04-08-19 PC Agenda
REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
1. Call to Order
2. Approval of Agenda
3. Approval of Minutes
March 25, 2019, Regular Planning Commission Meeting
4. Discussion – Mixed Use Zoning District
--Short Recess--
5. Council Liaison Report
6. Reports on Meetings of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority, City Council, Board of Zoning
Appeals, and other meetings
7. Other Business
8. Adjournment
Apr 8, 2019 – 7 pm
Council Chambers
Golden Valley City Hall
7800 Golden Valley Road
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 7 pm by Chair Baker.
Roll Call
Commissioners present: Rich Baker, Ron Blum, Adam Brookins, Andy Johnson, Lauren Pockl, Chuck
Segelbaum
Commissioners absent: None
Staff present: Planning Manager Jason Zimmerman, Administrative Assistant Lisa Wittman
Council Liaison present: None
Approval of Agenda
MOTION made by Segelbaum, seconded by Blum to approve the agenda of March 25, 2019, as
submitted and the motion carried.
Approval of Minutes
March 11, 2019, Regular Planning Commission Meeting
MOTION made by Brookins, seconded by Blum to approve the March 11, 2019, minutes as submitted
and the motion carried.
Discussion – Architectural and Material Standards
Zimmerman reminded the Commission that they have reviewed architectural and material standards at
several recent meetings. He stated that he would now like to discuss possible Zoning Code language that
addresses both areas.
Zimmerman explained that the proposed new section of Code will have a purpose statement that
includes the following guidelines: development and redevelopment within the City will be held to a high
standard with respect to visual quality, structural and ornamental elements are utilized to maximize
variety and architectural interest, building facades facing the public realm are active and engaging, and
the built environment is maintained in good condition.
Blum questioned if one of the Planning Commission’s goals was to facilitate the transition between
different zoning districts. Segelbaum said he thinks it was part of their past discussions.
Mar 25, 2019 – 7 pm
Council Chambers
Golden Valley City Hall
7800 Golden Valley Road
City of Golden Valley Planning Commission Regular Meeting
Mar 25, 2019 – 7 pm
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Zimmerman stated that following the purpose statement, general architectural standards would be
listed that would apply to all structures regardless of zoning district. The proposed architectural
standards would include: varied massing to incorporate staggered building components, recessed
doorways, and other elements that provide visual interest; interesting roof lines that include pitched
roofs, dormers, gable or hip roof accents, parapets, cornices, and other interesting profiles; consistent
architectural treatment on all facades; and focal features that add interest or distinction to a building.
Johnson asked if vertical and horizontal articulation is what “staggered building components” is referring
to. Zimmerman said it refers to blocks of massing and breaking up the overall massing of a building to
create visual interest.
Zimmerman stated that the general standards will also include exterior materials that are divided into
Class I, Class II, and Class III categories with the Class I materials being the highest quality. He stated that
past conversations have included changing this to allow four classes of materials but upon further
research staff has concerns that breaking the material standards into four classes gets overly
complicated. Baker asked what led the Planning Commission toward having four classes. Segelbaum said
they thought that some of the Class I materials were very high end and could be separated out from the
list, and that there was a distinction among the Class I materials such as masonry/textured cement
stucco compared to glass, copper, or natural stone. Zimmerman said it was also a way to try and fine
tune different zoning districts and that the more categories there are, the more they can require certain
percentages of the different classes of materials.
Zimmerman showed the Commission several pictures of various types and classes of materials.
Segelbaum asked what class of materials Brookview used and if it would be within the scope of what is
being proposed. Zimmerman said he didn’t do the calculations, but a large portion of the building is pre-
finished metal and concrete block (Class II materials) so it may not meet the proposed percentage
standards.
Zimmerman discussed several recent construction projects in the City including the Arcata and Hello
apartments and noted that much of the materials used in those projects are Class II materials with the
exception of glass and brick which are Class I materials. Segelbaum asked if the majority of the recent
projects used mostly Class II materials. Zimmerman said yes, he believes most of them would be a mix of
Class I and Class II materials. Baker stated that those projects are zoned R-4 and the proposed Code
language would require them to be composed of at least 60% Class I materials. Zimmerman agreed and
added that the proposed language is upping the standard and is also what St. Louis Park and other
nearby cities use.
Zimmerman referred to the proposed Zoning Code language and stated that after the purpose and
standards sections it addresses the individual zoning districts. He referred to the R-2 Zoning District and
stated that duplexes are currently the only attached units allowed and that they function very much like
a single family home, so staff is suggesting that they wait to write the architectural and materials
City of Golden Valley Planning Commission Regular Meeting
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standards for this district until townhomes or row houses are included as permitted uses because they
would be a better target for limited architectural and/or material standards.
