HomeMy WebLinkAbout4A Downtown Design Ord Amendment Report
4646 Dakota Street SE
Prior Lake, MN 55372
PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: JULY 13, 2020
AGENDA #: 4A
PREPARED BY: JEFF MATZKE, PLANNER
PRESENTED BY: JEFF MATZKE
AGENDA ITEM:
CONSIDER RECOMMENDING AMENDMENTS TO SUBSECTION 1102.800
OF THE PRIOR LAKE CITY CODE RELATING TO DESIGN REQUIRMENTS
IN THE TOWN CENTER
DISCUSSION: Introduction
The purpose of this public hearing is to consider amendments to Section
1102.800 of the Prior Lake City Code. The proposed amendments include
amendments to the design requirements within the Town Center Zoning District.
History
The Prior Lake Zoning Ordinance provides for the classification and regulation of
uses and structures within the city. The classifications and regulations are in-
tended to effectuate the goals and policies of the city's comprehensive plan, to
assure for the orderly and efficient growth within the city and promote the general
health, welfare, and safety of the community and its residents.
Current Circumstances
The Town Center (TC) Zoning District encompasses the center core of Prior
Lake. The TC District is designed to express the City’s commitment to maintain
and enhance the vitality of the downtown area by establishing minimum criteria
for the development and redevelopment of commercial, residential and public
buildings while promoting amenities intended to attract business, residents and
visitors. Specific objectives include:
To improve the visual quality of downtown.
To reinforce the physical character of downtown by focusing on the design
context.
To expand the employment base and number of residents living downtown.
To preserve and reuse existing buildings and establish standards for the
construction of new ones.
To accommodate and promote commercial, residential, educational, cultural
and governmental uses within the downtown.
To establish clear development and redevelopment guidelines
In 2007 the City approved a design plan known as the “Prior Lake Downtown
Building Design Guidelines” and incorporated them into the Zoning Ordinance by
reference. This plan conveys many building design features and downtown at-
tributes which are intended to promote a traditional or historic downtown theme.
However, many of these guidelines are generalized ideas, not specific and well
established for the City to require distinctive applicability for potential downtown
development projects.
2
The City Staff is currently proposing to draft these guidelines into more concrete
requirements in the actual TC Zoning District City Code. The goal of this is to
create a clear path for property owners, developers, and architectural profession-
als to follow when creating design elements to incorporate into new and redevel-
opment downtown building projects.
The attached TC Zoning District revisions including the following main topics:
· Minimum Height - Establish a minimum height consistent with recent City
approvals of downtown buildings
· Renovation of Existing Buildings - Require standards for renovations of
existing buildings rather than present mere suggestions of design ele-
ments
· Signage & Parking – Relocate requirements to the sections of City Code
which contain these overall standards in Section 1107.
· Exterior Materials – List specific building materials for downtown buildings
exclusive of the other City architectural design requirements in other zon-
ing districts.
· Building Façade Options – List building design element options and re-
quire that a minimum of three elements be meet with new projects. This
method is similar to other commercial/industrial design requirements in
the City Code.
· Appeal process – Create an appeals process for applicants in instances
where the Zoning Administrator denies a permit or a request for approval
of building materials/building design.
Conclusion
The proposed ordinance amendments are intended to promote design standards
that will preserve town center properties designated by the City of Prior Lake.
The City Staff believes the incorporation of specific requirements rather than gen-
eral guidelines will create clear City objectives for applicants to follow when de-
signing future downtown building projects.
Subsection 1108.600 (Policy for Amendments) of the zoning ordinance states,
recommendations of the planning commission and final determinations of the city
council shall be supported by findings addressing the relationship of the proposed
amendment to the following policies:
In the case of amendments to the formal text of this ordinance:
There is a public need for the amendment, or
The amendment will accomplish one or more of the purposes of this ordi-
nance, the comprehensive plan or other adopted plans or policies of the
city, or
The adoption of the amendment is consistent with state and/or federal
requirements.
In city staff’s opinion, the proposed ordinance amendment will help accomplish
the following findings and purpose of the zoning ordinance:
Protect the residential, business, industrial and public areas of the com-
munity and maintain their stability.
Promote the most appropriate and orderly development of the residential,
business, industrial, public land and public areas.
3
Provide for compatibility of different land uses by segregating, controlling
and regulating unavoidable nuisance producing uses.
