive in
scale or institutional in appearance.
4. Use may include leasing and/or property
management offices, gym or other fitness
facilities for tenants, and meeting rooms as
accessory uses.
C. Live-Work Unit. Where permitted with conditions,
the following conditions apply:
1. The units shall only be located on a Secondary
Street Frontage.
D. Residential Care Category. A category that
includes the following uses: state-licensed
residential facility; group home/nonstatutory;
nursing home.
E. Hotel/Inn Category. A category that includes the
following uses: bed and breakfast establishment;
hostel; hotel/motel. The following regulations
10.4 USES
56 City of St. Louis Park May 27, 2015
Uses
Civic & Institutional Uses
apply to all Hotel/Inn uses within the Form-Based
District:
1. Rooms shall be accessed from the interior of
the building.
2. Secondary service uses may also be provided,
such as food service and meeting rooms.
3. Where permitted with conditions, the following
apply:
a. The facility is limited to no more than
8 sleeping rooms and no more than 3
employees.
10.4.3 CIVIC & INSTITUTIONAL USES
A. Assembly Category. A category that includes
the following uses: community centers; religious
institutions; convention and exhibition center;
places of assembly.
B. Police/Fire Station. Where permitted with
conditions, the following apply:
1. Garage doors are permitted on the front
facade.
2. Stations are exempt from maximum driveway
widths.
C. Museum/Library Category. A category that
includes the following uses: library; museums/art
galleries, with the exception of art galleries, which
are considered a retail use within the Form-Based
District.
D. Park Category. A category that includes the
following uses: parks/open space; parks/recreation.
Where permitted with conditions, the following
apply:
1. Parking. Parking lots are not permitted in parks
in the Form-Based District except in large scale,
city-owned-and-operated parks.
2. Stormwater Accommodations. Parks that
incorporate stormwater management on a site
or district scale are encouraged.
a. Stormwater facilities shall be designed to
accommodate additional uses, such as an
amphitheater or a sports field.
b. Stormwater facilities shall be designed not
to be fenced and shall not impede public
use of the land they occupy.
3. Kiosk. This use may involve small scale food
and beverage service, no more than 200 square
feet in space, located in a kiosk, with no service
access, and by special permit.
4. Park Buildings. Park buildings may be located
in the park and shall utilize the Civic Frontage
Type (refer to 10.3.9 Civic Frontage Type). Uses
within the park building may include community
spaces, gyms and other fitness facilities,
classrooms, and park offices. Other uses may
be approved through a conditional use permit.
5. Adjacent Buildings. Buildings located directly
adjacent to a park use shall treat facades facing
this use with street facade requirements.
E. Hospital. In applicable Frontage Types, Hospital
uses require a conditional use permit, refer to 36-
33 Conditional Use Permits. Additional conditions
are as follows:
1. Buildings located within 100 feet of any parcel
that is zoned residential and used or subdivided
for residential, or has an occupied institutional
building, including but not limited to schools,
religious institutions, and community centers,
shall be limited to four stories or 45 feet.
2. Access shall be to a roadway identified in the
comprehensive plan as a collector or arterial or
shall be otherwise located so that access can be
provided without generating significant traffic
on local residential streets.
3. Internal traffic circulation shall be designed to
minimize traffic within 100 feet of any abutting
property in an R district.
4. Screening shall be installed along any abutting R
district, and the screening shall include a 6 foot
privacy fence.
10.4.4 COMMERCIAL USES
A. Retail Category. In the Frontage Types, the retail
category is divided into two subcategories based
on gross floor square footage.
1. Where permitted with conditions, the following
conditions apply:
a. The retail space shall be located on the
ground story.
b. The retail space shall be located at a corner
of the building or at an entrance.
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Uses
Commercial Uses
Article IV: Zoning Districts Division 12: Form-Based District 57
c. The retail space shall not occupy more than
25 percent of the gross floor area of the
ground floor.
2. In the Workshop/Warehouse Frontage Type,
retail uses require a conditional use permit,
refer to 36-33 Conditional Use Permits. The
conditions are as follows:
a. The retail space should be segregated from
the existing district uses, such as located
on a corner or adjacent to other retail uses.
b. The retail space should be limited in size,
such as 15,000 square feet or less, in order
to not overwhelm the area with retail users.
c. Pedestrian activity should not affect or
deter truck and loading access required by
adjacent uses.
B. Brewery/Distillery. Where permitted with
conditions, the following apply:
1. The brewery/distillery shall not produce more
than 20,000 barrels of malt liquor or cases of
hard liquor per year.
2. Up to 25 percent of the gross floor area may
be used for any combination of retail and a
taproom, unless otherwise noted.
3. In the Shopfront Frontage Type only, the
following additional conditions apply:
a. The maximum overall gross floor area is
limited to 20,000 square feet.
b. A taproom and/or retail outlet is required
and shall be located in the Primary Street
storefront of the building.
c. The taproom and/or retail outlet shall
occupy a minimum of 20 percent of the
gross floor area with no maximum limit.
d. Retail outlet does not include liquor
store, which shall be permitted only in
accordance with the requirements for
liquor store uses for the frontage type.
4. This use may also include associated facilities
such as offices and small scale warehousing,
but distribution is limited to vans and small
trucks. Distribution access shall be from the
rear.
C. Liquor Store. In applicable Frontage Types, liquor
store uses require a conditional use permit, refer
to 36-33 Conditional Use Permits. The conditions
are as follows:
1. The lot must be at least 1,000 feet from the
property line of a site containing a pawnshop,
currency exchange, payday loan agency,
firearms sales or sexually-oriented business. In
the case of a multi-use building, the distance
shall be measured from the portion of the
center or building occupied by the liquor store.
D. Grocery Store. Where permitted with conditions,
the following apply:
1. When the grocery store is part of a mixed use
development with residential or office uses
above the grocery, the following applies:
a. No activity results in any noxious or
offensive odors, sounds, vibrations,
emissions, or any external nuisances upon
adjacent properties.
b. Hours of operation are limited to XX to XX
on weekdays and XX to XX on weekends
(Saturdays and Sundays).
E. Service Category. A category that includes
the following uses: adult day care; group day
care/nursery school; animal handling; bank; dry
cleaning, laundering with route pickup and delivery;
food service; funeral home; post office customer
service; Restaurant; service.
1. Where permitted with conditions, the following
conditions apply:
a. The service space shall be located on the
ground story.
b. The service space shall be located at a
corner of the building or at an entrance.
c. The service space shall not occupy more
than 25 percent of the gross floor area of
the ground floor.
2. In the Workshop/Warehouse Frontage Type,
service uses require a conditional use permit,
refer to 36-33 Conditional Use Permits. The
conditions are as follows:
a. The retail space should be segregated from
the existing district uses, such as located
on a corner or adjacent to other retail uses.
b. The retail space should be limited in size,
such as 15,000 square feet or less, in order
to not overwhelm the area with retail users.
c. Pedestrian activity should not affect or
deter truck and loading access required by
adjacent uses.
F. Office Category. A category that includes the
following uses: medical/dental office; business/
trade school/college; office.
G. Motor Vehicles Service and Repair. Where
permitted with conditions, the following apply:
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58 City of St. Louis Park May 27, 2015
Uses
Industrial Uses
1. Washing and polishing of the vehicle may be
performed in a designated space within the
building or in the rear yard.
2. This use shall be located in a permitted
Frontage Type, with service bays located on the
rear or side facade, screened from the street,
unless otherwise permitted by the Frontage
Type.
3. Outdoor storage of disabled or inoperable
vehicles and those awaiting pick-up is permitted
if:
a. The vehicles are not stored for more than
2 days.
b. The storage area is located in the rear yard
screened from view of the front lot line.
c. The storage area is screened in accordance
with 36-364(e)(2) Off-street loading and
service areas, regardless of the adjacent
land uses.
H. Private Entertainment (Indoor). In applicable
Frontage Types, Private Entertainment (Indoor)
uses require a conditional use permit.
1. No activity results in any noxious or offensive
odors, sounds, vibrations, emissions, or any
external nuisances upon adjacent properties.
2. Hours of operation are limited to XX to XX on
weekdays and XX to XX on weekends (Saturdays
and Sundays).
10.4.5 INDUSTRIAL USES
A. Research/Testing Laboratory Category.
A category that includes the following uses:
medical and dental laboratories; research and
development.
B. Cottage Industry/Studio Category. A category
that includes the following uses: catering; studio;
printing process/supply; showrooms. Where
permitted with conditions, the following apply:
1. This use may also include associated facilities
such as offices and small scale warehousing,
but distribution is limited to vans and small
trucks. Distribution access shall be from the
rear.
2. The maximum overall gross floor area is limited
to 12,000 square feet, unless otherwise noted.
3. A showroom or retail outlet is permitted.
4. In the General Row Frontage, the following
additional conditions apply:
a. The use is permitted only in specifically
designated live/work spaces on the ground
floor and with its own exterior entrance.
b. Distribution shall be from a designated
loading area only.
5. In the Shopfront Frontage Type only, the
following additional conditions apply:
a. A showroom and/or retail outlet is required
and shall be located in the Primary Street
storefront of the building.
b. The showroom and/or retail outlet shall
occupy a minimum of 25 percent of the
gross floor area.
C. Low-Impact Industrial Category. A category
that includes the following uses: light assembly;
low impact manufacturing & processing; recycling
operation. Where permitted with conditions, the
following apply:
1. All outdoor activities such as loading and
unloading shall be located a minimum of 100
feet from any parcel that is zoned residential
and used or subdivided for residential, or has
an occupied institutional building, including
but not limited to schools, religious institutions
and community centers, and, where possible,
shall be located on the side of the building
farthest from any parcel that is zoned or used
for residential, or has an occupied institutional
building, including but not limited to schools,
religious institutions and community centers.
2. In Shop Frontage Type Only: Outdoor storage is
prohibited.
3. In Shop Frontage & General Frontage Types
Only:
a. Vibration. Any vibration discernible beyond
the property line to the human sense of
feeling for three minutes or more duration
(cumulative) in any one hour and any
vibration producing a particle velocity
of more than 0.035 inch per second are
prohibited.
b. Glare or heat. Any operation producing
intense glare or heat shall be performed
within an enclosure so as not to be
perceptible at the property line.
c. Noise. Noise levels both inside and outside
of buildings must meet federal, state and
local requirements which may be amended
from time to time.
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Uses
Transportation & Infrastructure Uses
Article IV: Zoning Districts Division 12: Form-Based District 59
d. Air pollution. All emissions shall meet
federal, state and local requirements which
may be amended from time to time.
10.4.6 TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE USES
A. Principal Parking Category. A category that
includes the following uses: off-street parking
areas; parking lots; parking ramp. In applicable
Frontage Types, when Parking Lot/Structure uses
require a conditional use permit, refer to 36-33
Conditional Use Permits. The following conditions
apply:
1. Site Design. Site design shall be consistent with
10.5.2 Vehicular Access & Parking Design or
10.3.10 Parking Structure Frontage
2. Corner Lots. A corner lot should not be used as
a parking lot/structure.
3. Adjacent Parking Lots/Structures. Two parking
lots or structures should not be located directly
adjacent to one another.
4. Single Family. Parking lot should not be
associated with single family uses.
5. Distance. Parking lot should be within 1,300 feet
of the principal entrance to the associated use
unless:
a. At least 75 percent of the spaces should be
dedicated for public use; or
b. An approved joint parking agreement is in
place.
6. Pedestrian Access. Shall be connected
to associated use by a dedicated, public
pedestrian pathway.
7. Commercial Vehicles. Parking lots for
commercial vehicles are not permitted in the
Form-Based District.
B. Public or Private Utility/Infrastructure
Category. A category that includes the following
uses: antenna; communication tower; public
service structure; utility substation; heliport; transit
station.
1. In applicable Frontage Types, when Public
or Private Utility/Infrastructure uses require
a conditional use permit, refer to 36-33
Conditional Use Permits. The conditions are as
follows:
a. Communication towers and antennas:
i. Shall be co-located atop a permitted
building.
ii. Shall be developed in accordance with
36-368 Communication towers and
antennas.
b. Public service structures:
i. All exterior building faces shall
comply with 10.3.C General Design
Requirements.
ii. All structures shall be located a minimum
of 10 feet from any parcel that is zoned
residential and used or subdivided
for residential, or has an occupied
institutional building, including but not
limited to schools, religious institutions,
and community centers.
iii. All service drives shall be paved.
c. Utility substations:
i. No structure shall be located within 25
feet of any property line.
ii. No structures shall be located within
200 feet of any parcel that is zoned
residential and used or subdivided
for residential, or has an occupied
institutional building, including but not
limited to schools, religious institutions,
and community centers.
d. Heliport:
i. Shall be located atop or to the rear of a
permitted building. Maintenance areas
shall be located or shielded so as not to
be visible from any sidewalk adjacent to
the building.
ii. Noise and wind from helicopters taking
off from and landing on the heliport
should not interfere with any sidewalk or
adjacent use.
e. Transit Station:
i. All exterior building faces shall
comply with 10.3.C General Design
Requirements.
ii. The Civic Building Frontage Type (12.3.I)
shall be used.
