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11 <br />the formula for the calculation of BVR to provide a similar basis for <br />comparison with the classic floor area ratio: <br />Example: A BVR Of 1.0 is equivalent to a building <br />covering the entire site at a height of ten (10) feet. <br />Our concern over the existing methodology is tf~at the current constant of ten <br />(10) feet is not reflective of the typical building height for non-residential <br />development. <br />Building heights can vary from fifteen (15) feet to twenty-four (24) feet <br />depending on the proposed use of the structure and the various architectural <br />elements proposed for the inclusion within the structure. <br />The average retail structure has a building height of fifteen (15) feet with <br />larger retail outlets (i.e. Target, Wal-Mart; etc) being larger still. <br />The existing formula for calculating BVR has not been updated in almost <br />fifteen (15) years to reflect changes in architectural style or the need to have <br />buildings over ten (10) feet in height, <br />7. As we are already required to preserve thirty percent (30%) of the site as open <br />space, we believe that our proposed Maximum Floor Area Ratio of .30 and <br />Maximum Building Height of Six (6) stories is consistent with the purpose <br />and intent of the Land Use Intensity requirements given the following: <br />a. We are proposing a Floor Area Ratio that is less than the existing <br />. constant built into the various formulas (i.e. we are going to have <br />less building footprint as we are going to have multiple floor <br />buildings with multiple land uses), <br />b. By using the proposed Floox Area Ratio methodology we are taking <br />into consideration the use of shared parking facilities and <br />infrastructure as well as the clustering of these various proposed land <br />uses to avoid the need for large amounts of impervious surface area, <br />c. Utilizing Floor Area Ratios as the methodology for calculating <br />acceptable building area actually reduces the total building footprint <br />by allowing the developer to go vertical with a multiple floor <br />building housing individual land uses. The existing process does not <br />recognize the benefit of having a reduced building footprint by <br />having land uses on multiple floor of a building. <br />8. Our various calculations, using the Site Volume Ratio (SVR) methodology <br />indicate the following: <br />a. District I: <br />i. Landscape Volume Ratio: 20,000,000 square feet of landscape <br />area or a LVR of 1.093 (this includes existing vegetation that will <br />be preserved and proposed new landscaping as outlined within the <br />application) <br />ii. Building Volume Ratio: 185,000 square feet of building area, <br />