City of Salem Massachusetts
Public Meeting Minutes
Board or Committee: Redevelopment Authority, Regular Meeting
Date and Time: Wednesday, February 13, 2008, at 6:00 p.m.
Meeting Location: Third Floor Conference Room, 120 Washington Street
Members Present: Chairperson Michael Brennan, Conrad Baldini, Michael Connelly, Robert Mitnik, and Russell Vickers
Members Absent: Conrad Baldini
Others Present: Executive Director and City Planner Lynn Duncan, Economic Development Manager Tom Daniel
Recorder: Andrea Bray
Chairperson Brennan calls the meeting to order.
Executive Director’s Report
Old Town Hall RFP
City Planner Lynn Duncan provides a brief update on the project, stating that Kirsten Kinzer has completed documents describing the scope of work and the criteria for evaluating proposals based on input from the public meeting held in 2007. Regarding the RFP, she states that they will release it at the end of the month and distribute copies to the councillors. She adds that the Council voted to have the SRA act as the agent and make a recommendation back to the Council. She concludes by requesting that the members review the documents and submit comments back within the next week.
Old/New Business
Redevelopment Project Review
1. 50 St. Peter Street (Old Salem Jail): Discussion of proposed design and program modifications
Duncan introduces David Goldman and Penn Lindsay to present the new design. She states that they need schematic approval for the new wing that will be added to the new building. She adds that they also need to go back to the Planning Board to get approval for seven additional units (two in the jail and five in the Alexander Building). Additionally, Duncan confirms that they will return to the SRA to amend the land disposition agreement.
New Boston Ventures’ (NBV) David Goldman explains that the real estate market has changed since the original design was developed. He states that the new design still allows for a museum and restaurant. To account for the current economic conditions, Goldman confirms that 22 units will be used as rentals and, after 5 years, converted to condominiums. Regarding the parking spaces, he states that NBV will lease seven parking spaces permanently in the municipal garage for the residents’ use, and for use by residents of the senior housing, NBV will lease 5 additional spaces in the municipal garage for the period of construction.
Jim Alexander describes the new wing, stating that the ground level will provide parking space and the upper levels will have residential units. He confirms that that there will be parking spaces for 36 cars on site, some of which will be under the residential level on the new wing. He proposes that the new building have a wing with drive-through arch under which residents’ cars will enter and exit the parking spaces. He adds that the building will now have an elevator. Due to the increased demand for single level living, Alexander confirms that many of the units will be “flats”. He adds that the exterior materials will be the same, and the wing will be in scale with the rest of the site.
Vickers clarifies that there was originally no elevator in the new building and now there will be an elevator.
Penn Lindsay states that of the 36 total units, there will be 6 one-bedrooms, and 30 two-bedroom units. He adds that the units in the Jail Building and Jail Keeper’s House will be retained as rentals for a period of 5 years and then they will be sold as condos.
Mitnik states that the new design makes a good contribution to the streetscape and adds more of a human scale to the overall project.
Vickers asks about the schedule for the permitting and the start of construction.
Duncan states that it will depend on DRB’s comments on the schematic design.
Vickers clarifies the question asking if NBV has a milestone timeline for construction.
Goldman states that they have already started much of the process. Lindsay states that they anticipate completing the permitting process in the next couple of months, the application paperwork for the state tax credits has been completed, and they hope to begin construction in May. He adds that they currently have an extension for closing until the end of April.
Lindsay states that the Jail building is the perfect example of why tax credits exist, because the building is on the historic register and on the list of endangered buildings.
Peter Plecinoga speaks for St. John the Baptist Church asking how many parking spaces are needed for each unit.
Duncan states that there is no set standard, but the planning board has used the B-5 zoning standard (1.5 spaces on site for new construction, and 1 parking space on site or off site for the existing buildings). She clarifies that a total of 43 are required, and of those 36 will be provided on site, and NBV will get 7 annual passes at the municipal garage for the rest.
Paul Plecinoga states that he doesn’t want anyone in the church’s parking lot, parking overnight.
Goldman offers to incorporate language into the condo documents which would prohibit residents from parking in the church parking lot.
Kathleen Burke of 205 Bridge Street asks how many condos will be in this facility.
Goldman confirms that there will be 36 units.
Duncan clarifies that there will be 36 parking spaces on site and 7 at the municipal garage.
Goldman states that in the 2-bedroom units, the second bedroom is actually very small and intended as a den or office, making the units more suitable for a single person.
Barbara Cleary, on behalf of Historic Salem Inc., speaks in favor of the new design stating that it is an improvement from the original design, and a creative solution to a challenging market situation.
City Councillor Sosnowski speaks in favor of the new design.
Jessica Herbert of 70 Webb Street on the Historic Commission asks if there is a plan for management of the rental units.
Goldman states that there will be a plan.
David Morsen with the Salem Commission on Disabilities, who lives across from the property on St. Peter Street, expresses concern about the pedestrian access during construction going across Bridge Street to the train station.
Penn Lindsay states that the staging will be on site so it will not impact pedestrian access on Bridge Street.
City Councillor Bob McCarthy speaks in favor of this new design and states that his concern would be that the rentals be well managed.
Mary Dennesen of 9 Heritage Drive #15, asks if they will offer a rent-to-own option.
Goldman states that they are considering that.
Connelly states that the SRA made the right choice two years ago and the right people are in place and he is pleased with the new design.
Vickers: Motion to approve this conceptual design and forward it to the DRB for Schematic Plan design review and comment, seconded by Mitnik. Passes 4-0.
Sign Review
2. 246 Essex Street (Hex): Discussion and vote on proposed signage and exterior painting
Daniel states that this store is located next to the barber shop on Essex Street and Christian Day designed the sign. He adds that the DRB evaluated the color on site, and they recommend it for approval. He says that Christian Day will take the custom bracket with him if/when he moves the store.
Mitnik: Motion to approve the sign design and painting, seconded by Connelly. Passes 4-0.
3. 181 Essex Street (Signatures): Discussion and vote on proposed signage
Daniel states that this is a simple sign in keeping with the store design. He adds that the grand opening will be this Friday. He says that they have leased the 2nd floor as well and will return with an exterior painting plan.
Vickers: Motion to approve the sign design, seconded by Mitnik. Passes 4-0.
Approval of Minutes - January 9, 2008 Meeting
Connelly: Motion to approve the minutes, seconded by Vickers. Passes 4-0.
Vickers: Motion to adjourn, seconded by Connelly. Passes 5-0.
The meeting is adjourned at 7:00 PM.
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