10.4.7 ACCESSORY USES
A. In-Vehicle Sales or Service. In applicable
Frontage Types, when In-Vehicle Sales or Service
uses require a conditional use permit. The
following conditions apply:
1. One example of compliance is illustrated in
Figure 10.4-1 Recommended Drive-through
Facility Layout.
2. Structure/Canopy. Drive-through structures or
canopies shall be located on the rear facade of
DRAFT
60 City of St. Louis Park May 27, 2015
Uses
Accessory Uses
the building or in the rear of the lot behind the
building, where permitted by use. The structure
shall not be visible from the front lot line or any
primary street.
3. Stacking Lanes. Stacking lanes shall be located
perpendicular to the front lot line or behind the
building.
4. Materials. The canopy and structure shall be
constructed of the same materials utilized on
the building.
B. Accessory Off-Street Parking. The following are
types of accessory parking permitted by Frontage
Type.
1. Parking Lot. Refer to 36-142 for definition, with
the exception that parking lots may be used for
periods of more than 24 hours for residential
uses. Parking lot locations are regulated by
Frontage Type, refer to 10.3.4 through 10.3.10
in 10.3 Frontage Types.
2. Residential Garages. Residential garages,
carports, or sheds are permitted only on
Rowhouse/Yardhouse Frontage Types and shall
meet the following.
a. Attached Garages. Attached garages,
carports, and sheds are considered part of
the principal structure.
i. Attached garages, carports, and sheds
are permitted only in the rear of the
building and may not occupy the front
facade.
ii. Access to attached garages, carports,
and sheds shall be from the rear or
secondary frontage lot line.
b. Detached Garages. Detached accessory
structures are allowed per each Frontage
Type and shall comply with all setbacks
except the following:
i. Detached accessory structures shall be
located behind the principal structure in
the rear yard.
ii. Detached accessory structures shall
not exceed the height of the principal
structure.
3. Accessory Parking Ramp. Refer to 36-142
for definition, with the exception that parking
ramps may be used for periods of more than
24 hours for residential uses.
a. Accessory parking ramps may be located
only in the rear yard of any lot.
b. Accessory parking ramps visible from
secondary frontages shall meet the facade
requirements of the Parking Structure
Frontage (refer to 10.3.10).
4. Accessory Parking in the Building. Parking may
be provided in the rear of the building or fully
in any basement. Refer to 10.3.2.G.1 Occupied
Space for requirements of occupied space in
front of the parking.
C. Outdoor Sales. Where permitted with conditions,
the following apply:
1. Outdoor sales uses are permitted only as
accessory uses with garden and nursery sales,
motorcycle and/or motor scooter sales, and
outdoor furniture sales.
D. Outdoor Dining. Tables and chairs for patrons of
eating establishments located outdoors, directly
adjacent to the structure containing the associated
use. Where permitted with conditions, the
following apply:
1. Where outdoor dining is located in the right-
of-way, a license agreement with the city is
required and a minimum of 4 feet of sidewalk
shall remain available and obstacle-free for
passing pedestrians.
E. Accessory Utility Structures Category.
1. A category that includes the following uses,
when used accessory to a permitted principal
use: antennas; communication Towers;
Figure 10.4-1 Recommended Drive-through Facility Layout
Primary Street
Drive-Through CanopySecondary StreetDRAFT
Uses
Accessory Uses
Article IV: Zoning Districts Division 12: Form-Based District 61
anaerobic digester; composting operation;
helistop.
a. Small wind energy conversion system, as
defined in 36-4 Definitions.
b. Solar energy systems. A solar energy
system with a supporting framework
that is either placed on, or anchored in,
the ground and that is independent of
any building or other structure; or that is
affixed to or an integral part of a principal
or accessory building, including but not
limited to photovoltaic or hot water solar
energy systems which are contained within
roofing materials, windows, skylights, and
awnings.
c. Cisterns and Rainwater Collection Systems.
A container or series of containers for the
collection and reuse of rainwater. A cistern
may be exempted from inclusion in the Site
Impervious Area calculation.
2. Where accessory utility structures are permitted
with conditions, the following apply:
a. Accessory Use. The equipment shall be
located on a lot with a building and is a
secondary use for the lot.
b. Roof Mounted Location. Roof mounted
equipment shall be located per one of the
following:
i. Pitched Roof. Locate the equipment on a
rear facing surface of the roof, if feasible
for communication purposes.
ii. Flat Roof. Locate the equipment towards
the rear portion of the roof, where
visibility is limited from the street to the
maximum extent possible.
c. Ground Mounted Location. Ground
mounted equipment is limited to the rear
yard. Equipment may be located in the side
yard if the equipment is screened from the
street with an opaque wall, of the same or
similar material of the street facade of the
building.
d. Height. The height of the equipment
is either a maximum of 12 feet or the
maximum that is not visible from any street
sidewalk, whichever is greater.
e. Performance Standards. When noxious
or offensive odors, sounds, vibrations,
emissions, or any external nuisances upon
adjacent properties, including truck traffic,
will be generated by this accessory use
above any generated by the principal use, a
conditional use permit is required. Refer to
36-33 Conditional Use Permits.
f. Freestanding Wind Energy Conversion
Systems (WECS). Refer to Sec. 36-369,
with the exception of the following
requirements which shall replace the
provisions of Table 36-369 A for all projects
within the Form-Based District:
i. Height Limit: 110 feet
ii. Maximum Number of WECS per lot: 2
iii. Minimum Lot Size: 1.5 acres
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62 City of St. Louis Park May 27, 2015
Uses
Accessory Uses
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63 Article IV: Zoning Districts Division 12: Form-Based DistrictDRAFT
10.5.1 PARKING
A. Section 36-361 Special Provisions: Off-Street
Parking. All requirements of 36-361 apply to
the Form-Based District, unless otherwise stated
herein.
B. Applicability. The requirements in this section
shall apply to all new development and changes in
use or intensity of use for existing development in
any Frontage Type within the Form-Based District.
These requirements supersede all requirements of
36-361, unless otherwise stated.
C. Required Off-Street Vehicular Parking
Quantities. Refer to 36-361(c) for required off-
street parking quantities by use, unless otherwise
noted.
1. Refer to Figure 10.5-1 Required Off-street
Vehicular Parking Space Quantities for
multifamily residential, live/work, and cottage
industry/studio minimum parking requirements.
2. Parking space requirements are based on floor
area (per 36-4), unless otherwise noted, and
areas used for parking are not counted.
10.5 PARKING & LOADING
3. The number of parking spaces is computed
based on the primary uses on the site, except
as stated in 10.5.A.3.d, below. When there are
2 or more separate primary uses on a site, the
required parking for the site is the sum of the
required parking for the individual primary uses.
4. When more than 20 percent of the floor area
on a site is in an accessory use, the required
parking is calculated separately for the
accessory use.
D. Maximum Off-Street Vehicular Parking. The
maximum number of vehicular spaces permitted
per site shall be 10 percent more spaces than the
required minimum spaces, without any reductions
applied.
E. Reductions to Minimum Vehicular Parking
Requirements. The following provisions may allow
reductions to the required minimum spaces.
1. Transit Credit. Proximity is measured from any
point along the property line to the edge of the
platform.
a. 1300 Feet from Station. For all uses,
vehicular parking minimums may be
reduced by 15 percent for sites located less
than 1300 feet (approximately 1/4 mile)
from a light rail transit station.
b. 2600 Feet from Station. For all uses,
vehicular parking minimums may
be reduced by 10 percent for sites
located between 1300 and 2600 feet
(approximately 1/2 mile) from a light rail
transit station.
2. On-Street Parking Credit. For all non-residential
uses, on-street parking spaces that meet the
following may be credited to meet the minimum
required off-site parking spaces.
a. Spaces shall be designated on-street
parking available 24 hours of every day,
subject to a determination by the Zoning
Administrator that adequate off-street
parking will be available to accommodate
vehicles during snow removal and other
periods of parking restrictions.
REQUIRED OFF-STREET VEHICULAR PARKING SPACES
LAND USE MINIMUM REQUIRED SPACES
Multifamily
Residential
1 space per efficiency/studio unit
1.5 space per 1 bedroom unit
2 spaces per 2 bedroom unit
2.5 space per 3 bedroom unit
Elderly Housing: Reduction permitted by
Zoning Administrator where verifiable
information indicates a reduced long-term
parking demand
Live/Work 3 spaces per unit
Cottage Industry/
Studio 1 space per 500 square feet
Note:
Refer to 36-361(c). All square footage measurements are based
on floor area, as defined in Sec. 36-349. Areas used for parking
are not counted as floor area.
Figure 10.5-1 Required Off-street Vehicular Parking Space
Quantities
64 City of St. Louis Park May 27, 2015
Parking & Loading
Parking
b. A minimum of 50 percent of the on-street
space must be adjacent to the property line
of the lot.
3. Public Parking Credit. For all non-residential
uses, public parking lot spaces located within
1/8 mile (660 feet) of any property line may be
credited against the parking requirement at a
rate of one credit for every three public parking
spaces. Public parking lot spaces shall be
available at all times to the public at large.
4. Shared Vehicular Parking. An arrangement
in which 2 or more non-residential uses with
different peak parking demands use the same
off-street parking spaces to meet their off-street
parking requirements.
a. General Provisions. The Zoning
Administrator may permit up to 100
percent of the parking required for a
daytime use to be supplied by the off-street
parking spaces provided for a nighttime or
Sunday use and vice versa.
b. Documentation Required. For approval
of a shared parking arrangement,
the Applicant shall supply the Zoning
Administrator with documentation to
support that there is no substantial conflict
in the principal operating hours of the
uses for which the sharing of parking is
proposed. Documentation shall include
the agreement between the 2 parties.
A parking study may be required by the
Zoning Administrator.
c. Description of Uses with Weekday,
Nighttime, and Sunday Peak Parking.
i. The following uses are considered
predominantly weekday uses: office and
industrial uses and other similar uses as
authorized by the Zoning Administrator.
ii. The following uses are typically
considered predominantly nighttime
or Sunday uses: entertainment uses,
restaurants, assembly uses, auditoriums
accessory to schools and other similar
uses with peak activity at night or on
Sundays, as authorized by the Zoning
Administrator.
5. Cooperative (Mixed Use) Vehicular Parking
Reduction. In the Form-Based District, when
2 or more categories of non-residential uses
share a parking lot and are located on the same
lot or abutting lots, the following applies:
a. Cooperative parking will be approved in
accordance with the following:
i. A 25 percent reduction in number of
spaces is permitted when 4 or more use
categories are involved.
ii. A 15 percent reduction in number
of spaces is permitted when 3 use
categories are involved.
iii. A 10 percent reduction in number
of spaces is permitted when two use
categories are involved.
b. Location of Cooperative Parking. Any
cooperative parking must be within 1/8
mile (660 feet) from the entrance of the
use to the closest parking space within the
cooperative parking lot, measured along a
dedicated pedestrian path.
c. Off-Site Cooperative Parking Agreement. An
agreement providing for cooperative use
of off-site parking spaces, executed by the
parties involved, shall be reviewed and may
be approved by the Zoning Administrator.
i. Off-site cooperative parking
arrangements shall continue in effect
only as long as the agreement remains
in force.
ii. If the agreement is no longer in force,
then parking must be provided as
otherwise required in this section.
d. Parking Study. A parking study may be
requested by the Zoning Administrator to
approve the reductions.
6. Car-Share Parking Credit. Parking minimums
may be reduced with the inclusion of car-share
parking spaces as follows.
a. Minimum parking spaces may be reduced
by four spaces for every one car-share
parking space provided, for a maximum
total reduction of 40 percent.
b. Applicant must provide documentation of
an agreement with a car-share company, or
proof of a self-administered program. If this
agreement should terminate at any point,
applicant shall be required to provide
parking as otherwise required.
7. Other Parking Reductions. Additional
reductions may be approved by the Zoning
Administrator with the submittal of a parking
study that justifies the reduction.
F. Bicycle Parking Quantities. The requirements of
36-361(e)(1) Bicycle Parking: General Requirements
and 36-361(e)(2) Bicycle Parking: Location Criteria
shall be met with the following required minimum
quantities.
DRAFT
Parking & Loading
Vehicular Access & Parking Design
Article IV: Zoning Districts Division 12: Form-Based District 65
1. Required Minimum Bicycle Parking Spaces.
Short- and long-term bicycle parking is required
based on use, per Figure 10.5-2 Required
Bicycle Parking Quantities.
a. Parking space requirements are calculated
using floor area (per 36-4 Definitions), and
areas used for parking are not counted.
b. Bicycle parking is not required for uses not
listed.
c. Bicycle parking is not required for uses with
a floor area of less than 2,500 square feet.
d. No use is required to accommodate more
than 20 bicycles.
e. With approval of the Zoning Administrator,
a fee in lieu of providing spaces may be
permitted for physically constrained sites.
2. Short-Term Bicycle Parking.
a. Required short-term bicycle parking spaces
must be available for shoppers, customers,
messengers, and other visitors to the site.
b. Short-term spaces shall be provided in
accordance with the general requirements
and location criteria of 36-361(e)(1) through
36-361(e)(2).
c. One inverted U bike rack shall count for
two short-term bicycle parking spaces.
