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Commission approves revised Farm Bureau office with conditions; Sixth Street access under administrative review
Summary
Design Review Commission approved a revised four‑story Farm Bureau commercial building at 500 West Washington Street, accepting altered exterior materials and adding parking screening along the alley; a requested Sixth Street access will be decided administratively.
The Design Review Commission voted Aug. 13, 2025, to approve a revised design for a four‑story commercial building with structured parking at 500 West Washington Street, with modified material limits and added screening requirements for the alley‑facing parking levels.
Caitlin, Planning staff, summarized revisions: the applicant lightened the color palette, added canopies, increased brick at the base, reduced EIFS coverage, and submitted an updated active‑use diagram and garage screening. She told the commission staff recommended approval with the previously proposed conditions and an added condition (condition n) to provide visual screening of the parking levels along the alley.
Ryan Cutler, chief development officer for Alquist Development representing Farm Bureau, said the applicant had reduced EIFS on the South from about 33% to 26.8% and on the West from 34% to 30% and proposed that condition g be modified to cap EIFS at 27% on the south façade and 30% on the west. He said the team had coordinated with ACHD and submitted a request for a Sixth Street access; he told the commission ACHD had provided a letter indicating they would be okay with access at Sixth Street but that the formal administrative determination by planning staff was pending.
Architect Harley Elliott of Lombard Pomeroy Architects described design moves to strengthen the base of the building, expand brick to the second level so the pedestrian experience avoids exposed EIFS at eye level and add canopies over all storefronts. The team also committed to additional parking screening along the alley at staff’s request.
Neighbors raised concerns about alley congestion and the garage entrance location. Susan Dusellhorst, who lives nearby, said the alley is already a “pinch point” and urged shifting the garage entry if possible; she also asked for higher‑quality finishes and protection for trees on adjacent properties.
Commission discussion focused on materials, streetscape and resident concerns. Commissioner Semple moved to approve DRH25‑00184 “as recommended … with a modification to condition g to reduce EIFS to not exceed 27% on the south and 30% on the west facing facades and with the addition of condition n regarding screening at the two parking levels along the alley.” Commission members also added a conditional direction (condition o): if a second access point off Sixth Street is administratively approved, the applicant will eliminate the corner parking ramp in favor of an alternative ramp configuration to improve the public‑facing corner.
The motion carried on roll call (Temple — aye; Marsh — aye; Kirsten — aye). Staff will complete the administrative review of the Sixth Street access request and finalize conditions before building permits are issued.
