In an unprecedented move, the Northwest Design Review Board reversed its decision last week after voting that a new mixed-use development slated for the southeast corner of 24th Avenue Northwest and Northwest 65th Street needed further review.

The board, a citizen-led group that reviews the design of new developments, took issue with the proposed metal siding materials at the ground floor level of the proposed five-story building. Board members also said the structure's residential entrance should be more emphasized and landscaping redistributed to entrances along 24th and 65th.

Elizabeta Stachisin-Moura, chair of the review board, said the metal siding is too "industrial." She preferred something sturdier like brick.

"The entry just doesn't say residential at all," she said. "This is vastly better than the last mumble jumble...but it doesn't say people live here. I don't see any human interface."

The developer, Bill Parks of Artie L.L.C., took over the project from the previous developers who had proposed a six-story structure at the same location in 2004. The design, height and materials of that building had upset neighbors, many of whom vocally opposed the project.

Some even showed up at design review meetings donning matching "Shrink the Condo" T-shirts. Subsequently, the project was put on hold.

But with a new developer and architect, Johnston Architects, the public has been more receptive to the newest design.

Parks and chief architect Alison Walker Brems credit that to an active public outreach campaign they initiated to address neighbors' concerns and involve them in the design. Parks even went door-to-door to introduce residents to the project, something he's done with previous developments.

"The people who know a place the best are the people that live there," said Walker Brems, "It's good practice because it's being a good neighbor."

The development includes 2,260 square feet of retail, including two live/work spaces at street level with 38 residential units above. Two levels of below grade parking for 47 vehicles are planned.

The site is zoned neighborhood-commercial with a 65-foot height limit. Surrounding the intersection are multi-family, low-rise and single family zones.

The new building will range in height from 61 to 64 feet with the second through fifth floors set back from 26 to 43 feet. Neighboring buildings don't exceed 40 feet.

On the ground floor, the building meets the property line along 24th but is pulled back from 2 to 12 feet on all other sides.

A parking and retail entry will be located on 65th, roughly 100 feet from the intersection. A vertical garden, or green wall, will be the primary landscape feature, and two existing street trees on 24th will remain.

A coffee shop or a market is being discussed for the retail spaces.

The existing building, which now houses an auto body repair shop, will be demolished. A barbershop located just south of the site, a house and the Viking Tavern will remain.

Because the initial project had been through several design reviews and public comment, Parks and Walker Brems were able to use those recommendations to redesign the building. The fact that it was already going through the city's department of planning and development process was also supposed to expedite the project.

If it had to go back for another design review, the project could have been cancelled or postponed for up to a year or more, a "costly delay," Walker Brems said.

Construction costs are escalating by about 20 percent a year, and the longer a project sits, the more interest it loses.

"The (design) changes are a no-brainer - the problem is timing," said Walker Brems. "It means money is just going out the door."

But the board changed its mind after learning that the developer/architect team had met with the community on their own and built several well-known mixed-use developments in Seattle, including the Fremont Lofts and The Boulders at Green Lake.

Stachisin-Moura said she'd be willing to trust that the revisions would be made under the review of the city's planning department.

"But next time you cannot expect to get through a design review in one meeting - you don't know what we are going to do or say," said Stachisin-Moura. "This has never happened before."

Changes to the design must be made and approved by the city before a master use permit is issued, so a construction timeline has not been set.

Walker Brems said she was surprised by the board's initial reaction, especially since several residents spoke out in favor of the design.

"We thought we were doing the right thing," she said. "You bend over backwards to build a sense of community and even if you're the best of the best, they (the design review board) make it painful."

Neighbors said the new plan was more "thoughtful" than the previous design, which many felt disrespected the community.

One man, an architect who said he lives across the street from the site, said that the quality of the design is better than other buildings going up around Ballard.

"This is much more positive and a real addition to the neighborhood," he said, "It has a nice rhythm to it."

"It almost looks like a warehouse that's been Ballardized," said one woman.

Another neighbor wondered about affordability.

"I'm worried about Ballard," she said. "No one can afford to live here anymore."

Parks said he plans to sell at least half of the units for under $300,000.

"The idea is to create more affordable options here," Parks said.

Someone else asked if parking would be built for retail customers. Walker Brems said the developer is not required to provide parking for customers.

"This building will impact you," she warned. "People will park in front of your house."