SALEM HISTORICAL COMMISSION
MINUTES
April 15, 2015
A meeting of the Salem Historical Commission was held on Wednesday, April 15, 2015 at 7:00 pm at 120 Washington Street, Salem, MA. Present were Jessica Herbert (Chair), Kathy Harper, David Hart, Larry Spang and Susan Keenan.
48 Bridge Street
Salem Plumbing Supply Company, Inc. submitted an application for Waiver of the Demolition Delay Ordinance for total demolition of all the buildings currently located on the property. The buildings are currently vacant. The property has been rezoned R-2.
Attorney Stephen Lovely was present.
Documents & Exhibits
- Application submitted 4/6/15
- Photographs
- Proposed site plan, Skomurski Development, LLC 3/10/15
Ralph Sevinor, owner of Salem Plumbing Supply was present.
Atty. Lovely stated that there has been a long process with the neighbors. They are proposing five lots with a duplex on Bridge Street and four single family homes. He stated that the building has outlived its life and that they would like to proceed while the economy is going well. The next step is an ANR before the Planning Board to subdivide into lots and get a waiver from frontage. They already have Board of Appeal approval.
Mr. Hart asked if the buildings in the back are part of the demolition.
Atty. Lovely replied in the affirmative and stated that all buildings will be demolished.
Mr. Hart stated that Massachusetts Historical Commission has a Form B and supposedly there might have been a one story building built pre 1851. The height was later raised to three stories. He noted that it is a non-descript building. He asked if there are any elevations of the building with horizontal and vertical dimensions.
Atty. Lovely replied in the negative.
Mr. Spang asked if they will sell the lots one by one.
Atty. Lovely replied in the negative and stated that the new owner will build the houses. A sewer easement will be granted to the city.
Mr. Spang asked if the building has a basement.
Mr. Sevinor stated that it is a slab.
Mr. Spang asked if the slab will be pulled out when building comes down.
Mr. Sevinor replied in the affirmative.
Mr. Spang asked how the lots will be left and if the buildings will go up simultaneously.
Atty. Lovely stated that they will start at the end and work toward Bridge Street. They will do all the connections at once.
Mr. Spang stated that he was concerned about demolition occurring, something happening to the project and several years passing, with the result being a weed strewn vacant lot. He suggested that the dirt go back in and that grass be installed.
Atty. Lovely stated that he expects that they would have to fence the lot.
Ms. Herbert asked if a design was submitted to the planning board.
Atty. Lovely replied in the affirmative and stated that the house on Bridge Street will be in keeping with the character of the street. It will market in the high 300’s.
Ms. Herbert asked if it will be wood clad.
Atty. Lovely stated that for the Bridge Street property, they will try to incorporate the architectural features of the street. The side street properties will likely be vinyl sided.
Mr. Hart stated that since the survey says that there may be an 1851 building on the site, he suggested requiring the developer to record what is on the site now in terms of a plan of all the buildings.
Mr. Sevinor stated that the middle building is probably 35 years old.
MOTION/VOTE: Mr. Hart made a motion to approve the waiver and to require the submission of elevation drawings of the building that fronts Bridge Street, showing an outline of the vertical and horizontal dimensions and a footprint drawing showing measurements, so that after demolition there will be a record of what it looked like. He stated that it does not have to include windows/doors. Ms. Keenan seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
109 Lafayette Street – Storefront Improvement – Request for Comment
Ms. Guy read a letter from Andrew Shapiro, Economic Development Planner. She noted that the City’s sign designer prepared the drawings, that they will match the three existing storefronts in the same building and that the prosed signage complies with the city’s sign ordinance. The backlit style of sign will not have light shining through the sign, which is an acceptable form of signage per the City’s Commercial Design Guidelines.
Derek Arnold, owner of Witch Dr., was present.
Documents & Exhibits
- Letter from Dept. of Planning & Community Development: 4/7/15
- Photographs
- Elevations – Gienapp Design Associates, LLC
Ms. Herbert asked if the aluminum window casing will be tinted.
Mr. Arnold stated that it will match what is currently on the building.
Ms. Herbert asked the business product.
Mr. Arnold stated that it is a glass blowing studio and art gallery.
Mr. Spang stated that the front entrance should be handicapped accessible.
Mr. Arnold replied that it already is and that they will work off of it. He noted that they will be making a 2400 s.f. gallery in the back for events and shows.
City Councilor William Legault stated that he lived on Ward Street as a kid and remembers that store front. He stated that it used to have single pane plate glass before it became a bar. He was in support of the project.
Mr. Arnold stated that the windows would allow the artists to be seen live.
Ms. Keenan stated that she thought it was great.
Ms. Harper stated that it will be an improvement.
The Commission did not vote to make any comments.
Other Business
Requests for Letters of Support
Ms. Guy provided draft letters of support for the following:
- 148 Washington Street – Massachusetts Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits
VOTE: Ms. Harper made a motion to send a letter of support. Mr. Hart seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
- 3 Webster St. – Massachusetts Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits
VOTE: Ms. Harper made a motion to send a letter of support. Mr. Hart seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
- Dickson Memorial Chapel at Greenlawn Cemetery – Massachusetts Preservation Projects Fund
VOTE: Mr. Hart made a motion to send a letter of support. Ms. Harper seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried. Mr. Spang abstained from voting.
- Salem Public Library – Massachusetts Preservation Projects Fund
VOTE: Ms. Harper made a motion to send a letter of support. Mr. Spang seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
VOTE: There being no further business, Mr. Hart made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Spang seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Jane A. Guy
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