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architecturally fit with this neighborhood, which is a commercial neighborhood with a lot of high buildings and is very different from side streets that might be on other streets around other areas of the Downtown. Commissioner O'Connor stated that one other misconception that is heard a lot is that people talk about three -story versus two -story. He pointed out that there are a lot of homes that are two -story that are very close in height and some are even higher than some three -story homes. He stated that the roofs of this project on profile look very low, and there are a lot of two -story homes, his included, that are very close to this height. He noted that the Commission should look at heights and not be too concerned with three -story versus two -story. Chair Allen expressed concern that if too many 35 -foot tall townhouses are built in areas like the Angela row houses that tower over small historical homes in single - family, single -story kind of buildings, they do not fit the character and the principles around the Downtown guidelines. She also clarified that while it is fine to go up to 40 feet high, she did not think that is necessarily what the principles say for residential. She noted that because this is very confusing and has a chance of creating inconsistencies, she would like staff to clarify that in terms of the policy that exists today and the Downtown specific guidelines that say an amendment should be done for residential districts, which this will be; and that 30 feet is the maximum height and what that really means. Ms. Harryman stated that Land Use Policy 15 of the Downtown Specific Plan contemplates the City Council initiating an amendment to limit building height in all residential zoning districts in the Downtown, including future Planned Unit Development Districts, to not more than two stories and not more than 30 feet. She pointed out that this is something that is contemplated to come back and look at. She noted that as has already been discussed tonight, there are at least two projects that were mentioned at over 30 feet high: the building in the adjacent parcel at 31 feet, 8 inches tall, and the Angela row houses at 34 feet, 6 inches tall. She added that even if a ceiling of 30 feet were set, there would probably be some kind of exception language to look at on a case -by -case basis for a location like this, but with the principle of probably not three stories and not higher than 30 feet. Chair Allen noted that the City has not yet executed the amendment, and the amendment does not mean that this point should be ignored. She asked Ms. Harryman to clarify that her reading is that this is the principle and the intent of residential Downtown, and it is in the policy in the Downtown Specific Plan as an important baseline assumption going in. Ms. Harryman replied that the contemplated direction is to avoid three stories and avoid going over 30 feet high, and the Planning Commission tonight articulated why this particular site is different and why it seemed appropriate in this case to go above 30 feet and above two stories. Garage in Front Commissioner Ritter stated that he is fine with this as long as they are nice - looking garages. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, November 18, 2015 Page 24 of 34