Zimmerman asked the Commissioners about having some architectural and material standards in the R-2
Zoning District that would encourage row homes, or attached homes, etc. He showed several photos as
examples of traditional duplexes and of some town home and row homes. Baker asked how the City
could encourage the R-2 Zoning District to move is that direction. Zimmerman said staff will be
considering language later this year for the R-2 District that could allow town homes and row homes, and
not just single family homes and duplexes.
The Commissioners discussed various areas in the City that have higher densities and where this type of
housing might work. Baker suggested that staff bring the Commission some suggested changes for the
R-2 Zoning District.
Zimmerman discussed the proposed standards in the R-3 and R-4 Zoning Districts. He stated that a lot of
the proposed standards in these districts come from the existing language in the I-394 Mixed Use Zoning
District.
Zimmerman next discussed the proposed standards in the Commercial, Office, Institutional, Light
Industrial, and Industrial Zoning Districts. He stated that staff is proposing to wait on architectural and
material standards language in the new Mixed Use Zoning District until the rest of the code language is
written for that district.
Zimmerman discussed the proposed language regarding additions and expansions to buildings and
stated that it is fairly universal to require that additions comply with new architectural standards. In
regard to materials the proposed language stated that all facades of an addition or expansion shall be
composed of at least 90% Class I materials until the appropriate minimum Class I percentage standards
for the building are met.
Baker said he is satisfied having three classes of materials rather than four. Zimmerman noted that the
standards can always be evaluated and added to, or changed over time.
Segelbaum said he thinks having architectural standards makes good sense and is appropriate and that
the materials and percentage of materials required is worth a full discussion. He stated that developers
have said that in order to make a development economically viable there has to be ways to make cuts so
if that is true the upping of the materials standards would up the expense and he wonders if the City
would have the recent development it’s had and if it will continue with these new standards. He said he
doesn’t want the City to price itself out of development and is glad to know that the same standards are
used in other cities.
City of Golden Valley Planning Commission Regular Meeting
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Baker said there has been a flood of new housing so maybe now is the time to take action that causes
that to subside a little, but the City will be attractive again.
Pockl asked Zimmerman if other cities said that once they implemented these types of standards they
found that it was too cost prohibitive for developers. Zimmerman said some cities stated that they
received some push back, but most of the staff he talked to said their standards are reasonable and
developers have been able to meet them. Baker asked if it is possible that Golden Valley got all of its
recent development because there aren’t these standards in place. Zimmerman said he doesn’t know if
it was that or if it was just the demand for housing in the Twin Cities.
Blum said the City got a lot of architecturally interesting and nice looking buildings regardless of the
standards. He said they shouldn’t be chasing development for development sake. He said he wants
development that is right for Golden Valley which is a higher standard and that is reflected in the
proposed new architectural and material standards.
Segelbaum asked the Commission what they thought about requiring 50% Class I materials in the Light
Industrial district. Blum said he was surprised to see such a high standard in the industrial districts. Baker
said he wants the industrial districts to be attractive too. Zimmerman noted that Brooklyn Park requires
65% Class I in industrial areas and many other cities require 50%.
Brookins said he thinks the proposed new standards are a big jump in comparison to what the City
currently has. He said he doesn’t find a ton of value in it and that a lot of the industrial areas that the City
has serve a good purpose and he doesn’t think the City will get a better purpose in those areas by
putting more brick on the front or back of a building. He said the industrial areas can be treated as such
and can use industrial materials.
Blum asked the Commission if they feel differently about industrial areas that border on zoning districts
that have higher standards. He added that the City has been granting more CUPs in industrial areas so
some of those might start to look more like commercial or office properties. Zimmerman noted that
there are codes that require different standards for facades that face residential or institutional
properties. Baker suggested that the standards be dropped a little bit if an industrial property isn’t facing
residential properties, but he questioned what the standards should be if the property is highly visible.
Zimmerman said the City doesn’t have very many light industrial or industrial properties that directly
abut a different zoning district, most of them are across a public street from another property zoned
differently. He suggested keeping the standards high when a light industrial or industrial property is
across the street from a different zoning district.
Johnson said the City hasn’t had architectural or material standards up until now so he is struggling with
the character of Golden Valley because he doesn’t really know how what is being proposed fits in with
what’s already been built and how to apply the proposed code in the real world. Baker asked if it would
City of Golden Valley Planning Commission Regular Meeting
Mar 25, 2019 – 7 pm
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help to have some analysis of what’s been built. Segelbaum said that would give them a quantifiable look
at what’s been done. Baker stated that they’ve looked at what neighboring communities have done and
he thinks Golden Valley would want to be similar. Zimmerman stated that there isn’t really a good way
to determine the materials standards with buildings already built, but that he would try to provide an
estimate. Johnson said they would look silly if none of the recently constructed buildings come close to
what is being proposed. Baker said he is interested in what Golden Valley aspires to be in the future.
Segelbaum said he agrees with Johnson and said he worries that maybe the proposed new language
goes too far. He questioned if maybe it should be less strict in order to attract development.
