Lawrence’s first downtown condominium project can be taller than city codes allow, a city board ruled Thursday.

The Board of Zoning Appeals voted 4-2 that developer Bo Harris can exceed height limits for Eighth and New Hampshire by more than 70 percent.

Harris pitched the proposed construction as a “smart growth” project.

We think it is the future of downtown,” he said. “There’s only so much ground to build on downtown. If we’re going to decrease sprawl, we’re going to have to go up.”

It worried Carol Von Tersch, president of the Lawrence Preservation Alliance, that new development would be out of character with the rest of downtown.

“Your approval will open the door for more requests of taller buildings along New Hampshire and Vermont streets,” she said.

Harris’ plans call for a 100,000-square-foot building that would house 32 loft-style condominiums, retail stores, offices and a 52-space underground parking garage.

The proposed building would be as much as 78 feet and five stories tall, higher than zoning code limits of 45 feet and four stories. By comparison, the Eldridge Hotel is 63 feet tall, while the US Bank building is 77 feet tall.

The city’s Historic Resources Commission last month ruled the building would encroach upon the environs of the Eldridge Hotel, 701 Mass., and The News Center, 645 N.H, both of which are on the National Register of Historic Places — though Dan Simons of The World Company, which owns the latter building, wrote a letter in support of Harris’ project.

This is an architectural rendering of the west elevation of the proposed mixed-use development in the 700 block of New Hampshire Street. Using the scale of the human figure in the rendering, this illustration approximates the view of the 70-foot-tall development as it would look next to Borders Books Music & Cafe. The two buildings would be separated by the Borders parking lot.

The News Center houses the newsroom operations of the Journal-World.

But city planners recommended approval of the project, noting that proposed new city zoning codes would allow 75-foot tall buildings in downtown.

“In staff’s opinion, requiring the project to be delayed until the new codes are in effect … could present a hardship upon the property owner,” planning staffers wrote in the unsigned report.

The proposed height drew objections from some East Lawrence Neighborhood residents.

“It’s big, folks,” said Pat Kehde, who co-owns a house on nearby Rhode Island Street. “It’s really, really big.”

Some neighbors approved, however.

“I think if you’re going to build a big building, downtown is the place,” said Ed Tato, president of the East Lawrence Neighborhood Assn. “I think it’s good for our neighborhood and good for our city. But I don’t live across the street from it.”

He said the East Lawrence board was split on the issue.

Zoning appeals board member Les Hannon moved approval, seconded by Tim Herndon. They were joined by Walter Hicks and Bob Santee in granting approval. Jason Fizell and Mike Goans voted against the variance.

The Lawrence City Commission will take up a series of issues related to the project at its next meeting, 6:45 p.m. Tuesday in City Hall, Sixth and Massachusetts streets.