City of Salem Massachusetts
Public Meeting Minutes
Board or Committee: Redevelopment Authority, Regular Meeting
Date and Time: Wednesday, April 9, 2008, at 6:00 p.m.
Meeting Location: Third Floor Conference Room, 120 Washington Street
Members Present: Chairperson Michael Brennan, 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: Duncan introduces Kirsten Kinzer to speak about the Old Town Hall.
Kinzer states that the RFP was released on Feb 18 and a site tour was conducted on March 20, during which three non-profit groups expressed a strong interest in submitting proposals. Additionally, Kinzer explains that a fourth individual has expressed interest in submitting a for-profit proposal. She states that announcements have been placed on cultural websites, such as the North Shore Art Association and the Marblehead Art Association, but she has received no responses from these sites. She therefore concludes that all interest in the Old Town Hall will be local, and proposals are due on April 24, 2008. Kinzer says that she will review all proposals and pass on copies to the SRA.
Joint Land Use Board Meeting: Duncan states that the meeting was attended by representatives from all land use boards, including Russell Vickers and Robert Mitnik of the SRA. She adds that the City solicitor and Assistant City solicitor reviewed ethics and the Mayor reviewed the five-year financial forecast.
Vickers states that the ethics discussion was very interesting.
Duncan states that Fountain Place is interested in having window flower boxes installed and asks if they need to go through the SRA or be handled by the Executive Director.
Vickers states that some criteria, similar to that set by Main Streets in the past, could be formed for window boxes, and then the SRA can leave it to the Executive Director.
Mitnik states that if the boxes are architectural and permanent they should be reviewed by the DRB/SRA.
Old/New Business
Small Project Review
1. 221 Essex Street (Eastern Bank): Discussion of proposed rooftop wireless backhaul dish antenna
Attorney Anne Malone presents the plans and explains that Sprint and Nextel merged three years ago and launched a nationwide 4G broadband network which competes with DSL and eventually will bring down prices of high speed Internet. She describes the dish antenna as being about 1 foot in diameter and will be painted to match the surrounding structure.
Mitnik asks if they will be removing old technology.
Malone states that if there was old technology there it may have already been removed, but they will not remove anything, just add new equipment.
Brennan states that he is willing to send this to the DRB and he as no objections to this.
Mitnik asks if the city’s WIFI could be available through this system.
Malone states that this is not WIFI, but a different technology.
Vickers: Motion to waive SRA standard procedure and approve this subject to the DRB’s review, seconded by Connelly. Passes 4-0.
Development Project Review
2. South River Harborwalk: Discussion and vote on Final Design Plans for the proposed harborwalk
Duncan introduces Frank Taormina, project manager for the harborwalk, and Susan St. Pierre, Civil Engineer, with Vine Associates.
St. Pierre displays the plan and describes the design. She states that they received approval from the DRB with some recommendations. She describes a concrete walkway beginning at New Derby Street with a full-sized half-hull replica of the Friendship’s lofting plans in the pavement and a fully lit flagpole. She says that the original proposal included a cedar fence and the DRB changed that to a wooden guardrail. Additionally she says that the DRB increased the caliper of the new trees to 4-4.5 inches. She states that, as a result of the DRB’s request, they are looking for a more interesting railing for the harborwalk.
Daniel states that the members’ packets have photos of the two possible railings.
Duncan states that the city just received an additional $400,000 grant from the Seaport Advisory Council but the City must match 20% of that grant.
Mitnik asks if St. Pierre spoke to AVCON.
St. Pierre states that she looked into that and they don’t have representation on the North Shore.
Mitnik says that he installed it at Old Orchard Beach. He adds that it would be more durable and economical than the proposed railing.
Vickers states that the proposed railing will not hold up and will need repainting in three years.
St. Pierre agrees to check again with AVCON.
Duncan states that this is before the SRA for final approval.
Vickers states that he is ready to approve this and these are just recommendations.
St. Pierre states that they will be replacing the sheet-pile wall and that has added to the total cost.
Duncan states that the city has all of the funding but it is a limited budget.
