Design Review Board

The Design Review Board conducted an early design guidance session for a proposed 36-unit, four-story multifamily residential building at the corner of Forest Street and Maple Street in downtown Bellingham. The project, presented by development team Ali Taysi, property owner Brett Bennett, and architect Sergio Ruiz, proposes to demolish an existing two-story office building while preserving its foundation to support the new construction. The board's discussion centered heavily on the proposed common usable space located within the parking lot area, with members expressing concerns about its functionality and visual appeal from the street. Board members Robert Wright and Ryan Van Straten advocated for raising the common space to basement level to create better separation from parking areas and improve the pedestrian experience along Maple Street. The architectural approach deliberately avoids mimicking nearby historic structures like the YWCA and Majestic buildings, instead pursuing a contemporary design consistent with other recent residential developments in the area. The board provided constructive feedback on building massing, material choices, and the importance of extending architectural elements to all visible facades. No formal departures from design standards were requested at this early stage, and the applicant expressed appreciation for the board's guidance on the challenging usable space requirements.