Chapter 27.40 — BUILDING HEIGHT AND BULK

This chapter applies only to the study area encompassed by the Downtown Specific Plan of the General Plan of the City as adopted by the City Council and as may be amended by the Council from time to time. No special permit is required for buildings or structures which meet the height and bulk standards of this chapter.

Structures and building heights as defined in Section 27.04.080 shall be permitted to be developed provided they do not exceed the maximum height delineated for the respective project sites as shown on the Building Height and Bulk Plan in the Downtown Specific Plan. High-rise buildings over fifty-five (55) feet in height may be permitted if a site plan and architectural review is first approved by the Planning Commission as provided in Chapter 27.06.

(1) Structures and buildings shall be developed in accordance with the following standards:

• (2) Bulk is measured as illustrated in the following diagrams:

(3) Variations to the maximum building bulk for buildings greater than fifty-five (55) feet in height may be permitted by a special use permit approved by the Planning Commission subject to the following criteria:

(A) A better and more appropriate design for the site is achieved than without the variation;

(B) The parcel coverage will not exceed 40%;

(C) The parcel size is at least one and one half (1.5) acres;

(D) The design preserves view corridors and sunlight access as well as a design that conforms to all requirements of the Downtown Specific Plan;

(E) The design conforms to the goals, policies and the streetwall area standards of the Downtown Specific Plan;

(F) The project site is designated for residential use in the Downtown Specific Plan, and the floor area above fifty-five (55) feet is utilized exclusively for residential use.

Chapter 27.42 STREET WALL AREA DISTRICT

27.42.010 STREET WALL AREA.

Structures and buildings on parcels identified as Street Wall Area on the Building Height and Bulk Plan in the Downtown Specific Plan shall be developed in accordance with the following diagram:

(1) The maximum building height at the parcel boundary is equal to the horizontal distance between midpoint of the public right-of-way and the parcel boundary (A) or thirty-six (36) ft., whichever is greater.

(2) The maximum depth of the street wall area is equal to two times the distance of (A).

(3) The building height at any point within the street wall area shall not exceed the slope defined by a forty-five degree (45�) angle measured from the midpoint of the public right-of-way, except as allowed by section (1) above at the parcel boundary.

(4) The maximum building height beyond the street wall area shall be controlled by the Building Height and Bulk Plan in the Downtown Specific Plan.

(5) The area above the street wall area as defined in Section (3), shall be open to the sky. Elevators, stairwells and other mechanical or other appurtenances are not permitted to protrude above the street wall area. Allowable intrusions above the street wall area are limited to minor architectural detailing not exceeding four (4) feet in height and parapets including railings and arbors and landscaped planting areas, subject to approval of a site plan and architectural review.

(6) Outdoor uses shall be allowed in area (B).