3. Long-Term Bicycle Parking.
a. Required long-term bicycle parking spaces
must be available for employees, students,
residents, commuters, and others who stay
at the site for several hours.
b. Spaces must be provided in bicycle lockers
or covered bicycle lock-ups. These spaces
may be inside buildings, under roof
overhangs or awnings, or within or under
other structures. Where parking is not
within a building or locker, the cover must
be permanent and designed to protect the
bicycle from precipitation.
10.5.2 VEHICULAR ACCESS & PARKING DESIGN
A. Parking & Loading Location. Per Frontage Type,
refer to 10.3.D through 10.3..
B. Parking Lot Design.
1. Site design shall comply with the requirements
of 36-361(k)(2) to (9), with the following
revisions:
a. In Table 36-361(b), the driveway aisle width
for 90 degree stalls shall be 22 feet.
b. Tandem parking spaces are permitted for
[up to 50 percent] of residential units of 2
or more bedrooms, maximum of 1 set of
2 tandem spaces per unit, exceeding the
maximum 20 percent defined in 36-361(k)
(2).
2. Landscaping shall comply with the
requirements of 36-364(f) Off street parking
areas.
C. Parking Structures. Parking structures are
permitted as follows:
1. As a primary use with a Conditional Use
Permit in accordance with 10.3.J Parking Ramp
Frontage.
2. As an accessory use in accordance with the use
tables in 10.3.D through 10.3. Frontage Types
and the requirements of 10.4.H.2 for Accessory
Parking.
D. Driveway Location. Vehicular driveway access
is managed through the primary and secondary
street designations on the Regulating Maps (refer
to 10.1.C Regulating Maps. The order of access is
typically as follows, unless otherwise permitted by
Frontage Type (refer to 10.3.D through 10.3.):
MINIMUM REQUIRED BICYCLE PARKING SPACES
LAND uSe MiNiMuM SHOrT-
TerM SPACeS
MiNiMuM LONg-
TerM SPACeS
Multifamily
Residential
1 space per 5 units,
minimum 2 spaces.
Exception for Elderly
Housing: 1 space per
40 units; minimum 2
spaces.
1 per unit.
Exception for Elderly
Housing: 1 space per
40 units; minimum 2
spaces.
Museum,
Library
1 space per 3,000
square feet, minimum
4 spaces
1 space per 20,000
square feet,
minimum 4 spaces
Educational
Institutions
1 space per 10
students,
minimum 12 spaces
1 space per 20,000
square feet,
minimum 4 spaces
Hospital
1 space per 5,000
square feet,
minimum 8 spaces
1 space per 10,000
square feet,
minimum 4 spaces
Retail, Service,
and Private
Entertainment
(Indoor)
1 space per 2,500
square feet,
minimum 4 spaces
1 space per 12,000
square feet,
minimum 2 spaces
Office Uses
1 space per 3,000
square feet,
minimum 4 spaces
1 space per 10,000
square feet,
minimum 2 spaces
Figure 10.5-2 Required Bicycle Parking Quantities
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66 City of St. Louis Park May 27, 2015
Parking & Loading
Vehicular Access & Parking Design
1. An alley permits unlimited access.
2. If no alley exists, one driveway per non-primary
street frontage is permitted. Some Frontage
Types permit one driveway per a designated
amount of frontage, in many cases permitting
more than one drive access.
3. If other option exists, one driveway is permitted
off the primary street and shared access with
abutting properties is encouraged. Some
Frontage Types permit one driveway per a
designated amount of frontage, in many cases
permitting more than one drive access.
4. When two primary streets abut a parcel, the
front lot line shall be determined by the Zoning
Administrator.
E. Driveway Design. Driveway width at the lot line
shall be no wider than 22 feet for two way traffic
and 15 feet for one way.
F. Off-Street Loading Facilities Design. Design of
off-street loading shall be in accordance with 36-
361(m) Off-street loading facilities.
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67 Article IV: Zoning Districts Division 12: Form-Based DistrictDRAFT
10.6 STREETS & BLOCKS
10.6.1 GENERAL
A. Intent. The standards outlined in this section are
intended to:
1. Create an interconnected system of streets that
provide multiple routes for travel.
2. Create fully accessible complete streets that
address all modes of travel, included pedestrian
traffic, bicycle traffic, transit, and vehicular
traffic.
3. Address all features of the street right-of-way,
including sidewalks, parkways, traffic lanes,
bicycle lanes, and medians.
4. Provide adequate access to all lots for vehicles
and pedestrians.
5. Create streets that are appropriate for their
contexts in residential, commercial, or mixed
use districts and are designed to encourage
travel at appropriate volumes and speeds.
6. Encourage streets that respect natural features
by following topography and drainage systems,
rather than interrupting or dead-ending at the
feature.
B. Applicability. The requirements of this section
are applicable to any development within the
Form-Based District.
C. Subdivision Requirements. All subdivisions
within the Form-Based District shall be in
accordance with the requirements of Chapter 26
Subdivisions, unless otherwise stated herein.
10.6.2 BLOCK & STREET LAYOUT.
For all developments with total parcel acreage
combined of more than 5 acres, subdivision and
construction of new streets will yield the most
buildings. (Frontage Types require buildings to front on
streets).
A. New Streets. Refer to Figures 10.1-1, 10.1-2,
and 10.1-3 Regulating Maps in 10.1 Overview for
locations of potential new streets and alleys in
each station area. Coordinate with the Engineering
Department for appropriate locations of new
streets.
B. Interconnected Street Pattern. Streets shall
connect and continue existing streets from
adjoining areas.
1. Cul-de-sac and dead end streets shall be
avoided when not necessitated by natural
features or site constraints such as railroad
tracks, city limits, or other limits determined by
the Zoning Administrator.
2. All new lots shall have two separate routes to
at least two connections to an existing major
street, unless otherwise approved by the
Zoning Administrator.
C. Blocks. Blocks shall meet the requirements of 26-
152(a) Blocks with the following additions.
1. Consider lot and block orientation for
maximum energy efficiency. For example, block
orientation along a north-south longitudinal
axis will typically create lots with an east-
west longitudinal axis. This typically results in
buildings oriented along an east-west axis, with
smaller east and west facing facades, able to
take advantage of passive solar technology.
D. Lots. Lots shall meet the requirements of 26-
152(b) Lots with the following additions and
revisions.
1. Minimum lot width for all new lots created in
the Form-Based District shall be 50 feet.
2. Minimum lot depth for all new lots created in
the Form-Based District shall be 80 feet.
3. Corner lots shall have the same minimum lot
width as interior lots.
4. All lots shall be generally rectangular, unless
natural features or sites constraints such
as railroad tracks, city limits, or other limits
68 City of St. Louis Park May 27, 2015
Streets & Blocks
Streets.
determined by the Zoning Administrator
warrant otherwise.
5. All lots shall have frontage and buildings shall
be located along streets unless otherwise
specified in Frontage Type requirements. Flag
lots are prohibited.
a. Driveways per lots are regulated by
Frontage Type. Refer to 10.3.2.E Driveways.
E. Primary Streets. For all new subdivisions,
primary streets shall be designated for the
overall development, with consideration given
to neighboring parcels and their orientation.
Primary street frontage shall be considered the
front and vehicular access should not be located
off a primary street, unless the parcel has street
frontage of more than one primary street. The
Zoning Administrator shall approve the designation
of the primary street during
F. Alleys. Blocks may include interior alleys or lanes.
The preferred vehicular access for all lots is via
alleys.
10.6.3 STREETS.
The requirements of Chapter 26 Subdivisions shall be
met, unless otherwise stated herein.
A. Street Type Design Requirements. New and
existing streets shall be designed for complete
streets that accommodate vehicular traffic and
parking, bicyclists, and pedestrian traffic and
amenities. Refer to Figure 10.6-4 Typical Right-of-
Way Elements.
1. Pedestrian Realm. The Pedestrian Realm
includes the sidewalk and any streetscape
elements appropriate for the uses along the
street. The Landscape and Furnishings Zones
are included in the Pedestrian Realm. Refer to
10.6.6 Streetscape Requirements for sidewalk
and streetscape requirements.
a. Landscape Zone. A landscape area
between the back of curb and the
sidewalk in which street trees, stormwater
accommodations, and lighting and signage
may be located. Typically used adjacent to
residential or office ground floor uses.
b. Furnishings Zone. A hardscape area that
extends from the sidewalk to the back of
curb, in which street trees, street furniture,
planters, lighting, and signage may be
Figure 10.6-4 Typical Right-of-Way Elements
Figure 10.6-5 On-Street Bike Facilities
Designated Shared Lane.
Dedicated Bike Lane.Cycle Track.
Travel
Lane
Parking
Lane Side-
walk
Right-of-Way
Travel
Lane
Parking
Lane
Side-
walk
Parkway ParkwayBike
Lane
Bike
Lane
Ped
RealmVehicular
Realm
Ped
Realm
STREETSCAPE AREA STREETSCAPE AREA
Building FaceBuilding FaceLandscape or
Furnishings
Zone
Pedestrian
Realm
Landscape or
Furnishings
Zone
Pedestrian
Realm
DRAFT
Streets & Blocks
Streets.
Article IV: Zoning Districts Division 12: Form-Based District 69
located. Typically used adjacent to retail,
restaurant, or office ground floor uses.
2. Vehicular On-Street Parking. On-street
diagonal or parallel parking should be a high
priority for inclusion on all streets, especially
commercial streets.
3. Bicycle Facilities. Bicycle accommodations
shall be coordinated with Engineering and
any City-approved bicycle plan that exists. The
following types of bicycle accommodations may
be permitted in the vehicular realm per Street
Type. Refer to Figure 10.6-5 On-Street Bike
Facilities.
a. Cycle Track. A cycle track is a separate on-
road bicycle facility that is typically adjacent
to, but physically separated from, vehicular
traffic and parking by a barrier.
b. Dedicated Bicycle Lane. Dedicated bicycle
lanes are striped lanes on the outside
of the outermost travel lanes that are
designated for only bicycle use. This lane
occurs on both sides of the street and shall
be 5 to 6 feet wide.
c. Designated Shared Lane. A designated
shared lane is a lane that is shared
between vehicles and bicycles. This
lane is typically wider than a standard
vehicular lane, minimum 13 feet, in order
to accommodate both types of users,
and includes a painted bicycle marker
combined with a double arrow (known as
a “sharrow”). This improvement occurs in
both directions.
d. Shared Lane. A shared lane refers to a
street that does not have bicycle lanes or
a designated shared lane, but the speed
and configuration of the street is such that
bicycles could comfortably share lanes with
vehicular traffic.
B. New Streets. All new vehicular rights-of-way shall
match one of the following street types, whether
publicly dedicated or privately held.
1. Street Types. The City Engineer shall approve
the type of street for each location and may
require additional street right-of-way or
configuration based on existing context and
circulation needs. Street Types are illustrated
on the following pages.
a. Connector Street Type. The Connector
Street Type is for more intensive uses with
traffic requiring a two way, dedicated lane
system. Refer to Figure 10.6-6 Connector
Street Type & Variations.
b. Neighborhood Street Type. The
Neighborhood Street Type is for residential
uses with lower traffic volumes, allowing
a yield street. Refer to Figure 10.6-7
Neighborhood Street Type.
c. Mews Street Type. The Mews Street Type is
provided for the lowest intensity residential
development, where site constraints
limit widths. Use of this street type
requires special approval from the Zoning
Administrator and City Engineer. Refer to
Figure 10.6-8 Mews Street Type.
d. Pedestrian Street Type. The Pedestrian
Street Type is provided for new Pedestrian
and Bicycle only streets as designated
in master plans. Use of this street type
requires special approval from the Zoning
Administrator and City Engineer. Refer to
Figure 10.6-9 Pedestrian Street Type.
e. Alley. The Alley is provided for new drives
through blocks to provide parking access
as well as service access and refuse pickup.
Refer to Figure 10.6-10 Alley Street Type.
f. Boulevard and Avenue Street Types. The
Boulevard and Avenue Street Types are
provided for reference only regarding the
requirements for streetscape. These street
types are for existing streets designated
by the City and may not be utilized for new
streets. Refer to Figures 10.6-11 Boulevard
Street Type and 10.6-12 Avenue Street
Type.
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70 City of St. Louis Park May 27, 2015
Streets & Blocks
Streets.
