CITY OF SALEM MASSACHUSETTS
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
BOARD OR COMMISSION: Design Review Board, Regular Meeting
SUBCOMMITTEE:
DATE: Wednesday, January 23, 2008
LOCATION: 120 Washington Street, 3rd Floor Conference Room
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairperson Paul Durand, Michael Blier, Ernest DeMaio, David Jaquith,
Glenn Kennedy
MEMBERS ABSENT:
OTHERS PRESENT: Tom Daniel, Economic Development Manager
RECORDER: Andrea Bray
Chairperson Durand calls the meeting to order.
Projects Under Review
1. 246 Essex Street (Hex): Discussion of proposed signage and exterior painting
Christian Day presents his design for the sign and states that the bracket width will be 44 inches. He adds that it will be connected to the concrete and not the brick.
Durand states that a gusset be added at the base of the bracket to give it more rigidity, and Day agrees to this.
Day states that he would like the window trim and door surround to be red and not blue.
Kennedy states the neighbor’s trim color is the wrong red. Durand agrees and says that he would like a red with more blue in it.
Day states that the condo association controls the façade and will only allow a specific color of red.
Durand suggests viewing the color personally before deciding on the exact shade of red. He adds that the board can approve the sign now.
DeMaio states that he has a problem with the star in the bracket. He adds that he would prefer to have it mounted in the lower band. He says that the galvanized bolts should be painted the same color as the bracket. He says that the “Hex” typeface size is too large, and he would like it to be scaled down. He says that extruding the red would be appropriate.
Day states that he doesn’t want to shrink the letters because they are already small.
Kennedy says that it could shrink a small amount, to about 95% of the original size.
Durand agrees stating that shrinking the letters would add a bit more field to the sign, thereby making it easier to read.
Kennedy suggests lowering the top curve of the rise on the wood to add more space between the top of the sign and the bracket.
Kennedy: Motion to recommend approve with the following conditions:
· The letter size will be reduced to 95% of the original size
· There will be a slight extrusion of the letters
· The top of the arch will be shortened by 1/2 inch
· The bolts in the bracket will be painted black
· There will be a gusset under the bar of the bracket
· The paint color approval is subject to on-site review by the board.
The motion is seconded by Jaquith. Passes 5-0.
2. 181 Essex Street (Signatures): Discussion of proposed signage and exterior painting
Trudy Stavros states that the sign will be 3 inches thick, polyurethane and carved.
The members agree that the sign colors are appropriate.
Stavros states that all of the window trim will be black and the door will be black.
Kennedy asks how deep the carving will be in the letters.
Stavros says that it will be about 1 inch.
Kennedy states that he likes the colors and the simplicity is good because of the thickness, and the overall quality of the design will be determined by the carving depth.
DeMaio suggests painting only the recessed plane of the letter and not the inside of the routing.
Kennedy states that the deeper the incision, the more shadow you will see on the brown letters.
DeMaio objects to the 3-inch thickness of the sign.
Kennedy agrees and suggests that the sign be 2 inches thick with a 3/8 inch recess for the letters.
Jaquith suggests shrinking the letters for more field space on each side of the sign.
Kennedy agrees and states that the field width could be doubled on each side.
The members discuss the height of the sign.
Kennedy suggests that the top and bottom edges of the sign match with the horizontal band on the building.
DeMaio objects to the black window trim stating that he wants to see the store in the context with its neighbors. He states that the black may be too stark a contrast to whatever is around it.
Stavros states that all of the windows will be painted and have black trim upstairs to match the storefront.
Durand states that the application requirements should include photos showing the subject property in context. He suggests approving the sign with further review of the trim color.
Jaquith: Motion to recommend approval with the following conditions:
· The sign will be 2 inches wide and the letter will be recessed 3/8 inch
· The field width on the sides will be doubled by reducing the letter size
· The letter, not the sides, will be painted brown
· The bottom and top edge of the sign will match the horizontal banding
· The window trim color and door color will be reviewed on site by the board prior to approval.
The motion is seconded by Blier. Passes 5-0.
3. 275-281 Essex Street (CF Tompkins Building): Update on approved alternation to façade design and update on rooftop equipment
The members discuss the process by which the final façade approval occurred.
In response to concern from the board, Daniel offers to raise the issue of the sign band with the developer. The members agree that this would be appropriate.
Kennedy states that the old columns were not cleaned up before painting and expressed concern about the quality of the caulking work. He says such details detract from the building’s appearance.
Durand suggests that the members make note of this for the next time.
DeMaio states that the masonry work was well done.
Durand says that it is because the board was specific about having the masonry be consistent with the original building and subject to board approval.
Regarding concerns about the workmanship, Daniel suggests that the board could make a recommendation to the SRA for them to send a letter to the developer. Alternatively, he could raise this point informally.
Durand says he prefers such information come from the Planning and Community Development Department rather than the board.
It is noted that the project is still under construction and it is premature to make a final assessment.
Daniel states that the tall tan box on the roof is the incorrect equipment and Verizon will correct it. He adds that additional Verizon equipment is placed at a different spot than shown on the original plans and is screened. The HVAC units associated with redevelopment have not been installed and screened.
Kennedy: Motion to adjourn, seconded by Jaquith. Passes 5-0.
The meeting is adjourned at 7:55 PM.
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