CITY OF SALEM MASSACHUSETTS
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
BOARD OR COMMISSION: Design Review Board, Regular Meeting
SUBCOMMITTEE:
DATE: Wednesday, April 23, 2008
LOCATION: 120 Washington Street, 3rd Floor Conference Room
MEMBERS PRESENT: Michael Blier, Ernest DeMaio, David Jaquith
MEMBERS ABSENT: Paul Durand, Glenn Kennedy
OTHERS PRESENT: Tom Daniel, Economic Development Manager
RECORDER: Andrea Bray
Jaquith calls the meeting to order.
Urban Renewal Area Projects under Review
1. 221 Essex Street (Eastern Bank): Discussion of proposed rooftop wireless backhaul dish antenna
Attorney Ann Malone, representing Sprint/Nextel, states that they wish to amend their special permit to add a wireless backhaul dish, which will provide high-speed internet access, next to existing antennas. She adds that the new equipment would not extend above the existing equipment.
Daniel states that the city has added two conditions on the approval, (1) the color should minimize visibility and blend with existing rooftop equipment, and (2) they must install a 150-foot zip-cord line and secure it above the ground. He adds that the SRA has granted approval subject to DRB review.
DeMaio states that he doesn’t have a problem with the design except for the painting of the antennas. He states that the existing antennas are too pronounced and they should all be painted darker to minimize visibility.
Jaquith asks what color would be the least visible.
DeMaio states that they should be black or dark grey or brown.
DeMaio: Motion to approve this application provided that all existing antennas, and the new equipment are painted dark grey, seconded by Blier. Passes 3-0.
2. 15 Peabody Street Park: Discussion of proposed Schematic Design
Blier recuses himself from this item.
Daniel states that the SRA waived its procedures to allow this plan to continue on to final design approval at the next DRB meeting.
Kirsten Kinzer, with the Planning and Community Development Department, states that two grants will fund this project, and the grants have strict guidelines, one being that the project must be completed by the end of June. She adds that Michael Blier and his firm have been creating the design while simultaneous community meetings have been conducted. David Jaquith volunteered to participate in the community meetings as a liaison to the DRB.
Jaquith states that the idea is to speed this procedure along and have final approval at the next meeting.
Michael Blier of Landworks explains that the park is located on the south side of the South River and extends from Peabody Street to the South River and includes the Harborwalk. He states that in order to deal with the contamination on site they propose to move earth from one area to another, forming a water recharge area and a green mound, which provides an overlook. He adds that this park is integrated into the Harborwalk.
Letitia Tormay of Landworks states that the feedback from the community called for more color in the design and a strong edge at Peabody Street to prevent children from running into the street. She adds that there will be two concrete plazas, on Peabody Street and on the waterfront, linked by walkways. The other features Tormay describes include a blue and yellow poured rubber floor for a playground and a mosaic mural wall to introduce public art into the park and to screen the electric company. She says the walkway will be made of concrete pavers with colored broken glass, which will be green on the Peabody Street end, blue on the water end, and a mix of both colors in the middle. At the 10-foot mosaic mural wall, Tormay states that the lower 4 feet could support climbing plants and the upper
surface could have tiles made by the children in the neighborhood. She explains the a roof structure, extending out from the top of the mosaic wall will provide shelter from the rain, and the two concrete plazas will feature more muted color concrete.
Tormay describes the plantings, including honey locust, ash trees along the harborwalk, and remediation species in the depression (poplar trees, understory species such as Indian mustard and sunflower). Additionally, she says the playground will have dwarf bamboo along the edge, and the mound will be planted with a fescue mix which will need mowing only once a year. Along the parking lot, Tormay says tall grasses will be planted. All species will be drought tolerant. For lighting, Tormay states that small light fixtures will be mounted in the tree canopy. For seating, benches along the street will be monolithic poured concrete structures.
Blier describes a 3-foot black aluminum fence and bollards, which will provide an edge along the corner at Peabody Street.
Susan St. Pierre, of Vine Associates explains a pile-supported walkway will fuse together the Harborwalk and the park, connecting directly to the pile-supported walkway which runs in front of National Grid.
Blier explains that he modified the original design from Tufts students while continuing to encourage simultaneous use by multiple groups.
Jaquith states that the neighborhood wished to have a gazebo but he thought that it would be used by only one group, and the shelter is a better alternative. He commends the whole design, stating that it is a gateway to the Point neighborhood from the walkway. He says that he likes the protective edge to Peabody Street.
DeMaio states that it is wonderful to see such effort committed to this site, and that this well-thought-out design ensures that it will remain an active space over the long haul. He asks about the mound stating that the visibility to the water from Peabody Street might be limited.
Blier states that the apex is a point, not a ridge, but the water will reveal itself through the space as you move.
DeMaio asks if the mound shape is conducive as a space for a large group of people.
Tormay states that the shallower slope in front allows for people to sit on the mound.
