Aldi - Architectural Review for a new retail store at 7992 Sunwood Dr. NW.

Aldi has submitted a land use application for a site plan and plat for the land to the southwest of the Sunwood Drive roundabout.  The proposed site plan is being reviewed by staff and is intended to be brought forward for a public hearing on June 22.  Staff has worked with the applicant team stressing the importance of a storefront building design for the eastern facade along Sunwood Drive.  Staff does not feel that the proposed building design meets the COR Framework guidelines.  Staff would like the Commission to provide the applicant feedback and suggest ideas for improvement so that revisions can be made for a positive June 22 public hearing.  The following are objectives from the COR Framework that staff does not feel this building design has:

Overall Framwork - Building Design - Obectives (COR Framework, Page 26) 

• Accommodate larger, ‘big box’ retailing and auto-oriented uses within the COR2 sub-district only if innovative design approaches are used including two story buildings, use of liner stores facing the street, minimal blank walls, creative parking strategies, etc.
• Uses shall promote pedestrian friendly streets, contributing to street level activities and overall visual character of each district.
• All uses should reinforce the street edge.  

The driver of the proposed wall design limitations is that the store room and back-of-house functions are located behind that wall.  A single window into an employee breakroom is provided.  No doors are shown.  Two high opaque spandrel windows are shown with woodgrain paneling sections.  The remainder of the wall is brick.  Spandrel glass is a type of faux window that gives the shape and general appearance of a window though it is not transparent.  Spandrel glass comes in two general categories--opaque (does not let light through) and frosted (allowing some light through while not allowing visibility through).  Also located on the eastern wall are utility meters and an electrical transformer. 

Staff has looked at other Aldi designs in the region as well as some other grocery store and building designs that could provide an interesting facade along Sunwood Drive while acknowledging the back-of-house functions.  Many other Aldi locations, including Champlin, Brooklyn Park, and Chanhassen, have used opaque spandrel glass to mimic windows.  Some have included awnings to enhance the illusion of a window.  Would the Commission like to see these types of features?  

Another option is to swap building locations on the site plan with the future user site so the back of the building faces south where we are less concerned about the wall's appearance.  The future user (nothing is identified at this time) would be a smaller single user or strip-retail building.  Such a building could fit on the current proposed Aldi location.  

Lastly, the wall could be left blank and flat and used as a canvas for a mural.  

All costs associated with this project are the responsibility of the applicant.  

Please provide feedback on the proposed building design and some direction of how the Commission would like to see the plans revised.