11.47 - I-394 Mixed Use Zoning District § 11.47
Section 11.47: 1-394 Mixed Use Zoning District
Subdivision 1. Purpose
The City of Golden Valley has undertaken a study of the I-394 Corridor with the
intent of improving the area's cohesiveness, attractiveness, and sustainability. The
purpose of the I-394 Mixed Use ("MU") Zoning District is to implement the
principles and recommendations of the I-394 Corridor Study. The principles are as
follows:
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.
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 District.
Subdivision 2. District Established
Properties shall be established within the I-394 Mixed Use Zoning District in the
manner provided for in Section 11.90, Subdivision 3 of this Chapter. The district
thus established and/or any subsequent changes to such district shall be reflected
in the official zoning map of the City as provided in Section 11.11 of this Chapter.
Subdivision 3. Permitted Uses
The following uses are permitted in the I-394 Mixed Use Zoning District:
A. Multiple Dwelling (three (3) or more units)
B. Elderly and Handicapped Housing
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§ 11.47
C. All permitted uses in the Commercial Zoning District, provided that such uses
are combined with other permitted or conditional uses within a mixed-use
building, and that the gross floor area occupied by any such single use shall
not exceed ten thousand (10,000) square feet.
D. Class I and III Restaurants
E. Business and professional offices, provided that the gross floor area occupied
by the use(s) on any lot shall not exceed ten thousand (10,000) square feet.
F. Medical clinics
G. Live-work units
H. All uses permitted in the Institutional Zoning Districts, I-1 through I-3
I. Child Care Facilities
3. Adult Day Care Centers
K. Structured parking accessory to any permitted use
Source: Ordinance No. 397, 2nd Series
Effective Date: 6-6-08
L. Brewpubs
Source: Ordinance No. 540, 2nd Series
Effective Date: 1-30-15
Subdivision 4. Conditional Uses
A. Class II Restaurants
B. Any permitted use in the Commercial zoning district in a free-standing
building.
C. Any permitted or conditional use allowed in the Commercial zoning district
occupying more than ten thousand (10,000) square feet of gross floor area.
D. Business and professional offices occupying more than ten thousand (10,000)
square feet on any zoning lot. The City Council may establish a maximum
amount of office development that will be permitted on any zoning lot, based
upon traffic studies as required by the I-394 Overlay Zoning District, using
appropriate minimum Levels of Service.
E. Research and development laboratories
F. Convenience stores, including the sale of gasoline.
G. Drive-in or drive-through facilities accessory to any permitted or conditional
use.
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§ 11.47
H. Buildings exceeding the height limits specified in Subdivision 6(D).
Source: Ordinance No. 397, 2nd Series
Effective Date: 6-6-08
I. Breweries. Limited and associated retail use such as merchandise related to
the Brewery may be sold.
3. Taprooms. Limited and associated retail use such as merchandise related to
the Brewery may be sold in the taproom.
Source: Ordinance No. 540, 2nd Series
Effective Date: 1-30-15
K. Micro-Distilleries. Limited and associated retail use such as merchandise
related to the Micro-Distillery may be sold.
L. Cocktail Rooms. Limited and associated retail use such as merchandise
related to the Micro-Distillery may be sold in the Cocktail Room.
Source: Ordinance No. 567, 2nd Series
Effective Date: 7-30-15
Subdivision 5. Standards for Live-Work Units
The purpose of a live-work unit is to provide a transitional use type between a
home occupation and commercial enterprise.
A. 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.
B. The dwelling unit component shall maintain a separate entrance located on
the front or side facade and accessible from the primary abutting public
street.
C. A total of two (2) 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.
D. 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.
E. 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 (2)
workers on-site at any one time who live outside of the live-work unit.
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§ 11.47
F. 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 living units within the building.
Subdivision 6. Dimensional Standards
A. Minimum front yard setback, buildings:
1. Nonresidential or mixed uses facing an R-1 zoning district across a public
street: seventy-five (75) feet (measured from right-of-way)
2. Residential uses facing an R-1 zoning district across a public street: thirty
(30) feet.
3. Buildings with residential uses at ground level: ten (10) feet from edge of
right-of-way.
4. Buildings with nonresidential uses at ground level: no minimum setback.
5. All setbacks shall be landscaped according to the standards of Subdivision
8 hereof.
B. Front, side and rear yard setbacks, surface parking: at least fifteen (15) feet,
landscaped according to the standards of Subdivision 8 hereof.