Require that development proceed according to the goals and policies
established in the city's comprehensive plan.
Maintain a tax base necessary to promote the economic welfare of the
city by insuring optimum values for property in the city.
ISSUES: City Staff is requesting the planning commission review the proposed amend-
ments, provide any comments, and recommend the city council approve the
amendments.
ALTERNATIVES: 1. Motion and a second to recommend the city council approve the amendments
to Section 1102.800 of the Prior Lake City Code, as proposed or as may be
further amended by the planning commission.
2. Motion and a second to recommend the city council deny the proposed
amendments to Subsection 1102.800 of the Prior Lake City Code.
3. Motion and a second to table discussion of the item to a future meeting date
and provide staff with direction.
RECOMMENDED
MOTIONS:
Alternative #1
ATTACHMENTS: 1. Proposed Ordinance Amendments
1102.800: "TC" TOWN CENTER USE DISTRICT. The purpose of the "TC" Town Center
Use District is to provide for a variety of commercial and residential uses within the
framework of a traditional downtown area. The district also contemplates and
provides for pedestrian circulation, urban and civic design and the creative reuse
of existing buildings.
The TC Town Center District is designed to express the City’s commitment to
maintain and enhance the vitality of the Downtown area by establishing minimum
criteria for the development and redevelopment of commercial, residential and
public buildings while promoting amenities intended to attract business, residents
and visitors. Specific objectives include:
:
To improve the visual quality of Downtown.
To reinforce the physical character of Downtown by focusing on the
design context.
To expand the employment base and number of residents living
Downtown.
To preserve and reuse existing buildings and establish standards for the
construction of new ones.
To accommodate and promote commercial, residential, educational,
cultural and governmental uses within the Downtown.
To establish clear development and redevelopment guidelines
1102.801 Permitted Uses. The following uses are permitted in the "TC" Town Center Use
District if the use complies with the Commercial Restrictions and Performance
Standards of Subsection 1102.1300.
(1) Medical/Dental Offices
(2) Retail. The following types of retail uses are considered appropriate for the
Downtown area:
Antique stores
Bakeries, delicatessens, bagel shops, ice cream shops and other
specialty food stores, not including drive-in or drive-through facilities.
Bicycle sales and repair
Bookstores
Camera stores
Clothing or shoe stores
Drugstores
Florists
Jewelry stores
News stands
Hardware stores
Tobacco stores
Toy stores
Video sales and rental
Café or coffee shop
Copy Shop
(3) Showrooms for merchandise such as home furnishing, appliances, floor coverings
and similar large items, not including motor vehicles, with a maximum floor area of
10,000 square feet.
(4) Offices
(5) Services
(6) Libraries
(7) Police and Fire Stations
(8) Business Services
(9) Hotel/Motel
(10) Schools and Studios for arts, crafts, photography, music, dance, exercise or similar
courses of study.
(11) Museums/art galleries
(12) Clubs and lodges with and without liquor licenses.
(13) Private Entertainment (indoor).
(14) Brew Pub
(15) Small Brewer
(16) Brewer Taproom
(17) Microdistillery
(18) Cocktail Room
(19) Exclusive Liquor Store
(Ord. Amd. 116-12, publ. 06/04/2016)
1102.802 Uses Permitted With Conditions. A structure or land in a "TC" Town Center Use
District may be used for one or more of the following uses if its use complies with
conditions stated in Subsection 1102.1300 and those specified for the use in this
subsection.
(1) Adult Day Care. Conditions:
a. The facility shall not be located fronting County Road 21.
(2) Dry Cleaning, Laundering with Route Pick-up and Delivery. Conditions:
a. The use shall not exceed 5,000 square feet in area.
b. Outside storage and parking of trucks involved in the operation of the
business is limited to trucks and vans with a manufacturer’s rated cargo
capacity of one (1) ton or less. All trucks in operation with the business must
be stored on-site (not in public parking areas).
c. Outside vehicle storage shall be screened from any "R" Use District by a
bufferyard, as determined by Subsection 1107.2003.