Blum questioned if maybe the percentages should be lowered or if the type of materials should be
changed. Segelbaum said he is very much in favor of setting architectural and material standards he just
thinks the proposed standards should be relaxed by either reducing the percentages or by having four
classes of materials and requiring a smaller percentage of Class I materials and allowing a larger
percentage of Class II materials.
Brookins referred to the proposed language requiring 60% of Class I materials be used for R-3 properties
and questioned if that will work with the City’s affordability expectation. Zimmerman said the proposed
language is modeled on other cities who have the same affordability standards, but he agrees that in
some ways there may be competing goals.
Baker said code language is adaptive and suggested trying the proposed new standards which set a
pretty high bar and then change it if needed in the future. He said he’s heard compelling arguments from
the Commission about lowering the percentages in the Light Industrial and Industrial Zoning Districts but
he likes the percentages as they have been presented in all the other districts.
Blum noted that PUDs allow for flexibility and asked about the minimum acreage required for a PUD.
Zimmerman said two acres is the minimum requirement and agreed that they allow more flexibility for
things like the materials used. He added that hopefully the City will also get more redevelopment on the
newer mixed use sites.
Blum stated that if stucco and EIFs each drop down a class level he would feel more flexible about
lowering the percentages required. Baker suggested moving masonry/textured cement stucco to Class II
and changing the 60% to 50% as well.
Pockl said what she likes about having three classes of materials is that it offers more opportunity for
Class I materials which could lessen the load on cost prohibitive issues if there is more to choose from.
Baker said he would feel comfortable dropping the requirement of 60% Class I materials down to 50%
Class I materials in the R-3, R-4, and Office Zoning Districts if masonry/textured cement stucco is moved
City of Golden Valley Planning Commission Regular Meeting
Mar 25, 2019 – 7 pm
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to the Class II category. Zimmerman asked for clarification regarding moving EFIS down to the Class III
category. Baker said he thinks EFIS should be left in the Class II category.
Johnson stated that they should either address this issue by finding out what is already in the City or
make a statement that it doesn’t matter. He reiterated that he would like to have an idea on how some
of the more recent buildings in the City would or wouldn’t meet these proposed new requirements. He
reminded the Commission that they can also request special studies as well. Baker said he wouldn’t mind
seeing a limited analysis that would include just the most recently constructed buildings such as: Talo,
Arcata, The Xenia, Hello, and Liberty Crossing. Zimmerman said he won’t be able to provide exact
percentages but staff can provide some analysis of how those projects would fit with the proposed new
language.
Blum said he thinks it is ok for them to be forward thinking and to at least match our neighboring
communities’ standards. He stated that a lot of the recent projects mentioned would have had options
through the PUD process to have some flexibility. Zimmerman noted that there is also the clause in the
materials list that states “other materials not listed elsewhere as approved by the City Manager or
his/her designee or as recommended by the Planning Commission” which also provides some flexibility.
--Short Recess--
Discussion – Planning Commission 2018 Annual Report
Zimmerman gave highlights from the Annual Report and stated that Chair Baker will be presenting it to
the City Council at their Council/Manager meeting in April.
Segelbaum referred to the 2019 proposed work plan section of the report and said he thinks the
community would like to see small retail in the City.
Blum stated that the Commission has previously discussed gateway improvements and said that would
be a great way to distinguish Golden Valley and neighborhoods within Golden Valley.
Baker asked that the 2040 Comprehensive Plan information be moved up on the staff led
discussions/presentations list because the Commission spent a lot of time on that. He suggested that
strengthening large tree retention and small lot development be added to the 2019 work plan section.
Discussion – Board of Zoning Appeals 2018 Annual Report
Zimmerman referred to the Board of Zoning Appeals annual report and stated that there were 11
variances considered, nine of them were in the R-1 Zoning District. He stated that staff has continued to
work with applicants up front to help decrease the amount of variance requests.
Baker asked why there are so many variances in South Tyrol. Zimmerman said there were some new
homes built in that area on corner lots with two front yards.
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Segelbaum asked if there is a way to compare how strict or lax Golden Valley is compared to other cities.
Blum said his impression is that the BZA is very likely to grant variances and he is concerned about the
exception to the rule becoming the standard. Zimmerman said he thinks the BZA tries to help
homeowners and that they sometimes modify variance requests in order to not approve such large
variances. He stated that some clarity from the City Council may be needed on whether it is the BZA’s
role to try and help homeowner’s solve their problems, or if they should uphold the standards that are in
place and only grant variances for things that rise to a certain level.
Johnson added that many of the side yard variances are granted in order to allow people a second
garage stall which really is the norm.
Council Liaison Report
No report was given.
Reports on Meetings of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority, City Council, Board of Zoning
Appeals, and other meetings
No reports were given.
Other Business
Baker reported on a neighborhood meeting he attended regarding a new house that was built on a 40-
foot wide lot. He stated that the Council may be reviewing the regulations for these narrow lots.
