Building Height & Massing
In general, buildings with similar but not identical heights give a streetscape a consistency of scale without sacrificing the identities of individual buildings.  Repetition creates a pattern while variety is accommodated within certain boundaries.  Building height, roof pitches, and roof ridge lines should differ while characteristic massing remains compatible.

A building can be designed and oriented to maximize solar exposure, while minimizing its impact on adjacent structures and open spaces.  While tall buildings may block light and the free flow of air, long buildings obscure scenic views.  In Northern Lower Michigan’s cities, villages, and hamlets, the average building height is two stories.  Even two-story buildings, however, can impact neighboring properties.  Options for minimizing a building’s impact on neighboring properties include: increasing side setbacks, stepping back upper floors, and providing landscaping and trees as a visual buffer.

Since building to the maximum building height can alter the character of an area if the existing structures are built below the standard, local jurisdictions are encouraged to implement build-up lines to establish consistent streetscapes.  Build-up lines specify the cornice height depending on number of floors, street type, and if a structure is elevated above ground level.  It is important that building height not exceed the capacity of local fire fighting equipment.

Building Scale
The communities of Northern Lower Michigan have a small-town feel.  As a result, it is important that new and remodeled buildings are scaled so a few buildings do not overwhelm the others.  New and remodeled buildings can be incorporated into areas with pleasing streetscapes by reflecting the architectural character of surrounding buildings (e.g., similar design concepts, window patterns, entry configurations, orientation to the street, exterior materials).

A building’s scale refers to its perceived size in relation to a person (i.e., human scale) or neighboring structures (i.e., architectural scale). Adjacent buildings sharing human-scaled architectural elements (e.g., windows, doors, porches, vestibules, stoops, awnings at entrance level, other ground-level pedestrian amenities) help establish an inviting, pedestrian-oriented streetscape.

Incorporating architectural elements of a human scale into a larger structure’s design facilitates a building’s integration into a neighborhood with a smaller scale.  For instance, on small or narrow sites the massing and design of a building can reduce the perception of its bulk and incompatibility with adjacent structures.  Refer to Critical Design Practices: Building Design & Materials for additional information.

Reference to Site Topography
Site context is an important consideration when determining the location, size, and shape of a building.  The design of new buildings, as well as modifications to existing structures, should reflect a site's specific considerations.  Generally buildings that are incorporated into a site’s natural topography and reflect how neighboring structures have addressed topographic conditions are more likely to complement the local character.  Designing structures in such a way may help reduce their perceived size.

Siting even a relatively short building on the highest part of the site can accentuate its position in the neighborhood and disturb the continuity of a streetscape.  Consequently, the prominent placement and use of site topography to establish the importance of a structure should be reserved for buildings of local or community significance.