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most likely become more limited over time with development occurring next door and other places. Chair Allen stated that the Commission could make a decision to just protect the view and do it one time on this property, but she is concerned on the other hand that the Commission is creating a precedent for other properties that are going to come along and will expect the same thing. She added that she is not excited about this design as a standard for that street and is, therefore, leaning toward Option 1. Commissioner O'Connor stated that he has a two -story home which is probably about 27 feet tall, and has 10 -foot high ceilings with one foot between the ceiling and the upper floor. He added that it is probably pretty close to 31 feet as far as massing goes. He agreed with the Commissioners that the views in this area are not pristine to the ridge with just a little bit showing. He indicated that he was looking more at just having open, blue sky, having space without looking out and just seeing things surrounded by buildings. He stated that he thinks Option 1 is the worst thing for the Downtown, but moving it back and even with a three -story building, that massing in the front home on the narrow street would not be something looming at 30 feet, and there are going to be homes that are going to be easily in the high 20's to 30 feet that can go up to 40 feet high. He added that he does not like Option 2 either and that the cantilever over the drive aisle and parking area do not preserve as much open sky. Commissioner Balch questioned why an area would be zoned for 30 feet if staff does not like three stories. Chair Allen corrected that residential is zoned for 40 feet. Ms. Hagen explained that it is not that staff does not like three stories; it is more of the single occasion of the interior spot on a street that is predominantly single story. She noted that staff felt that a two stories is more appropriate at this particular location to be consistent with the street and the streetscape and the Downtown Guidelines. She added that a three -story would definitely be acceptable on a thoroughfare such as Peters Avenue or on a corner lot. Mr. Weinstein added that staff looked at the character of this street as well and that staff tries to route its recommendations and policy, which was in the Commission's previous staff report. He referred to Policy No. 15 in the Downtown Specific Plan, which requests an amendment to the Municipal Code to limit building height in all residential zoning districts in the Downtown to no more than two stories and no more than 30 feet. He noted that while that Code amendment has not been codified, staff feels that designing a project here that is two stories, as opposed to three stories, meets the intent of that Land Use Policy, and that is an important part of staff's recommendation as well. He added that staff also feels that two -story buildings in this place would just look and fit better into the context of the neighborhood. Commissioner Balch noted that this is the first application on this street and inquired if a future application for a 30 -foot, three -story building down that street would conform with the zoning, similar to this one. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, September 9, 2015 Page 11 of 17