Zimmerman stated that the Commission may be reviewing massing and height for these types of lots.
Adjourn
MOTION by Segelbaum, seconded by Blum and the motion carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting
at 8:41 pm.
________________________________
Ron Blum, Secretary
_________________________________
Lisa Wittman, Administrative Assistant
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Date: April 8, 2019
To: Golden Valley Planning Commission
From: Jason Zimmerman, Planning Manager
Emily Goellner, Senior Planner/Grant Writer
Subject: Mixed Use Zoning District Discussion
Summary
At the previous discussion with the Planning Commission on February 25, 2019, staff summarized
the results of the 2040 Comprehensive Plan, which calls for a Mixed Use Zoning District to be
implemented on various parcels throughout the city. The Commission agreed that the next step is
to expand and update the current I-394 Mixed Use Zoning District so that the regulations can be
applied to these parcels (see attached map). Since then, staff has conducted an assessment of
the I-394 Mixed Use Zoning District to gain a general understanding of what changes will need to
be made. This memo summarizes that assessment.
ANTICIPATED CHANGES TO I-394 MIXED USE ZONING DISTRICT:
Section Notes
Purpose • Keep most of the language, but remove I-394 and make other small
adjustments
List of
permitted,
conditional, and
accessory uses
• Keep most of the uses listed, but remove the size requirements
• Create a table of allowed uses rather than a list, which will be replicated
in all other Zoning Districts in the future
• List all uses specifically rather than referring to the lists found in the
Commercial and Institutional Districts
• The list of allowed uses will be evaluated again when all uses in all
Districts are analyzed as part of a different project expected to occur
later in 2019
Live-Work Units • Unsure whether to continue allowing live-work units
• If included, may be beneficial to simplify the requirements and make
them less restrictive
2
Front Yard
Setback
• Currently lists 4 scenarios ranging from 0 to 75 feet
• Look for ways to simplify the list of requirements
• The 75-foot requirement is for properties abutting R-1 or R-2; it makes
sense to have a larger setback in this case, but 75 may be too large
• The goal is to ensure that building placement is closer to the street to
encourage pedestrian-oriented environment
• Figure out how to handle lots with more than 1 front yard
• Partially or fully restrict surface parking in the front yard
Side and Rear
Yard Setbacks
• Currently ranges from 10 to 50 feet
• Smaller side and rear yard setbacks may be more appropriate for this
District
Height • Currently allows up to 3, 6, and 10 stories
• Comp Plan calls for up to 4 stories in Neighborhood Mixed Use District
and up to 6 stories in Community Mixed Use District
• A CUP is not the best tool for allowing an increase in height; the only
way to mitigate a tall building is to make it shorter
• A density or height bonus is a better tool than a CUP – it would include a
pre-determined list of amenities that the City would accept in exchange
for more height
• Even with a height bonus, there should be an absolute maximum height
stated in the Code
• There is no absolute maximum height in current Code.
Transitional
Height
• It makes sense that this type of regulation exists
• Need to test it on some properties to understand if it is set at the
appropriate level
• Adds complexity to the Code; if adding complexity, we want to ensure
that the extra work to administer it is worth it
2-story
Minimum
• This regulation seems unnecessary for any mixed-use development or
any housing development
• Is this regulation necessary in order to ensure that the environment is
pedestrian-friendly?
• New buildings with commercial uses are often 1 story, so this could
create the need for variances
• This regulation is overly complex as written
Minimum
Density
• With most project proposals in Golden Valley, we have been more
concerned with limiting the density rather than trying to increase the
density
• The high cost of land in Golden Valley basically creates a minimum
density necessary for a project to work in this market, so this regulation
seems unnecessary
• Staff recommends removing this regulation to simplify the Code
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Required Mix of
Uses
• This requirement has not been effective in the I-394 corridor
• Consultants and developers have recommended that the market should
dictate the exact mix of uses rather than zoning regulations
• Staff recommends removing this regulation to simplify the Code
Max Floor Area
Ratio (FAR)
• Not clear how this regulation is helping to meet the goals of the District
• FAR is not used anywhere else in City Code
• A CUP is not the best tool for allowing a larger FAR; a FAR bonus would
be more appropriate.
• Staff recommends removing the FAR regulations to simplify the Code
Impervious
Surface and
Open Space
• Currently a maximum impervious surface limit of 65%
• Currently on lots over 1 acre, minimum open space requirement of 15%
• Needs to analyze these numbers further to see if they are adequate
• Impervious Surface limit seems too low based on past projects and
insights from developers and consultants
• Should balance this with stormwater requirements
Development
Standards (in
general)
• Many of the standards listed here were used to guide the Architectural
and Material Standards that are in the process of being established in
2019
Drive-Through
Facilities
• Continue allowing, but regulate so that they do not impact the
pedestrian experience
• Prefer less subjective, more quantifiable standards
Structured
Parking
• Allow structured parking, but must be architecturally interesting in
order to maintain a pedestrian-oriented environment
Alternative
Approaches
• This was created in order to allow flexibility
• It is problematic because it basically allows exceptions to all of the rules
• If keeping this clause, it needs to be more specific and set boundaries so
it is not a catch-all exception clause
Goals
Staff has identified the following goals for this work:
• Simplify administration of this Zoning District – the existing district includes many “if this,
then that” clauses that make it difficult for users to understand and for staff to administer.
