City of Salem Massachusetts
Public Meeting Minutes
Board or Committee: Redevelopment Authority, Regular Meeting
Date and Time: Wednesday, June 11, 2008, at 6:00 p.m.
Meeting Location: Third Floor Conference Room, 120 Washington Street
Members Present: Chairperson Michael Brennan, Conrad Baldini, and Robert Mitnik
Members Absent: Michael Connelly, Russell Vickers
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: City Planner Lynn Duncan states that a meeting was held at the Mayor’s office regarding Gordon College. Russell Vickers and Michael Brennan of the SRA were in attendance. Duncan explains that Gordon could hold a five-year lease on the Old Town Hall with and option to renew, and that it is important that the City does not incur any additional costs associated with leasing this property. She adds that a special meeting is scheduled on Thursday, June 19, for an SRA vote on leasing the Old Town Hall to Gordon College. She encourages the members to contact her if they have any recommendations for the terms and conditions of the lease. Duncan states that a draft lease will be available for the City Council meeting on June 26.
Old/New Business
Development Project Review
1. 15 Peabody Street Park: Discussion and vote on Final Design plans
Kirsten Kinzer, CDBG Planner, states that there have been a series of meetings since they were last here. She explains that they met with the community and met twice with the DRB, and tweaked the design based on the response. She adds that they have obtained approval from the Conservation Commission.
Letitia Tormay reviews the final design including the full color scheme and the hardscape and landscape materials.
Brennan asks if the benches will have dividers.
Tormay states that they are just a poured concrete block with no back.
Mitnik states that elderly people might have difficulty sitting and standing on the bench without any back or arms.
Tormay states that there will be another bench under the cantilevered roof off of the wall. She describes the equipment in the tot lot.
Duncan asks if they have the bike rack photo.
Tormay shows the sketch of the bike rack.
Baldini: Motion to approve the design, seconded by Mitnik. Passes 3-0.
2. 20 St. Peter Street (Old Salem Jail): Discussion and vote on Final Design Plans and request for project phasing
Daniel introduces David Goldberg from NBV and Dan Ricciarelli from Finegold.
Ricciarelli states that they received a positive response from the DRB. He adds that they are adding two units to the jail but they will not change the exterior of the jail.
Ricciarelli states that they would like to implement this plan in phases, with phase one including the jail, the jail keepers house and the barn, in addition to the infrastructure and parking. Phase two will be the new building. He adds that he will have an interim lan for the new building site at the next meeting.
Ricciarelli reviews the changes to the design including the drive-through opening expanded to 12.5 feet to allow fire truck access.
Goldberg explains that they are working on a $1.5 M historic tax credit with the National Park Service, and they currently have $500,000 in credits. He adds that they hope to obtain another $2+M from the Commonwealth. Regarding the schedule, Goldberg states that they plan to break ground at the end of this summer. He explains that phasing this project will be necessary because of the current economic status, and they are waiting for an upturn in the market.
Duncan advised the Authority that they are looking for an approval of the final design and an approval on a conceptual basis for the phasing. She adds that Goldberg would develop a site plan, then go to the Planning Board and the DRB, and then back to the SRA for final approval of the site plan.
Brennan asks about the access road, stating that there is a curb there preventing access.
Goldberg states that he is requesting a meeting with the secretary to ask him to intervene. He adds that there is an existing curb cut there right now, and it might be intended as a walking path.
Brennan confirms that they are looking for approval of design with the condition that the DRB review and approve the construction documents and approve the phasing.
Mitnik: Motion to approve the design as recommended by the DRB, seconded by Baldini. Passes 3-0.
Baldini: Motion to accept the phasing plan, seconded by Mitnik. Passes 3-0.
Duncan states that they may need to coordinate further for the transfer of the deed in the end of July.
Brennan asks what action the City will take if the new building is not constructed after several years.
Goldberg states that they have attorneys working on the legal piece of this.
Sign, Awning, and Lighting Review
3. 231 Washington Street (The Art Corner): Discussion and vote on proposed window signage
Daniel states that The Art Corner was forced to relocate due to a fire earlier in the year. He adds that this is a temporary location for 6-12 months.
Baldini: Motion to approve the design, seconded by Mitnik. Passes 3-0.
4. 118 Washington Street (Sacred Gear): Discussion and vote on proposed planter
Daniel states that the mother of one of the owners gave them a planter as a gift and they wish to place it in front of the store. He adds that the DRB approved the design and recommended that another planter be added, if possible, in the future.
Mitnik: Motion to approve the planter, seconded by Baldini. Passes 3-0.
Baldini: Motion to adjourn, seconded by Mitnik. Passes 3-0.
The meeting is adjourned at 6:55 PM.
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