Vickers: Motion to approve this design with the recommendations of the DRB seconded by Mitnik. Passes 4-0.
3. 15 Peabody Street Park: Project introduction and discussion of Schematic Design
Duncan states that Kirsten Kinzer is the project manager for 15 Peabody Street Park. She explains that they have received an Urban Self-Help grant from the State and a federal grant from the EPA and a grant from the Seaport Advisory Council.
Kinzer states that the Urban Self-Help Grant is conditioned upon a tight timeline and the project must be completed by the end of June. She suggests that rather than have this project come back to the SRA after the schematic design review, the DRB could move straight to the Final Design approval, after which the SRA could review the Final Design.
Kinzer explains that this project began last spring with the initial design work done by Tufts University Design students. She adds that Architect David Jaquith is acting as liaison to the Point neighborhood residents.
Landscape Architect Michael Blier, of Landworks, presents an overview and states that his group started where Tufts Students left off. Regarding the theme of this property, he says that he wishes to offer a park with an urban scale and a neighborhood scale.
Christina Crawford, of Utile, states that the group worked with three design considerations, (1) the interjection of the Point neighborhood, (2) pulling the greenspace into the Point, and (3) the connection of the park to the harborwalk.
Blier states that they wish to have activated edges, a communal area with game tables and a porch area overlooking the waterfront. He adds that these individual areas could be connected via a pathway. He says that there will be a shaded area, which will act as a water recharge area collecting storm water, and a mounded lawn overlooking the water, and an active children’s play area. He identifies a mosaic screen wall on one side of the property which will block the view of the electric company.
Letitia Tormay, of Landworks, describes the materials including concrete for the walkways and rubber for the playground. She states that there will be remediation plantings in the wooded area, and the mosaic screen wall could be used as a projection area for outdoor movies. To provide shade and rain protection, she says they may place a roof over part of the mosaic screen wall. She says that there will be a barrier along Peabody Street to prevent children from running into the street.
Mitnik asks about the parking lot side of the park.
Blier states that they will place stones along the edge to stop cars from entering the green area.
Mitnik states that there will be code issues associated with the roof structure at the wall.
Duncan states that this is an exciting, innovative way of taking the goals in the Tufts plan and weaving it all together with the neighborhood’s goals and the city’s goals.
St. Pierre describes the connection to the harborwalk stating that it will nudge out to the harborwalk.
All of the members commend the presentation and speak favorably of the design.
Vickers: Motion to send this plan to the DRB and let them continue to a final design for SRA approval, seconded by Connelly. Passes 4-0.
4. 155-189 Washington Street (Salem News Project, Central House renovation component): Discussion and vote on Final Design Plans for the proposed redevelopment
Matthew Picarsic, with RCG, describes the final design stating that they worked through many of the details with the DRB to arrive at this final design. He says that the second floor windows were widened and a decorative cap was added. He says that the shiplap material will be used for the siding, and the screening for the rooftop equipment will be of the same material. He states that the back doors will have glass panes and awnings to allow them to look more like front doors. He shows the color scheme. He shows a sample of the windows and states that they have more depth than the original ones presented. He states that the second and third floors will have residential units.
Daniel states that the trim color on the second floor windows will match the color of the trim on the third floor windows, and the DRB will review the color of the canopy on the back of the building.
Duncan states that the DRB recommended approval with the above noted items.
Connelly: Motion to approve this design with the above noted DRB recommendations, seconded by Vickers. Passes 4-0.
5. 155-189 Washington Street (Salem News Project, new construction component): Discussion and vote on Final Design Plans for the proposed redevelopment
Picarsic shows the schematic approval and explains the final design. He states that the corner treatment and storefront were the main focus on the schematic approval. The corner was made more prominent by stepping up the corner with vertical elements and modified detail elements. He adds that they widened and expanded all of the window openings, and that the there will be both metal fencing and wooden fencing along the parking area (36 spaces).
Ron Lamarre describes the trees on the site and states that they are allowing some space for snow storage.
Picarsic states that as the storefront meets the sidewalk it will be wrapped in metal, which will go into the sidewalk, so as to accommodate the change in grade.
