City of Salem Massachusetts
Public Meeting Minutes
Board or Committee: Redevelopment Authority, Regular Meeting
Date and Time: Wednesday, August 11, 2010 at 6:00pm
Meeting Location: Third Floor Conference Room, 120 Washington Street
Members Present: Chairperson Michael Brennan, Robert Curran, Conrad Baldini, Russell Vickers
Members Absent: Robert Mitnik
Others Present: Economic Development Manager Tom Daniel, Executive Director and City Planner Lynn Duncan
Recorder: Lindsay Howlett
Chairperson Michael Brennan calls the meeting to order.
Old/New Business
Duncan briefly updates the board on some of the current projects in Salem.
Old Salem Jail: Duncan states at the last meeting the board amended the condition of the affordable unit to go from a designated artist residence to a residence for a Salem resident. Duncan adds they were able to find an eligible resident who is moving forward with that move. Duncan states the individual really needed a place to live making this a great success story. Duncan clarifies this specific residence is actually located in the jail and not in the Carriage House.
Old Town Hall: Duncan states Old Town Hall is moving forward with the improvement work; the heating system is underway, floors have been refinished, safety upgrades were made, and the existing restrooms were renovated.
5 Broad Street: Duncan states City Council has asked the SRA to be the entity to guide the 5 Broad Street project forward. Duncan adds the feasibility study was completed, and the results will be presented to the City Council in the fall. Duncan further adds they were hoping to present to the City Council in the spring but did not get the chance. Duncan states next month they will start to work on requests for proposals for the reuse of the site and adds they need to weigh density with price. The sale proceeds will be used toward the purchase of the new Senior Center. Duncan clarifies the disposition decision will be made by the City; the SRA will make a recommendation to the City.
Parking Management Study: Daniel states the final report of the study was received last month, was introduced to Council and will be presented on September 21st for discussion. Daniel adds there is a working group reconvening this month in preparation for that meeting. Daniel further adds they will be meeting with the neighborhood advisory group as well. Daniel states they will be looking to move forward with a plan based on the study guidelines after meeting with the Council. Daniel clarifies they anticipate laying out a policy objective and assigning various actions to various staff members.
Outdoor Café Permit
- 50 St. Peter Street (The Great Escape): Discussion and vote on proposed outdoor dining area
Shane Andruskiewicz is present on behalf of The Great Escape. The board reviews the lighting package and site plan dated August 1, 2010.
Daniel states artifacts were found in the jail and have been incorporated into the landscaping design. Daniel adds the stones in the photograph are actual sections of the jail floor.
Andruskiewicz states one change the DRB recommended was to add additional seating. Andruskiewicz adds the Licensing Board approved the restaurant for 60 people. Andruskiewicz submits a rough sketch dated August 1, 2010 to the board showing where 12 more seats could be added.
Daniel states there will be six foot tall perimeter lighting, ambient lighting from the street lights and individual table lighting.
Brennan states his only concern is to make sure the lighting does not impact the residents.
Andruskiewicz replies the patio has to close at 10pm to minimize the impact on the building per the landlord’s requirements.
Baldini: Motion to accept proposal as recommended by the DRB, seconded by Vickers. Passes 4-0.
Small Project Review
- 32 Church Street (Milk and Honey Green Grocer): Discussion and vote on proposed signage and exterior door
Daniel describes the location of the proposed Green Grocer. Daniel adds the sign manufacturer was not able to print the sign in the right color and adds the actual color samples are attached to the proposal packet. Daniel further states they would be using the same door as their neighbor.
Vickers asks what kinds of food they will be selling.
Daniel responds they are looking at local produce and will likely complement the wine store next door.
Duncan states it will be great for the residents living downtown who may not want to drive out of the area for groceries.
Vickers: Motion to accept the proposal as recommended by the DRB, seconded by Baldini. Passes 4-0.
- 118 Washington Street (Café Polonia): Discussion and vote on proposed façade color scheme.
Daniel states the SRA previously reviewed the proposed sign and accepted the packet, but after the DRB meeting, the restaurant came back with a different approach.
Daniel states the new treatment is a German inspired approach with no awning. Daniel adds the DRB felt this was a really good approach and further adds it is not a permanently installed structure. Daniel states it will be made of wood insets on existing panels.
Baldini states the owner of Café Polonia was recently on television doing a food show.
Daniel states the DRB thought this was a really great approach. Daniel adds they felt it should go through the SRA once more as it is a different approach then what was previously approved.
Curran: Motion to approve Café Polonia’s façade as recommended by the DRB, seconded by Baldini. Passes 4-0.
Sign, Awning, and Lighting Review
- 173 Essex Street (Witch Tees): Discussion and vote on proposed signage
Daniel describes the location of the proposed shop. Daniel adds the package is very simple.
Vickers: Motion to approve as recommended by DRB, seconded by Baldini. Passes 4-0.
- 320 Derby Street (Two Girls Shop): Discussion and vote on proposed signage
Daniel describes the location of the proposed shop. Daniel states they are working within the existing guidelines of the building standard.
Daniel states it is a simple sign and the actual background color is attached to the proposal package. Daniel adds the window decal will have white lettering with a clear background.
Baldini: Motion to approve as recommended by DRB, seconded by Vickers. Passes 4-0.
- 281 Essex Street, Suite C3 (Armstrong Field Real Estate): Discussion and vote on proposed signage
Curran asks why they do not use the Crombie Street address.
Daniel states this sign proposal utilizes the existing sign bracket and adds the colors are derived from the business’ logo/branding. Daniel adds the proposal includes a blade sign, door and window decals.
Daniel further states the door decal was temporarily applied but the font will be changed to match the other signs.
Daniel states the DRB commented that the green of the windows and the decal do not match. Daniel adds the owner agreed to modify the green color to match the windows.
Curran: Motion to approve the proposed signage as recommended by the DRB, seconded by Baldini. Passes 4-0.
- 79 Washington Street (Lightshed Photography Studio): Discussion and vote on proposed signage
Daniel states they will be attaching a new sign to the existing iron work. Daniel adds the DRB thought it was a great sign and very clean.
Duncan states it is great to see that building filling up.
Baldini asks what happened to the building owner removing the trees, up-lighting the building and replacing the trees with a different type.
Duncan responds Baldini is correct as she recalls Michael Blier of the DRB making recommendations of what tree type to use. Duncan states she will have to look into what happened with that.
Daniel adds the building façade is very attractive when all the shops are lit up at night.
Vickers: Motion to approve proposed signage as recommended by the Design Review Board, seconded by Baldini. Passes 4-0.
Duncan states they are looking at how to address the Essex Street pedestrian mall. Duncan adds they had submitted what they felt was a very strong proposal and much to their surprise did not get funded. Duncan states they are still in discussion with the NEA about why, and the Mayor is also in discussion to move this forward one way or another. Duncan states they are still committed to doing some sort of improvement work.
Minutes
Approval of the minutes from the July 14, 2010 regular meeting.
Vickers: Motion to approve, seconded by Baldini. Passes 4-0.
Adjournment
Baldini: Motion to adjourn, seconded by Vickers. Passes 4-0.
Meeting is adjourned at 6:33pm.
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