Real Briefings
The October 15, 2024 meeting of Bellingham's Design Review Board unfolded as a study in contrasts — two ambitious development projects, each wrestling with how to bring contemporary architecture into established urban villages while honoring neighborhood character and serving modern needs.
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- Fairhaven Center West Phase I will proceed to building permit review with design review conditions incorporated - Building permit staff will review lighting, trash enclosures, and mechanical screening details - Knox Avenue street vacation decision pending, which could add 2 units…
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# A Tale of Two Projects: Modern Housing and Climbing Culture Meet Design Review
The October 15, 2024 meeting of Bellingham's Design Review Board unfolded as a study in contrasts — two ambitious development projects, each wrestling with how to bring contemporary architecture into established urban villages while honoring neighborhood character and serving modern needs.
## Meeting Overview
Chair Ryan Van Straten called the meeting to order at 3:00 PM in the City Council Chambers, with both in-person and virtual participation. The board faced two substantial agenda items: a 27-unit residential building in Fairhaven's historic influence area, and an expanded climbing gym with residential units in Old Town. What made this meeting particularly notable was the board's detailed engagement with fundamental questions about architectural compatibility, public space, and the balance between developer vision and community character.
Present were board members Maggie Bates, David Heck, and Van Straten, along with historic preservation subcommittee members Dave Falk and Lexi Costic. Jan Hayes had recently retired from the board, and Kobe Jones was excused. Staff included planners Emy Scherrer and Lindsay Kirschner, plus administrative staff Fiona Starr.
The meeting reflected the board's evolving role under new urban village design guidelines, balancing technical review with broader questions about how buildings shape public life in Bellingham's dense neighborhoods.
## Fairhaven Center West: Housing at the Urban Village Gateway
The first project brought architect Dave Christensen before the board to defend his design for Fairhaven Center West, the opening phase of a three-building development approved under a city development agreement. The 21,000-square-foot, three-story building would house 27 residential units on a constrained site bounded by sewer easements, undeveloped right-of-way, and the rerouted South Bay…
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### Meeting Overview
The Design Review Board met on October 15, 2024, to review two development projects requiring design approval. The board considered the Fairhaven Center West (Phase I) residential building and the Chalkboard Climbing Gym expansion, evaluating both projects against city design standards and urban village guidelines.
### Key Terms and Concepts
**Design Review Board (DRB):** A city board that evaluates building designs for compliance with urban village design guidelines and standards, focusing on aesthetics and community integration rather than code compliance.
**Urban Village Design Guidelines:** Standards that ensure new development enhances neighborhood character, provides pedestrian-friendly environments, and maintains appropriate scale and materials.
**Historic Preservation Commission (HPC):** A separate city body that reviews projects in historic districts and provides early design guidance for developments affecting historic areas.
**Alternative Design Solutions/Departures:** Requests to deviate from specific design standards when site conditions or design improvements warrant different approaches.
**South Bay Trail:** A public pedestrian trail system that the Fairhaven project will permanently relocate and enhance as part of the development agreement.
**Building Modulation:** Architectural techniques to break up large building masses through changes in height, setbacks, materials, or other design elements to create visual interest and human scale.
**Historic Influence Design Review Area (HI DRA):** A zone where new construction should complement but not imitate historic buildings, allowing more contemporary architectural approaches.
### Key People at This Meeting
| Name | Role / Affiliation |
|---|---|
| Ryan Van Straten | Design Review Board Chair |
| Maggie Bates | Design Review Board Member |
| David Heck | Design Review Board Member |
| Dave Falk | Historic Preservation Committee Member |
| Lexi Costic | Histo…
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