Design Review Board

Design Review Board Minutes City of Bellingham, Washington Tuesday 3:00 PM September 2, 2025 City Council Chambers Video Recorded https://meetings.cob.org Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Ryan Van Straten ROLL CALL: Present; Ryan Van Straten, Maggie Bates, Coby Jones, and Robert Wright. Staff Present: Lindsay Kershner, Planner II, Fiona Starr, Administrative Staff Robert Wright recused himself from the first agenda item as RMC Architect is the applicant for this project Approval of Minutes None to approve Agenda Items Public Meeting 1. PRE2025-0080 202 Unity Street Early Design Guidance Meeting p. 2 Early Design Guidance meeting to review proposed development of a six-story mixed-use building and three 3-story townhouses on a property that is developed with two warehouse buildings that are 8,400 and 12,000 square-feet. The mixed- use building is proposed to have 134 residential units, ground floor commercial uses abutting W. Holly St., 49 underbuilding vehicle parking spaces accessed from both D and E Streets, and 80 bicycle parking spaces. Design Review is required because the project is in the Old Town design review district. Staff Overview Staff: Lindsay Kershner Lindsay Kershner introduced the proposed development as outlined in the Agenda Packet’s Staff Memo. Applicant Presentation: Applicant Team: Neil McCarthy and Robert Wright from RMC Architects. Neil McCarthy presented the proposed building as shown in the staff report. Board Clarifying Questions: The Board asked questions about the floor to ceiling height on the first floor, the residential units on Unity Street, the location of the decks, the exposed foundation and setbacks on Flora Street, placement of the mural, and the proposed building materials.  Public Comment Two members of the public commented in favor of the design. One mentioned that they prefer wood over corrugated metal as a building material choice and suggested that native plants should be incorporated into the landscaping along the grade on Flora Street. Additional information about what was proposed for the north elevations/stair tower was requested. The applicant responded that they would be relying on material texture rather than windows for that elevation as it is right on the property line. Board Discussion The Board discussed the north elevation, landscaping, and the material selections on the stairwells. They were in consensus that the design is on the right track and are in support of the applicants to continue moving in the direction as proposed and presented today. Robert Wright rejoined as a board member for the second agenda item as RMC Architect is the applicant for this project 2. PRE2025-0081 1315 D Street Early Design Guidance Meeting p. 51 Early Design Guidance meeting to review proposed development of a four-story, 65-unit affordable housing project at 202 Unity St. in the Downtown district urban village. Unity and Flora Streets may require new sidewalks and will require streets trees. Design Review is required because the project is in the Downtown design review district. Staff Overview Staff: Lindsay Kershner Lindsay Kershner introduced the proposed development as outlined in the Agenda Packet’s Staff Memo. Applicant Presentation: Applicant Team: Ali Taysi and Riley Marcus from AVT Consulting, Fred Hines and Collin Fuller from the ownership and design team. Ali Taysi presented the proposed building as shown in the staff report. Board Clarifying Questions: The Board asked questions about the curbless sidewalk on Astor Street, the tandem parking design off of the D Street entrance, the refuse location and screening, and the ground floor commercial spaces. Public Comment One member of the public commented in support of pedestrian focused street and acknowledged that it is challenging to work with the transitioning scale of this building in relation to the existing adjacent structures. Board Discussion  The Board discussed how the proposed building will interact with the Territorial Courthouse Building in terms of scale and building materials, They encouraged the applicant to continue exploring possible inner block pedestrian connections while maintaining security for the tenants. The board agreed that they were in favor of the overall design and were consensus that a solid wall should be added to screen the refuse area. Other Business Meeting Adjourned 4:46 PM Minutes prepared by: ____________________________________________ Fiona Starr, Recording Secretary Minutes edited by both staff and Design Review Board members.