Picarsic states that the developer will provide $5,000 to the city for signage and have submitted a conceptual design for the greenspace at the corner of Washington and New Derby streets. The conceptual design includes a grassy area with benches and retains the granite landing because it is unique feature. He says that they will propose to move the bus stop further down the street.
Vickers states that it would be good to get that bus stop away from that intersection.
Picarsic shows the color scheme.
Daniel states that the DRB spent a lot of time looking at the details, and recommended the new window dimensions and the detail of the first floor cornice.
Mitnik: Motion to approve the final design with the DRB’s recommendations, seconded by Vickers. Passes 4-0.
6. 50 St. Peter Street (Old Salem Jail): Discussion and vote on request to extend closing date
Daniel states that NBV is requesting an extension because there are questions that came up from the fire department, and the review time is taking longer than expected. He adds that they anticipate a closing on the property in June with construction beginning in July, but, to allow leeway, they are requesting a closing on/before July 31, with a building permit submittal on/before August 15, and with the commencement of construction on/before August 31.
Duncan states that they received $500,000 in historic preservation tax credits from the state and they will be submitting for the second state round as well as federal historic tax credits.
Vickers: Motion to authorize the Chair to sign the eighth amendment to the LDA, seconded by Connelly. Passes 4-0.
Sign, Awning, and Lighting Review
7. 118 Washington Street (Sacred Geer): Discussion and vote on proposed signage and exterior lighting
Daniel states that this location is next to Upper Crust Pizza. He adds that the DRB recommends that the sign be extended six inches on each end.
Connelly: Motion to approve this design with the DRB recommendation, seconded by Vickers. Passes 4-0.
8. 272 Essex Street (Bella Hair Studio): Discussion and vote on proposed signage
Daniel states that this will be a blade sign at the former “Feed You Head” store. He adds that they opened last week.
Mitnik: Motion to approve the design, seconded by Vickers. Passes 4-0.
9. 275-281 Essex Street (Cabin Fever): Discussion and vote on proposed signage and exterior lighting
Daniel states that this store, located in the Tompkins Building, caries mid-century modern furniture from Brazil and new accessories. He explains that the original proposal included a lighting design, but, the day before the DRB meeting, the landlord installed gooseneck lights, so the applicant withdrew the lighting component. Upon review, Daniel says that the DRB loved the lighting design as presented in this proposal and stated that the proposed lighting had to be installed. Later, Daniel explains that he discovered that the DRB had approved the gooseneck lighting and it is consistent with the SRA’s criteria. Therefore Daniel recommends that the SRA approve this design but omit the recommendation for use of this proposed lighting plan.
Vickers: Motion to accept the DRB’s recommendations with the exception of the 4th bullet regarding the lighting design proposed, seconded by Mitnik. Passes 4-0.
Façade Improvement
10. 304 Essex Street: Discussion and vote on proposed façade restoration
Daniel states that they wish to do a full façade restoration, and the DRB approved this provided the new mortar color match the existing mortar. He adds that the scaffolding is up for the whole façade and will remain up until the project is completed.
Mitnik: Motion to accept the DRB’s recommendation to approve the façade restoration design provided the new mortar color match the existing mortar color, seconded by Vickers. Passes 4-0.
11. 125 Washington Street: Discussion and vote on proposed façade restoration
Daniel states that they wish to restore some of the damaged balustrade.
Connelly: Motion to accept the DRB’s recommendation, seconded by Vickers. Passes 4-0.
Approval of Minutes: March 12, 2008 Meeting
Vickers: Motion to approve the minutes from the March 12, 2008 meeting, seconded by Mitnik. Passes 4-0.
Sandwich Board Signs
Brennan states that there are sandwich board signs in Lappin Park which should be removed.
Duncan states that the Planning Department has been asked to work on an ordinance for sandwich signs. She adds that there currently is an ordinance and they should be illegal.
Vickers: Motion to authorize the executive director to have the signs removed ASAP, seconded by Mitnik. Passes 4-0.
Brennan: Motion to adjourn, seconded by Vickers. Passes 4-0.
The meeting is adjourned at 7:50 PM.
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