CONNECTOR STREET TYPE
Permitted Adjacent to
Frontage Types all
Typical ROW Width 50’ to 70’
VEHICULAR REALM
Travel Lanes 2 lanes, 2 way
Lane Width 10’ to 12’
Allowable Turn Lanes Right turn lane in place of on-street
parking at corner
Parking Lanes Parallel, diagonal, perpendicular;
maximum 8.5’ wide
Pavement Width 29’ to 38’
Bicycle Facilities Shared, designated shared, dedicated
lane, cycle track
PEDESTRIAN REALM
Pedestrian Facilities Minimum 5’ wide clear sidewalk on
both sides
Street Buffer Minimum 6’, ideally 9’ landscape or
furnishing zone
50'-0" Right-of-Way
WalkTravel LaneWalk
Parkway Parkway
Parking Travel Lane
Typical Connector (50' ROW)
6'-0"5'-0"7'-0"11'-0"11'-0"5'-0"5'-0"
29'-0"
58'-0" to 70'-0" Right-of-Way
WalkTravel LaneWalkParkway ParkwayParkingParkingTravel Lane
34' to 40'
Typical Connector (58' to 70' ROW)
Notes:
1) Ideal boulevard width is 9' with trees planted 30' on center for adequate permeable surface area
5' to 6'6' to 9'5' to 6'6' to 9'7' to 8'7' to 8'10' to 12'10' to 12'
66' to 86' Right-of-Way
WalkTravel LaneWalkParkway ParkwayParkingParking
10' to 12'10' to 12'
Travel Lane
44'-0" to 52'-0"
Typical Connector - Alternative with bike lanes (66' to 86' ROW)
5' to 8'6' to 9'5' to 6'
BikeBike
5' to 6'7' to 8'5' to 8'6' to 9'7' to 8'
Travel Lane Travel LaneHead-in Parking/
Tree Islands WalkWalk
Typical Connector - Alternative with head-in/diagonal parking (63' to 66' ROW)
Parking/
Tree
Islands
63'-0" to 66'-0" Right-of-Way
51'-0"
7'-6"20'-0"2'-0"11'-0"11'-0"7'-0"7'-6"
6'-0" to 6'-0" to
Variation for Narrow Right-of-Way (parking one side only)
Variation with bike lanes or cycle track Variation with head-in or diagonal parking on one side
Typical Connector
Figure 10.6-6 Connector Street Type and Variations
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Streets.
Article IV: Zoning Districts Division 12: Form-Based District 71
NEIGHBORHOOD STREET TYPE
Permitted Adjacent to
Frontage Types
Apartment/ Rowhouse,
Yardhouse
Typical ROW Width 60’ to 66’ (50’ variation)
VEHICULAR REALM
Travel Lanes One yield lane; 2 way
Lane Width Maximum 18’ yield lane
Allowable Turn Lanes None permitted
Parking Lanes Parallel; maximum 8’ wide
Pavement Width 26’ to 34’
Bicycle Facilities Shared on street
PEDESTRIAN REALM
Pedestrian Facilities Minimum 5’ wide clear sidewalk on
both sides
Street Buffer Minimum 8’ landscape or furnishing
zone
Variation with parallel parking on one side only
Typical Neighborhood Street
Figure 10.6-7 Neighborhood Street Type
6'-0"18'-0"
WalkYield LaneWalk
60'-0" to 66'0" Right-of-Way
Parkway ParkwayParkingParking
6'-0"
32'-0" to 34'0"
Typical Neighborhood Street (60' to 66' ROW)
Notes:
1) Ideal boulevard width is 9' with trees planted 30' on center for adequate permeable surface area
7' to 8'7' to 8'8' to 10'8' to 10'
Walk
50'-0" to 54'0" Right-of-Way
Parking
26'-0"
Yield Lane
Typical Narrow Neighborhood Street (50' to 54' ROW)
6'-0"6'-0"8'-0"18'-0"6'-0"6'-0"
Parkway Parkway Walk
6' to 8'6' to 8'
MEWS STREET TYPE
Permitted Adjacent to
Frontage Types Yardhouse
Typical ROW Width 34’
VEHICULAR REALM
Travel Lanes One yield lane; 2 way
Lane Width Maximum 17’ yield lane
Allowable Turn Lanes None permitted
Parking Lanes Parallel; maximum 7’ wide, one side
only
Pavement Width
22’; surface should be pavers or
special pavement approved by the City
Engineer
Bicycle Facilities Shared on street
PEDESTRIAN REALM
Pedestrian Facilities Minimum 5’ wide clear sidewalk on
both sides
Street Buffer Minimum 5’ to 8’ landscape or
furnishing zone
Pavers
Walk Parking
22'-0" pavers
Pavers
WalkYield Lane
34'-0" Right-of-way
Typical Mews (34' ROW)
Notes:
1) All pavement and sidewalk should be made up of uniform pavers
17'-0"7'-0" 5'-0"5'-0"
Figure 10.6-8 Mews Street Type
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72 City of St. Louis Park May 27, 2015
Streets & Blocks
Streets.
PEDESTRIAN STREET TYPE
Permitted Adjacent to
Frontage Types All
Typical ROW Width 60’; Full width required for flexibility of
future development
VEHICULAR REALM
Travel Lanes None
Lane Width n/a
Allowable Turn Lanes n/a
Parking Lanes None
Pavement Width
60’; surface should be pavers or
special pavement approved by the City
Engineer
Bicycle Facilities 2-way cycle track
PEDESTRIAN REALM
Pedestrian Facilities Minimum 24’ wide clear sidewalk on
both sides
Street Buffer Boulevard trees required in walk area
12'-0"asphalt
Pavers walk
60'-0" Right-of-way
Typical Pedestrian Street (60' ROW)
Pavers walk
24'-0"6'-0"6'-0"24'-0"
Cycle Track
Figure 10.6-9 Pedestrian Street Type
ALLEY
Permitted Adjacent
to Frontage Types All
Typical ROW Width 20’
VEHICULAR REALM
Travel Lanes 1 yield lane
Lane Width 16 to 20 feet
Allowable Turn Lanes Not permitted
Parking Lanes Not Permitted (May be permitted on
adjacent private lot)
Pavement Width Minimum 16 feet
Maximum 20 feet
Bicycle Facilities Shared
PEDESTRIAN REALM
Pedestrian Facilities
Shared; travel lanes are shared
among drivers, pedestrians and
bicyclists
Street Buffer None required
Travel Lane
20'-0" Right-of-Way
Figure 10.6-10 Alley Street Type
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Streets & Blocks
Streets.
Article IV: Zoning Districts Division 12: Form-Based District 73
5' to 20'
89' to 118' Right-of-Way
Walk/TrailTravel Lane Travel LaneMedianParkwayTravel Lane ParkwayTravel Lane
6' to 9'6' to 10'6' to 9'6' to 10'
61'-0" to 80'-0"
8'-0"
Parking
(+OptionalBulbout)
8'-0"
Typical Boulevard (89' to 118' ROW)
Parking
(+OptionalBulbout)
10' to 12'10' to 12'10' to 12'10' to 12'
Walk/Trail
WalkTravel LaneWalkParkwayTravel Lane ParkwayParkingParkingBikeBike
101-'0" to 136'-0" Right-of-Way
Typical Bouleveard - alternative with cycle track (101' to 136' ROW)
Travel Lane
79'-0" to 102'-0"
Travel LanePlanted Median
10' to 12'10' to 12'10' to 12'10' to 12'7' to 8'5' to 6'6' to 9'5' to 8'3'3'6' to 9'7' to 8'5' to 6'5' to 8'5' to 20'
BOULEVARD STREET TYPE
Location Existing Locations only; provided for
reference only.
Typical ROW Width 89’ to 118’
VEHICULAR REALM
Travel Lanes 4 lanes, 2 way
Lane Width 10’ to 12’
Allowable Turn Lanes Left only with median; right permitted
in place of parking at intersections
Parking Lanes Parallel; maximum 8’ wide
Pavement Width 60’ to 102’
Bicycle Facilities Multi-use trail on both sides and/or
cycle track
PEDESTRIAN REALM
Pedestrian Facilities
Minimum 6’ multiuse trail on both
sides, or minimum 5’ wide clear
sidewalk on both sides sidewalk with
cycle track
Street Buffer Minimum 6’ to 9’ landscape or
furnishing zone
Figure 10.6-11 Boulevard Street Type and Variations
Typical Boulevard
Boulevard variation with cycle track
AVENUE STREET TYPE
Location Existing Locations only; provided for
reference only
Typical ROW Width 66’
VEHICULAR REALM
Travel Lanes 2 lanes, 2 way
Lane Width 11’
Allowable Turn Lanes Left only with median
Parking Lanes No permitted
Pavement Width 42’
Bicycle Facilities Dedicated bike lane, 6’ both sides
PEDESTRIAN REALM
Pedestrian Facilities Minimum 5’ wide clear sidewalk on
both sides
Street Buffer Minimum 5’ landscape or furnishing
zone
Figure 10.6-12 Avenue Street Type
66'-0" Right-of-Way
Travel LaneWalk
Boulevard Bike
LaneTravel LaneLeft Turn/Median
42'-0"
5'-0"4'-0"6'-0"11'-0"12'-0"11'-0"6'-0"5'-0"6'-0"
Bike
Lane Boulevard
Walk
Typical Avenue (66' ROW)
Typical Avenue
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74 City of St. Louis Park May 27, 2015
Streets & Blocks
Stormwater Management.
C. General Street Requirements. The following
apply to all new and existing streets within the
Form-Based District.
1. Public Use. All streets shall be available for
public use at all times. Gated streets and streets
posted as private are not permitted.
2. Graphics. The graphics provided here illustrate
the preferred configuration of each street
type. By applying the standards defined, other
configurations are permitted.
3. Pre-Submittal Conference. During the Pre-
Submittal Conference, the Zoning Administrator
and City Engineer may require additional right-
of-way, pavement width, or additional street
elements depending on unique site locations
and characteristics.
4. Street Construction. All street construction,
whether publicly dedicated or privately held,
shall follow specifications defined by the
Department of Public Works.
5. Fire Access. Street configurations have been
calculated to provided fire truck access. Where
the total width of all travel lanes totaled is
narrower than 20 feet, the following shall apply.
a. Room to Pass. At 120 foot increments, a
20 foot opening in the on-street parking or
a 20 foot dedicated pull-off space must be
provided to allow vehicles to pull over for a
fire truck to pass.
b. Driveway or Fire Hydrant Zone. A driveway
or fire hydrant zone may be utilized to fulfill
the requirement.
10.6.4 STORMWATER MANAGEMENT.
Incorporation of stormwater management best
practices into the right-of-way design is encouraged,
such as slotted curbs into the Landscape Zone.
10.6.5 INTERSECTION DESIGN.
The following applies to all new intersections and
existing intersections with a new street connection.
A. Curb Radii. The following curb radii shall be
utilized unless otherwise authorized by the City
Engineer.
1. Actual Turning Radii. Intersections should be
designed for actual turning radius of the typical
design vehicle as opposed to the maximum
design vehicle. Small curb radii at intersections
shorten pedestrian crossing distances and
reduce vehicle turning speeds, thereby
balancing the ease of travel of the vehicles and
pedestrians. Refer to Figure 10.6-13 Actual
Turning Radius with On-Street Parking.
2. Neighborhood/Mews and Connector Streets.
At the intersection of any street with a
Neighborhood, Mews, or a Connector Street,
the following curb radii shall be utilized.
a. With on-street parking on both streets, a
5-foot radius may be utilized.
b. Without on-street parking, a 15-foot radius
is required.
3. Alley/Pedestrian Street Intersections. The
curb radius at intersections involving Alleys and
Pedestrian Streest shall be no greater than 5
feet.
B. Crosswalks. Crosswalks shall be required at all
intersections involving Connectors, Avenues, and
Boulevards.
1. Dimensions. Crosswalks shall be a minimum
of 6 feet in width, measured from mid-stripe to
mid-stripe.
2. Markings. Crosswalks shall be appropriately
indicated on the finished street surface with
painted markings and/or textured or colored
pavement.
3. Crossing Distances. To encourage pedestrian
activity, typical crosswalks shall not extend over
38 feet without a landscape median, bulb-outs
and/or other pedestrian refuge to mitigate
the effects of vehicular traffic on crossing and
increase pedestrian safety and comfort.
4. Ramps and Panels. Accessible ramps and
warning panels, per the American Disabilities
Act or any more stringent state requirement,
are required where all sidewalks or trails
terminate at a crosswalk or curb.
5. Ramp Orientation. Ramps shall be oriented
perpendicular to traffic, requiring two ramps
per corner at intersecting streets.
C. Bulb-outs. To shorten pedestrian crossing
distances, bulb-outs should be utilized at all
intersections, unless otherwise required by the
Engineering Department. Refer to Figure 10.6-14
Bulb-out.
1. The depth of the bulb-out shall match the
utilized on-street parking, either the width of
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Streets & Blocks
Streetscape Requirements.
Article IV: Zoning Districts Division 12: Form-Based District 75
the parallel space or the depth of the diagonal
space.
2. The radius of the bulb-out shall match the
requirements for the intersection per 10.6.5.A
Curb Radii, above.
3. Utility Accommodations. Utilities shall be
accommodated in new streets to allow for
healthy street trees located in the Landscape or
Furnishings Zone.
10.6.6 STREETSCAPE REQUIREMENTS.
Streetscape is required along all street frontages per
the following.
A. Implementation of Streetscape on Existing
Streets. For all developments with a total existing
street frontage of 400 feet or more, a Streetscape
Design shall be submitted for approval and
installed within the adjacent right-of-way under the
following circumstances:
1. Redevelopment or Renovation. When an
alteration to an existing structure includes
an addition of more than 60 percent in gross
building square footage.
2. New Structure. Development of a new
structure on a previously undeveloped or
currently demolished lot, or development of a
new structure on a lot that increases the total
gross building square footage of the lot by 25
percent or more.
