DESIGN REVIEW BOARD
MEETING MINUTES
AUGSUT 22, 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 Tuesday, August 22, 2006 at 6:00 pm.
Members Michael Blier, 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. Museum Place Mall Suite 101 (Cool Jewels)
Ms. Hartford introduced the proposed signage for Museum Place Mall Suite 101 by the owner of Cool Jewels.
The owner indicated that he wanted to install a sign with orange painted wood letters, which would stand out. Various color combinations for the base of the sign were discussed. Mr. Kennedy recommended that the letters be three dimensional with shadowing. He also noted that the owner might be able to order brushed or cast aluminum letters.
The board members agreed that the letters will be twelve inch upper and lower case in the “Bolt” font and the sign will be 123” long. The Board also asked that the letters be in silver as opposed to orange. Mr. Kennedy offered to review the silver color with the owner.
2. South River Harborwalk
The schematic design plans for the South River Harborwalk were presented for review. Susan St. Pierre of Vine Associates and David O’Connell have worked with Frank Taormino of the Planning Department to revise the plans based on the Harbor Committee comments and comments from the DRB.
Ms. St. Pierre explained the schematic design plans to the audience. There will be a 1,100 linear foot walkway from Congress Street to Lafayette Street along the south side of the South River. The hope is for development of the north side by private developers at a later date. At this point, the current Hess gas station and former Dave and Jack’s gas station are slated to construct a portion of the harbor walk, abutting their properties. There will be linear extensions at the Congress Street Bridge for access. There will be four benches, trash receptacles, and City standard lighting along the walkway. The City parcel of land off of Peabody Street will be a park with access to the walkway. At the Mass Electric property, the walkway will be cantilevered on pilings over the seawall.
The existing concrete wall and chain link fencing at that property must remain.
Mr. O’Connell described plans for the gateway at the Derby Street access and their hope to tie the design into Salem heritage. The walkway will be poured in place concrete and will be 18-20 feet wide. A ship’s mast design with horizontal elements is planned using technical drawings from the Peabody Essex Museum with lofting diagrams and showing ship’s ribs. Scoring patterns will be made into the pavement with shadow line or stainless steel with poured concrete. There will be granite benches installed.
The plan will preserve the trees planted by the Beverly Cooperative Bank and add a few more. Granite curbing will be added to mark the plaza to a ten foot wide point. An interpretive sign incorporating Salem’s shipbuilding and maritime heritage will also be included. Ms. St. Pierre added that there would be three interpretive signs similar to those installed at Salem Willows Park. Local historian Jim McAllister is assisting. There will be some City of Salem signage as well that will match the existing citywide signage program signage. The plan requires approval by the City of Salem boards as well as the state through Chapter 91. Permitting by applicable agencies will be done over the next few months.
Shirley Wall asked about the 18-20 foot plaza at the edge of the bank property. Mr. O’Connell explained that it will be a stone dust walkway and that the landscaping will be preserved as much as possible.
Barbara Warren asked about river flooding and whether the materials being used would survive. She also asked if the plan called for the grade to be raised. Ms. St. Pierre said that there would be no re-grading of the property. The walkway is twelve inches in depth on top of the wall. There will be a 12-14 inch grade change along the walkway. There will be a level landscape area. Storm water will channel into the South River with some natural filtering. The walkway will be concrete with a flat steel pole railing along the water edge. The railing will be four feet high and will probably be black in color.
Marlene Faust asked if the seawalls would be shored up and Ms. St. Pierre replied that they would be and the plan called for re-setting the granite by chinking stones in to the gaps.
City Councilor Lucy Corchado asked about the permitting process. Ms. St. Pierre answered that there would be Chapter 91 licensing in addition to review by the Salem Conservation Commission and Final Design Review by the Salem Redevelopment Authority. The construction could be done in phases.
Eric Easley asked if Mass Electric was receptive to making their property better. Ms. St. Pierre answered that they were not. Doug Haley asked what the timeframe was. Ms. St. Pierre said that the previous redevelopment of the Hess property already required Chapter 91 and City licenses. The former Coastal Oil property will have the same stipulation. Doug Haley asked if there were dinghy docks planned. Ms. St. Pierre said that there would be no floats allowed because they would sit at the bottom at low tide and that is not allowed. The area pitches into the river now and has storm drains and runoff pitched that way.
