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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017/10/04 - ADMIN - Minutes - Planning Commission - Study SessionOfficial Minutes Planning Commission October 4, 2017 Page 5 PLANNING COMMISSION STUDY SESSION ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA OCTOBER 4, 2017 6:00 P.M. 1. Mixed-Use Zoning District Concept Review – Façade Details and Screening Jennifer Monson, Planner, asked the Commission for their feedback on façade details and screening options for new mixed-use buildings within proposed amendments to the mixed-use zoning ordinance. Commissioners commented that all the new mixed-use buildings are looking the same. Commissioner Kanne asked if there has ever been a conversation about what makes a classic look. Commissioner Robertson commented that he understands the desire to have good looking buildings. He said sometimes being too prescriptive makes things start to look the same. He commented that transparency for ground floor commercial does give pedestrians a sense of safety. He doesn’t know if it’s necessary to zone for it. Ms. Monson spoke about the ability in the PUD process to negotiate on the amount of fenestration on the ground floor and making sure that fenestration is transparent. Ms. Monson spoke about the responsibility of planners and the Commission to make sure the public realm is what it should be. Commissioner Robertson said basically it goes back to form-based zoning. How does the building relate to the street? Not just the height but the building envelope. Commissioner Carper discussed commonly designed flat street level entrys differentiated by color. He discussed the use of in-set doorways which are seen in older buildings. He noted that design does take away from square footage, however. Chair Peilen spoke about balance. She said a development needs guidelines but they shouldn’t be too prescriptive as ideas of beauty change. Buildings should have character. Commissioner Robertson stated we don’t need zoning to do good design. A client wants unique, good design. Chair Peilen spoke about building materials and commented that building materials over the years change what we get. Official Minutes Planning Commission October 4, 2017 Page 6 Ms. Monson said the city’s current architectural standards are pretty basic and pretty easy to apply. They require 60% of the building to be Class I materials. They don’t specify transparency of ground floor currently but she suggested a certain percentage should be included as a minimum. Commissioner Robertson said maybe at corners or around the entry we want a bit of transparency. He said he doesn’t know of any architect who thinks the 60% requirement is restrictive. There are so many materials which can be used. He suggested not specifying what architects have to do; but making it clear what they can’t do. Ms. Monson commented that we are trying to make the best projects for the city and the long term. Jacquelyn Kramer, Associate Planner, discussed façade planes, which allows flexibility through ratios and divisions that are offset from the rest of the facade. That can provide consideration of the overall area, breaks up building mass, creates visual interest and improves interaction with the street. We want our focus to always consider the pedestrian and public realm. Ms. Kramer discussed higher standards for prominent building corners. Commissioner Robertson asked if that is done through setbacks. Ms. Kramer spoke about corner features, pedestrian plazas, special roof forms and more visibility at prominent building corners. Commissioners said they were interested in seeing corner standards included in an M-X amendment. Ms. Monson discussed side and rear screening so that landscaping and screening can benefit adjacent residential buildings as well as the mixed use buildings, sometimes creating a special neighborhood space. She also spoke about the Guidelines for the South Side of Excelsior Blvd. which included creating a 10 ft. wide zone that includes a fence and landscaping buffer to separate the more intense uses in M-X or commercial from the residential buildings. Commissioner Kanne said she liked the idea of special areas as discussed, adding that it seemed very area-specific. Ms. Monson suggested the next study session could include more on building design, as well as site design, circulation access and loading docks. Official Minutes Planning Commission October 4, 2017 Page 7 Commissioner Robertson commented that loading dock areas are changing by becoming smaller and more efficient. The study session was adjourned at 7:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Nancy Sells Recording Secretary