The planning commission approved alternative compliance Thursday for retaining‑wall sections associated with Phase 2 of the North Downtown (Bethel Homes) redevelopment while requiring decorative screening and landscaping; it also agreed to permit a mural on a longer 70‑foot wall that staff had recommended denying.

Staff said the North Downtown redevelopment addresses steep topography and that several retaining walls were necessary to meet ADA and building‑code requirements for ground‑floor units and street‑level access. Staff recommended approval for three smaller wall segments provided the developer apply the ordinance’s landscaping and wall‑art screening provisions; staff recommended denial of one wall segment (f2), a roughly 70‑foot long wall that staff said would create a blank facade and was inconsistent with downtown design guidelines.

The applicant — represented by Buck Bacon (WA Engineering) for Columbia Residential and partners — proposed a mural on wall f2 and additional landscaping to reduce visual impact. The applicant emphasized that the project includes 182 units, of which 73 would be reserved at 30% area median income and 73 at 60% AMI, and said the buildings’ design is part of an adopted North Downtown master plan intended to increase mixed‑income housing downtown.

After discussion about the need for ADA access, the historic pattern of stepping building facades on slopes downtown, and the benefit of public art, the commission approved alternative compliance for the three wall sections with staff’s recommended screening/landscape conditions and added a second condition allowing a mural on wall f2, provided it be coordinated with staff and meet the alternative‑compliance code provisions for wall decoration and screening. The vote was unanimous.