Commission debates site-specific height, setbacks and PUD exceptions for Skyline project

Commissioners interrogated the project's building-height measurement, setbacks and the use of a site-specific PUD exception in place of a variance. The design team showed that, measured from the parking-lot (terrace) elevation, the three-story expression aligns with the code allowances, but measured from Dillon Ridge Road the building reaches a higher face elevation because of a roughly 60-foot site grade change. Staff noted that the PUD process permits a site-specific building-height determination based on six criteria in the code, rather than a blanket variance across the zone.

A code interpreter summarized the standard: "According to 16-5-128 1 through 6 of your code... those are the 6 factors that you consider." Staff provided the calculated building heights in the application: Building 1 about 53.7 feet, Building 2 about 47.4 feet, and the townhome building about 35.4 feet. Commissioners asked staff and counsel to consider visibility impacts and the PUD criteria when making a recommendation to council.