• Create zoning regulations that clarify the difference between the different sub-districts
listed in the 2040 Comp Plan (Neighborhood Mixed Use vs. Community Mixed Use).
• Allow the district regulations to be applicable and appropriate in locations outside of the I-
394 corridor.
• Consider ways to improve the regulations so that property owners will not be inclined to
use Planned Unit Developments (PUDs) or request variances to get around the regulations –
we saw this happen in the I-394 corridor.
• Blend current regulations with recommendations from the Transit-Oriented Development
consultants that worked on zoning regulations that can be used along the Blue Line light rail
extension.
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Pedestrian Overlay District
At the last discussion, the Commission agreed that there is interest in a Pedestrian Overlay
District for corridors that connect various redevelopment areas in the City, but that conceptually
it was hard to visualize how the Overlay District might be crafted or implemented. Until there is a
better understanding of the new Mixed Use Zoning District requirements and the proposed
Architectural and Material Standards, staff is recommending additional work on the Overlay
Districts be set aside. Additional discussion around this topic will occur later in the year.
Next Steps
In the summer of 2019, the City will rezone these parcels from their existing Zoning Districts to
the Mixed Use Zoning District. The regulations for the new Mixed Use Zoning District must be
completed prior to any rezoning so that property owners understand what their new regulations
will be. Staff is beginning this process with discussions and aims to hold a public hearing on this
subject in late May of 2019. At the next discussion, staff will provide more details on the
proposed differences between the sub-districts. Staff will also attempt to blend elements from
the existing I-394 Mixed Use Zoning District with advice from the TOD zoning consultants and
share that work with the Commission.
Recommendation
Staff requests that the Planning Commission read the I-394 Mixed Use Zoning District in its
entirety in order to understand its strengths and its shortcomings. Staff would like feedback on its
assessment of the anticipated changes to the I-394 Mixed Use Zoning District summarized in this
memo.
Attachments
I-394 Mixed Use Zoning District (6 pages)
Map of Anticipated Mixed Use Zoning – Draft (1 page)
Sec. 113-97. - I-394 Mixed Use Zoning District.
(a) Purpose.
(1) The purpose of the I-394 Mixed Use Zoning District is to improve the cohesiveness,
attractiveness, and sustainability of the I-394 Corridor and to implement the following principles
and recommendations of the I-394 Corridor Study:
a. Enable the corridor to evolve toward a diverse mix of land uses, including residential as
well as commercial and industrial.
b. Maximize integration rather than separation of land uses, where appropriate.
c. Maintain the corridor as an employment center.
d. Improve the visual coherence and attractiveness of the corridor.
e. Improve connectivity for all modes of transportation.
f. Foster neighborhood-serving retail and services.
g. Maintain or improve the functioning of intersections and highway interchanges.
h. Foster sustainable development and a balance between urban and natural systems.
(2) The district includes specific standards for building form, height, bulk and placement in order to
encourage development that is varied, visually appealing, accessible to non-motorized
transportation and pedestrian oriented. It is designed to complement the standards of the I-394
Overlay Zoning District.
(b) District Established. Lots shall be established within the I-394 Mixed Use Zoning District in the
manner provided for in Section 113-29. The district established and/or any subsequent changes to
such district shall be reflected in the Official Zoning Map of the City as provided in Section 113-56.
(c) Principal Uses. The following principal uses shall be permitted in the I-394 Mixed Use Zoning
District:
(1) Multifamily dwellings
(2) Senior and disability housing
(3) All principal uses in the Commercial Zoning District, provided that such uses are combined with
other principal or conditional uses within a mixed-use building, and that the gross floor area
occupied by any such single use shall not exceed 10,000 square feet
(4) Class I and III restaurants
(5) Business and professional offices, provided that the gross floor area occupied by the use shall
not exceed 10,000 square feet
(6) Medical clinics
(7) Live-work units
(8) All principal uses in the I-1, I-2, and I-3 Institutional Zoning Sub-Districts
(9) Child care centers
(10) Adult day care centers; and
(11) Brewpubs.
(d) Accessory Uses. The following accessory uses shall be permitted in the I-394 Mixed Use Zoning
District:
(1) Structured parking accessory to any permitted use.