C. Side and rear yard setbacks, buildings:
1. Adjoining an R-1 or R-2 zoning district: fifty (50) feet
2. Adjoining any other district: ten (10) feet
D. Maximum height: three (3) height subdistricts, designated as "A" through "C"
are established, as shown on Figure 1. Maximum height shall not exceed the
following except by Conditional Use Permit:
1. Subdistrict A (Low): three (3) stories
2. Subdistrict B (Medium): six (6) stories
3. Subdistrict C (High): ten (10) stories
E. Transitional height. Buildings or portions of buildings located within seventy-
five (75) feet of a residential district boundary shall not exceed the maximum
height permitted within that residential district.
F. Minimum height of new buildings. Buildings occupying five thousand (5,000)
square feet or more must be two (2) stories in height. A one-story wing or
section of a taller building may be permitted if it comprises no more than
twenty-five percent (25%) of the length of the facade.
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§ 11.47
G. Maximum impervious coverage. The maximum impervious coverage is sixty-
five percent (65%).
Subdivision 7. 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.
A. Required mix of uses. Development sites over one (1) acre in size shall
include at least two (2) use types from the following categories:
1. Residential
2. Commercial
3. Office
4. Other, including studios and other live-work uses
B. Required open space. Development sites over one (1) acre in size shall
reserve at least fifteen percent (15%) of the site as a designed and
landscaped, plaza, green, park, play area, trail or parkway or combination
thereof.
C. Minimum density, residential development
1. If housing is part of a mixed use development, no minimum density is
required.
2. Freestanding residential buildings shall be developed at a minimum
density of fifteen (15) units per net residential acre, with the exception of
buildings or portions of buildings located within seventy-five (75) feet of a
residential district boundary.
D. Maximum floor area ratio. Non-residential and mixed uses: six-tenths (0.6)
except by Conditional Use.
Subdivision 8. 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 therefore allow some degree of flexibility in that some are
mandatory and others are suggested:
A. 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.
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B. Building design. Building facades over thirty (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.
C. Transparency. Views into and out of buildings shall be provided to enliven the
streetscape and enhance security.
1. Where nonresidential uses occupy the ground floor level, window and door
openings shall comprise at least sixty percent (60%) of the length and
thirty percent (30%) of the area of the ground floor facade facing the
primary street and shall be located between three (3) and eight (8) feet
above the adjacent grade level. Minimum window sill height shall be three
(3) feet above the ground, while the maximum height of the door shall be
eight (8) feet above the ground. Window and door or balcony openings
shall comprise at least fifteen percent (15%) of upper stories and side and
rear facades.
2. Where residential uses occupy the ground floor level, window and door
openings shall comprise at least twenty percent (20%) of the primary
facade and fifteen percent (15%) of each side and rear facade.
3. 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 (3) and eight (8) 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 Subdivision 8. The display area behind
the window shall be at least four (4) feet deep and shall be used to
display merchandise.
D. 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.
E. Building materials.
1. 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.
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2. At least twenty percent (20%) of the facade facing the primary street
shall be faced with Kasota stone or other indigenous dolomitic limestone.
3. When used as architectural trim, up to fifteen percent (15%) 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.
4. 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 façade is not visible to the public.
F. Building colors. Bright or primary colors shall be limited to fifteen percent
(15%) of all street-facing facades and roofs, except when used in public art
or on an awning.
G. 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 forty (40) feet. On-street parking will be encouraged
where appropriate and feasible.
H. Parking screening. Parking areas shall be screened from public streets,
sidewalks and paths by a landscaped frontage strip at least five (5) feet wide.
If a parking area contains over one hundred (100) spaces, the frontage strip
shall be increased to eight (8) feet in width.
1. Within the frontage strip, screening shall consist of either a masonry wall,
berm or hedge or combination that forms a screen a minimum of three
and one-half (3.5) and a maximum of four (4) feet in height, and not less
than fifty percent (50%) opaque on a year-round basis.
2. Trees shall be planted at a minimum of one (1) deciduous tree per fifty
(50) feet within the frontage strip.
I. 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.
1. Upper floors shall be designed so that sloped floors typical of parking
structures do not dominate the appearance of the facade.
2. 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.
3. 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
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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.
3. Pedestrian circulation.
1. Sidewalks shall be required along all street frontages, and sidewalk and
trail design shall be consistent with the City of Golden Valley Public
Sidewalk and Trail Policy.
2. 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 (6) feet in width, and shall be distinguished
through pavement material from the surrounding parking lot. Walkways
shall be landscaped for at least fifty percent (50%) of their length with
trees, shrubs, flower beds and/or planter pots.
3. Sidewalks of at least six (6) feet in width shall be provided along all
building facades that abut public parking areas.
4. Sidewalks shall be maintained by the adjacent property owner.
K. Drive-through facilities.
1. Drive-through elements shall not be located between the front façade 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
L. 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 (5) 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.
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M. Public art. Public art is encouraged as a component of new development.
Subdivision 9. 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.
Source: Ordinance No. 397, 2nd Series
Effective Date: 6-6-08
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