City of Salem Massachusetts
Public Meeting Minutes
Board or Committee: Redevelopment Authority, Regular Meeting
Date and Time: Wednesday, March 12, 2008, at 6:00 p.m.
Meeting Location: Third Floor Conference Room, 120 Washington Street
Members Present: Chairperson Michael Brennan, Conrad Baldini, Robert Mitnik, and Russell Vickers
Members Absent: Michael Connelly
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: Duncan distributes copies of the Request for Proposal (RFP), and thanks the authority for their comments. She states that the proposals are out and they are due back the end of April. She advises the members that the city will hold a pre-submittal conference and site tour at the building on March 20.
Brennan asks how this is being marketed.
Duncan states that there was a story in the Gazette and a press release was sent to the Salem News.
Brennan expresses concern about the current economic conditions and the possibility of receiving very few viable proposals. He states that they should show the site on March 20, but if very few people express interest, they should find other ways to advertise it. He adds that they should be willing to extend the deadline if they do not receive any viable proposals.
Duncan says they are looking for someone local because this will be leased space and not sold to a developer, as was the case with the jail.
Vickers suggests contacting art associations or learning institutions that might have a use for the space.
Redevelopment Projects Review
1. 50 St. Peter Street (Old Salem Jail): Discussion and vote on the Schematic Design Plans
Daniel states that the DRB has recommended approval of this design and made suggestions for the designers to consider but did not have any conditions. In order to streamline the approval process, Daniel requests that the SRA send the final design directly to the DRB for their recommendation. He asks the Authority to approve the schematic design tonight.
Vickers: Motion to approve the schematic design and forward the final design directly to the DRB, seconded by Mitnik. Passes 4-0.
Duncan states that New Boston Ventures has received Massachusetts state historic tax credits in the amount of $500,000, and they will apply for another $500,000.
New/Old Business
Sign, Awning, and Lighting Review
2. 247 Essex Street (a/k/a/ 118 Washington Street; Gulu-Gulu Café): Discussion and vote on proposed window decal sign
Daniel explains that this decal was approved by the DRB, and then he later found that the size is not compliant with the authority’s guidelines. He clarifies the downtown regulations stating that the decal is limited to 20% of the specific window that has the decal. He adds that, for other areas in the city, the sign size may be to be up to 30% of all of the combined window area for the business on a single streetface. He introduces owner Steve Feldmann and says that he has agreed to meet the 30% limit. Daniel explains that the glass is mirrored and there is a stairway behind the glass which does not contribute to animating the street level or provide a visual connection to the café.
Mitnik states that if you don’t count the transparent part of the decal, the size presented may be compliant, so he is okay with this decal.
Brennan expresses concern about setting precedent by approving this decal size. He adds that he would like to approve this application, while specifying the unique conditions of this site that warrant the approval, such as the interior stairwell and the mirrored window.
Vickers agrees.
Mitnik suggested a finding by the Authority that the specific conditions of this site are a hardship, thereby providing justification for approval of this decal.
Baldini: Motion to approve this decal design, seconded by Vickers. Passes 4-0.
3. 211 Washington Street (Hawthorn Building): Discussion and vote on the proposed alteration to approved awning scheme
Daniel states that Starbucks would like text on their awning. He confirms that the DRB has recommended approval for displaying the name only provided the text is placed on the hard-framed valance portion of the awning, and the letters are a maximum of 5 inches tall.
Vickers: Motion to approve the text with the DRB’s recommendation as presented, seconded by Baldini. Passes 4-0.
4. 90 Lafayette Street: Discussion and vote on the proposed lighting scheme
Daniel states that the SRA only needs to approve the goose-neck lighting fixture. He adds that the DRB recommends that the fixtures be either silver or black and they be spaced evenly across the front.
Mitnik: Motion to approve this lighting with the DRB’s recommendations, seconded by Vickers. Passes 4-0.
5. 304 Essex: Façade approval
Daniel states that rather than just provide emergency repair the condo association wishes to restore the façade and replace the lintels. To expedite the approval process, Daniel suggests that this start with the DRB and then come to the SRA for formal approval.
The members agree to have the DRB review this application first.
Approval of Minutes: February 13, 2008 Meeting
Baldini: Motion to approve the minutes of the February 13, 2008 meeting, seconded by Vickers. Passes 4-0.
Baldini: Motion to adjourn, seconded by Vickers. Passes 5-0.
The meeting is adjourned at 6:35 PM.
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