(e) Conditional Uses. The following conditional uses may be allowed after review by the Planning
Commission and approval by the City Council in accordance with the standards and procedures set
forth in this chapter:
(1) Class II restaurants
(2) Any principal use in the Commercial Zoning District in a freestanding building
(3) Any principal or conditional use allowed in the Commercial Zoning District occupying more than
10,000 square feet of gross floor area
(4) Business and professional offices occupying more than 10,000 square feet. The City Council
may establish a maximum amount of office development that will be permitted on any lot, based
upon traffic studies as required by the I-394 Overlay Zoning District, using appropriate minimum
levels of service
(5) Research and development laboratories
(6) Convenience stores, including the sale of gasoline
(7) Drive-through facilities accessory to any principal or conditional use
(8) Permitted or conditional uses in buildings exceeding the height limits specified in this section
(9) Nonresidential and mixed uses exceeding a floor area ratio (FAR) of 0.6
(10) Breweries (limited and associated retail use such as merchandise related to the brewery may
be sold)
(11) Taprooms (limited and associated retail use such as merchandise related to the brewery may
be sold in the taproom)
(12) Micro-distilleries (limited and associated retail use such as merchandise related to the
microdistillery may be sold); and
(13) Cocktail rooms (limited and associated retail use such as merchandise related to the
microdistillery may be sold in the cocktail room).
(f) Standards for Live-Work Units. The purpose of a live-work unit is to provide a transitional use type
that combines elements of a home occupation and a commercial enterprise.
(1) The work space may be located on any floor of the building, but businesses serving the public
shall generally be located on the first floor for accessibility. Office or studio spaces or other low-
traffic activities may be located on upper floors or basements.
(2) The dwelling unit component shall maintain a separate entrance located on the front or side
facade and accessible from the primary abutting public street.
(3) A total of two off-street parking spaces shall be provided for a live-work unit, located to the rear
of the unit, or in an underground or enclosed space.
(4) The business component of the building may include offices, small service establishments,
home crafts which are typically considered accessory to a dwelling unit, or limited retailing
associated with fine arts, crafts, or personal services. It may not include a commercial food
service requiring a license, a limousine business or auto service, or repair for any vehicles other
than those registered to residents of the property.
(5) The business of the live-work unit must be conducted by a person who resides in the dwelling
unit. The business shall not employ more than two workers on site at any one time who live
outside of the live-work unit.
(6) All buildings that permit live-work units shall adopt rules to regulate their operations in order to
ensure that live-work units function harmoniously with other dwelling units within the building.
(g) Dimensional Standards. Principal structures in the I-394 Mixed Use Zoning District shall be
governed by the following requirements:
(1) Setback Requirements. The following setbacks shall be required for principal structures in the
I-394 Mixed Use Zoning District.
a. Front Setback.
1. For nonresidential or mixed uses facing an R-1 or R-2 Zoning District across a public
street, the yard abutting that street shall not be less than 75 feet from the right-of-way
line of the street to the structure.
2. For residential uses facing an R-1 or R-2 Zoning District across a public street, the
yard abutting that street shall not be less than 30 feet from the right-of-way line of the
street to the structure.
3. For buildings with a residential use at ground level, the yard abutting the street shall
be not less than 10 feet from the right-of-way line of the street to the structure.
4. For buildings with nonresidential uses at ground level, there shall be no minimum front
yard setback.
5. For surface parking areas, the front yard abutting the street shall be not less than 15
feet.
6. All front yard setbacks shall be landscaped according to the standards of this section.
b. Side and Rear Setbacks.
1. For lots adjoining an R-1 or R-2 Zoning District, the required side yards shall be no
less than 50 feet in width and the required rear yards shall be no less than 50 feet in
depth.
2. For lots adjoining any other zoning district or railroad right-of-way, the required side
yards shall be no less than 10 feet in width and the required rear yards shall be no
less than 10 feet in depth.
3. No surface parking shall be allowed within 15 feet of a lot line.
4. All side and rear yard setbacks shall be landscaped according to the standards of this
section.
(2) Height Restrictions. No building or structure shall exceed the maximum height listed in the
corresponding sub-district except by conditional use permit:
a. Sub-District A (Low): three stories
b. Sub-District B (Medium): six stories; and
c. Sub-District C (High): 10 stories.
(3) Transitional Height. Buildings or portions of buildings located within 75 feet of a residential
district boundary shall not exceed the maximum height permitted within that residential district.
(4) Minimum Height of New Buildings. Buildings occupying 5,000 square feet or more must be two
stories in height. A one-story wing or section of a taller building may be permitted if it comprises
no more than 25 percent of the length of the facade.
(h) Density and Mix of Uses. Mix of uses, minimum densities, and floor area ratios are established to
ensure that new development or redevelopment achieves the goals of the I-394 Corridor Study and
contributes to a lively, pedestrian-oriented environment.
(1) Minimum Density.
a. If housing is part of a mixed use development, no minimum residential density is required.
b. Freestanding residential buildings shall be developed at a minimum density of 15 units per
net residential acre, with the exception of buildings or portions of buildings located within
75 feet of a residential district boundary.
