Then set back the door and not the windows. Seems that is the common practice in old town.
I totally agree with you.
Actually, in looking at the rendering again, it looks like they set back that red door on the right hand side (looks like a service entrance). Then it looks like they come out from that setback to property with the storefront. However, when you follow that storefront along the building to the left hand side, it looks setback again, kinda like one of those Escher drawings.
Either way, I would imagine it in everyone's best interest to bring the storefront out to propoerty and just set back the entrances.
And I would imagine that if it is concrete on the main floor, it will be painted. Those upper 'frames' look like steel.