B. New Streets. For all developments proposing new
streets, the applicant shall submit a Streetscape
Design for approval and is responsible for installing
streetscape along both sides of the required
street, unless otherwise coordinated with the city.
C. Streetscape Definition. Streetscape occupies
the full pedestrian realm of any street right-of-way,
including the Landscape or Furnishing Zone, plus
any building setback area less than 15 feet deep
from the streetside lot line. Refer to Figure 10.6-4
Typical Right-of-Way Elements. Refer to 10.6.A.1
Pedestrian Realm for description of the Pedestrian
Realm.
D. Streetscape Design Submittal. A consistent
streetscape design shall be submitted for approval
with Site Plan Review for all new streets within the
development and any existing streets.
curb radius
actual
turning
radius
Figure 10.6-13 Actual Turning Radius with On-Street Parking
Figure 10.6-14 Bulb-out
1. Standard Specifications. Streetscape shall meet
any standards defined by the City for sidewalk,
curb, access, and landscape/furnishing zone
construction.
2. Right-of-Way Expansion. When a right-of-way
expansion or street reconfiguration including
moving the curb is planned for the street, the
applicant may be required to submit a fee-in-
lieu of installation of the streetscape.
3. Submittal Requirements. At a minimum, the
streetscape design submittal shall include the
following:
a. Boulevard Trees. Trees meeting the
minimum requirements of 10.7 Landscape
shall be included in the streetscape design,
with details related to tree pits, tree grates,
and tree planting to meet the landscape
installation requirements of 10.7.2
Boulevard Trees.
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76 City of St. Louis Park May 27, 2015
Streets & Blocks
Streetscape Requirements.
b. Pavement Design. Paving materials and
pattern is required for each sidewalk and
any other hardscape proposed. Pavement
design shall include the minimum sidewalk
widths required by the Street Type and any
extension of the sidewalk to the back of
curb included in a Furnishings Zone.
c. Street Furnishings. Benches and/or
seatwalls, planters, planter fences, tree
grates, and trash receptacles shall be
specified and quantities and locations
listed for each street. For each block face,
a minimum of two benches and one trash
receptacle is required. Tree wells may be
required to have a walking surface per
10.7.2.H Tree Wells.
d. Bicycle Racks. Bicycle racks shall be
supplied to meet a minimum bicycle
parking requirements in 10.5.1.F Bicycle
Parking Quantities. If rear bicycle parking
is utilized, a minimum of 50 percent of the
required ground floor use bicycle parking
shall be supplied within the streetscape.
e. Landscape Design. Ground plane
vegetation shall be designated for any
landscape bed areas, planter areas, and
open tree wells, including a mix of shrubs,
perennials, annuals, and grasses.
f. Lighting. Pedestrian and vehicular lighting
shall be specified with locations and
quantities noted. All lighting shall meet any
requirements of Engineering. Cut sheets
and samples shall be submitted upon
request of the Zoning Administrator.
g. Stormwater Facilities. Any stormwater
facilities proposed for the right-of-way
shall be included in the streetscape design.
Facilities such as stormwater planters
or parkway swales may be included.
Maintenance responsibilities and processes
shall be included.
h. Identity Elements. Any other elements
designed to establish the identity of each
street, such as banners mounted on light
poles, pavement markers, artwork, or
wayfinding signage, shall be included in the
streetscape design submittal.
4. Streetscape Design Continuation. The
approved streetscape design for each street
may be utilized by the City for the extension of
any street outside the development to provide
continuity.
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77 Article IV: Zoning Districts Division 12: Form-Based DistrictDRAFT
10.7.1 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
A. Section 36-364 Landscape. All requirements of
36-364 apply to the Form-Based District, unless
otherwise stated herein.
B. Compliance. All landscape requirements in this
section apply to new development.
1. Existing Developments. Existing developments
shall comply with landscape requirements
when the following development activities are
undertaken:
a. Parking Lots & Drives. Any development
of new or significant improvements to
existing parking lots, loading facilities,
and driveways. Significant improvements
include new driveways, new spaces, new
medians, new loading facilities, or complete
reorganization of the parking and aisles.
i. When compliance is triggered for
existing parking lots, landscape
improvements shall take precedence
over parking requirements.
b. Alteration of Structure. Alteration to an
existing principal or accessory structure
that results in a change of 15 percent or
more in the structure’s gross floor area.
2. Temporary Uses. These provisions do not
apply to temporary uses, unless determined
otherwise by the Zoning Administrator.
C. Minimum Required Landscaping. Section 36-
364(d) does not apply to the Form-Based District.
10.7.2 BOULEVARD TREES
A. Intent. To line all streets with a consistent and
appropriate planting of trees to establish tree
canopy for environmental benefit and a sense of
identity for all streets
B. Applicability. The following standards apply to the
installation of all boulevard trees, whether installed
to meet the required in 10.6.6 Streetscape
Requirements or not.
10.7 LANDSCAPE
C. Required Installation. Boulevard trees are
required for all new streets and may be required
for the pedestrian realm of any existing street.
Refer to 10.6.6 Streetscape Requirements to
determine whether installation of boulevard trees
is required.
1. Exception. Boulevard trees are not required on
the alley street type. (Refer to Figure 10.6-10
Alley Street Type. ).
D. Location. Boulevard trees shall be placed in the
Landscape or Furnishings Zone of the street.
1. Limited Distance between Curb and Sidewalk.
Where the distance from back of curb to
the right-of-way line is less than 10 feet the
Applicant shall coordinate with the Zoning
Administrator to determine an appropriate tree
and sidewalk area that meets the following:
2. Minimum Boulevard Width. A minimum 4-foot,
preferred 9-foot, tree planting area is required
to be located from the back of curb towards the
site.
E. Tree Type. Medium and large canopy or
evergreen trees are permitted to be installed as
boulevard trees. Refer to the City of St. Louis Park’s
Landscape Tree List, available at City Hall.
F. Required Quantities. Each lot is required to
have one tree for every 40 feet of street frontage
with a minimum of one boulevard tree per street
frontage.
G. Spacing. Boulevard trees shall be planted
according to the following requirements:
1. For multi-lot developments, each lot is required
to have one tree for every 40 feet of street
frontage with a minimum of one boulevard tree
per street frontage per lot.
2. Large trees shall be spaced a minimum of 30
and a maximum of 60 feet on center.
78 City of St. Louis Park May 27, 2015
Landscape
Street & Parking Yard Landscape Requirements
3. Medium trees shall be spaced a minimum of 20
and a maximum of 40 feet on center.
4. No tree shall be planted within 15 feet of
a utility pole, 7 feet of a shutoff valve or
underground utility, 2 feet of a concrete curb,
or within 25 feet of an intersection as regulated
by 36- 76 Traffic Visibility.
H. Tree Wells. Along the Shopfront Frontage Type,
where the sidewalk extends from the back of curb
to the property line (creating a furnishings zone
(per 10.6.A.5 Streetscape Requirements), tree wells
shall be utilized.
1. For tree wells adjacent to sidewalks 5 feet wide
or less:
a. Open pit is not permitted.
b. The opening must be covered with a tree
grate or pervious pavement.
c. The opening in a tree grate for the trunk
must be expandable.
I. Clear Branch Height. Minimum clear branch
height is 6 feet; along the Shopfront and General
Frontage Types, minimum clear branch height is 8
feet.
J. Permeable Surface. For each boulevard tree,
a minimum amount of permeable surface
area is required. When the planter area is less
than the required permeable area, permeable
paving materials shall be used to meet twice the
remaining area requirements within the future
dripline of the tree. For example, if 300 square
feet of planter area exists for a Large Tree, 200
square feet of the surrounding surface shall be
permeable. Required minimum permeable area
based upon tree size is as follows.
1. Large Trees: 400 square feet, no less than 9 feet
in width.
2. Medium Trees: 225 square feet, no less than 9
feet in width.
3. Permeable area for one tree cannot count
toward that of another tree.
K. Structural Soil. When the minimum soil area
is less than that required, structural soil or an
approved equal is required. Required minimum
soil area based upon tree size is as follows.
1. Large Trees: 2600 square feet, no less than 9
feet in width, at a depth from the surface of 2.5
feet.
2. Medium Trees: 1140 square feet, no less than 9
feet in width, at a depth from the surface of 2.5
feet.
10.7.3 STREET & PARKING YARD LANDSCAPE REQUIREMENTS
A. Applicability. The following applies to Street
and Parking Yards (refer to 10.3.2.D Treatment of
Street Yards & Setbacks and to 10.2.4 Definitions).
Landscape Areas do not include already required
buffers and parking area plantings.
B. Minor Deviation. A minor deviation from these
requirements may be sought to substitute other
landscape design elements for required plantings.
C. Tree Plantings. One canopy tree is required for
every 5,000 square feet of contiguous Landscape
Area. Existing trees may be utilized to meet this
requirement.
D. Ground Plane Vegetation. A minimum of 40
percent of the Landscape Area must be planting
beds with a minimum of one plant per each 25
square feet.
1. Planting beds may include shrubs, ornamental
grasses, ground cover, vines, annuals, or
perennials. Native or naturalized plant materials
are encouraged.
2. Nonliving materials, such as pine straw or
mulch, are permitted for up to 50 percent of a
bed area.
3. Organic hardwood mulch is encouraged.
4. Annual beds must be maintained seasonally,
replanting as necessary.
E. Remaining Landscape Area. The remaining
Landscape Area shall be covered in plant materials,
including seeded, plugged, or sodded grass(es).
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Landscape
Vehicular Area Buffer
Article IV: Zoning Districts Division 12: Form-Based District 79
Canopy or Evergreen Tree.
Boulevard Tree.
Hedge.
Fence.
Canopy or Evergreen Tree
Hedge
Boulevard Tree
Fence
7’ Buffer.
Parking or
Drive Area
SidewalkCurbBuilding
align with
building face
Lot LinePlanting Location
Vehicular Area Buffer Plan.
Vehicular Area Buffer Section.
10.7.4 VEHICULAR AREA BUFFER
The following replaces the requirements of 36-364(e),
unless otherwise stated.
A. Intent. To lessen the visual impact of vehicular
areas visible from the street.
B. General Applicability. Applies to lots where a
vehicular area is visible from the street.
1. This buffer requirement does not prohibit
the installation of or provision for openings
necessary for allowable access drives and
walkways connecting to the public sidewalk.
Figure 10.7-1 Vehicular Area Buffer Plan and Section
A
B
C
C
D
D
E
E
2. Exceptions. Vehicular areas along alleys, except
when residential is located across the alley, and
all single and two-family lots.
3. Buffer Depth & Location
A Depth 7’
B Location on
the site
Between street facing lot line and
parking area (refer to note a)
4. Buffer Landscape Requirements
Uses &
Materials
Uses and materials other than
those indicated are prohibited in
the buffer
C
Canopy or
Evergreen
Trees
Medium or large canopy or
evergreen tree required at least
every 40’; Locate on the street
side of the fence; Spacing should
alternate with boulevard trees
D Hedge
Required continuous hedge on
street side of fence, between
canopy or evergreen trees and in
front of vehicular areas
Hedge
Composition
Individual shrubs with a minimum
width of 24”, spaced no more than
36” on center, height maintained
no more than 48”.
Existing
Vegetation
May be credited toward buffer
area
5. Fence
E Location 2’ from back of curb of vehicular
area
Materials
Steel or colored PVC; Masonry
columns (maximum width 2’6”)
and base (maximum 18” height)
permitted
Minimum
Height 3’
Maximum
Height 4’
Colors Black, gray, or dark green
Opacity Minimum 30 percent; Maximum
60 percent
Gate/
Opening
One gate permitted per street
frontage; Opening width maximum
6’
Notes:
a. In front, corner, and rear yards (on a through lot), when
the parking area is located adjacent to any building on
the lot, the buffer must be located so that it aligns with
or is behind the face of the adjacent building back to the
vehicular area. The area between the buffer and the lot
line must be landscaped.
DRAFT
80 City of St. Louis Park May 27, 2015
Landscape
Side & Rear Buffer
Lot LineCanopy or Evergreen Tree
Double Hedge
Canopy or Evergreen Tree
Double Hedgeadjacent, less intensely used propertylocate buffer on the more intensely used propertyHedge Width
Buffer DepthPlan Illustration of Side & Rear Buffer.
Section Illustration of Side & Rear Buffer.
BUFFER REQUIRED BY THESE FRONTAGE TYPES
Shop FrontageGeneral FrontageGeneral RowYardhouseWorkshop/WarehouseCivicADJACENT FRONTAGE TYPEShop
Frontage — — — —5’ —’
General
Frontage —— —’ —5’ —
Apartment/
Rowhouse 10’10’——10’10’
Townhouse/
Yardhouse 15’15’5 —15’15’
Workshop/
Warehouse —’ — — —— —
Civic — — —’ — — —
Value in table denotes the required buffer width in feet.
— = No Buffer Required
Figure 10.7-2 Side & Rear Buffer Plan & Section
Figure 10.7-3 Buffer Requirements Between Frontage Types
A
C
B
C
D
D
10.7.5 SIDE & REAR BUFFER
The following replaces the requirements of 36-364(e),
unless otherwise stated.