(2) Required Mix of Uses. Development sites over one acre in size shall include at least two use
types from the following categories:
a. Residential
b. Commercial
c. Office; and
d. Other, including studios and other live-work uses.
(3) Maximum Floor Area Ratio. Nonresidential and mixed uses shall not exceed a FAR of 0.6
except by conditional use.
(i) Impervious Surfaces. The total amount of impervious surfaces on any lot or parcel shall not exceed
65 percent of the area.
(j) Required Open Space. Development sites over one acre in size shall reserve at least 15 percent of
the site as a designed and landscaped plaza, green, park, play area, trail or parkway, or combination
thereof.
(k) Development Standards. This section establishes objective development standards for all uses
within the district. Standards are intended to encourage creative and sustainable approaches to
development, and to allow some degree of flexibility in that some are mandatory and others are
suggested:
(1) Building Placement. Buildings shall be placed close to the adjacent primary street where
practicable. Primary streets include: Laurel Avenue and the north-south streets of Xenia,
Colorado, Hampshire, Louisiana, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island. (Additional primary streets
may be established in the future.) Parking and services uses should be located in the interior of
the site in order to create a vibrant pedestrian environment, slow traffic, and increase the visual
interest and attractiveness of the area.
(2) Building Design. Building facades over 30 feet in length shall be visually divided into smaller
increments by architectural elements such as recesses, openings, variation in materials or
details. Building tops shall be defined with the use of architectural details such as cornices,
parapets, contrasting materials or varied window or roof shapes. Buildings should have a
defined base, middle and top, and employ elements that relate to the human scale and appeal
to the pedestrian, such as awnings, windows or arcades.
(3) Transparency. Views into and out of buildings shall be provided to enliven the streetscape and
enhance security.
a. Where nonresidential uses occupy the ground floor level, window and door openings shall
comprise at least 60 percent of the length and 30 percent of the area of the ground floor
facade facing the primary street and shall be located between three and eight feet above
the adjacent grade level. Minimum window sill height shall be three feet above the ground,
while the maximum height of the door shall be eight feet above the ground. Window and
door or balcony openings shall comprise at least 15 percent of upper stories and side and
rear facades.
b. Where residential uses occupy the ground floor level, window and door openings shall
comprise at least 20 percent of the primary facade and 15 percent of each side and rear
facade.
c. Window and door openings shall be clear or slightly tinted to allow unobstructed views into
and out of buildings. Views shall not be blocked between three and eight feet above grade
by storage, shelving mechanical equipment or other visual barriers. Display windows, if
designed to provide equivalent visual interest, may be considered as an alternative
approach as provided in Subsection (l) of this section. The display area behind the window
shall be at least four feet deep and shall be used to display merchandise.
(4) Building Entrances. Building entrances shall be provided on the primary street on which the
building fronts, in addition to any entrances from rear or side parking areas. Street entrances
shall be lighted and defined by means of a canopy, portico, recess, or other architectural details.
(5) Building Materials.
a. Exterior wall finish. Exterior wall surfaces of all buildings, excluding those portions of
foundation walls extending above finished grade, shall be faced with glass, exterior cement
plaster (stucco), natural stone, brick, architectural concrete, non-corrugated metal, or an
equivalent or better. Use of masonry and other durable materials is preferred.
b. At least 20 percent of the facade facing the primary street shall be faced with Kasota stone
or other indigenous dolomitic limestone.
c. When used as architectural trim, up to 15 percent of the exterior wall surface of a building
elevation may be wood, metal, exterior insulation finish system (EIFS) or other equivalent
materials as approved by the City Manager or his/her designee.
d. Facade treatment. All building facades shall be constructed with materials of equivalent
levels of quality to those used on the front facade, except where a facade is not visible to
the public.
(6) Building Colors. Bright or primary colors shall be limited to 15 percent of all street-facing
facades and roofs, except when used in public art or on an awning.
(7) Parking Location. Off-street parking shall be located to the side and rear of buildings to the
maximum extent feasible. Off-street parking within front yard setbacks between buildings and
the primary street shall be limited to a maximum depth of 40 feet. On-street parking will be
encouraged where appropriate and feasible.
(8) Parking Screening. Parking areas shall be screened from public streets, sidewalks and paths
by a landscaped frontage strip at least five feet wide. If a parking area contains over 100
spaces, the frontage strip shall be increased to eight feet in width.
a. Within the frontage strip, screening shall consist of either a masonry wall, berm or hedge or
combination that forms a screen a minimum of 3.5 and a maximum of four feet in height,
and not less than 50 percent opaque on a year-round basis.
b. Trees shall be planted at a minimum of one deciduous tree per 50 feet within the frontage
strip.