(3) Group Day Care/Nursery School. Conditions:
a. Outside play space must be provided consistent with the requirements of
State Statutes. The space shall be screened with a bufferyard Type C as
defined in Subsection 1107.2005.
b. An off-street pedestrian loading area shall be provided in order to maintain
vehicular and pedestrian safety.
c. Outdoor play areas shall be located a minimum of 200 feet from any roadway
designated to the Comprehensive Plan as a principal arterial.
d. The facility shall not be located fronting Main Avenue, Dakota Street or
County Road 21.
(4) Park/Open Space. Conditions:
a. The principal structure shall be located a minimum of 50 feet from a lot in an
"R" Use District.
b. Open areas designated for group activities shall be located a minimum of 25
feet from a lot in an "R" Use District.
c. The entire site other than that taken up by structures, required buffer yards,
or other landscaped areas shall be surfaced with a material to control dust
and drainage.
(5) Public Service Structures. Conditions:
a. All exterior building faces shall comply with Subsection 1107.2200.
b. All structures shall be located a minimum of 10 feet from any abutting property
located in an "R" Use District.
c. All service drives shall be paved.
(6) Multiple Family Dwellings. Conditions:
a. Multiple family dwellings with their primary frontage on Main Avenue or
Dakota Street must be in combination with another permitted use, as
specified in Subsection 1102.804. Residential units shall not be located on
the ground level or street level of the development. This is in keeping with the
objective of promoting commercial pedestrian traffic on the primary
commercial streets.
b. Safe and adequate pedestrian access to open space, plazas and pedestrian
ways must be provided.
(7) Elderly Housing. Conditions:
a. The building design and placement must provide a residential environment
with minimum exposure to noise and traffic.
b. Safe and adequate pedestrian access to open space, plazas and pedestrian
ways must be provided.
c. Site access must be located so that access can be provided without
generating significant traffic on local residential streets.
d. The site must contain a minimum of 200 square feet of usable open space
per dwelling unit. Alternatively, public parks or plazas within 300 feet of the
site may be used to meet this requirement.
e. A minimum of 25% of the usable open space provided on the site shall be
developed as outdoor recreation or garden areas.
f. Each dwelling unit must be a minimum of 900 square feet of lot area.
g. The minimum spacing between buildings shall be at least equal to the
average heights of the buildings except where dwellings share common walls.
h. Buildings shall be located a minimum of 15 feet from the back of the curb line
of internal private roadways or parking lots.
i. Covenants running with the land that restrict the use of the property for
occupancy by the elderly shall be recorded against the property.
j. The development shall provide a lounge or other inside community rooms
amounting to a minimum of 15 square feet for each unit.
(8) Community Centers. Conditions:
a. An off-street passenger loading area shall be provided in order to maintain
vehicular and pedestrian safety.
b. Outdoor areas intended for group activities shall be located at least 25 feet
from any lot in a “R” Use District and shall be buffered from such residential
lot with a bufferyard Type C as defined in Subsection 1107.2005.
(9) Bed and Breakfast Establishments. Conditions:
a. The required parking shall be screened with a bufferyard as defined in
Subsection 1107.2000.
b. The total number of guests shall be limited to 6.
c. Not more than 50% of the gross floor area of the residence shall be used for
the guest room operation.
d. The only exterior alterations which will be permitted are those that do not alter
the exterior appearance from its single-family character.
e. Accommodations may be provided to a guest for a period not exceeding 14
consecutive days.
f. Food service shall be limited to breakfast and afternoon tea.
g. Rented rooms shall not contain cooking facilities.
h. Rooms used for sleeping shall be part of the primary residential structure and
shall not have been constructed specifically for rental purposes.
i. Parking shall not be located within the front yard. No more than 50% of the
rear yard may be paved or used for parking.
(10) Banks. Conditions:
a. The use shall not include any drive-through or drive-up windows or facilities.
(11) Wholesale sales, in combination with retail or office use. Conditions:
a. The use shall be limited to 50% of the floor area of the structure.
b. Total floor area of the structure shall not exceed 10,000 square feet.
(12) Restaurants. Conditions:
a. Access shall be located so as to minimize access to and from local residential
streets.
b. Drive-through, drive-in and outdoor pick-up facilities are not permitted.
