DESIGN REVIEW BOARD
MEETING MINUTES
APRIL 26, 2006
A regular meeting of the Salem Design Review Board (DRB) was held in the third floor conference room at the City Hall Annex, 120 Washington Street, on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 at 6:00 pm.
Members Michael Blier, Christos Christoudias, Ernest DeMaio, Paul Durand, David Jaquith, and Glenn Kennedy were present. Tania Hartford, Economic Development Planner, and Debra Tucker, Clerk, were also present.
PROJECTS UNDER REVIEW
1. 265 Essex Street (Salem Chamber of Commerce)
Keith Linares of Sign-A-Rama appeared on behalf of the Salem Chamber of Commerce for sign approval of vinyl graphic lettering at 265 Essex Street.
Mr. Linares reported that a bracket sign does not meet SRA regulations or City ordinance and the owner was still negotiating and may try for a variance for a hanging sign at a later date. He indicated that the vinyl lettering would be located in a side window facing back towards Washington Street.
Mr. Durand asked whether this was the Chamber’s logo and Mr. Linares replied that it was and used their font and style. Mr. Durand said that he thought that it was okay and serves as important signage. Mr. Kennedy said that he thought that it was a touch large but was okay. Mr. Christoudias noted that it would be seen when walking by and not driving. Mr. Durand said that it needs prominence. Mr. Linares said that some of the lettering was visible from Washington Street. Mr. Blier said that he liked that the lettering was big and would draw people down. Mr. Blier asked if there would be blinds in the windows. Mr. Linares said that he did not think so since the white lettering would not show if the blinds were white. Mr. Durand said that if blinds were installed, it would most
likely be after hours, since the Executive Director wants to be seen.
Ms. Hartford noted that the other style sign would be allowed if the office were occupying the second floor level. She added that she would work with the building owner about other programs offered.
Mr. Kennedy moved to approve the vinyl lettering for the windows of the Chamber of Commerce located at 265 Essex Street as presented. Mr. Jaquith seconded the motion, and it passed (6-0).
2. 318 Derby Street (New Civilitea)
Mr. Durand recused himself from this matter and stated that although he was not working with this applicant, his office was and he left the room.
Lynn Potoff and Lou Ann Daily of Civilitea appeared to request approval for signage and lighting at 318 Derby Street. The owners indicated that they want visibility from the street and improved lighting. They said that the color and shape of the proposed signage was their logo and trademark. The same design will be used on the windows and extended across them. There will be a graphic of a teapot on one door and letting on the other. They hope that walking and driving traffic would be able to see. A color chip chart was presented.
Mr. Kennedy commented that the typeface and font were used well. Mr. Jaquith noted that it worked with the graphic and colors as well.
The owners said that they wanted one light, on each side of the sign. They stated that the required that conduit be run on the brick. Mr. DeMaio questioned the location. Mr. Jaquith recommended the location for it and Mr. Christoudias added that it should wrap around the brick. Mr. Jaquith agreed and said that it would avoid a diagonal run. Mr. Kennedy added that it would hide more of the conduit.
Mr. Jaquith recommended to the owner that the conduit be painted to match the brick and then black at the bracket. Mr. Kennedy suggested that a covered light would be better and put the focus on the sign. Mr. Christoudias added that it would also attract fewer insects. He thought that the sign was fine but wanted to see more information on the lighting. Mr. DeMaio agreed.
Mr. Kennedy moved to approve the graphics and signage for New Civiltea of 318 Derby Street as presented but requested that more information on the lighting and conduit be presented at the next meeting. Mr. Christoudias seconded the motion, and the motion passed (5-0). Mr. Durand was not present for the vote.
Mr. Durand returned to the meeting.
3. 144 Washington Street (Gangi Printing)
Steve Gangi of Gangi Printing at 144 Washington Street appeared to request sign approval. Ms. Hartford said that this was the last storefront of the block requesting sign approval. Mr. Gangi said that the current signage [a vinyl banner] was temporary, put up by the landlord when Curry Copy Center left.
Mr. Gangi indicated that his plan calls for a new blade sign with 9” raised plastic lettering using the Palatino font. His sign will be similar to the sign that of the New England Soup Factory.
Mr. DeMaio thought that it was difficult to see the graphic and that the lettering was not to scale. Mr. Kennedy asked if there would be a frame around the blade sign. Mr. Gangi said that it would be flush. Mr. Kennedy directed him to make the sign secure. Mr. Gangi said that the sign will be made of MDO and produced a printout. Mr. Kennedy thought that the sign was shaped nicely and fit the graphics.