(9) Structured Parking. The ground floor facade of any parking structure abutting any public street
or walkway shall be designed and architecturally detailed in a manner consistent with adjacent
commercial or office buildings.
a. Upper floors shall be designed so that sloped floors typical of parking structures do not
dominate the appearance of the facade.
b. Entrance drives to structured parking (including underground parking) shall be located and
designed to minimize interference with pedestrian movement. Pedestrian walks should be
continued across driveways.
c. The appearance of structured parking entrances shall be minimized so that they do not
dominate the street frontage of a building. Possible techniques include recessing the entry,
extending portions of the structure over the entry, using screening and landscaping to
soften the appearance of the entry, using the smallest curb cut and driveway possible, and
subordinating the parking entrance (compared to the pedestrian entrance) in terms of size,
prominence, location and design emphasis.
(10) Pedestrian Circulation.
a. Sidewalks shall be required along all street frontages, and sidewalk and trail design shall
be consistent with the City's Public Sidewalk and Trail Policy.
b. A well-defined pedestrian path shall be provided from the sidewalk to each principal
customer/resident entrance of a building. Walkways shall be located so that the distance
between street and entrance is minimized. Walkways shall be at least six feet in width, and
shall be distinguished through pavement material from the surrounding parking lot.
Walkways shall be landscaped for at least 50 percent of their length with trees, shrubs,
flower beds and/or planter pots.
c. Sidewalks of at least six feet in width shall be provided along all building facades that abut
public parking areas.
d. Sidewalks shall be maintained by the adjacent property owner.
(11) Drive-Through Facilities.
a. Drive-through elements shall not be located between the front facade of the principal
building and the street. No service shall be rendered, deliveries made or sales conducted
within the required front yard, although tables may be provided for customer use.
b. Site design shall accommodate a logical and safe vehicle and pedestrian circulation
pattern. Adequate queuing lane space shall be provided, without interfering with on-site
parking/circulation.
c. Drive-through canopies and other structures, where present, shall be constructed from the
same materials as the primary building, and with a similar level of architectural quality and
detailing.
d. Sound from any speakers used on the premises shall not be audible above a level of
normal conversation at the boundary of any surrounding residential district or on any
residential property.
(12) Outdoor Seating and Service Areas. Outdoor seating and garbage receptacles are
encouraged within front, side or rear setback areas, and temporary seating may be permitted
within rights-of-way, provided that sidewalks remain clear to a width of five feet. Service
windows for serving food and beverages may be permitted as part of any building facade.
Garbage receptacles shall be maintained by the property owner.
(13) Public Art. Public art is encouraged as a component of new development.
(l) Alternative Approaches to Development Standards. Although many of the development standards in
this section are mandatory, there may be other ways to achieve the same design objective. The City
may permit alternative approaches that, in its determination, meet the intent of the development
standards equally well or when specific physical conditions of the site or building would make
compliance infeasible or inappropriate.
(Code 1988, § 11.47; Ord. No. 397, 2nd Series, 6-6-2008; Ord. No. 540, 2nd Series, 1-30-2015;
Ord. No. 567, 2nd Series, 7-30-2015)
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456766
456770
456766
456740
456740
4567156 4567102
§¨¦394
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Æÿ55Æÿ55
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W i n n e t k a A v e S
W i n n e t k a A v e N
W i n n e t k a A v e N
D o u g l a s D r N
D o u g l a s D r N
Medicine Lake Rd
Glenwood Ave
M e
n
d
e l
s s
o
h
n
A v e
N
P l y m o u t h Av e N
10th Ave N
7thAve
B o o n e A v e N
W i s c o n s i n
A v e N
N e v a d a A v e N
G e n e r a l
M i l l s
B l v d
G o l d e n V a l l e y R d
R h o
d
e
I
s
l
a
n d
Sandburg Rd
B e t t y CrockerDr
WayzataBlvd
Country Club Dr
Olympia St
Harold Ave
Laurel Ave
L o u i s i a n a
A v e S
J
e
r
s
e
y
A v
e
F l o r i d a
A v e S Golden Hills Dr
Z a n e A v e N
S Frontage Rd
T u r n e r s
C r o s s r o a d N
M e a d o w L n N
N o b l e A v e N
H a m p s h i r e
A v e S
W a y z a ta Blvd
Z e n i t h A v e N
T h e o d o r e W i r t h P k w y
D e c a t u r A v e N
Duluth S t G o l d e n Va l l e y Rd
A v e
N
G o l d e n Va l l ey Rd
P e n n s y l v a n i a A v e S
WayzataBlvd
X
e
n
i
a
A v e S
Olson Memorial HwyN Frontage Rd
Li ndsay St
L i l a c D r N
City of G old en Va lley7800 Go lden Valley R oadGolden Valle y, MN 554 27-458 8763-593 -8030www.golde nvalle ymn .go v
Anticipa ted
Mixed Use Zoning
0 800 1,600 2,400 3,200400
Feet
IPrint Date: 2/21/2019
Sources:
-Hennepin County Surveyors Office for Property Lines (2019)
-City of Golden Valley for all other layers.
Anticipated Zoning, 2019
Proposed Mixed Use Zoning
Neighborhood (41 parcels)
Community (34 parcels)
DRAFT