(Ord. Amd. 116-12, publ. 06/04/2016)
(13) Parking Lots and Parking Ramps. Conditions:
a. Location: If off-street parking is provided within the “TC” District either in a
parking lot or parking ramp, it shall be located to the side or rear of the
principal building, not between the building and the right-of-way.
b. Screening: Parking lots or ramps adjoining the sidewalk or a walkway shall
be separated by a landscaped yard at least 4 feet wide, containing a
decorative fence or wall between 2½ and 3 feet in height. One canopy tree
shall be provided for each 25 linear feet of parking lot frontage on a public
street or accessway.
c. Landscaping: The corners of parking lots or ramps and all other areas not
used for parking or vehicular circulation shall be landscaped with turf grass,
native grasses or other perennial flowering plants, vines, shrubs and trees.
Such spaces may include architectural features such as benches, kiosks or
bicycle parking.
The interior of parking lots containing 20 or more spaces shall contain
landscaped areas equal to at least 15% of the total parking lot area, including
a minimum of one deciduous shade tree per 10 parking spaces. Lawns or
landscaped areas within 10 feet of the perimeter of the parking lot may be
counted toward the required landscaping.
d. Parking lot design must be consistent with the criteria set forth in the “Prior
Lake Downtown Building Design Guidelines.”
1102.803 Uses Permitted By Conditional Use Permit. No structure or land in a "TC" Town
Center Use District shall be used for the following uses except by Conditional Use
Permit. These uses shall comply with the requirements of all the General
Conditions provided in Subsections 1108.202 through 1108.204; with the specific
conditions imposed in this Subsection; and any other conditions the Planning
Commission may impose that are intended to promote the health, safety, and
welfare of the residents within the City to maintain the characteristics of a
neighborhood.
(1) Expansion of Existing Institutional Uses. Conditions:
a. The use must exist on June 1, 2009, the date of this Ordinance, and may be
expanded only on the existing parcel, or on a combination of parcels as part
of a campus plan.
b. All new construction must be consistent with the design standards of the “TC”
Town Center Use District, as contained in Subsections 1102.806 through
1102.809 of this Ordinance.
(2) Adult Uses. (Conditions listed in Section 1111).
1102.804 Uses in Combination. In keeping with the purpose of the “TC” Town Center Use
District, combinations of the following uses on a single parcel and/or within a single
building are encouraged.
Multiple-family dwellings
Retail
Offices
Services
Studios
Coffee Shops or restaurants
Parking lots and Parking ramps
1102.805 Accessory Uses. The following uses are permitted accessory uses in a "TC"
Town Center Use District:
(1) Incidental Repair or Processing which is necessary to conduct a permitted principal
use and that does not exceed 25% of the gross floor area.
(2) Outdoor Seating and Service of Food and Beverages By a Restaurant is
permitted if:
The use is separated from any adjacent residential use by a building wall
or fence. This provision will not apply if the residential use is a located in
an upper story above a restaurant.
No speakers or other electronic devices which emit sound are permitted
outside of the principal structure if the use is located within 500 feet of a
residential district.
Hours of operation shall be limited to 7am to 10pm if located within 500
feet of a Residential District use.
Additional parking will not be required if the outdoor seating area does not
exceed 50 square feet or 10% of the gross floor area of the restaurant,
whichever is less. Parking will be required at the same rate as the
principal use for that portion of outdoor seating area in excess of 500
square feet or 10% of the gross building area, whichever is less.
(3) Outdoor Seating and Service of Food and Alcoholic Beverages is permitted as
an accessory use if:
All the requirements of Subsection 1102.804(2) above are met.
Access to and from the outdoor area shall be through the indoor seating
area. There shall be no direct access to the outdoor seating area from the
parking lot or street.
Food service to the outdoor area shall be provided during all hours of
operation.
No bar shall be located in the outdoor area, except a service bar for the
exclusive use of the employees.
(4) Awnings and signs extending over the public right-of-way may be permitted subject
to approval of a Private Use of Public Property Agreement in a form acceptable to
the City Attorney, and the provisions of Subsection 1107.801.
(5) Outdoor Sales are permitted as an accessory use with the following conditions:
The items displayed must be related to the principal use.
The area allowed for outdoor sales is limited to 30% of the gross floor
area used for the display and sale of merchandise, or goods in the
principal use.
The area must be landscaped and fenced or screened with a Bufferyard
Type D from any neighboring residential uses or abutting any “R” district.
All lighting must be hooded and positioned so the light source is not visible
from the public right-of-way or from neighboring residential properties and
is compliant with Subsection 1107.1800.
Areas where outdoor sales occur must be hard-surfaced with asphalt,
concrete, or decorative concrete.
