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Mr. Steinberg stated that one of the other major changes they have made is the building heights and the variety: one -, two -, and three -story buildings; very low around the perimeter; all two stories stepping to ones on some of the corners; stepping up to three stories with a combination of twos; an element of four stories way in the back, which will give a very nice sense and reinforce this idea of a village: different heights, different personalities; different kinds of open spaces for each of the villages. Acting Chair Blank inquired if on Bernal Avenue, the buildings start off with two stories. Mr. Steinberg replied that they are really pushing those heights up and down: from Bernal Avenue, the whole thing starts with two stories, then goes up to three stories, and then drops down to one story; and from Stanley Boulevard, it starts with two stories, steps up to three stories, and steps down to two stories. He added that both streets terminate on the centerpiece, the recreation and leasing building in the middle. Acting Chair Blank noted that it might be interesting to see what it would look like if all the corners had one stories, the next ones step up as a two -story, and then up to the three stories, so a gradual transition might add some articulation. He added that it is difficult to tell without the visuals. Mr. Steinberg replied that there is a difference between Stanley Boulevard and Bernal Avenue. He explained that on Stanley Boulevard, they have a corner one -story, three higher in the middle, and then two, such that instead of the building being symmetrical, it feels a little bit more organic. He continued that on the other side, they are really wrapping the majority with two -story, then drop down to one -story toward the cul -de- sac, where it terminates. He added that it is then counter - pointed by something that is three stories to get some variety. He noted that at the entrance, they are doing just as Acting Chair Blank stated: instead of going from one -story to two -story, it goes from two -story up to three, and then down to one, having that same kind of variety. He indicated that having one- story on Bernal Avenue would feel a little weak and might not hold the street as well as having a two -story. Commissioner Pearce inquired why they chose to do four stories even though there is a little blip of four -story. She stated that she thought they would have taken that little bit of four -story and put it on the back to kind of extend that line of four - stories along the whole back side. Mr. Steinberg replied that they did that for several reasons. He stated that this is their major activity pool space, and he likes holding that outdoor room with two equal sides, and he did thought the four -story would be a little invasive and did not need to come over there. He indicated that he finds it more interesting to hold the four back, see the three, let the four peak -out and then, instead of just ending it so sharp, bring it around. He noted that this is a nice pedestrian entry so they are really framing, which the Guidelines say. He added that a bigger building should have a serious expression of PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, December 12, 2012 Page 26 of 40