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City planner Jeff Mitchem made clear from the beginning of his presentation before the Portland Design Commission on Thursday that approval for the Grant Park Village II project was not recommended.

LRS Architects is designing Grant Park Village II at 3204 N.E. Weidler St. Plans call for a five-story apartment building with 163-unit market-rate units 鈥� mostly studios and one-bedrooms 鈥� as well as some surface parking and underground parking for 97 vehicles.

Thursday’s design review hearing was the first for the project, and no design advice was given beforehand. Now LRS Architects will have plenty of time to address problem areas because the first available return date before the Design Commission is April 7.

Jeffrey Sackett, principal with developer Capstone Partners, said after the meeting that he’s not as worried about making changes as he is about waiting so long for the next hearing.

鈥淭hat is really problematic for us, especially at the early end, and may cost us construction costs this summer,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e expected to go back in four weeks and this hurts.鈥�

Mitchem, in his presentation, brought up several concerns. They included insufficient privacy assurance for ground-floor tenants, the location of transformers on a concrete pad, the configuration of the parking ramp and the lack of quality materials.

鈥淵ou’ve got a lot going on 鈥� on the podium and the base 鈥� and staff would like to see a little bit more thought given to the design,鈥� Mitchem said.

Other concerns listed in a staff report regarded air conditioning ports, soffits over ground-floor components, the lack of balconies for upper-level units and the exposed parking deck at the east elevation abutting the central courtyard. The courtyard connects to Grant Park Village I, a 211-unit apartment complex to the north anchored by New Seasons Market. Grant Park Village III is planned to the south of Grant Park Village II.

Commissioner Don Vallaster said that although the plaza is a main strength of Grant Park Village II, it could be the main entry.

鈥淭he composition is much better than Phase I, so you’re moving in the right direction,鈥� he said.

But Commissioner Tad Savinar was most adamant about what he felt was wrong with the project 鈥� everything.

鈥淚t all seems like back of house,鈥� he said. 鈥淭here is nothing elegant about this building.鈥�

Another point of discussion was a one-way loop road that will give New Seasons loading access. Concerns exist about a sharp turn into the parking garage.

Commission Chairman David Wark acknowledged that the 64,000-square-foot, somewhat triangular lot presents difficulties.

鈥淲hat helps is being flexible in your program as the difficulty of the site warrants,鈥� he said.

More details spelled out in the city staff report called for more pedestrian networks and protection, more active outdoor areas, better integration of surface parking and improved security. The report also stressed the importance of using quality building materials.

鈥淵ou need to see if you can address these issues,鈥� Savinar said. 鈥淚 don’t think it’s additive to the city, and I want to protect your investment.鈥�

After the meeting, Sackett said the design team had a brainstorming session.

鈥淚t was a challenging hearing as we expected it to be,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e round-tabled a bunch of potential solutions and I think we’re up to the challenge.鈥�

Sackett said it’s common to receive design advice before seeking approval; however, he was looking to save time.

鈥淣ot only does the DAR add a step 鈥� and the world is very busy,鈥� he said, 鈥渂ut a design advice request can have the lowest priority and you can get bumped and bumped and bumped.鈥