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Real Briefings

Design Review Board

BEL-DRB-2024-10-15 October 15, 2024 Design Review Committee City of Bellingham 15 min
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The Bellingham Design Review Board reviewed two significant projects at their October 15, 2024 meeting, both requiring design approval in urban village districts. The first project, Fairhaven Center - West Phase I, is a 27-unit, three-story residential building that will serve as the gateway to the Fairhaven Urban Village from the north via the South Bay Trail. The second project involves expanding the previously-approved Chalkboard Climbing Gym from four to six stories by adding two floors of residential units above the climbing facility. For the Fairhaven project, the board approved the design with minor modifications focused on window rhythm and symmetry on the south elevation. The project represents the first phase of a three-phase development that includes a permanent South Bay Trail easement and future public park amenities. The building's unique location, hemmed in by city sewer easements and lacking street frontage, required creative design solutions that prioritize the trail as the primary interface. The climbing gym project generated more substantive discussion about urban design principles, human scale, and public realm interface. The board ultimately approved the project's requested departures from old design standards while conditioning approval on several design improvements to soften the building's appearance and enhance street-level interaction.

**Fairhaven Center - West Phase I:** - Approved surface parking configuration (2 stalls instead of 4) conditioned on use for public parking rather than dedicated residential parking (4-1 vote) - Approved design with conditions for improved window rhythm and symmetry on south elevation (4-1 vote) - Chair Van Straten opposed the window modifications, stating "I think the windows are fine" **Chalkboard Climbing Gym:** - Approved requested alternative design solutions (departures) from…

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The Fairhaven project discussion centered on the unique challenges of developing a site with no street frontage, surrounded by sewer easements, and accessible only via a private drive. Staff emphasized that standard urban village requirements for street interaction don't apply, as the building fronts the South Bay Trail instead. The board debated window placement and rhythm, with some members advocating for more architectural consistency while the architect defended functional considerations like furniture placement and privacy. For the climbing gym, the primary policy tension involved balancing modern architectural expression with urban village design standards emphasizing human scale and…
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**Dave Christensen (Fairhaven architect):** Defended design choices as responding to site constraints, structural requirements, and functional needs. Emphasized the building's role in creating community amenities through trail improvements and future park development. **Zach Newhard (Climbing gym architect):** Presented design as contextually appropriate modern architecture that references surrounding industrial buildings while providing required climbing gym functions. Expressed willingness to consider modifications for public interface improvements. **Gabe Rogel (Climbing gym owner):** Supported design a…
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**David Heck, on climbing gym design standards:** "I think a lot of the things that the design standards protect aren't being accomplished here... human scale, right? So that's kind of a big part of all, a lot of these were supposed to step back and all that kind of stuff." **Ryan Van Straten, on design review approach:** "When I look at the building as a whole, I think it looks very nice, and I think that the vast majority of people, you know, are viewing this from ground level... seeing a l…
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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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After this meeting, both projects received design review approval with conditions, allowing them to advance to building permitting. The Fairhaven project's parking configuration was formalized as public rather than residential use, ensuring trail users and nearby businesses can access those spaces. The climbing gym gained approval for height and setback departures that wouldn't be possible under current standards, while committin…
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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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Land Use & Planning Housing Government Operations City Of Bellingham Design Review Board Historic Preservation Commission Planning Department Dave Christensen Dave Falk David Heck Emy Scherrer Gabe Rogel Lexie Costic Lindsay Kirshner Maggie Bates Ryan Van Straten Zach Newhard Place Fairhaven Affordable Housing Climbing Gym Design Review Fairhaven Urban Village Housing Policy Infill Development Land Use Policy Public Parking South Bay Trail Urban Village Development