David Jaquith joined the meeting in progress.
Tim Smith of the Beverly Cooperative Bank asked about the Mass Electric lease of the property as well as the access from Peabody Street in relation to his bank. Ms. St. Pierre answered that the City parcel will be a park in the future and that there will probably be common access points. Mr. Smith said that there would need to be contract negotiations with Mass Electric.
Mr. Durand said that this was only the schematic design approval phase and that there was room to discuss that item. Frank Taormina said that the City is sensitive to the Beverly Cooperative Bank property and the Chapter 91 license. He noted that this would be discussed in another forum. Mr. Smith said that to keep vehicles off the walkway bollards should be installed.
Mr. Kennedy stated that the mast and boat design needed a plaque. Mr. O’Connell said that an interpretive sign could be placed there.
Jim Treadwell of the Northfields Neighborhood Association asked about the expired status of the Salem Harbor Plan. Mr. Taormina replied that even though the date had expired the plan is still in effect. He added that the City is working with the state Coastal Zone Management (CZM) to update the plan and that the public will be notified of the process. An implementation committee is being re-formed by the Mayor.
Ms. St. Pierre said that the Harbor Committee had previously reviewed the plan and that some changes were made as a result. Mr. Treadwell said that the Mass Electric structure was the only structure to survive the 1914 fire. The plan called for three vest pocket parks and includes the Pickering Wharf lot as well. Mr. Durand said that that was outside the scope of the project.
Members of the public asked about the durability and lifespan of the walkway as well as any effect by global warming. Mr. O’Connell said that since the walkway will be concrete in a maritime setting, which it would last indefinitely. He did not think that global warming would come into play and it was not taken into consideration during planning. Mr. Taormina said that the Chapter 91 license gives a right to maintain the public way and that the City would maintain it.
A member of the public asked about the existing oak tree at the entrance. Mr. Durand said that the plan calls for preserving it.
Mr. Blier said that the site visit was helpful. He asked that the designers look at the detail of the way that the gateway meets the sidewalk. Mr. O’Connell answered that they could extend it out to the sidewalk. Mr. Durand said that he agreed that bringing it out to the sidewalk would be better. Mr. Blier asked that the condition of the plantings at the edge be reviewed and referred to spatial bleed. He asked if trees were planned. Mr. Taormina said that due to high voltage on the Mass Electric property, no trees would be allowed to be planted due to problems with root systems. Mr. O’Connell said that he would review the utility drawings.
Mr. Kennedy said that the signage should be extended down the walkway. Mr. O’Connell said that it would be good opportunity to put a lot of information on the site. Mr. Blier asked if one bench were enough. Mr. O’Connell replied that it was a small space and that they were concerned about cluttering the area. He said that they would review the plan. There will be four City standard benches along the walkway and that the Beverly Cooperative Bank has three benches. Mr. Durand asked if there could be something other than a bollard installed.
A member of the public spoke out about the tire shop and the cars that park over the bushes currently and push snow there. Eric Easley said that Shetland Park employees could use the space at lunchtime. Mr. Durand asked about the entrance off the bridge. Mr. Taormina said that there was a City sign planned near the new hotel.
Mr. Haley said that he thought that the new benches would be ruined as the ones near the Peabody Essex Museum had been. Ms. Hartford stated that those benches were to be replaced with the new City standard benches.
A member of the public recommended a one to one scale of the cross section of the Friendship.
Mr. Durand moved that the schematic design for the South River Harbor Walk plan be approved as presented with the following items to be reviewed and addressed for final design approval submission:
scale, preservation of the tree, birm at the Goodyear Tire property, additional interpretive signage, use of the scale of the Friendship, and additional benches. Mr. Jaquith seconded the motion, and it was approved (4-0).
3. 50 St. Peter Street (Old Salem Jail)
Ms. Hartford introduced Penn Lindsey of New Boston Ventures, LLC and their architects, Dan Riccarelli Cindy Giuliano and Jim Alexander of Finegold, Alexander + Associates, Inc. Final design plans of the redevelopment of the Old Salem Jail were presented for approval.
Mr. Lindsey introduced the plan and said that they had kept the design very close to the original property of the Federal-style building and introduced a more modern interpretation for the Jail and new building. He said that the comments from previous reviews were taken and incorporated into the design. Finegold, Alexander + Associates, Inc. has taken care with the historic nature and the layout of the residential units and not to upset the historic exterior facade. Jim Alexander said that they were in the pricing phase and were considering some alternate materials. They will present the details when the pricing was received and analyzed.