A. Intent. To minimize the impact that one Frontage
Type may have on a neighboring Frontage Type
and to provide a transition between Frontage
Types.
B. General Applicability. Applies to all Frontage Types.
C. Buffer Depth & Location
A Depth
Varies based on the Frontage Type of
the lot and the adjacent lot; refer to
Figure 10.7-2 Side & Rear Buffer Plan
& Section
Location on
the site
Locate buffers on more intensively
used lot; Buffer is measured from side
and rear lot lines.
D. Required Landscape Screen
Location Directly adjacent to the rear or side
lot line
B Hedge
Continuous double row of shrubs
required between canopy or
evergreen trees
C Hedge
Composition
Double row of individual shrubs with
a minimum width of 24”, spaced no
more than 36” on center; Mature
height in one year of 24”
Number of
Shrubs
Minimum of 15 shrubs per 100’ of lot
line is required
D
Canopy or
evergreen
Trees
At least 1 medium or large shade tree
per every 40’ within the screen
Uses and
Materials
Uses and materials other than those
indicated are prohibited within the
buffer
Existing
Vegetation May be credited toward buffer area
E. Existing Landscaping. The Zoning Administrator
may reduce the width of buffer, width of landscape
screen, or location of landscape screen based on
existing landscaping and topography.
DRAFT
81 Article IV: Zoning Districts Division 12: Form-Based DistrictDRAFT
10.8.1 SIGNS
A. Purpose. This section extends the objectives of
36-362(a) Purpose to the Form-Based District.
B. Applicability. The sign requirements in this
section apply only to development within the Form-
Based District, and supersede all requirements of
36-362 Sign Regulations unless noted otherwise in
this section.
1. Permit Required. A sign permit is required in
accordance with 36-362(f(1) Permit Required
prior to the installation of any sign.
2. Lighting, Construction, Repair, Maintenance,
etc. All requirements of 36-362(f)(4) through
36-362(f)(18) shall apply within the Form-Based
District.
C. Permitted Sign Types. Signs are permitted in the
Form-Based District by Frontage Type and sign
type, as designated in Figure 10.8-1 Permitted
Signs by Frontage Type. Refer to each sign type for
specific information, 10.8.1.H through 10.8.1.O.
1. Sign Quantity. Figure 10.8-2 Maximum
Permitted Signs per Street Frontage by
Frontage Type details the maximum total
10.8 SIGNS
PERMITTED SIGN TYPES BY FRONTAGE TYPE
4 = PERMITTED
0 = PROHIBITED SHOPFRONT GENERAL GENERAL ROW YARDHOUSE WORKSHOP/
WAREHOUSE
SIGN TYPES
WALL SIGN 4 4 0 0 4
PROJECTING SIGN 4 4 0 0 4
PROJECTING MARQUEE SIGN 4 4 0 0 4
AWNING SIGN 4 4 4 0 4
CANOPY-MOUNTED SIGN 4 4 4 0 4
WINDOW SIGN 4 4 0 0 4
MONUMENT SIGN 0 4 4 0 4
PED-SCALE POLE-MOUNTED SIGN 0 4 4 0 4
FIGURE 10.8-1 Permitted Signs by Frontage Type
amount of signage permitted per street
frontage and Frontage Type on a lot.
a. Window Signs. Window signs shall
not count towards the total maximum
permitted amount of signage. Refer to
10.8.1.M Window Signs.
2. Real Estate Sign. See 36-362(h)(1)
3. Private Directional Sign. See 36-362(h)(2)
4. Political Signs. See 36-362(h)(5).
5. Project Information Signs. See 36-362(h)(6)
6. Signs Located on Parking Lots. One sign is
permitted in addition to the maximum signage
quantities detailed in Figure 10.8-2 provided the
following.
a. Permitted sign types are a wall, projecting,
or awning sign.
b. Maximum sign area is 30 square feet.
c. Permitted location is either the side or
rear facade along a parking lot, located
proximate to any parking lot entrance.
7. Pedestrian Signs. Pedestrian signs shall be
permitted in all Frontage Types in accordance
with the following requirements.
82 City of St. Louis Park May 27, 2015
Signs
Signs
a. No portion of the sign shall project beyond
a cube measuring 2.5 feet wide by 3 feet
deep by 3 feet in height.
b. Pedestrian signs may be placed up to
the property line, subject to 36-76 Traffic
Visibility. No portion of the sign shall be
placed in, or project into the public right
of- way, and any such sign shall be located
so that it does not obstruct pedestrian or
vehicular movement or impede pedestrian
or vehicular visibility.
c. The sign may be displayed during business
hours only. The sign shall be stored inside
a building during non-business hours and
during severe weather conditions.
d. The sign shall not be placed in such a
manner that it obstructs the visibility of
another property’s permanent signage.
e. No place of business shall display more
than one pedestrian sign at any time.
f. Pedestrian signs may be constructed of
wood, metal, non-flexible plastic or any
other durable material.
D. Temporary Signs. Temporary signs are permitted
in all Frontage Types as follows.
1. Temporary signs may be permitted on a lot for
a total of 30 days in any calendar year.
2. The total sign area of all signs on a lot, including
temporary signs, shall not exceed the total
permitted in Figure 10.8-2 Maximum Permitted
Signs per Street Frontage by Frontage Type.
MAXIMUM PERMITTED QUANTITY OF SIGNS PER STREET FRONTAGE
SHOPFRONT
FRONTAGE TYPE
GENERAL
FRONTAGE TYPE
GENERAL ROW
FRONTAGE TYPE
YARDHOUSE
FRONTAGE TYPE
WORKSHOP/
WAREHOUSE FRONTAGE TYPE
3 square feet per 1 linear
foot of street frontage
with a maximum of 200
square feet per business
1 square feet per 1 linear
foot of street frontage
with a maximum of 120
square feet for single
business occupant and
80 square feet for each
additional business
80 square feet per street
frontage
For developments of
30 or more units, one
Monument Sign is
permitted.
3 square feet per 1 linear
foot of lot width with a
maximum of 200 square
feet for single business
occupant and 300 square
feet for multiple business
occupancy
FIGURE 10.8-2 Maximum Permitted Signs per Street Frontage by Frontage Type
3. A temporary sign shall not direct persons to or
advertise a product or service not available on
the premises where the sign is located.
4. Temporary signs may be constructed of paper,
cloth, canvas, wood or any other light and non-
durable material.
5. Decorative banners shall be considered
temporary signs. Such signs are permitted
in all Frontage Types in accordance with the
provisions of 36-362(h)(4)(a) through 36-362(h)
(4)(h).
E. Exempt Signs.
1. Signs noted in 36-362(d) Exempt Signs that are
located the Form-Based District shall be exempt
from this section.
2. The maximum permitted sign quantity per lot in
Figure 10.8-2 does not apply to exempt signs.
F. Prohibited Signs. The following are prohibited
within the Form-Based District.
1. All signs as listed in 36-362(e) Prohibited Signs.
2. Electronic Signs. Refer to 36-362(c) Definitions
for definition.
G. Nonconforming Signs. Refer to 36-362(i)
Nonconforming Signs.
DRAFT
Signs
Signs
Article IV: Zoning Districts Division 12: Form-Based District 83
H. Wall Sign
1. Description. Wall signs, also known as flat or
band signs, are mounted directly to the building
face to which the sign is parallel. Refer to Figure
10.8-4 Example of Wall Sign.
2. General Requirements. Wall signs shall be
developed according to the standards in Figure
10.8-3 Wall Sign Requirements.
a. Building Openings. Wall signs shall not
cover windows or other building openings.
b. Architectural Features. Wall signs shall not
cover architectural building features.
c. Murals. Murals, a type of wall sign painted
onto the building face displaying the
business name or activity, are prohibited
on front facades.
3. Computation. The area of a wall sign is
calculated using the following information.
a. Wall Signs. Area is calculated by drawing
the smallest possible square or rectangle
around the largest letters and/or elements,
as is illustrated in Figure 10.8-5 Area
Calculation for Wall Sign.
b. Area Credit. Signs that utilize individual
alphanumeric characters or logos
(including only those using wood, wood
substitute, metal, or masonry) may use 90
percent of the total area calculated for the
sign area in 10.8.1.H.3.a, above.
FIGURE 10.8-4 Example of Wall Sign
FIGURE 10.8-5 Area Calculation for Wall Sign
Sign area is within the dashed line
WALL SIGN REQUIREMENTS
Permitted
Frontage Types Shopfront, General, Workshop/Warehouse
Sign Area 60 sq ft maximum per sign; refer to Figure
10.8-2 for maximum area per frontage
Height 2 ft maximum letter or element height; 4 ft
maximum overall sign height.
Location on the
Building or Site Permitted on all facades
Placement on the
Building or Site
1 ft maximum projection from building
face; shall not project above the roof line.
Quantity
1 per tenant per street frontage; 1 per
tenant per side or rear facade on a parking
lot; for buildings over 6 stories, 1 additional
sign is permitted within 10 ft of the top of
the building.
Internal
Illumination Permitted for individual letters and logos
Materials
Solid wood, metal, masonry & neon glass;
Plastic & synthetics permitted only as
separate alphanumeric characters or logos
FIGURE 10.8-3 Wall Sign Requirements
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84 City of St. Louis Park May 27, 2015
Signs
Signs
I. Projecting Sign
1. Description. A projecting sign is attached to and
projects from a building face or hangs from a
support structure attached to the building face.
Sign faces are typically perpendicular to the
building face, but may be at an angle greater
than 45 degrees from the facade. The sign may
be vertically or horizontally oriented. Refer to
Figure 10.8-7 Example of a Projecting Sign.
2. General Requirements. Projecting signs shall be
developed according to the standards in Figure
10.8-6 Projecting Sign Requirements.
3. Computation. The area of a projecting sign is
equal to the area of one of the sign’s faces, as
illustrated in Figure 10.8-8 Area Calculation for
Projecting Sign.
P
R
O
J
E
C
T
I
N
G
S
I
G
N
Sign area is within the dashed line
PROJECTING
S
I
G
N
minimum clearance
maximum projection
FIGURE 10.8-7 Example of Projecting Sign FIGURE 10.8-8 Area Calculation for Projecting Sign
PROJECTING SIGN REQUIREMENTS
Permitted
Frontage Types Shopfront, General, Workshop/Warehouse
Sign Area 40 sq ft maximum per face; refer to Figure
10.8-2 for maximum per frontage
Height 12 ft maximum sign length, 8 ft minimum
clearance to walk required
Location on the
Building or Site
Permitted on all facades; sign and
structural supports shall not extend above
the eave or parapet
Placement on the
Building or Site
Shall not project closer than 6 ft from back
of curb
Quantity
1 per building per street frontage; 1
per building per parking lot frontage; 1
additional projecting sign permitted per
tenant maximum 4 sq ft.
Internal
Illumination Permitted for individual letters and logos
Materials
Solid wood, metal, masonry & neon glass;
Plastic & synthetics permitted only as
separate alphanumeric characters or logos
FIGURE 10.8-6 Projecting Sign Requirements
maximum height
DRAFT
Signs
Signs
Article IV: Zoning Districts Division 12: Form-Based District 85
PROJECTING MARQUEE SIGN REQUIREMENTS
Permitted
Frontage Types Shopfront, General, Workshop/Warehouse
Sign Area
Maximum 40 sq ft per face.; minimum 2
faces per sign. Refer to Figure 10.8-2 for
maximum per frontage
Height 8 ft minimum clearance to walk required
Location on the
Building or Site
Front & side yard abutting streetfacades
only
Placement on the
Building or Site
Maximum projection from building is 6’;
Shall not project closer than 1’ from back
of curb
Quantity 1 per lot
Internal
Illumination Permitted for individual letters and logos
Materials
Solid wood, metal, masonry & neon glass;
Plastic & synthetics permitted only on sign
face; manually changeable copy boards
permitted with conditions
FIGURE 10.8-9 Projecting Marquee Sign Requirements
FIGURE 10.8-10 Example of Projecting Marquee Sign
Minimum 8 ft clearance
Minimum 8 ft clearance
Maximum 6 feet projection
3-faced projecting marquee sign 2-faced projecting marquee sign Projecting marquee sign with 1 curved face
J. Projecting Marquee Sign
1. Description. A Projecting Marquee sign is a
projecting sign designed to have manually
changeable copy and 2 to 3 sign faces. Refer
to Figures. Refer to Figure 10.8-10 Example of
Projecting Marquee Sign.
2. General Requirements. Projecting Marquee
signs shall be developed according to the
standards in this section and Figure 10.8-9
Projecting Marquee Sign Requirements.
a. Manually Changeable Copy. Manually
changeable copy boards are permitted
on Projecting Marquee signs in with use
limitations and provided the following
conditions are met:
i. The area of the boards cannot equal
greater than 30 percent of the area of
the sign face on which it is located or 32
square feet, whichever is less.
ii. One sign of any type containing a
Manually Changeable Copy Board is
permitted per lot.
3. Computation. The sign area is calculated by
combining the area of all exposed sign faces
and the cabinet or structure surrounding them.
