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At the second design advice hearing for a proposed 15-story apartment building in the Pearl District, it became apparent that the project is likely to be approved when it comes back before the Portland Design Commission.

The project, designed by Ankrom Moisan Architects and owned by the Holland Partner Group, has gone through an intense design process since its previous hearing before the commission in January. Ankrom Moisan managing principal Isaac Johnson on Thursday showed commissioners many different designs that were considered to reflect their recommendations.

鈥淲e came in really early (with the first advice hearing) and I’m glad we did because it’s a much better product,鈥� he said.

Commissioners spent about two hours discussing different aspects of the changes, but in the end indicated that the building was close to meeting their standards.

But problems still must be resolved. At the previous meeting, commissioners had urged the designers to 鈥渟tep down鈥� the building on the east side in deference to the Northwest 13th Avenue Historic District nearby. The new design showed the building’s east side set back by 7 feet starting at the seventh floor.

Commission Chairman David Wark expressed concern about the setback and other aspects.

鈥淚’m not sure that seven-foot setback is enough toward the historic district,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he composition is clearer on the tower, but on the lower section the percentage of glass needs to be bumped up. Something about it isn’t working yet, not that it couldn’t work.鈥�

Later in the meeting Wark said other setbacks could possibly be reduced and the seventh-floor setback could be as much as 14 feet.

During the design process, Johnson said attempts were made to consider the traditional warehouse buildings on the edge of the Pearl District, but noted that other buildings in the neighborhood range from traditional to very modern.

鈥淲e don’t want a post-modern interpretation but to have a building that fits into the neighborhood,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he taller (portion of the) building to the west is by the freeway and steps down to the historic district to the east.鈥�

Johnson said the new design presents a lighter skin material 鈥� one not finalized yet. While exploring possible skin types, fiber-reinforced concrete panels and brick were considered, he said.

Another change was the addition of bright yellow as a spot color on the rooftop and possibly other points on the building; however, it drew criticism. Wark read a letter from Commissioner Tad Savinar, who could not attend the meeting. The letter stated, in part, 鈥淎dding cutesy colors does not work in architecture.鈥�

Also, a request was made for 30 additional feet of height to bring the building to 175 feet, city planner Staci Monroe said, but to allow it, commissioners would need to see 鈥渁 great piece of architecture.鈥�

But commissioners seemed pleased with one proposed change: transforming a 4,350-square-foot parking lot next to the building at Northwest Glisan Street and 15th Avenue into a small parklet with an artistic divider wall, benches, a bike-share station and possibly food carts.

Kurt Lango of Lango Hansen Landscape Architects, told commissioners that the Portland Bureau of Transportation showed interest in locating a bike share station at the park, and the Pearl District Neighborhood Association likes the idea.

鈥淭his seems like an important give-back to the neighborhood,鈥� Commissioner Julie Livingston said.

The neighborhood doesn’t have many pocket parks, Lango said, and the addition of bike sharing could lead to other uses.

鈥淚t should be a site that evolves over time,鈥� Commissioner Don Vallaster said. 鈥淚 think the way you’ve done it with the wall and these different possibilities is great.鈥�

The project, on the northern half of Block 98 at 1402-1430 N.W. Glisan St., will have approximately 240 residential units and 6,400 square feet of retail space. Three below-grade levels will provide 200 parking spots. The project has a floor area ratio (FAR) of 6:1 with the potential for 9:1, some of which could be transferred from the buildable part of the parking lot.

A rooftop balcony is also planned with a glassed-in common room and outdoor seating.

鈥淚 think it’s really close,鈥� Commissioner Jeff Simpson said.

鈥淚 agree and think you’re almost there,鈥� Livingston said. 鈥淎nd I won’t have any trouble approving the additional height.鈥�

At the end of the meeting, Johnson asked whether he should schedule another advice hearing or come back for design review.

Livingston said he should go straight to review.

鈥淚’ve heard enough discussion today and I would say you’re going to get there with no problem,鈥� she said.

After the meeting, Johnson said the design review will probably be set for June.

In other action, the commission approved the design of a five-story, 16-unit apartment building proposed for a triangular lot at Southwest 20th Avenue and Market Street, with several conditions. The design review, continued from November, had been rescheduled three times because of the high volume of applications before the commission.

The designer for that Southwest Portland project is Urban Foundry Architects of Austin, Texas, and the owner is Scotia Market Street & Gaines of Salem. The building will vary in height because of the steeply sloped 16,000-square-foot site and have one level of partial below-grade parking for 19 spaces. Vehicle and pedestrian access will be from Southwest 20th Avenue. Also, 24 long-term bike spaces will be provided on site.