[noxryan]

Wooden multi-story building are standard in the US, at least in the midwest. Many new apartment buildings less than 7 stories are constructed with wood. I actually live in a 6 story wooden building with about 300 housing units.

Also, stepping back higher stories is commonly done to help deal with shadows.

http://www.woodworks.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Paper_38...