### Meeting Overview The City of Bellingham Design Review Board met on November 5, 2024, to review design responses for a proposed 6-story, 84-unit mixed-use building project on West Holly Street. This was the second and final review meeting for this project, following initial design guidance provided in June. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Design Review Board (DRB):** A citizen board that reviews building designs in certain districts to ensure they meet design standards and community character goals. **Design Departure:** A formal request to deviate from specific design standards when the applicant can demonstrate the departure still meets design intent. **Urban Village Design Standards:** City regulations that govern building appearance, materials, and street-level features in designated growth areas. **Old Town Design Review District:** A special zone requiring design review for new development to preserve neighborhood character. **Bay Window Projections:** Building elements that extend beyond the main building face, creating visual interest and additional interior space. **View Corridor:** A protected sight line, in this case preserving views down D Street to the historic railway depot. **Weather Protection:** Required covered areas along sidewalks to shelter pedestrians from rain and weather. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Ryan Van Straten | Design Review Board Chair | | David Heck | Design Review Board Member | | Coby Jones | Design Review Board Member | | Lindsay Kirchner | City Planner | | Fiona Starr | Administrative Staff | | Ali Taysi | Project Applicant/Representative | | Fred Hines | Property Owner Representative | | Colin Fuller | Project Architect | ### Background Context This project is part of a larger redevelopment effort in Bellingham's Old Town district, with the property owners planning multiple buildings over 6-8 years. The site sits at the intersection of West Holly, Astor, C and D Streets, near the Whatcom Creek and downtown core. The Design Review Board had previously provided early design guidance in June, asking for changes to simplify the design, add landscaping, and better integrate balconies into the building facade. This meeting represented the final design review before the project moves to construction permitting. The broader context includes ongoing downtown revitalization efforts and managing growth while preserving neighborhood character. The project also sits near homeless services facilities, creating additional considerations around building design and public space management. ### What Happened — The Short Version The applicants presented their revised design, showing how they addressed the Board's June feedback. Major changes included simplifying the West Holly Street facade to a single awning, adding extensive landscaping along D Street, recessing most balconies into the building facade, and redesigning the residential plaza to be more private. The Board discussed three requested departures from design standards: reduced weather protection coverage, oversized bay windows, and projections into a view corridor. After discussion about potential corner balcony modifications, the Board unanimously approved the design and all three departures. ### What to Watch Next - Building permit submission and review process - Construction timeline and phasing - Development of district-wide design standards for the broader Old Town redevelopment - Future Design Review Board meetings for additional buildings in this owner's development plan ---