(6) Drive-thru windows and Drive-in lanes are permitted as an accessory use
subject to approval of a conditional use permit, processed according to the
provisions of Subsection 1108.200 of the Zoning Ordinance, and with the following
conditions:
A maximum of 4 drive-thru lanes are allowed.
The drive-thru windows or drive-in lanes are not allowed within the
“build-to” line or in front of any building. They must be located to the
side or the rear of the building.
No part of the street or boulevard may be used for stacking of
automobiles.
1102.806 Dimensional Standards. The following dimensional standards shall apply to the
“TC” Town Center District.
Minimum Lot Width 30 feet
Front yard - Minimum Setback None
- Maximum Setback 10 feet measured from the right-of-way
Side Yard - Minimum Setback None
- Maximum Setback 10 feet unless parking is located within the
side yard.
Rear Yard - Minimum None
Minimum Floor Area Ratio 0.5
Build-To Line Along Main Avenue a build-to line is
established a distance of 53 feet from the
inner edge of the street right-of-way (in
most cases, this is the inner edge of the
sidewalk). At least 70% of the building
façade that fronts Main Avenue must be
built out to this line.
Maximum Height 55 feet
Minimum Height 2520 feet or two stories for buildings less
than or equal to 10,000 square feet. 25
feet or three stories for buildings greater
than 10,000 square feet
(Ord. Amd. 117-03, publ. 03/04/2017)
(Ord. Amd. 119-01, publ. 02/09/2019)
1102.807 General Provisions for Design Standards and Review in the “TC” Town
Center District
(1) Purpose. The purpose of this Subsection is to provide guidance and direction in
the development and redevelopment of the Town Center District. The Town Center
District is the center for the role of Downtown as the community focus of
government, culture and social interaction. The guidelines below were developed
to:
Ensure that new development complements the established character
of the Downtown’s neighborhood
Enhance the traditional downtown/”main street” character
Improve the predictability of the review and approval process for
residents, developers and staff
Set standards for development and redevelopment that enhance and
maintain a traditional small downtown character.
Introduce sustainable and “green” building practices to provide
guidelines and criteria.
(2) Applicability. The design standards and the design review process apply to all
new construction; any renovation, expansion or other exterior changes to existing
non-residential and/or multi-family buildings, including re-painting; any
development or expansion of parking areas; and any other exterior alteration that
requires a building permit.
The design standards shall apply only to the building or site elements being
developed or altered. That is, changes to a building shall comply with those
standards that pertain to buildings, while changes to a parking area shall comply
with standards for parking areas, but not for buildings. The Community
Development Director will make the initial determination as to which standards are
applicable.
There are many ways to achieve the same design objective. The Community
Development Director may permit alternative approaches that, in its determination,
meet the objective(s) of the design standard(s) equally well.
(Ord. Amd. 116-12, publ. 06/04/2016)
1102.808 Design Review in the “TC” Town Center Use District
(1) Application for Design Review. An application for A Design Review Plan shall
be on a form provided by the Citysubmitted with the Building permit application,
and shall include the following information, in addition to any information required
for site plan review under Subsection 1108.903.
Elevations. Complete exterior elevations of all proposed buildings and
existing buildings if they are joined to new development. Elevations
should be drawn at an appropriate scale (usually ¼”= 1’) and should
show (a) all signs to be mounted on the building(s) or erected on the site;
and (b) materials and colors to be used on all exterior facades.
Materials Sample. Material samples shall be presented, including color
and material type for walls and roof.
Color Samples. Samples of all principal and secondary colors to be used.
Context. Photographs of surrounding buildings on the same block or
street that show the proposed building or renovations in context.
(2) Administration and Review Procedures. The following design standards shall
supplement the standards and process outlined in Subsection 1108.900, Site Plan
Review. After receipt of a complete application, the Community Development
Department will refer the application to City Departments and to other parties
having jurisdiction. The Community Development Department will then review the
proposed development for compliance with the guidelines in this Subsection and
other applicable ordinances. Within 60 days of receipt of a complete application,
the Planning Staff will take action to approve or deny the application. The City may
if necessary, upon appropriate notice extend the 60 days by an additional 60 days.
If a site plan review is needed, the two processes will be conducted concurrently.
