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A proposal for a seven-story mixed-use building in North Portland was denied by city staff. The developer, Vibrant Cities, is appealing the decision.

An appeal of the denial of a proposal to build a seven-story mixed-use building in North Portland has been continued until June.

The Portland Design Commission on Thursday heard the appeal from Seattle developer Vibrant Cities of an earlier decision by the Bureau of Development Services to deny a land use application for construction of a 62,176-square-foot building at the corner of North Williams Avenue and Fargo Street.

Denial came out of the proposal failing to meet some of the city’s community design guidelines, according to the staff report. They included overly complicated massing and material, and poor storefront character along North Williams Avenue.

After a revised submission was presented Thursday, commissioners were still not fully satisfied with the proposed design; however, they indicated the team is on the right track.

鈥淥verall, the applicant has made some really significant and really good improvements that go a long way to meeting community design guidelines,鈥� Design Commission Chairwoman Julie Livingston said.

The design by Seattle firm Jackson | Main Architecture calls for a seven-story tower structure at the corner of Williams Avenue and Fargo Street. The tower’s relationship to the overall building massing was a concern for commissioners, as was the proposed location of a storefront canvas awning on the corner.

Meanwhile, the storefront along Williams Avenue also was criticized. As submitted, the building would have commercial space intended for light restaurant use at the corner of Williams Avenue and Fargo Street, but also bare concrete walls along much of its frontage along Williams Avenue. This will require improvement, commissioners said. But overall, the project appears to be moving toward approval.

鈥淥verall, the massing of the building, the changes to the parapet 鈥� that is all nicely done,鈥� Livingston said. 鈥淵ou will want to bring in some alternatives to that corner and where the water room is because most of us would like to see more transparency on Williams.鈥�

The record will be held open until June 20, when the hearing will continue.