HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 13 - CC Design Standards Manual 11-19-13
MAYOR & COUNCIL COMMUNICATION
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DATE: November 19, 2013 REGULAR ITEM # 13 AGENDA ITEM: Lake Elmo Design Guidelines and Standards Manual
SUBMITTED BY: Nick Johnson, City Planner
THROUGH: Dean A. Zuleger, City Administrator
REVIEWED BY: Planning Commission Kyle Klatt, Community Development Director
SUGGESTED ORDER OF BUSINESS:
- Introduction of Item ..................................................................................... Staff
- Report/Presentation………………………………………………………..Staff
- Questions from Council to Staff ............................................. Mayor Facilitates
- Public Input, if Appropriate .................................................... Mayor Facilitates
- Call for Motion ............................................................... Mayor & City Council
- Discussion ....................................................................... Mayor & City Council
- Action on Motion .................................................................... Mayor Facilitates POLICY RECOMMENDER: Planning Commission FISCAL IMPACT: None – City review costs will be reimbursed through application or escrow fees. SUMMARY AND ACTION REQUESTED:
The City Council is being asked to consider the adoption of the Lake Elmo Design Guidelines and Standards Manual. The purpose of the manual is to promote high quality development outcomes through site and architectural design. As proposed, the design standards manual would
be adopted by reference into the Zoning Code and replace existing design related performance standards in the Code. The adoption of design standards is a supported policy under the Lake Elmo Comprehensive Plan (Chapter III – Land Use). Staff and the Planning Commission are recommending that the City Council adopt the Lake
Elmo Design Standards Manual through the following motion:
City Council Meeting [Regular Agenda Item 13]
November 19, 2013
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“Motion to adopt Resolution No. 2013-097 approving the Lake Elmo Design Guidelines and Standards Manual” LEGISLATIVE HISOTYR/BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The City Council reviewed a draft of the Manual at the Council meeting on 11/15/13. At the
meeting, it was determined that the Council review the document at a workshop meeting on 11/12/13. By working through various policy questions, the Council was able to reach consensus on a number of minimal changes to refine the Manual. The proposed changes from the previous draft include the following:
• Language encouraging rain gardens was removed. The Council preferred the City’s
storm water ordinance and local watershed districts to address all storm water design for
future development.
• Regarding form and façade, language related to blank facades was changed to note that
buildings without windows and doors are discouraged.
• Examples of simulated building materials that would be acceptable to the City were
added.
• The requirement to submit samples of all building materials before approval of the
building permit was removed.
• Two errors identified by staff related to conflicting building material language were
corrected.
• The title of the document was changed to “Design Guidelines and Standards Manual”.
• Standards related to the amount of surface parking along the public right-of-way in the
Commercial and Business Park districts were changed to make the parking design
encouraged as opposed to mandatory.
With consensus reached on a number of items, the Manual has now been updated to reflect the
Council’s direction. Staff recommends that the Lake Elmo Design Guidelines and Standards
Manual be adopted to serve as the main tool of site and building design review.
PLANNING COMMISSION RECCOMENDATION:
The Planning Commission is recommending that the City Council adopt the Lake Elmo Design
Guidelines and Standards Manual through the following motion:
“Motion to adopt Resolution No. 2013-097 approving the Lake Elmo Design Guidelines and
Standards Manual”
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution No. 2013-097
2. Lake Elmo Design Guidelines and Standards Manual (Draft 11-14-13)