City of Salem Massachusetts
Public Meeting Minutes
Board or Committee: Redevelopment Authority, Regular Meeting
Date and Time: Wednesday March 12, 2014 at 6:00pm
Meeting Location: Third Floor Conference Room, 120 Washington Street
Members Present: Chairperson Robert Mitnik, Conrad Baldini, and Robert Curran
Members Absent: Russell Vickers and Matthew Veno
Others Present: Andrew Shapiro
Recorder: Jennifer Pennell
Chairperson Robert Mitnik calls the meeting to order. Roll call was taken.
Executive Director’s Report
Shapiro noted that Executive Director Lynn Duncan would not be at the meeting, therefore there would be no Executive Director’s Report.
Old/New Business
- Discussion and vote on reappointment of Helen Sides to the Design Review Board.
Shapiro explained that Ms. Sides’ term on the DRB was expiring and that she has been a very active member of the Salem community, serving on not only the DRB, but also the Planning Board and Community Preservation Commission. He noted that she is a professional architect and has contributed valuable input to the DRB and the projects that come before it.
Chairman Mitnik added that Ms. Sides was involved with the re-zoning of Bridge Street, as well as with the effort to establish a Public Art Master Plan. He noted that she is very sharp and involved in several city effort; she is a great asset.
Curran: Motion to Approve.
Seconded by Baldini. Passes 3-0
- Discussion of 2014 Art Box locations and update on program.
Shapiro noted that the City-sponsored ArtBox program, which allows artists to compete to be able to paint utility boxes is in its third year. Three of the boxes for this year’s program are located within the Urban Renewal Area. This includes a box on Essex Street next to Cabot Money Management, one at Federal and North Streets across from the court complex, as well as one at the south end of the Riley Plaza parking lot across from Life Bridge. Other boxes to be painted include one on North Street in front of the parking area for Leslie’s Retreat, one in Lafayette Park in the Point neighborhood across from the new 135 Lafayette development, and one at the South River Harborwalk. Artists have until April 7, 2014 to submit entries. A jury will be selecting the artists. Painting of
the boxes will start in June.
Old/New Business
Sign, Awning, and Lighting Review
- 211 Bridge Street (The First Universalist Society): Discussion and vote on proposed replacement of basement level windows.
The Board reviewed a submission that includes cut sheets, a proposal, and photos of the proposed basement level windows.
Shapiro noted that the proposal would be for the replacement of eight ground level windows. A modern window would replace the existing ones for a more comfortable and watertight purpose. The DRB has voted to approve the replacement on the condition that DRB member Helen Sides assist the applicant find windows that would conform to the buildings needs as well as work with the surrounding context. Shapiro noted that the applicant had in fact done this and provided a specification for an appropriate window.
Curran: Motion to approve.
Seconded by Baldini. Passes 3-0.
- 50 St. Peter Street (New Boston Ventures): Discussion and vote on proposed design revisions of phase two/new building.
The Board reviewed a submission that includes drawings, a presentation, and photos of the proposed design revisions of phase two of the proposed residential development on the site of the Old Salem Jail. Dan Ricciarelli of Seger Architects and Sara Logan of LabHaus were present on behalf of New Boston Ventures.
Ricciarelli began the presentation by showing a site plan that had been approved by the DRB and SRA in 2008. He noted that the current proposal is similar in that the courtyard will remain open, but that the proposed building will be pushed back to accommodate a better view of the Carriage House from St. Peter Street. The same amount of previously approved units and parking spaces will remain for the revised proposal. Ricciarelli then turned over the presentation to Ms. Logan, noting that she would cover mostly material changes that are being proposed.
Mr. Baldini asked whether the units would be condos or apartments.
Ricciarelli noted that they would be condos.
Logan noted that the principle of the pediment gable was present around the site context. The buildings design intent was to tie into the existing fabric of the neighborhood. Logan noted that the overall proposed building footprint has been reduced 8’ to allow for a larger courtyard and pedestrian walkway along the street edge. Logan commented that the garden level has been buried and an attic level has been created to provide more of a two-story building appearance. Subtle color variations that mimicked the jail and increased dimensions to 8” for both cladboard and masonry siding have been revised on the latest drawings.
Shapiro noted that the DRB has requested to see final construction plans, drain and gutter plans, along with final review of landscape and lighting plans as part of any conditional approval of the project. Any signage associated to the building will need to be reviewed prior to installation. He noted the full list of conditions as follows:
- Project Description – The description of the project must conform to the project description described at the February 26, 2014 DRB meeting, including in the plans presented (Dated February 6, 2013), and the slides presented.
- Construction Plans – The final site construction plans must be reviewed and approved by the DRB prior to a building permit being issued. They must conform to the plans submitted and approved by the DRB.
- Specifically, roof drainage/gutter plans, as well as plans and designs for building mechanical elements must be reviewed and approved by the DRB prior to a building permit being issued.
- Landscape Plan – The final landscape plan must conform to the plans dated October 19, 2006, submitted and reviewed by the DRB, and later approved by the SRA on December 13, 2006. Changes to these plans with respect to the approved redesigned building should be articulated, and reviewed and approved by the DRB.
- Construction/Building Materials – The construction and building materials must conform to the materials presented to the DRB and approved by the DRB on February 26, 2014.
- Exterior Elevations – The exterior elevations must conform to the plans and presentation submitted February 26, 2014.
- Site Plans – The site plans must conform to the plans dated February 6, 2013, submitted and reviewed by the DRB.
- Lighting – The lighting must conform to the lighting specified in the lighting plan submitted to and approved by the DRB on December 6, 2006 and in accordance with the Electrical Site Plan and Schedule dated November 7, 2006. Final plans as it relates to the new design must be submitted and reviewed by the DRB.
- Signage Plan – The signage plan must be submitted to the DRB for review prior to installation.
Baldini: Motion to approve as recommended by the DRB including the recommended conditions,
Seconded by Curran. Passes 3-0.
Minutes
The minutes from the December 11, 2013 regular meeting were reviewed.
Curran: Motion to approve.
Seconded by Baldini. Passes 3-0.
Adjournment
Baldini: Motion to adjourn,
Seconded by Curran. Passes 3-0.
Meeting is adjourned at 6:28 pm.
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