Blier states that they haven’t calculated the number of people that could sit on the green area and stand on the concrete area.
DeMaio asks if they would consider the mound flaring asymmetrically.
Blier states he will look into that and that the mound should stick out far enough that it is visible.
DeMaio asks if the bridge should draw people from the harborwalk into the site or from the site onto the harborwalk. Blier agrees to look into this. DeMaio states that he loves the mosaic wall, and suggests that the wall might not be a uniform rectilinear form, maybe more playful as it nears the water.
Tormay states that the bottom line could change, and the edge at the water disintegrates.
DeMaio states that the tile grid could change too, and the children could make tile to fit with a theme. He also says he likes the color of the walkway and wishes to see more color at the plaza area. He asks about the lighting.
Blier states that Mass Electric has lights, which need to be blocked because they cast a glaring yellow light.
DeMaio states that he would like to see lighting as a feature. He asks about seating.
Blier states that there will be niches along the adjoining harborwalk with benches, and an integrated bench along the base of the wall, and concrete stoops in the low zone, and informal park benches along the tables and chairs in the plaza near Peobody Street.
DeMaio suggests adding benches along the mound. He asks if there will be bike racks.
Tormay states that there will be bike racks, a solar powered trash can, and a water bubbler on the Peabody Street side.
Daniel asks them to talk next month about the artwork for the wall. He asks about the items in the play area.
Tormay states that she is working with two manufacturers now and considering a climbing structure or a swing set.
Blier states that there will be a “Peabody Street Park” sign on the Peabody Street end and a kiosk area on the water end.
Kinzer states that the park will be named by the City Councillors.
Jaquith states that this will go back to the neighborhood on Monday night and them back to the DRB for final design approval.
3. 190 Essex Street (Witch’s Hide): Discussion of proposed signage
Keith Linares of Sigh-A-Rama states that the two identical signs will be 2”x3”. He provides a color sample.
Daniel states that Glenn Kennedy expressed concern with the two different fonts and wished to see some adjustment to the kerning. He adds that Kennedy also wished the sign reflected the product offered by the shop.
Linares states that the word “Leathers” is popping in order to illustrate the theme of this business.
Daniel states that there’s an opportunity for the sign to reflect graphically the shop’s products rather than expressing them with words. He adds that Kennedy was concerned that the two signs where too close together and suggested that the blade sign be placed over the door and the wall sign moved over the window.
The shop owner agrees to the new positioning of the signs.
DeMaio states that he is not happy with the varying height of the blade signs along the street.
Linares states that the neighboring blade signs are almost too high for pedestrians.
DeMaio states that this blade sign, which is lower, might be less visible from down the street.
There is much discussion about the height of the neighboring signs.
DeMaio asks how he will mount the sign.
Linares states that he will paint the lag bolts to match the sign.
DeMaio states that he doesn’t want to see counter-sunk bolts. He adds that he isn’t happy with the fonts.
The members agree that it might be better to square-off the bottom edge of the sign.
Daniel suggests that they send the new design to Glenn Kennedy for comments.
Jaquith: Motion to recommend approval subject to final review prior to the SRA meeting, with the following conditions:
§ The sign bracket shall be at the height of the “Fuel” sign;
§ The bottom edge of the sign shall be squared-off; and
§ The font shall be reviewed.
seconded by Blier. Passes 3-0.
4. Artist Row Stall 5 (Theory): Discussion of proposed signage
Frank Taormina, who manages the Artist Row stalls, states that Craig Nelson was awarded a vacant space on the row.
Nelson states that he will use an oil-based paint, and the sign will be made out of two pieces of MDF with a two-inch wide strip of copper wrapping over the top. He adds that the lettering will be raised and beveled, and it will be hung either from a thick plastic rod or by a long piece of MDF with eye-hooks. He says that the sign will be double-sided.
DeMaio states that the sign is small. He says that the lettering might not be readable. He says that the blade signs out there have no lighting.
Blier agrees that it is too small. He asks if the haze around the flame was intentionally cropped.
Nelson states that it was not intentional.
Blier suggest that the sign be bigger and the circle be moved in.
Daniel states that Glenn Kennedy appreciated the work that went into the sign.
Taormina states that the signs on Artist Row will be seasonal, from May to November 1, and once approved, the signs can be reinstalled each year.
DeMaio: Motion to recommend approval with the following conditions:
§ The sign shall be sized to be consistent with the Lobster Shanty’s sign; and
§ The frame shall be black with the copper banding.
seconded by Blier. Passes 3-0.
North River Canal Corridor Projects under Review
5. 72 Flint Street and 67-69 & 71 Mason Street (Riverview Place f/k/a Salem Suede): Discussion of proposed Schematic Design
Daniel states that the Planning Board is asking the DRB to consider, among other things, massing and consistency with the master plan.
