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12 <br /> <br />forms to create a visual identity that is strongly distinct from the historically-inspired <br />Character Types.” (DTPP, p. 123) <br /> <br />Thus, the Project is in compliance with all of the Contemporary Architectural Character <br />Type regulations. <br /> <br />iii. The Project Complies with the Building Height and Setback Requirements <br />of the DTPP, and is Appropriately Scaled <br /> <br />Appellants’ Contention: The Project does not establish a distinctive “human scaled” <br />district that retains the “history, charm and livability” of an historic medium sized city; <br />that it is not well scaled to surrounding neighborhoods; that the building height is <br />lopsided and uncomfortable when compared to the 1-3 story buildings on the opposite <br />side of Jefferson Avenue; that the proposed building is not adequately setback from the <br />street; that the proposed building base cap does not promote a “human scale” to aid in <br />reducing the imposing nature of taller buildings; and that the building violates the <br />maximum corner height requirements. (See Carr, Yeley and Associates Appeal, pp. 1-6) <br /> <br />City’s Response: The Project site is located fully within an 8-story height zone, and the <br />Project is proposed to be 8 stories in height. The DTPP encourages the tallest buildings <br />to be placed in the Downtown Core, where the maximum building height is 12 stories. <br />This 12-story height zone includes the block opposite the Project site, and within that <br />block are the three historic resources at 620 Jefferson, and 605 and 611 Middlefield. In <br />addition, the recently approved 8-story office building project at 601 Marshall Street is <br />also on that block with the three historic resources. <br /> <br />Within specific areas of downtown the DTPP imposes targeted 3, 4, and 5-story step- <br />down height zones in order to “bring heights down from the standard 8-story maximum <br />permitted height in areas with high concentrations of historic resources, potential <br />shadow concerns, or areas adjacent to low-rise neighborhoods.” (DTPP, p. 88) As <br />shown in yellow, beige, and orange in Figure 1 below, these step-down height zones <br />are located immediately to the east and west of the historic courthouse, along Hamilton <br />Street and Middlefield Road, along the frontages of Broadway and Main Street, and <br />along the perimeter of the DTPP area. <br /> <br />8.C. - Page 12