The design team presented the changes to the site plans and drawings.
Mr. Alexander said that the goal was to minimize the changes to the façades. He stated that the Mass Historic Commission and the Salem historic community were reviewing the plans.
Mr. Durand said that the designers had done a very good job incorporating the changes. It opened the meeting to public comment.
A member of the public asked if the project would have central air conditioning. Mr. Riccarelli replied that they would be enclosing a chiller plant near the current loading dock. There would be minimal penetrations and nothing installed on the roofs. It would be visually screened from the cemetery with privet hedge. Mr. Alexander added that the units would have their own mechanical rooms.
Mr. Treadwell asked that the DRB look at the Mass Highway access road and the pedestrian cuts, the burial ground wall, and public open space. Mr. Treadwell said that the burial wall was very important. Ms. Hartford stated that the only change made to the public open space abutting the Jail was to add the access roadway that would otherwise be cut-off with the Bridge Street Bypass Road project. She stated that it was approved by Mass Highway and was not under the jurisdiction of this Board.
A member of the public asked about parking. Ms. Guiliano replied that there would be 37 spaces.
Barbara Cleary of Historic Salem Inc. expressed her thoughts on the project. She indicated that she approved of the window opening cuts and requested that the developer look at the window detail at each building carefully. She indicated that she and Larry Spang had created two sets of comments. Ms. Cleary added that the window detail might be a little fussy with the transom, panes, and trim. She thought that the secondary doorway appeared “squished” and appeared to be missing a second post. Mr. Riccarelli responded that they were looking into that. Ms. Cleary said that there were many examples of carriage houses in Salem. She thought that the rear wood veneer treatment seemed a little odd. She liked the new building’s brick and granite facade treatment. Mr.
Alexander stated that they needed the comments as soon as possible. Mr. Riccarelli said that they were looking at gray terracotta pre-cast concrete as an option.
Mr. Alexander said that the roofing costs were sky high. Mr. Riccardelli added that they were still pricing all materials.
Morris Shop asked about the pedestrian crossing. He noted that if the pedestrian walk skirted the wall there would be a very substantial green space. Mr. Riccarelli said that there were grade change problems at the site. Mr. Alexander said that it was an interesting idea. Mr. Durand agreed that it was a great idea but said that it was not really within this review as Mass Highway is building the walkway. Ms. Hartford added that the urban renewal area only extends to the property line of the jail and does not include the Mass Highway project.
Mr. Jaquith said that he liked the window monitors and the use of granite and brick but felt that the windows were off a bit. He also liked the trellises. He felt that the barn design needed work but liked the sliding barn door window idea.
Mr. Blier said that he thought it was a smart plan for the site. He commented that the courtyard to St. Peter’s Street was narrow. He asked about servicing the trash. Mr. Alexander said that there would be no dumpsters on location. Mr. Blier asked about the evergreen screening. Mr. Riccarelli said that there was always a low privet hedge and it would continue.
Mr. Durand said that he was pleased with the design. His concern was the materials and asked that future submissions show colors as well as window manufacturer. Mr. Durand said that there were many new DRB board members and recommended a site visit before the next meeting.
Mr. Alexander said that they would present materials at the next meeting. He requested a vote of approval on the general design. Ms. Hartford noted that the DRB makes recommendations to the SRA and that they are requesting more detail. Mr. Durand said that he was set with the design but would like more information on the materials, finishes, and details.
Mr. Kennedy asked that the developer think about signage locations.
Mr. Lindsey said that they hoped to begin construction during the first quarter of next year.
Ms. Hartford stated that the Planning Board would be meeting the third Thursday of September and that the next DRB meeting would be held on the fourth Wednesday of September.
NORTH RIVER CANAL CORRIDOR PROJECTS
4. 75 North Street (Creations Architectural Woodwork & Salem Kitchen and Bath)
Ms. Hartford introduced the first North River Canal Corridor Project for DRB review. Architect Richard Griffin and Creations Architectural Woodwork and Salem Kitchen and Bath owner David Jalbert addressed the board concerning proposed changes to 75 North Street.