(Ord. Amd. 116-12, publ. 06/04/16)
1102.809 Design Standards in the “TC” Town Center District.
(1) Prior Lake Downtown Building Design GuidelinesStandards. The design
standards outlined in the “Prior Lake Downtown Building Design Guidelines” are
hereby adopted and incorporated into this Zoning Ordinance by reference. The
Design Standards are established to preserve and promote a designed to be
theme of a Traditional Downtown aesthetic. All new construction and
redevelopment shall incorporate the criteria included in these guidelinesstandards.
In addition, the following design standards shall supplement the “Prior Lake
Downtown Building Design Guidelines.”
Compatibility with Traditional Downtown Theme. The Design elements,
including but not limited to, building materials, façade design, windows,
landscaping, lighting, and signage shall be compatible with the Traditional
Downtown theme for improvements within the Downtown as expressed in the
“Prior Lake Downtown Building Design Guidelines”.
(2) Renovation of Existing Buildings. During the exterior renovation of an existing
building any façade additions that are not compatible with the style and period of
the building should shall be removed to the extent feasible. These may include,
but are not limited to, wood or plastic shake mansard roofs, plastic or oddly shaped
awnings, window opening infills, or surrounds designed to reduce the size of
window openings, modern siding materials inconsistent with the original façade,
and light fixtures inconsistent with the building’s original style or the Traditional
Downtown aesthetic.
Masonry buildings should shall be cleaned as necessary to lighten the
overall color.
New masonry work should shall match the color and materials or the
original façade.
Wherever practical, façade renovations should shall not destroy or cover
original details on a building. Brick and stone facades should shall not
be covered with artificial siding or panels.
Original window and door openings should shall be maintained wherever
practical. New window and door openings should shall maintain a similar
horizontal and vertical relationship as the original.
(3) General infill principles. Infill buildings should shall reflect the original design of
surrounding storefront buildings in scale and character. This can be achieved by
maintaining similar setbacks, cornice lines, horizontal lines of windows and
openings, and compatible building materials and colors. Where such original
buildings are missing or have been extensively altered, the other design standards
in the Section shall be applied.
Commented [JM1]: Eliminate language – it’s currently
part of site plan/building permit review process
Commented [JM2]: Define Traditional Downtown Theme
(4) Mechanical Equipment Screening. Utility service structures such as utility
meters, transformers, above-ground tanks, refuse handling, loading docks,
maintenance structures and other ancillary equipment must be inside a building or
be entirely screened from off-site views by a decorative fence, wall, or screen of
plant material of sufficient height. Fences and walls shall be architecturally
compatible with the primary structure. Loading docks or doors should shall always
be located on a side or rear elevation.
(5) Signs. Signage shall comply with requirements set forth in Section 1107 of the
City Code.
Signs. Within the TC District, maximum sign area per property for permanent
exterior signage shall not exceed two (2) square feet of sign area per linear foot of
the front façade of the building. In the case of single tenant buildings, no more than
two types of permanent signs are permitted per façade (for example: one
projecting sign and one awning sign, or one wall sign and one awning sign). In the
case of multiple tenant buildings, one (1) sign is allowed per business for each
usable public entry to a building. Free-standing signs are permitted only in an
existing front yard.
Projecting Signs: Projecting signs shall not exceed the sum of 14 square feet in area and may
project no more than five (5) feet from the building face, provided that they do not
infringe on the public right-of-way. Signs must maintain a minimum clearance of
nine (9) feet above a sidewalk and 15 feet above driveways or alleys. No projecting
sign shall be located within 10 feet of another projecting sign.
Sign Design Guidelines: Signs should be architecturally compatible with the style, composition,
materials, colors and details of the building and with other signs or nearby
buildings.
Signs should be positioned so they are an integral design feature of the building, and to
complement and enhance the building’s architectural features. Signs should not
obscure or destroy architectural details such as stone arches, glass transom
panels, or decorative brickwork.
Sign Colors: Sign colors shall be compatible with the building façade to which the sign is attached.
No more than three colors should be used per sign, unless part of an illustration.
A combination of soft/neutral shades and dark/rich shades within the palette of the
building colors shall be used.
Materials: Sign materials shall be compatible with the original construction materials and
architectural style of the building façade on which they are to be displayed. Natural
materials such as wood, stone and metal are preferred but other materials that are
equally durable and replicate the appearance of natural materials are acceptable.
