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2024-12-11 SRA DRB Joint Meeting MinutesSRA December 11, 2024 Page 1 of 3 City of Salem, Massachusetts Public Meeting Minutes Board or Committee: Redevelopment Authority and Design Review Board Joint Public Meeting Date and Time: Wednesday, December 11, 2024, at 7:00 pm Meeting Location: Virtual Zoom Meeting SRA Members Present: Chair Grace Napolitano, Dean Rubin, Christine Madore, SRA Members Absent: Christopher Dunn Design Review Board Members Present: Paul Durand, Marc Perras, Sarah Tarbet, Catherine Miller, Leeann Leftwich, Elizabeth Murray, Kate Martin Others Present: Kate Newhall-Smith, Principal Planner, Tom Daniel, Executive Director, Stephanie Owens, Senior Planner Presentation: Lappin Park Redesign Project Chris Macfarlane, Seung Oh, Diana Gallo, and Adrienne Allard were present from Landworks Studio. John Bobrek was present from Bobrek Engineering. The consultant team gave a presentation on the Lappin Park project was given to review outreach, public comment, and the design response. Ms. Murray inquired as to whether a night view of the park with the proposed lighting was available. At this time, there is not. It was reported that there will be three poles, each with three lighting sources with multiple heads that can be directed to different areas. The entire plaza will be lighted. The lights are all focused on the inner terrace. They will not be lighting the restaurant areas. Ms. Miller noted that she found the survey for the project quite challenging, but that the solution presented is good. She felt that putting the plantings on the outside, but maintaining shade was critical to the space. She was supportive of the four varieties of trees being proposed. Shrubs will need to be manageable so that they don’t become a safety issue. She thought the furniture was fantastic and appreciated that some are movable, and some are not. Permeability of the paving is great. She thinks the lighting is fantastic, and that the bronze color will disappear into the landscape. The access is easier and welcoming. Mr. Perras inquired about the accessibility of the storefronts. Mr. Oh noted that there are existing steps from grade into the restaurants and that these conditions will not change. Mr. Perras said it would be great if the design could accommodate accessibility. He asked whether the rectangular nature of the terrace could take up more room in the back corner. He asked if the diagonal corners of the terrace could be treated the same. He loves permeable pavers and asked whether inlets were considered on days with high amounts of rain. Mr. Macfarlane said they would be considered as part of the design process. Mr. Perras asked if all the furniture and umbrellas for the space could be uniform. Mr. Durand said he really likes the plantings and feels the space works well. He believes snow removal looks to be easily accomplished. Mr. Macfarlane said they haven’t dived into snow storage yet. Ms. Tarbet inquired about the choices of grass and boulders that don’t seem consistent with the surrounding area. Mr. Macfarlane said it was intentional as a little bit of a play, and that they are working to make an ecological statement, handling stormwater, and has a function to it and bringing diverse ideas to one place. Mr. Perras noted that the bottom quarter planter doesn’t need to be such a square. SRA December 11, 2024 Page 2 of 3 Mr. Rubin inquired about the statue and whether that might affect the cut-through. Ms. Murray was happy with the relocation. Mr. Rubin wondered whether the City wants to keep statue. Ms. Newhall-Smith said she would confirm the contract with TV Land. Mr. Rubin wondered about the reaction of the proposal from the neighbors. Ms. Newhall-Smith reported that the Landworks team preserved the same number of outdoor seats as exist today. She reported that they have only received positive feedback from residents. Ms. Madore had comments about the amenities and design. She echoed the concern about the choice of boulder, which is different than what we’re used to in the downtown area. She is supportive of the rain garden and vegetation in the area. If the boulders are intended for seating, she wondered whether that was the best material and whether something more comfortable could be chosen. She also asked about the history of the current design, and whether there is a way to pay tribute the current design as it was likely done during urban renewal with a certain aesthetic in mind. She also wondered whether the statue needed to remain in the park. She also agreed with Ms. Tarbet about the grass. She felt amenities such as bike racks, water fountain, and thoughts on the location of an electrical box for a Christmas tree, for example, such be considered. She felt the lighting was very different from the existing lighting, which is currently an antique looking lamppost. Ms. Martin was very pleased with the park layout. She said the boulders remind her of those at the Salem Armory Visitor Center. She felt the shaped seating seems out of context with the rest of the park. She wondered whether the trees may compete with the Christmas tree. Ms. Miller asked if the next rendering could have more detail on the sidewalk and pavement materials. Mr. Daniel expressed his thanks to the Landworks team. He said he doesn’t feel like the park is an empty space from November through April now, and he asked the design team how it might feel when there isn’t greenery or activity. Mr. Macfarlane said that they will be getting into more detail on the trees, but that idea is that planters will hold something with greenery throughout the winter. He said the plant palette will have four season interest. The meeting was open to the public for those wishing to ask questions or provide comment. Averil Svan, who lives in the Townhouse Square Condominiums across from the park. She noted that the park looked exactly like Charlotte Fortin Park, a big rectangle with trees around the edge. She wondered whether there was a way to differentiate between the two parks, and to have a place to sit and have coffee. She asked how long it will take for the canopy to grow and if larger trees could be planted. She didn’t feel strongly about the statue and that if it is moved it could attract tourists to other locations in Salem. She also asked what the feedback has been from the residents, and also how to ensure the furniture remains at the site. Kim Parkinson, 28 Prescott Street, and Chair of the City’s beautification committee, reported that she likes the designs and heard great comments from both boards, happy with more greenery. She has concerns about the plant plans, and reported that her committee cannot take on such a large undertaking in addition to their current responsibilities. Bryan Ruscino, 3 Federal Court, thinks it’s a great design, and would like to see more than one trash receptacle given the area’s high use. SRA December 11, 2024 Page 3 of 3 Donna Seger, 7 Chestnut Street, a historian at Salem State University spoke. She is very focused on the statue and would like clarity from the City on the statue. Descendents of the Salem witch trails do not think much about it. She thinks its an affront, a billboard, and she thinks it should be removed. Flora Tonthat, 30 Northeast Street, said that she would like to keep Free Little Library and two utility boxes where public art can be utilized. She asked if cell phone charging could be implemented. She would like to see ground covers instead of grass. She would like to see softer edges and pavers with a warm brick color. Darlene Melis, 115 Federal Street, chair of the Salem Tree Commission, and an architectural historian spoke. She said she thought that the space is lovely but doesn’t feel the design is something you would expect to find in a city that features a lot of Federal period architecture. She was concerned about the granite blocks and granite extrusions, which don’t relate to the downtown architecture. She also said that trees might not do well under tons of rock and asked that future renderings show the root flare above surface level. Dick Lindeman, 113 Federal Street, believes the design is a fantastic improvement. He does like the stone wall and found it reflective of the work at Derby Wharf. He is concerned that it is so modern and feels there needs to be brick. It’s too contemporary with the use of so much concrete, grasses, and lighting to be more reflective to the history of Salem. Mr. Daniel thanked the team and Ms. Owens, Ms. Newhall-Smith, and the members of the public who commented. The input tonight will be used to advance design and continue to have engagement. There is no funding to continue at this point, so they will be working to secure funding from city and grant sources. Adjournment of Joint Public Meeting VOTE: Ms. Miller made a motion to adjourn meeting. Seconded by: Mr. Durand Roll Call: Durand, Perras, Tarbet, Miller, Leftwich, Murray, Martin. 7-0 in favor DRB adjourned. VOTE: Mr. Rubin made a motion to adjourn meeting. Seconded by: Madore Roll Call: Madore, Rubin, and Napolitano. 3-0 in favor. SRA adjourned.