The Bellingham Design Review Board convened on August 5, 2025, to review early design guidance for a proposed infill development at 1220-1224 Larabee Avenue in the Fairhaven commercial core. The project involves retaining an existing duplex while adding two new 3-story townhomes behind it, accessing from the alley. **Key Decisions:** - Board provided conditional feedback for design improvements - Focus areas identified: street-facing facade enhancement and cohesive design integration - No departures from urban village design standards requested **Primary Concerns:** - Existing duplex facade lacks pedestrian-oriented design features - Massing relationship between front and rear buildings needs refinement - Limited street-facing architectural interest **Next Steps:** - Applicant to return with enhanced facade improvements for existing building - Develop cohesive design language between structures - Provide renderings and massing studies for better visualization --- **File: BEL-DRB-2025-08-05_Action_Items.md** ## Action Items ### For Applicant (Abt Consulting/Property Owner) **Priority: High** - [ ] **Enhanced Facade Design**: Develop more substantial improvements to existing duplex street facade beyond proposed deck additions - [ ] **Window Strategy**: Reconsider first-floor window configuration to avoid single narrow window on street-facing elevation - [ ] **Cohesive Design**: Create unified design language between existing and proposed structures - [ ] **Massing Studies**: Provide renderings/3D models showing relationship between buildings from street perspective - [ ] **Material Coordination**: Finalize siding, window, and color selections that work across both structures **Timeline: Before next Design Review Board meeting** ### For City Staff - [ ] **Code Clarification**: Continue monitoring compliance with commercial core and infill toolkit standards - [ ] **Public Engagement**: Process additional public comments as received - [ ] **Meeting Coordination*
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=== REAL BRIEFING REPORT ===
**MODULE 1: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY**
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**📝 FILENAME: BEL-DRB-2025-08-05.executive_summary.md**
## Executive Summary
**Meeting:** Bellingham Design Review Board
**Date:** August 5, 2025
**Project:** PRE2025-0061 - 1220 Larrabee Avenue - Two (2) Infill Townhouses
### Project Overview
The Design Review Board reviewed an early design guidance proposal for two new infill townhouses to be constructed behind an existing duplex at 1220-1224 Larrabee Avenue in Fairhaven's commercial core zone. The applicant, Jessica Kenoyer (property owner), proposes to retain the existing 1970s-80s duplex building and add two 3-story townhouse units at the rear of the property with alley access.
### Key Discussion Points
**Primary Concerns:**
- **Street-facing facade improvements:** Board emphasized need for substantial upgrades to existing duplex's Larrabee Avenue frontage to meet pedestrian-oriented design intent standards
- **Building cohesion:** Ensuring the existing building and new townhouses appear as a unified, intentional development rather than an "afterthought" addition
- **Visual massing relationship:** Addressing the larger scale of rear buildings compared to front duplex
**Design Elements Under Review:**
- Proposed facade modifications including new second-story decks, window replacements, and siding changes
- Exterior staircase placement for roof deck access on new townhouses
- Overall architectural compatibility within Fairhaven's mixed residential/commercial context
### Board Recommendation Direction
The Board provided positive conceptual feedback on density addition and building preservation but requires significant facade improvements and cohesive design integration before final approval. Key focus areas identified: enhanced street presence, unified architectural language, and improved pedestrian realm engagement.
### Next Steps
Applicant will return with detailed design iteration addressing facade improvements, architectural cohesion, and enhanced street-level visual interest for second design review meeting.
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**MODULE 2: DETAILED MEETING ANALYSIS**
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**📝 FILENAME: BEL-DRB-2025-08-05.detailed_analysis.md**
## Detailed Meeting Analysis
### Meeting Structure & Participation
**Board Members Present:** Ryan Van Straten (Chair), Maggie Bates, Robert Wright, Coby Jones
**Staff:** Simran Dallywal (Project Planner), Fiona Starr (Administrative Staff)
**Applicant Team:** Ali Taysi & Riley Marcus (Abt Consulting), Jes…
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