DRAFT
86 City of St. Louis Park May 27, 2015
Signs
Signs
K. Awning Sign
1. Description. A sign that is mounted, painted, or
otherwise applied on or attached to an awning
or canopy. Refer to Figure 10.8-12 Example of
Awning Sign.
2. General Requirements. Awning signs shall be
developed according to the standards in Figure
10.8-11 Awning Sign Requirements.
3. Computation. The area of an awning sign is
calculated by drawing the smallest possible
square or rectangle around the largest letters
and/or elements of the sign portion of the
awning, as is illustrated in Figure 10.8-13 Area
Calculation for Awning Sign.
minimum clearance
maximum projection
FIGURE 10.8-12 Example of Awning Sign
AWNING SIGN REQUIREMENTS
Permitted
Frontage Types
Shopfront, General, General Row,
Workshop/Warehouse
Sign Area
Shall not exceed 100 sq ft; up to 30 percent
of the awning may be used for signage;
Refer to Figure 10.8-2 for maximum per
frontage
Height 8 ft minimum clearance to walk required;
maximum letter or logo height is 3 ft.
Location on the
Building or Site Permitted on all facades
Placement on the
Building or Site
Maximum projection from building is 6 ft;
Shall not project closer than 4 ft from back
of curb; Shall not block any window, door,
or the building roof. Shall not project above
the roof line.
Quantity
1 per tenant per street frontage;
1 per tenant per side or rear facade on a
parking lot
Internal
Illumination Not permitted
Materials Cloth, canvas, metal, or wood; All supports
shall be made of metal or wood
FIGURE 10.8-11 Awning Sign Requirements
FIGURE 10.8-13 Area Calculation for Awning Sign
Sign area is within the dashed line
DRAFT
Signs
Signs
Article IV: Zoning Districts Division 12: Form-Based District 87
L. Canopy-Mounted Sign
1. Description. A sign with individual alphanumeric
characters and/or logos that is mounted on top
of a permanent canopy. Refer to Figure 10.8-15
Example of Canopy-Mounted Sign.
2. General Requirements. Canopy-mounted signs
shall be developed according to the standards
in Figure 10.8-14 Canopy-Mounted Sign
Requirements.
3. Computation. The area of a canopy-mounted
sign is calculated by drawing the smallest
possible square or rectangle around the largest
letters and/or elements of the sign portion of
the canopy-mounted sign, as is illustrated in
Figure 10.8-16 Area Calculation for Canopy-
Mounted Sign.
FIGURE 10.8-15 Example of Canopy-Mounted Sign FIGURE 10.8-16 Area Calculation for Canopy-Mounted Sign
CANOPY-MOUNTED SIGN REQUIREMENTS
Permitted
Frontage Types
Shopfront, General, General Row,
Workshop/Warehouse
Sign Area
Maximum 30 sq ft.
Refer to Figure 10.8-2 for maximum per
frontage
Height
2 ft maximum letter or element height;
Cannot project more than 2.5 ft above roof
line of canopy
Location on the
Building or Site
Permitted on all facades; not intended for
the principal roof of the building.
Placement on the
Building or Site
Shall not project beyond the front edge of
the canopy; Shall not block any window,
door, or the building roof.
Quantity
1 per tenant per public ROW frontage;
1 per tenant per side or rear facade on a
parking lot
Internal
Illumination Permitted for individual letters and logos
Materials
Solid wood, metal, & neon glass; Plastic
& synthetics permitted only as separate
alphanumeric characters or logos
FIGURE 10.8-14 Canopy-Mounted Sign Requirements
maximum height
DRAFT
88 City of St. Louis Park May 27, 2015
Signs
Signs
M. Window Sign.
1. Description. A window sign is posted, painted,
placed, or affixed in or on a window exposed for
public view or is a sign hung inside the building
facing the window for public view. Refer to
Figure 10.8-18 Example of Window Sign.
2. General Requirements. Window signs shall be
developed according to the standards in Figure
10.8-17 Window Sign Requirements.
3. Computation. A series of windows that are
separated by frames or supporting material of
less than 6 inches in width shall be considered a
single window for the purposes of computation.
a. Measurement. The area of a window sign is
calculated by drawing the smallest possible
square or rectangle around the largest
letters and/or elements of each set of
signs, as is illustrated in Figure 10.8-19 Area
Calculation for Window Sign.
b. Sign Area Percentage. To measure sign
area percentage, divide the total sign area
by the total window area, as illustrated in
Figure 10.8-19 Area Calculation for Window
Sign
c. Maximum Allowance. Window signs are
not counted toward a site’s maximum
signage allowance.
d. Exempt signs. Address and hours of
operation are considered exempt signs and
are not counted in the window sign area
calculation.
FIGURE 10.8-18 Example of Window Sign
Continuous window panels
WINDOW SIGN REQUIREMENTS
Permitted
Frontage Types Shopfront, General, Workshop/Warehouse
Sign Area
Up to 30 percent of a set of continuous
windows may be covered with signage; No
more than 50 percent of any one window
panel may be covered with signage.
Height 9 inch maximum letter or element height
Location on the
Building or Site Permitted on all facades
Placement on the
Building or Site
Ground or upper story windows; May be
affixed to window or hung/mounted behind
glass
Quantity
No maximum quantity for ground story,
based on window sign area; 1 per tenant
per floor for upper stories
Internal
Illumination
Not permitted, except on neon or similarly
illuminated window signs
Materials
Drawn, painted, or affixed on the glass;
Wood, metal, neon glass, plastic, or other
similar materials also permitted. LED ropes
or similar lights are prohibited
FIGURE 10.8-17 Window Sign Requirements
Sign area is within the dashed line
Area of a set of continuous windows
FIGURE 10.8-19 Area Calculation for Window Sign
e. Temporary Window signs. Temporary
window signs must be included in the
total percentage of signage per window
calculation.
f. Illumination. Window signs may not be
internally illuminated except for neon or
similar illuminated window signs.
DRAFT
Signs
Signs
Article IV: Zoning Districts Division 12: Form-Based District 89
N. Monument Sign
1. Description. A Monument sign is freestanding;
it is located in a front or side yard of a lot. Refer
to Figure 10.8-21 Example of Monument Sign.
2. General Requirements. Monument signs shall
be developed according to the standards in
Figure 10.8-20 Monument Sign Requirements.
a. Pole-Mounted Signs. Monument signs may
not be pole-mounted.
b. Changing Signs. The area of any changing
sign cannot equal greater than 30 percent
of the area of the sign face on which it is
located or 20 square feet, whichever is less.
i. A changing sign is a sign whose message
can be readily changed by manual
means, per 36-362(c) Definitions.
3. Computation. The area of a monument sign
is equal to the area of all sign faces. This
measurement includes the sign, any cabinet
in which it is enclosed and any changing sign
portions, but excludes the base of the sign.
Refer to Figure 10.8-22 Area Calculation for
Monument Sign.
a. Measuring Height. Maximum height shall
include the sign face, base, cabinet, and
ornamental cap.
b. Height from Grade. Height shall be
measured from the grade level of the curb
of the street closest to the sign. The level
of the ground shall not be altered in such a
way as to provide additional sign height.
FIGURE 10.8-21 Example of Monument Sign
maximum height
MONUMENT SIGN REQUIREMENTS
Permitted
Frontage Types
General, General Row, Yardhouse,
Workshop/Warehouse
Sign Area
Maximum 18 sq ft per face.
Refer to Figure 10.8-2 for maximum
signage per frontage
Height Maximum height 3 ft
Location on the
Building or Site
Front or Corner Yards with a minimum
average depth of 10 feet.
Placement on the
Building or Site
10 ft setback from driveways & side
property line; 5 ft from front & corner
property lines
Sign must not be located in a sight triangle
extending 30 feet from either side of an
intersection of a driveway and a vehicular
right-of-way or two vehicular rights-of-way.
Quantity 1 per building.
Internal
Illumination Permitted for individual letters and logos
Materials Solid wood, metal & masonry; Plastic &
synthetics permitted on sign face.
FIGURE 10.8-20 Monument Sign Requirements
FIGURE 10.8-22 Area Calculation for Monument Sign
Sign area is within the dashed line
DRAFT
90 City of St. Louis Park May 27, 2015
Signs
Signs
O. Ped-Scale Pole-Mounted Sign
1. Description. A ped-scale pole-Mounted sign is
freestanding and may be mounted on one or two
poles. Three configurations are permitted. Refer to
Figure 10.8-25 Examples of Ped-Scale Pole Mounted
Sign.
a. A sign hanging from a single pole.
b. A sign mounted on a single pole.
c. A sign mounted onto a double set of
poles.
2. General Requirements. Ped-scale pole-mounted
signs shall be developed according to the standards
in Figure 10.8-23 Ped-Scale Pole-Mounted Sign
Requirements.
3. Computation. The area of the ped-scale pole-
mounted sign is equal to the area of one sign face.
Refer to Figure 10.8-24.
a. Height from Grade. Height shall be
measured from the grade level of the curb of the
street closest to the sign. The level of the ground
shall not be altered in such a way as to provide
additional sign height.
PED-SCALE POLE-MOUNTED SIGN REQUIREMENTS
Permitted
Frontage Types
General, General Row, Workshop/
Warehouse
Sign Area 6 sq ft maximum area per sign face
Refer to Figure 10.8-2 for maximum per lot
Height
8 ft maximum height for sign mounted
or hanging on a single pole; 5 ft for sign
mounted on double set of poles; Each
pole shall have a maximum diameter of 3
inches.
Location on the
Building or Site
Front or Corner Yards with minimum
average depth of 10 feet
Placement on the
Building or Site
5 ft setback from front & corner lot lines;
Cannot overhang property lines
Sign must not be located in a sight triangle
extending 30 feet from either side of an
intersection of a driveway and a vehicular
right-of-way or two vehicular rights-of-way.
Quantity 1 per building
Internal
Illumination Permitted for individual letters and logos
Materials Solid wood, metal & masonry; Plastic &
synthetics permitted on sign face
FIGURE 10.8-23 Ped-Scale Pole-Mounted Sign Requirements
FIGURE 10.8-25 Examples of Ped-Scale Pole-Mounted Sign
maximum height
Sign hanging from a single pole Sign mounted on a single pole
maximum height
Sign mounted on a double set of poles
Sign area is within the dashed line
FIGURE 10.8-24 Area Calculation for Ped-Scale Pole-Mounted Sign
DRAFT
91 Article IV: Zoning Districts Division 12: Form-Based DistrictDRAFT
10.9.1 APPLICABILITY & CALCULATION
The following sustainable development measures
shall be addressed by all developments in Form-Based
District.
A. Review and Approval. Documentation of which
measures and total number of points the applicant
will achieve shall be indicated on the site plan
review application submitted to the city (refer to
10.2.1 Development Approval Process).
10.9 SUSTAINABILITY MEASURES
MEASURE VALUE SECTION
CERTIFIED GREEN BUILDING 5 POINTS 12.9.2.A Certified Green Buildings Measure
BUILDING ENERGY EFFICIENCY 2 POINTS 12.9.2.B Building Energy Efficiency Measure
BUILDING WATER EFFICIENCY 2 POINTS 12.9.2.C Building Water Efficiency Measure
WATER-EFFICIENT LANDSCAPING 1 POINTS 12.9.2.D Water-Efficient Landscaping Measure
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES 2 OR 3 POINTS 12.9.2.E Renewable Energy Sources Measure
GREEN ROOF 2 POINTS 12.9.2.F Green Roof Measure
HEAT ISLAND REDUCTION 2 POINTS 12.9.2.G Heat Island Reduction Measure
PERVIOUS PAVEMENT 1 POINTS 12.9.2.H Pervious Pavement Measure
ENHANCED BICYCLE AMENITIES 1 POINT 12.9.2.I Enhanced Bicycle Amenities Measure
ALTERNATIVE MEASURE 1 TO 3 POINTS 12.9.2.J Alternative Measure
B. Requirements. The applicant shall achieve no
fewer than 5 total points from any combination of
the sustainable development measures as valued
in Figure 10.9-1 Sustainability Measures & Values.
No partial points will be accepted.
C. Documentation. The applicant shall submit
supporting documentation as noted per measure.
FIGURE 10.9-1 Sustainability Measures & Values
92 City of St. Louis Park May 27, 2015
Sustainability Measures
Measures & Requirements
10.9.2 MEASURES & REQUIREMENTS
A. Certified Green Buildings Measure
1. Minimum Requirement. Certify a new
construction building or building undergoing
major renovations through a green building
rating system requiring review by an
independent, third-party certifying body and
approved by the zoning administrator.
a. City’s Green Building Policy. Projects
fulfilling the City’s Green Building Policy
requirements through staff review for
compliance earn the full point spread.
2. Documentation. Required documentation
includes registration of the project with the
system, payment of all applicable fees for the
rating system, and a draft scorecard showing
the achieved credits or points.
B. Building Energy Efficiency Measure
1. Minimum Requirements.
a. New Construction Buildings. Newly
constructed buildings must demonstrate
an average 10 percent improvement over
the energy code currently in effect in the
city.
b. Major Renovation. Building must
demonstrate an average 5 percent
improvement over ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA
Standard 90.1-2013.