Mr. Gangi said that he would mount the sign at the same level as the Soup Factory. Mr. Blier recommended using the same hanging point but being aware of the sidewalk grade. Mr. Christoudias measured the sign submission and asked that the sign be made to 24” wide by 26-28” high. Mr. Gangi indicated that he would re-do the sign plans that week and submit it to Ms. Hartford, who will make sure that it complies.
Mr. Durand thought that the bracket looked okay. Ms. Hartford said that she would check the location of the other brackets on the building to ensure they are all at the same height.
Mr. Kennedy moved that the signage for Gangi Printing at 144 Washington Street be approved as presented, subject to the change to the dimensions given and that the bracket does not overlap any of the architectural detail of the building. Mr. Jaquith seconded the motion, and it was approved (6-0).
4. 34 Front Street (Hair Express)
Jackie Quiroz and Rosaline Balzarini of Hair Express appeared before the board for sign approval at 34 Front Street. They presented their plans and indicated that they would be using the same type of lag bolts as ReMax and that it would be mounted in the masonry at the brick and would line up with the granite portion.
Mr. DeMaio noted that the sign was identical to the Lawrence Place sign and was the same number of brick courses high. The owners indicated that the granite is 18” and their sign is 12”. Ms. Hartford added that the Remax sign was 15”.
Mr. Jaquith said that the sign was okay and directed them to make sure that it was mounted dead center over the doorway. Mr. Kennedy commented that the sign did not reflect what the business was and said that it looked like a barbershop sign. The owners replied that they want to attract men, women, and children. Mr. Durand said that the sign was very simple and basic, but worked. Mr. DeMaio asked if they had plans for lighting. The owners replied that they did not.
Mr. Jaquith moved to approve the signage for Hair Express at 34 Front Street as presented. Mr. Christoudias seconded the motion, and it passed (6-0).
MINUTES
The minutes from the March 22, 2006 meeting were presented for approval.
Mr. DeMaio asked that clarification be made to the March 1, 2006 minutes concerning the Salem Five Bank project at 71 Washington Street. He noted that there were a series of emails sent after the meeting requesting more information. Ms. Hartford noted that there was discussion that the board recommends approval to the SRA with the condition that the modifications made through emails sent the next day concerning the size of the sign. Mr. DeMaio stated that his concern is that the signs that were installed did not reflect those comments. Ms. Hartford said that she would go and check the signs prior to the next DRB meeting.
Mr. DeMaio moved that the minutes for the March 1, 2006 meeting be approved. Mr. Blier seconded the motion, and the motion passed (6-0).
OTHER BUSINESS
Ms. Hartford addressed the board concerning email correspondence and quorum in light of recent Salem News articles concerning public meetings. She stated that email between members could be used to disseminate information only and discussions over email can only be to less than a quorum of members. She recommended that the board designate a member if they want to ensure that a condition of their recommendation was made properly or that the board recommend a matter back to the next meeting in order to avoid the appearance of impropriety.
Mr. Durand said that he thought that the board should avoid emails and take matters up at the meetings. Ms. Hartford added that the board could appoint a subcommittee to make final decisions. She said that she would also work with applicants at the counter even more and that the board could enforce the guidelines that they have.
Mr. Christoudias suggested giving examples of good and bad submissions. Mr. Kennedy added that in the future they could find a way to address this problem with builders and developers at an earlier point. Mr. Durand stated that sometimes a developer does not know who would be coming into a space and may not want to limit themselves. He added that they could try to prod the architects to see if the matter is considered. Mr. Durand gave Derby Lofts as an example of this and noted that the brackets were pre-approved during redevelopment. Ms. Hartford said that 289 Derby St. also had a signage plan incorporated into their final design plans.
Mr. Durand stated that if a submission package were complete the board would not have that problem. The board has a reputation for being tough. He requested that submissions be dimensionally accurate in order to put things in context.
Ms. Hartford said that this would be difficult to require and added that there were not a lot of good sign companies around. She said that the cost to business owners is a factor. Mr. Jaquith recommended giving out a sample of a good package that would show a business what to present. Ms. Hartford said that it was costly to get a scale drawing. She asked if anyone could recommend someone to create a package. Mr. Durand said that they need scale and a sample of a good submission would be a good first step.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the board, the meeting was adjourned.
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