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A project proposed in Portland’s Alphabet Historic District faced another hurdle as the Historic Landmarks Commission discussed issues at a second design advice hearing on Monday.

Northwest Housing Alternatives is planning a multifamily project in which the Buck-Prager Building at 1727 N.W. Hoyt St. would be renovated to hold 18 senior housing units. Next to it, a new four-story building to the south would hold 30 senior housing units, and a new five-story building to the north would hold 101 workforce housing units. All of the units would be affordable for people making 60 percent of the area median income.

Numerous residents testified on Monday, most against the project. Supporters cited the need for affordable housing in the neighborhood and the city. Opponents said the new structures would be too large, and incompatible with other buildings in the historic district.

Brendan Sanchez, an associate with project designer Carleton Hart Architecture, said the team made several changes in response to commissioners’ feedback at the first design advice hearing on Jan. 8. In an effort to make the project more complementary, the height of the larger building was reduced from six stories to five. Doing so reduced the number of units by 16.

鈥淚t is a very eclectic group of buildings that are found within the district, both multifamily and single-family, but also different styles and heights,鈥� said Michelle Black, a project architect at Carleton Hart Architecture. 鈥淲e have really looked to make something that feels like it fits within the Alphabet District.鈥�

Another change from the previous design was creating horizontal bands on the larger building to better match other buildings in the district.

Both the north and south structures would be primarily brick with stucco accents. Part of the Buck-Prager renovation would include replacing the aluminum window frames with wood and restoring ground-floor windows.

Most commissioners were largely satisfied with the design changes, but Commissioner Wendy Chung said she thinks the five-story building would be too tall.

鈥淚 think that you guys have been extraordinarily responsive to exactly what we asked of you, which is for a design that is compatible with the district,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hose buildings could easily fit in to various parts of the historic district. I just don’t think they fit in there.鈥�

Others said they believe the project is moving in the right direction.

鈥淭his is, for all intents and purposes, the same scale as the buildings I see in the district,鈥� Commissioner Matthew Roman said. 鈥淚’d hate to see us lose more units when I think they’re fairly close in terms of compatibility.鈥�

Commissioners provided additional feedback and ideas on the new design, including the possibility of adding a courtyard to the larger building.

The project’s next appearance before the commission will be for design review, but a date hasn’t been set.

鈥淲e certainly appreciate the 180 degrees that you’ve taken in terms of the design inspiration,鈥� Commission Chairman Kirk Ranzetta said. 鈥淥ur hope is to have a design that we think the commission can wrap its arms around and give you the nod.鈥