Illumination: External illumination of signs is permitted by incandescent, metal halide or
fluorescent light that emits a continuous white light. Light shall not shine directly
onto the ground or adjacent buildings. Neon signs are permitted in windows.
Internally lit box signs and awnings are permitted.
(Ord Amd 110-03, publ 8/21/10)
Commented [JM3]: Sign standards moved to Section
1107 with reference listed herein.
(6) Parking. Parking shall comply with requirements set forth in Section 1107 of the
City Code.
Parking.
Location: If off-street parking is provided by an individual business within the “TC”
District, it shall be located to the side or rear of the business’ principal building, not
between the building and the street. Individual business parking may not occupy
a corner location.
Screening: Surface parking lots adjoining the sidewalk or a walkway shall be
separated from it by a landscaped yard at least 4 feet wide, containing a decorative
fence or wall between 2½ and 3 feet in height. One canopy tree shall be provided
for each 25 linear feet of parking lot frontage on a public street or accessway.
Landscaping: The corners of surface parking lots and all other areas not used for
parking or vehicular circulation shall be landscaped with turf grass, native grasses
or perennial flowering plants, vines, shrubs and trees. Such spaces may include
architectural features such as benches, kiosks or bicycle parking. The interior of
surface parking lots containing 20 or more spaces shall contain landscaped areas
equal to at least 15% of the total parking lot area, including a minimum of one
deciduous shade tree per 10 parking spaces. Lawns or landscaped areas within
10 feet of the perimeter of the parking lot may be counted toward the required
landscaping
The interior of surface parking lots containing 20 or more spaces shall contain
landscaped areas equal to at least 15% of the total parking lot area, including a
minimum of one deciduous shade tree per 10 parking spaces. Lawns or
landscaped areas within 10 feet of the perimeter of the parking lot may be counted
toward the required landscaping.
(7) Exterior Materials - Exterior Materials – Brick, stone, stucco or EIFS synthetic
stucco (provided that the material shall not be allowed within 4 feet from grade)
and glass are permitted materials.
(8) Building Façade Options: The building design shall indicate a minimum of three of
the following design elements:
Base/Middle/Top Design – A base floor height of the building that is a
minimum 25% taller than any middle or top floor height.
Windows/Glass - Base floor use of a minimum 60% glass material for the
front exterior elevation. Middle and top use of a minimum 40% glass
material for front exterior elevation. Continuous window strips shall not
be permitted.
Color – A color palette of the building relating to the adjacent buildings to
create a harmonious effect.
Commented [JM4]: Parking standards moved to Section
1107 with reference listed herein.
Lighting – Lighting screened or diffused so that the light source is not
directly visible from the street level. Unshielded wall pack lights are not
permitted.
Awnings – The use of plain or striped fabric awnings, which are
retractable, or at a one to one pitch.
Murals – Addition of murals using a historic theme and incorporating a
Prior Lake reference into the design
(9) In any instance where the Zoning Administrator denies a permit or a request for
approval of building materials or building design, the applicant may submit an
appeal of the interpretation, based upon the plans and other papers on file in the
office of the Zoning Administrator, to the Board of Adjustment without payment of
additional fees of any kind. Appeals shall be considered according to the
procedure outlined in Subsection 1109.300
1102.810 Non-Conformities. The adoption of this Ordinance is not intended to create non-
conforming uses within the TC Town Center District. Legal uses and structures in
the TC Town Center District existing on June 1, 2009 may continue in operation
and are allowed to be remodeled or to be upgraded pursuant to the applicable
provisions of this Subsection. A land uses may be expanded in size, provided that
the expansion occurs on the lot of record occupied by the use as of June 1, 2009.
1102.811 Modifications. Any person seeking to construct a new building or remodel an
existing building in the TC Town Center District may seek a modification of the
Design Standards contained in Subsection 1102.806 if it can be demonstrated that
application of the Design Standards will result in undue hardship or practical
difficulties to the owner or developer of the affected property. An application for
such modifications shall accompany the building permit application and shall state
the rationale for each such request. Cost alone should never be the basis for
modification of the Design Standards. The request for modification of the Design
Standards shall be processed under the procedural requirements for a conditional
use permit as outlined in Subsection 1108.206 of this Ordinance.
Commented [JM5]: Change date.
Commented [JM6]: Change date.