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Developers tell board taller, slimmer towers can preserve ground‑level green area
Summary
A developer and an attorney told the board that taller, narrower buildings paired with required open‑space dedications would protect view corridors and create more ground‑level green space; they emphasized the amendment creates a code vehicle, not a guaranteed project.
During public comment the board heard from a developer and counsel who described design and benefit tradeoffs the amendment could enable.
Developer Laura Talber, who identified herself and gave a business address, said taller, slimmer towers can allow "more green area on the ground" and improve view corridors while avoiding unnecessarily large footprints; she added that she does not want more density and intends to keep smaller floor plates and more green area. Attorney Miguel Diaz La Portillo, representing developers, described the code change as “a vehicle in the code” to allow projects that deliver the public benefits the amendment requires — setbacks, a minimum 7,000 sq ft open‑space dedication and the parks enhancement contribution — to come forward to the board for site‑by‑site review.
Both speakers emphasized good design and responsibility. The board and staff noted, however, that approval of the amendment does not itself build a project; a developer must still present project plans that meet the eligibility criteria and secure any required permits and agreements.
