Historic Preservation Commission Agenda and Packet 2021 04 19

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2) Step down the mass of larger buildings to minimize the perceived scale at the street. While there is a material change from the third to the first and second floors, there is no predominate step down in massing of the primary structure behind the decks. While the composite or hardi-panel lower element provides some semblance of different massing at the base, the primary massing of the building does not have any articulation between floors. C6. If a third story is to be used, it should appear as a subordinate "addition" to a two- story building. 1) In downtown, a third story may be incorporated into a commercial type building when it satisfies all requirements established in the Downtown Louisville Framework Plan. 2) The third floor should be set back substantially from the sidewalk edge such that the building will appear to be two stories in height as seen from across the street. 3) The third floor should also be set back from alley facades as well. 4) Materials and details should be simpler than those of the primary facade. This policy suggests setting the third story back significantly from the front facade to shield the third story from view. This is highlighted in the image below where the blue area is the w potential loer level building massing and red area on the third floor demonstrates a deeper third -story setback. The intent is also demonstrated in the images to the right that are included with this policy in the Design Handbook. Staff acknowledges this would require redesign of the units and likely reconfiguration of the site plan and parking area behind the buildings to be feasible, but does demonstrate closer compliance to the intent of this policy. Alternatively, staff notes that the maximum allowed height in the transition area where only two stories is allowed is 35' compared to the 36' proposed for the new homes, suggesting the overall height of the proposal is consistent with two story massing. Within the Core Area, buildings may be up to 45' in height. Louisville Municipal Code Sec. 17.12.040 (footnote no. 10) describes the height and building story allowances for Downtown and notes the City Council may require lower building heights "in order to ensure varied building heights and the appearance of a two-story building mass from the street pedestrian scale." HPC This inlrll huilding in Tclluridr, CO. appears to be a two-story r budding. but hasa third -story clemcm to the roar (helow) which is set back substantially from the street and is differentlated in materials. April 19, 2020 12 21