2. Documentation. Required documentation
includes an energy model demonstrating
that the building(s) will achieve the proposed
improvements.
C. Building Water Efficiency Measure
1. Minimum Requirements. Indoor water use in
new buildings and major renovations must be
an average 30 percent less than in baseline
buildings. Baseline water usage shall be
determined based on fixtures per the Energy
Policy Act of 1992 and subsequent rulings
by the United States Department of Energy
or a similar method approved by the zoning
administrator.
2. Documentation. Required documentation
includes cut sheets for all water fixtures.
D. Water-Efficient Landscaping Measure
1. Minimum Requirements. Reduce potable water
used for landscape irrigation by 50 percent
from a calculated midsummer baseline case by
using either one of the following methods:
a. Utilizing all xeriscape plant materials and
providing no permanent irrigation system
b. Using only captured rainwater with an
irrigation system
2. Documentation. Required documentation
includes a landscape and irrigation plan,
illustrating the system.
E. Renewable Energy Sources Measure
1. Minimum Requirements. Incorporate
renewable energy generation on-site for the
following points:
a. 2 Points. A production capacity of at least
5 percent of the building’s annual electric
and thermal energy, established through
an accepted building energy performance
simulation tool, earns 2 points.
b. 3 Points. A production capacity of at least
10 percent of the building’s annual electric
and thermal energy, established through
an accepted building energy performance
simulation tool, earns an additional point
for a total of 2 points.
2. The following renewable energy generation
sources are applicable:
a. Solar thermal or photovoltaics.
b. Geothermal.
c. Wind energy conversion.
d. Anaerobic digestion.
3. Documentation. Required documentation
includes specifications and construction details
for the installation of the system.
F. Green Roof Measure
1. Minimum Requirements. Install a vegetated
roof for at least 50 percent of building roof
area.
2. Documentation. Required documentation
includes roof construction plans with drainage
and planting details.
G. Heat Island Reduction Measure
1. Minimum Requirements. Use any combination
of the following strategies for 35 percent of all
DRAFT
Sustainability Measures
Measures & Requirements
Article IV: Zoning Districts Division 12: Form-Based District 93
on-site, non-roof hardscape areas, including
sidewalks, plazas, courtyards, parking lots,
parking structures, and driveways.
a. Tree Canopy Cover. Coverage of the
surface at shade tree maturity in 15 years.
b. Solar reflective paving & roofing with a SRI
(solar reflectance index) of at least 29.
2. Documentation. Required documentation
includes plans and specifications for installation
of the strategy.
H. Pervious Pavement Measure
1. Minimum Requirements. Install an open grid
or pervious pavement system that is at least 40
percent pervious on 80 percent of all hardscape
surface areas, including sidewalks, plazas,
courtyards, parking lots, and driveways.
2. Documentation. Required documentation
includes plans and specifications for installation
of the strategy.
I. Enhanced Bicycle Amenities Measure
1. Minimum Requirements. Inclusion of 2 of the
following:
a. Lockable enclosed bicycle storage. Provide
1 secure, enclosed bicycle storage space
for 10 percent of planned employee
occupancy.
b. Employee shower facilities. Provide at least
1 shower facility plus one additional shower
per 150 employees.
c. Increased bicycle parking spaces. Provide
bicycle racks at a rate of 1.5 times the
required minimum amount per 10.5.1.F
Bicycle Parking Quantities.
d. Repair Center. Provide a designated bicycle
repair center open to the public and
consisting of an air pump, water, and tools
at a minimum.
2. Documentation. Required documentation
includes site and/or building plans locating the
measures included.
J. Alternative Measure (1 to 3 points). The
applicant may submit an alternative sustainable
development measure for review and
recommendation by the Planning Commission. The
measure shall further a sustainability goal and shall
not be considered standard practice for current
developments.
1. Minimum Requirements. The measure shall
be unrelated to any of the other measures
defined in this Section. Based upon their
review, the Planning Commission shall make a
recommendation for the number of points to
be awarded.
2. Documentation. Required documentation shall
clearly illustrate that the project will achieve
the measure and that the measure furthers a
sustainability goal.
a. The Planning Commission and/or the
zoning administrator may request
additional documentation.
3. Denial. The measure may be denied, if it is
determined to be standard practice for current
development, if the measure does not forward
sustainability goals, or if the documentation
does not illustrate that the measure will be fully
implemented or successful.
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94 City of St. Louis Park May 27, 2015
Sustainability Measures
Measures & Requirements
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95 Article IV: Zoning Districts Division 12: Form-Based DistrictDRAFT
10.10 OPEN SPACE
10.10.1 INTENT.
To provide open space as an amenity that promotes
physical and environmental health within the
community and to provide access to a variety of active
and passive types of open space.
10.10.2 APPLICABILITY.
The standards outlined apply to open space required
per the Regulating Maps (refer to 10.1.3 Regulating
Maps).
A. Existing Open Space. Existing open space at the
time of adoption of this Division is not required to
conform to any of these requirements.
B. Required Open Space. Open space designated on
the Regulating Maps as Open Space Frontage is
required shall conform to these requirements and
one of the permitted types of open space.
C. Developments Over 3 Acres. All developments over
3 acres are required to provide at least one open
space type meeting the following requirements.
a. One type of open space is required within
1/6th of a mile of any principal residential
use entrance.
b. One type of open space is required within
1/4th of a mile of any principal commercial
use entrance.
D. Fee in-lieu. The Zoning Administrator may accept a
fee in-lieu of provision of the open space.
10.10.3 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS.
All open space shall meet the following requirements.
A. Open Space Types. All open space provided within
the Form-Based District shall comply with one of
the Open Space Types defined by 10.10.5 through
10.10.8.
B. Access. All Open Space Types shall provide public
access from a pedestrian route associated with
a vehicular right-of-way and/or adjacent building
entrances/exits.
C. Dedicated. Open Space Types shall be designated
by easement or, with permission of the City,
may be either located within the right-of-way or
dedicated by plat as a separate lot.
D. Fencing. Open Space Types may incorporate
fencing provided that the following requirements
are met.
1. Height. Fencing shall be a maximum height
of 48 inches, unless approved by the zoning
administrator for such circumstances as
proximity to railroad right-of-way and use
around swimming pools, ball fields, and ball
courts.
2. Level of Opacity. Fence opacity shall be no
greater than 60 percent.
3. Type. Chain-link fencing is not permitted
along any street frontage, with the exception
of dedicated sports field or court fencing
approved by the zoning administrator.
4. Spacing of Openings. Openings or gates shall
be provided on every street face at a minimum
of one per every 200 feet.
Figure 10.10-1 Measuring Minimum Dimensions
96 City of St. Louis Park May 27, 2015
Open Space
Stormwater in Open Space Types.
E. Open Water Body. All open water bodies, such as
lakes, ponds, pools, creeks, and streams,within
an Open Space Type shall be located at least 20
feet from a property line to allow for pedestrian
and bicycle access as well as a landscape area
surrounding the water body.
F. Parking Requirements. Parking shall not be
required for or located on any Open Space Type,
unless a use other than open space is determined
by the zoning administrator.
G. Continuity. New open space shall connect to
abutting, or proximate existing or planned trail
right-of-way or open space.
H. Measuring Size.
1. Size. The size of the Open Space Type is
measured to include all landscape and paving
areas associated directly with the Open Space
Type.
2. Minimum Dimension. The minimum length or
width of the Open Space Type, as measured
along the longest two straight lines intersecting
at a right angle defining the maximum length
and width of the lot. Refer to Figure 10.10-1
Measuring Minimum Dimensions.
I. Minimum Percentage of Street Frontage Required.
A minimum percentage of the open space
perimeter, as measured along the outer edge of
the space, shall be located directly adjacent to
a street. This requirement provides access and
visibility to the open space.
J. Improvements. As noted in the specific
requirements for each Open Space Type (10.10.5
through 10.10.8), the following types of site
improvements and structures may be permitted
on an Open Space Type.
1. Designated Sports Fields Permitted. Sports
fields, ball courts, or structures designated for
one or more particular sports including, but not
limited to, baseball fields, softball fields, soccer
fields, basketball courts, football fields, tennis
courts, climbing walls, and skate parks are
permitted.
2. Playgrounds Permitted. Playgrounds include
a defined area with play structures and
equipment typically for children under 10
years of age, such as slides, swings, climbing
structures.
3. Fully Enclosed Structures Permitted. Fully
enclosed structures may include such uses as
small cafes, kiosks, community centers, and
restrooms.
a. Maximum Area. For some open space
types, fully enclosed structures are
permitted, but limited to a maximum
building coverage as a percentage of the
open space area.
b. Semi-Enclosed Structures. Open-air
structures, such as gazebos, are permitted
in all open space types.
4. Maximum Impervious and Semi-Pervious
Surface Permitted. The amounts of impervious
and semi-pervious coverage are provided
separately for each Open Space Type (10.10.5
through 10.10.8) to allow an additional
amount of semi-pervious surface, such as
permeable paving, above the impervious
surfaces permitted, including, but not limited to,
sidewalks, paths, and structures as permitted.
5. Maximum Percentage of Open Water Body.
The maximum amount of area within an Open
Space Type that may be covered by an open
water body, including, but not limited to, ponds,
lakes, and pools.
10.10.4 STORMWATER IN OPEN SPACE TYPES.
Stormwater management practices, such as storage
and retention facilities, may be integrated into
Open Space Types and utilized to meet stormwater
requirements for surrounding parcels.
A. Stormwater Features. Stormwater features
in open space may be designed as formal or
natural amenities with additional uses other
than stormwater management, such as an
amphitheater, sports field, or a pond or pool as
part of the landscape design. Stormwater features
shall not be fenced and shall not impede public
use of the land they occupy.
B. Walls. Retaining walls over 36 inches in height are
not permitted in any open space accommodating
stormwater.
C. Qualified Professional. While the stormwater
features may be designed by an engineer, a
qualified design professional, such as a landscape
architect or certified landscape designer, shall be
utilized to incorporate the stormwater features
into the design of the open spaces.
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Open Space
Plaza.
Article IV: Zoning Districts Division 12: Form-Based District 97
PLAZA REQUIREMENTS
Dimensions
Minimum Size 0.10 acres
Maximum Size 3 acres
Minimum Dimension 80 feet
Minimum Percentage of Street
Frontage Required 25%
Improvements
Designated Sports Fields Not permitted
Playgrounds Not permitted
Fully Enclosed Structures
Permitted; may cover
maximum 5% of plaza
area
Maximum Impervious Surface +
Semi-Pervious Surface
40% +
20%
Maximum Percentage of Open
Water 30%
GREEN REQUIREMENTS
Dimensions
Minimum Size 0.50 acres
Maximum Size 2 acres
Minimum Dimension 45 feet
Minimum Percentage of Street
Frontage Required
100% for greens less
than 1.25 acres;
50% for greens 1.25 or
more acres in size
Improvements
Designated Sports Fields Not permitted
Playgrounds Permitted
Fully Enclosed Structures Not permitted
Maximum Impervious Surface +
Semi-Pervious Surface
20% +
15%
Maximum Percentage of Open
Water 30%
10.10.5 PLAZA.
The intent of the plaza is to provide a formal Open
Space Type of medium scale to serve as a gathering
place for civic, social, and commercial purposes. The
Plaza may contain a greater amount of impervious
coverage than any other Open Space Type. Special
features, such as fountains and public art installations,
are encouraged.
10.10.6 GREEN.
The intent of the green is to provide informal,
medium scale active or passive recreation for building
occupants and visitors within walking distance, mainly
fronted by streets.
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98 City of St. Louis Park May 27, 2015
Open Space
Commons.
COMMONS REQUIREMENTS
Dimensions
Minimum Size 0.25 acres
Maximum Size 1.5 acres
Minimum Dimension 45 feet
Minimum Percentage of Street
Frontage Required
0%; requires a minimum
of two access points
(minimum 20 feet wide)
Improvements
Designated Sports Fields Not permitted
Playgrounds Permitted
Fully Enclosed Structures Not permitted
Maximum Impervious Surface +
Semi-Pervious Surface
30% +
10%
Maximum Percentage of Open
Water 30%
PARK REQUIREMENTS
Dimensions
Minimum Size 2 acres
Maximum Size None
Minimum Dimension 30 feet; minimum average
width of 80 feet
Minimum Percentage of Street
Frontage Required
30% for parks less than 5
acres; 20% for parks 5 or
more acres in size
Improvements
Designated Sports Fields Permitted
Playgrounds Permitted
Fully Enclosed Structures Permitted in parks 5 acres
or larger in size
Maximum Impervious Surface +
Semi-Pervious Surface
20% +
10%
Maximum Percentage of Open
Water 30%
10.10.7 COMMONS.
The intent of the commons is to provide an informal,
small to medium scale space for active or passive
recreation for a limited area. Commons are typically
internal to a block and tend to serve adjacent building
occupants.
10.10.8 PARK.
The intent of the park is to provide informal active
and passive large-scale recreational amenities to local
residents and the greater region. Parks have primarily
natural plantings and are frequently created around an
existing natural feature such as a water body or stands
of trees.
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