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Commission weighs proposal to raise minimum heights and allow up to 14 stories in targeted areas
Summary
Staff recommended raising minimum story requirements in form-based transects and allowing taller buildings (up to 14 stories) in select locations; commissioners raised concerns about shadows, parking and fire response capacity.
Presenter (S8) proposed raising minimum stories in the T4/T5 transects and allowing a higher maximum (the memo cited an upper bound as high as 14 stories in certain areas) to make the code consistent with other parts of the city and to encourage larger, denser projects where appropriate. "Raise minimum stories to... allow a maximum stories account of 14 stories," the presenter said, framing the change as a way to align the city-center code with recent changes elsewhere and to create incentives within the points system for exemplary design.
Commission discussion focused on trade-offs: several commissioners supported exploring taller buildings in specific, well-sited areas (mall property, north side of Williston or near the DoubleTree/UVM), while others urged caution about shadows, parking impacts and fire-department equipment limits. A resident pointed out an operational constraint: "Ladder trucks can only go to 6 or 7 stories," underscoring the need for fire-safety analysis. Staff said it will request more data—3D visualizations, parking and shadow studies and consultation with fire and building officials—before any final proposal is drafted for public hearings.