Attorney Scott Grover, representing Riverview Place, states that this is primarily a residential property, consisting of 130 units. He describes the approval process to date for this project.
Architect Steven Livermore states that the buildings will be landscaped, and that 126 of the 309 parking spaces will be under the building.
DeMaio clarifies that the 309 spaces is 49 more than required by zoning.
Livermore states that the landscaping will be similar to that of the park on the other side of the North River Canal. He states that they will vary the materials on the elevation, and that the building will be set back from the canal so the landscaping in front can tie into the park across the canal.
Daniel cites Glenn Kennedy’s comments, stating that he is concerned that the style doesn’t fit into the context and wishes to have a more factory–inspired style and he sees a great opportunity for an industrial style design.
Jaquith agrees that he would like to have a more industrial loft building. He adds that it is rigidly plopped on the site, and perhaps can have a more industrial look with bigger windows. He states that now it just looks like a design of “run of the mill, suburban apartments.”
Daniel states that the Planning Board is looking for more comments on the massing.
Jaquith states that the massing currently has an implied centerline and maybe it should not be that centered and lowering as it goes toward Flint Street.
Blier states that this currently appears to be designed to sit on a flat site and Flint Street has beautiful homes on the slope. He says that he would like to see more variation in the rooflines. He adds that there seems to be a lot of impervious material. He says that it needs to factor into the surrounding neighborhood. He asks about the stormwater plan.
Livermore states that Jim McDowell has a plan for it, and it has been presented to the Planning Board.
Grover states that Chris Huntress is the landscape architect and will be at the next meeting, and he wishes to develop the walkway and connect it up to Mason Street.
Livermore adds that the Planning Board also wishes to have a stronger pedestrian walkway up to Mason Street.
DeMaio states that it is important to think about the types of projects that the NRCC is seeking and consider that Commercial Street should be assumed to extend to Flint Street. He reads some of the requirements from the NRCC master plan, which include having a design that will enhance the waterfront pathway along the canal, redefine the north edge of the park, create public parkways, and complement and harmonize with existing neighborhoods.
DeMaio states that the site has different personalities on Mason Street, Flint Street and the canal, and as a design approach, they need to pick up cues from each face of the site. The current proposal fails to do this as it has the same architectural treatment throughout. He says that the project should have active edges that relate to and promote the park. He agrees with Blier about varying the rooflines.
DeMaio believes the materials and massing have a long way to go. The site plan reads as two buildings with a sea of parking, and the buildings read as a large mass that is impenetrable. He asks where one would go to sit and read outside?
DeMaio suggests looking at how people pass through the site. Blier suggests making the pathway to Mason a central connection and organizing principal rather put on the edge of the site.
DeMaio says that there should be more emphasis to what happens at the ground level where people will walk. He states that it is difficult to comment on the specific architecture because there are problems with the massing. He suggests they review the NRCC document and gain inspiration from it. He says the parking lot on the canal should be replaced with green space.
The members discuss flipping the buildings in order to pull more massing toward the canal.
DeMaio expresses concern about the large expanses of paving.
Jaquith: Motion to continue this until the next meeting, seconded by DeMaio. Passes 3-0.
Other
6. Flower Boxes and Exterior Container Plantings: Discussion of approach and parameters
Daniel states that several years ago the SRA had approved two window box designs as part of a Main Streets project. He presents the two window box designs used by the Main Streets project and asks the member if they will reaffirm the designs or would like to modify them.
Blier states that pine will rot and look bad over time. He suggests using cedar or mahogany.
Jaquith suggests looking to Newburyport for their designs for window boxes, and that they be painted “Essex Green” (Benjamin Moore).
Daniel says that some businesses wish to place urns of flowers outside their stores. He asks if the board would like to set criteria so he can manage this.
Jaquith states that they could have 4-5 acceptable options for urns.
DeMaio states that this would create a sameness that might limit opportunities to improve the design.
Jaquith states that the board can review anything that is outside of the standard.
Daniel states that he wishes to streamline the program so that if someone wishes to spend money to improve the look of their business, he would be able make it as easy as possible for them.
Blier states that the window boxes should specify that there be drains at the bottom of the boxes.
The Board reaffirms the previously approved designs.
7. Approved Railing for South River Harborwalk: Update
Daniel states that the SRA has approved the design with the railing that was presented, but they are looking into alternatives. He shows a sample of the railing by AVCON that they had considered and says that staff has some reservations about it.
The members discuss the sample and agree to look into alternative designs from the AVCON Company.
8. Joint Land Use Board Meeting: Summary
Daniel states that he has provided a summary of the Joint Land Use Board Meeting for the members to review. The members discuss the meeting.
Approval of Minutes: March 26, 2008 Meeting
Jaquith: Motion to approve the minutes, seconded by Blier. Passes 3-0.
Jaquith: Motion to adjourn, seconded by Blier. Passes 3-0.
The meeting is adjourned at 9:00 PM.
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