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Page 7 <br /> <br /> <br /> 7 <br />Landscaping <br /> <br />Based on the type and size of the proposed restaurant building and the dimensions of the site, the <br />landscaping plan should include a minimum of 23 deciduous shade trees, 19 coniferous trees, and <br />19 ornamental, and 127 shrubs. The applicant’s landscape plan not only meets all of the City’s <br />landscape requirements for a commercial use but exceeds the requirements. The landscaping <br />surrounds the building with perennials and has trees and shrubs located within the parking lot in <br />the islands and promenade central gathering area. There is a row of shrubs that are lined along <br />Highway 61 that provides a nice buffer between the sidewalk and parking lot. There is also an <br />evenly spaced row of trees proposed for the area along Highway 61. The remaining greenspace <br />on the property will be sod. <br /> <br />The downtown design guidelines state where parking is located along the street, it should be <br />landscaped and screened with a combination of fencing or wall plantings along the street edge. <br />The applicant has done a good job of creating a wall edge of shrubs and trees along the road, it <br />also created a landscaped edge between the sidewalk and the parking lot. The applicant is also <br />proposing decorative lighting along within the development. <br /> <br />Sidewalks and Trials <br /> <br />The downtown design guidelines promote a pedestrian friendly downtown area. The plan does <br />create a pedestrian friendly atmosphere by connecting the sidewalk along Highway 61 to a <br />proposed promenade and boardwalk along the lake. <br /> <br />Although the boardwalk and decking areas will be privately owned and used in connection with <br />restaurants and other buildings within the development, the applicant does want portions of the <br />waterfront to be accessible to the public. <br /> <br />The docks will need to be reviewed and approved by the Technical Evaluation Panel (TEP) and <br />the MnDNR. The applicant is requesting PUD flexibility for the dock construction regulations <br />for the shoreland overlay district, however, until the dock is reviewed and approved by the <br />MnDNR staff is unsure what the dimensions will be approved. The applicant will be required to <br />obtain a permit of MNDNR prior to installation. <br /> <br />Lighting <br /> <br />The applicant has submitted a full lighting plan that includes decorative lighting for the site and <br />the building. The final lighting plans shall be submitted to the City for review and approval by <br />staff. <br /> <br />Architecture and Building Materials <br /> <br />The downtown design guidelines encourage new buildings to be designed with elements of <br />traditional main street design, Hugo’s French trading post roots, or prairie style architecture. <br />Traditional main street style buildings usually have flat roofs with well-defined roof lines. The <br />French trading post architectural elements include steeper or mansard roofs, open storefronts, and