The proposal for the one level building was to add one and a half stories to the building, clapboard the façade, and add classical dormers and an arched window over the workshop. Mr. Jalbert would showcase his woodworking talent and add paneled shutters on the double hung second floor windows. The color scheme is Spanish moss (green) with a lighter trim color and burgundy shutters. The elevator shaft would be sheathed in brick veneer. Vinyl double hung windows with two over two mullions between the panes. Cementitious clapboards with Azak trim and molding would be used.
The existing signage would remain with a frame added around the proposed workshop sign, which would use four inch engraved capital letters in a Book Antiqua font.
Jim Treadwell of the Northfields Neighborhood Association and the North River Canal Corridor Working Group said that he remembered the building growing up. He said that he was anxious to see this first review process. He noted that there was a Revolutionary War monument on the overpass, which had been relocated to Winter Island. Historic Salem Inc. recommended that the monument be relocated back to the overpass. Mr. Treadwell recommended that they read the site plan review requirements.
Mr. Griffin said that the abutters to the property were O’Rourke Memorials, Triumph Motorcycles, Valvoline Oil Change, and the Salvation Army.
Mr. Durand said that he liked the color scheme and thought that it was strong and bold. He added that the owner was improving a substandard building. Mr. Durand said that the additions were substantial and that the building could house offices in the future. Mr. Griffin said that the second floor was going to be used for storage of materials. Three are three parking spaces across the street with two hour parking. Mr. Jalbert added that there is parking on Commercial Street with no limitations.
Ms. Hartford noted that the owner had already obtained a variance from the Zoning Board. She asked if the parking was acceptable to that board. Mr. Griffin said that there was no parking variance required. He displayed a white window sample by Euroweld. The arched window will be from the same manufacturer. The door will be a Thermatru.
Mr. Durand said that he felt that the window looked too plastic. Mr. Kennedy added that it would look so especially next to panel carved wood shutters. Mr. Jalbert said that he was trying to keep the windows maintenance free. Mr. Kennedy recommended the Anderson 200 series windows as an inexpensive alternative, which has a nice screen.
Mr. Durand said that the project is a huge improvement. He wanted to see a more compatible window that looked a little more historic. He added that he thought that the ground floor looked a little light with shutters on the second floor. Mr. Griffin said that the workshop was on the first floor. Mr. Durand asked about increasing the size of the first floor windows. Mr. Griffin said that they are using the interior wall space. Mr. Durand asked about the roof shingles. Mr. Griffin said that they would be Certainteed asphalt shingles in a charcoal colored slate look. Mr. Durand said that he would like to see a sample and asked that it be submitted.
Ms. Hartford directed the owner to submit a window sample and shingle sample at the next meeting. Mr. Kennedy asked about the door entrance. He said that the owner should check with the other manufacturer regarding the arched window as well. With regard to the sign he asked that if the name were not to be displayed that the owner consider an architectural illustration to create interest.
Mr. Durand asked about the HVAC equipment. The owner indicated that the equipment would be roof mounted in the rear. Mr. Griffin added that a parapet masks the roof and that there is a towing business behind the building.
Mr. Durand asked about the cuts on the light fixtures. Mr. Griffin proposed black or green caged lights. Mr. Durand asked about the old sign and red awning on the Salem Kitchen and Bath section of the building. Mr. Griffin said that when they are ready to replace the sign, they would consider changing, but that the sign is only five years old. Mr. Durand requested that they consider changes and the removal of the awning now since they are residing anyway.
Mr. Kennedy asked how much the street address pipe lettering of “75” helped. Mr. Jalbert said that the location was a tough area that people don’t really know about. Mr. Kennedy recommended removing the awnings and putting the “75” on a pediment.
Mr. Blier suggested that they be wary of roof units and visibility. The architect stated that there will be a new roof over the loading bay. Mr. Blier noted the scale of the windows and that they are low to the ground. Mr. Griffin said that the interior of the first floor goes below grade and that they needed the light.
Ms. Hartford noted that the owner must come before the DRB again with the window, shutter, and shingle samples as well as a plans without the storefront awning and the HVAC plans on the drawings.
David Jaquith left the meeting.
MINUTES
The minutes of the July 26, 2006 regular meeting and the August 3, 2006 special meeting were presented for approval. Board members asked that the approval be held until the next meeting so that they could review them.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the board, Mr. Blier moved that the meeting be adjourned. Mr. Kennedy seconded the motion, and the vote was (3-0).
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