Sec. 3.3.3. Building Massing Standards

1. Intent
   The intent of the building massing regulations is to manage the impact of tall buildings located near the public right-of-way. Stepbacks are intended to avoid a canyon effect by providing access to light and air at street level, and mitigating wind impacts. The massing regulations also produce a consistent street wall and visually reduce the perceived scale of a building.
2. Stepbacks 
   Buildings of 13 or more stories are required to place a stepback above the 1st floor or 25’, whichever is greater, but below the 13th floor
   1. The stepback is only required on building faces adjoining the public street.
   2. The depth of a required stepback may be reduced by 5 feet if the cornice line of the stepback matches the cornice line of an adjacent building.
3. Floor Plate Size
   Above the 12th story, buildings are allowed 30,000 square feet of buildable area per story. The total amount of allowable square footage above the 12th story is thus defined as 30,000 square feet multiplied by the number of floors above 12 that are allowed per the site’s zoning. Larger floor plate size will result in fewer floors, whereas smaller floor plates will allow for taller towers. Buildings may not exceed the number of floors allowed by the underlying zoning district.
4. Design Alternate Findings
   The Planning Commission or Design Review Commission performing the quasi-judicial duties of the Planning Commission (as designated by the City Council), after conducting a duly noticed quasi-judicial evidentiary hearing in accordance with Sec. 10.2.17., shall approve an alternate building massing standard, if all of the following findings are satisfied:
   1. The approved alternate is consistent with the intent of the building massing regulations;
   2. The approved alternate uses an architectural base distinguishable from the building above that enhances the pedestrian environment through a change in material, fenestration, ornamentation, rhythm, or other sculpting of the base.
   3. If the approved alternate proposes a building setback behind the sidewalk in lieu of a required stepback, the resulting open space includes pedestrian amenities such as seating areas, trees and landscaping or outdoor dining.
   4. The building uses other architectural treatments to mitigate wind impacts, increase light at pedestrian level, and visually reduce the scale of the building.
   5. The building does not cause undue shadow impacts on public spaces, amenity areas, and surrounding streets.

* Building separation is measured orthogonally to the wall plane.