The Bend City Council voted 4-3 Wednesday night to limit the maximum possible height of buildings on the west side of Brooks Street in downtown to 40 feet.

Developers can automatically construct buildings up to 35 feet tall, and they must apply for a variance from the city if they want to build something taller. On Wednesday night, the City Council voted to cap the variance at 5 feet, for a potential total height of up to 40 feet.

Until March, the city did not allow variances to the 35-foot height limit. That month, the City Council voted 4-3 to remove the prohibition against variances. Some city councilors wanted to revisit the issue, however, which led to the discussion and vote on Wednesday night.

— From staff reports