CITY OF SALEM MASSACHUSETTS
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
BOARD OR COMMISSION: Design Review Board, Regular Meeting
SUBCOMMITTEE:
DATE: Wednesday, May 28, 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.
Urban Renewal Area Projects Under Review
1. 12 and 14 Derby Square (American Marine Model Gallery): Discussion of proposed façade alteration to reopen entrance
Michael Wall states that his intention is to restore an entry door to the front of the building. He adds that it is the same door that was removed in 1994.
DeMaio: Motion to approve this plan as presented, seconded by Jaquith. Passes 3-0. Voting members are Durand, DeMaio, and Jaquith.
2. 231 Washington Street (The Art Corner): Discussion of proposed window signage
A representative from the Art Corner explains that this is a temporary location and that they have been displaced by a fire.
Daniel states that they will open their temporary location on June 14.
DeMaio: Motion to approve this as submitted, seconded by Jaquith. Passes 3-0. Voting members are Durand, DeMaio, and Jaquith.
3. Smokers’ Waste Receptacles: Discussion of proposed smokers’ waste receptacles downtown
Ellen Talkowsky, on behalf of the Beautification Committee, explains that these waste receptacles are being proposed as part of an anti-litter campaign. She adds that she has two designs and they would like to make these receptacles available to any businesses that would like one. She presents the two designs.
Durand asks how many locations will have these receptacles.
Ms. Talkowsky states that is would depend on the cost of the approved receptacle. She adds that they are being limited to downtown.
DeMaio states that he prefers the second one (the metal one) better because it has more weight. Durand agrees. The members agree that they prefer the black color.
Jaquith: Motion to approve the metal receptacle in black, seconded by DeMaio. Passes 3-0. Voting members are Durand, DeMaio, and Jaquith.
Michael Blier arrives.
4. 15 Peabody Street Park: Discussion of proposed final design plans
Michael Blier recuses himself from this issue.
Daniel confirms that the members that were absent for last month’s meeting have received a recording of this hearing.
Letitia Tormay reviews the changes that have been made to the design since the last meeting. These changes include:
· The crest of the mound has been pushed closer to the walkway to create a large shallow slope for seating and movie viewing.
· The shape of the contouring has been changed to appear more irregular.
· The design of the wall was changed, allowing the artwork to have a more irregular pattern, and the artwork will be placed enamel panels.
· The wall will have a backer board of various colors.
· The canopy will be made of standing seam aluminum system in a color that matches one of the colors in the wall.
· The size of the green screen has been increased.
Tormay reviews the equipment, which will all be red, for the tot lot. She describes the design of the lighting fixtures. She shows the design and location of the water bubbler, which will be placed on the concrete plaza.
DeMaio states that he likes that fact that the canopy has a color.
Jaquith states that this park provides a better entrance to the Harborwalk than Congress Street.
Durand states that this design is great and that the park location saves the Harborwalk by being an actual destination. He adds that he likes having the canopy be a color but expresses concern about how well it will weather a nor’easter. He concludes that the design is super.
Kennedy expresses approval with the design.
DeMaio states that he prefers to see the art on the wall related to children.
Jaquith: Motion to recommend approval of the final design as presented with the condition that the artwork for the wall will be reviewed, seconded by Kennedy. Passes 4-0. Voting members are Durand, DeMaio, Jaquith, and Kennedy.
5. 50 St. Peter Street (Old Salem Jail): Discussion of proposed final design plans
Penn Lindsay states that they have made some changes based on the comments from the last meeting. Dan Ricciarelli reviews these changes. The most significant change is that the St. Peter Street façade will have granite and brick.
Jaquith asks the height for the drive-through opening.
Ricciarelli states that the height is 12.5 feet and will be high enough to allow fire trucks to pass through.
DeMaio expresses concern about the conflicting roofline and the way the two roofs and two façades (stone and brick) come together at the corner.
Much discussion ensues about the roofline.
Jaquith expresses concern about the roof, but states that he has no problem with the materials.
Durand suggests that these items be reviewed at a later date.
Daniel agrees and suggests that they board recommend approval subject to a final construction review.
Jaquith: Motion to recommend approval of the final design subject to a review of the final construction plans, seconded by Blier. Passes 5-0.
6. 118 Washington Street (Sacred Gear): Discussion of proposed planter
Daniel states that a mother of one of the owners would like to give them a planter as an opening gift. He adds that it will be a fiberglass planter and the color will be sand.
Durand states that he is willing to approve it because it is in a park and off of a main street and in a corner and it is not too big.
Jaquith states that there should be two planters.
Durand suggest approval conditioned upon it being maintained and having live plants.
Jaquith recommends suggesting they have a second planter.
Blier: Motion to approve the planter given the unique site circumstances with the recommendation that a second planter be added, seconded by Jaquith. Passes 5-0.
Other
New DRB Member
Daniel states that there is a new DRB member, Helen Sides, and her first meeting will be June 25.
Approval of Minutes – April 23, 2008 Meeting
Jaquith: Motion to approve the minutes as drafted, seconded by Blier. Passes 5-0.
The meeting is adjourned.
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