Loading...
2025-04-23 Meeting MinutesDRB April 23, 2025 Page 1 of 8 City of Salem Massachusetts Public Meeting Minutes Board or Committee: Design Review Board, Regular Meeting Date and Time: Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at 6:00 pm Meeting Location: Virtual Zoom Meeting DRB Members Present: Chair Paul Durand, Leeann Leftwich, Catherine Miller, Sarah Tarbet, and Kate Martin DRB Members Absent: Marc Perras and Elizabeth Murray Others Present: Stephanie Owens, Senior Planner Recorder: Christine Petryszyn The meeting was called to order at 6:02pm. Roll call was taken. Signs in the Urban Renewal Area 1. 100 Washington Street: Black Cat Curiosity Shoppe continued from March Dan Minkle was present to discuss the project: • The applicant sent in and shared new images of the exterior signage which shows the new borders and coloring for the Black Cat Curiosity Shoppe and Spirits of Salem Museum. • An image showing the outside of the shops was also shared. • The applicant noted that they had been putting up displays in the window. • Mr. Durand and Ms. Leftwich expressed support for the new signs. There were no comments from the public. • The Building Department raised the issue that glass coverage may be over 20% right now. VOTE: Ms. Martin made a motion to approve the signs and table the issue of the signs behind the glass be a separate issue. Seconded by: Leftwich. Roll Call: Leftwich, Martin, Miller, Tarbet, and Durand. 5-0 in favor. 2. 289 Derby Street: Harborwalk Garden Shelby Elwell was present to discuss the project: • The applicant is proposing an LED sign for the front of the blue building near Charlotte Fortin Park to indicate the Harborwalk Garden. It will be illuminated when the building is both open and closed. • It will be a turquoise blue color and will be roughly 3’ wide. • The building is a wine and beer garden and a performing arts venue. • The proposed font will be a straight font that is more legible that the cursive font being used now. • The building did not come before the DRB previously because it is a City project which technically doesn’t have to come before the DRB. DRB April 23, 2025 Page 2 of 8 • Ms. Miller and Ms. Tarbet expressed concern that this building never came before the DRB. The building serves beer and wine and there is little separation between the pub and the public way. • The applicant noted that they won the bid for the building after the RFP was put out. They have a two-year contract, and the building itself is temporary and is only there for the duration of the lease. The barricades have an entrance on the Harborwalk side, and the Derby Street side. It is free and open to the public. • There were conversations with the Salem Police about not having a police presence as the purpose of the space is free public programming. A percentage of the proceeds from the bar is used to activate the park. • Ms. Miller said the barriers were not maintained. The applicant said the barriers are being redone this year and the SRA is working very closely with the Anthem Group on these issues. • The purview of the DRB at this meeting is just the sign. The meeting was open for public comment. Councilor Cindy Jerzylo expressed concern about the building and noted that she does not like the lighted sign or the building. She was pleased that the Board members expressed issues about the building. Steve Capantis, Wisteria Street, expressed concern about the building. He noted that the City should not exempt themselves from what others must go through. He also noted that Anthem Group consistently violates ADA regulations. He thinks the Anthem Group has done a very poor job at the site. • Ms. Miller inquired about any other lit signs that they have approved. • The applicant said they could keep the light off when they are closed. • Ms. Tarbet clarified the timeline for the lease and building. The applicant noted it was a two- year lease with the option to extend. • Ms. Tarbet noted that she was struggling with the hodgepodge nature of the park, which is a shame given the amount of thought and design that went into it. • Mr. Durand suggested the DRB speak with Mr. Daniel about the project and isolate the sign for this meeting’s discussion. • Ms. Miller said she does not think it’s going to look like a neon sign and is not convinced it’s appropriate for the downtown. She does not feel like there is enough detail. • The applicant noted that they have invested a lot of capital and time to open. She said the sign could evolve further down the line. • Ms. Leftwich wished the sign had a more New England feel. She thought the color was difficult, but that a more historic teal color may make it more appropriate for the area. • The applicant noted that they were trying to have the sign have a juxtaposition between historic and modern. • A photo of a similar sign and photos of the applicant’s Charlestown site was shared. The Charlestown sign is indoors. • The conclusion of the applicant’s term is January 15, 2026. • Ms. Leftwich noted that a serif font, with a darker color, and some contrast could help improve the sign. DRB April 23, 2025 Page 3 of 8 • The applicant works with a distributor and may not have much time/ability to customize a sign. She would like to get the sign up as soon as possible. VOTE: Ms. Tarbet made a motion to approve the sign through September with a resubmittal in for the next iteration which should include Ms. Leftwich’s design recommendations. Seconded by: Leftwich. Roll Call: Leftwich, Martin, Tarbet, and Durand. Miller voted no. 4-0 in favor. . Projects in the Urban Renewal Area 1. 20 Central Street: Small Project Review – Repair of courtyard plaza surface to include adjoining stairs and walkways Richard Frank was present to discuss the proposal: • The Board requested better renderings at their March meeting, and those were shared, including a three-dimensional rendering. • The DRB’s feedback was provided to the architects. Mr. Frank noted that they are using the original pattern and concrete pavers and it complements the pattern around Old Town Hall and Derby Square. • Ms. Tarbet inquired about the drain location. The drains will all be replaced. Another set of drains will be added because they have had drainage problems. Mr. Frank noted that the plan is for the drains to be placed in the center and he will pass that on to the architects. • Ms. Miller thanked the applicant for the time put into the project. The meeting was opened for public comment. Bonnie Belair, 20 Central St., Unit 212, inquired about the exposure and liability of entertaining public art in the courtyard as members of the public would be coming into what is a private courtyard. She objected to the public art portion of the project and noted that there may be an increase to insurance costs. Ty Spencer, with the GRLA Architects, noted that their intent for the project was to mimic the existing design and adjacent areas around the building. He added that the drains were shown in their existing locations, and the intent is to better center those drains. • Ms. Miller inquired about what the DRB was voting on. Ms. Owens noted that it is the paving and stairs that were included in the application. VOTE: Ms. Miller made a motion to approve the project. Seconded by: Martin. Roll Call: Leftwich, Martin, Miller, Tarbet, and Durand. 5-0 in favor. DRB April 23, 2025 Page 4 of 8 2. 252 Bridge Street: Discussion of The Exchange’s curved wall mock-up – Request to withdraw without prejudice. VOTE: Ms. Tarbet made a motion to withdraw the project without prejudice. Seconded by: Martin. Roll Call: Leftwich, Martin, Miller, Tarbet, and Durand. 5-0 in favor. 3. 133 Washington Street: Extension of Premise for Outdoor Dining for Boston Burger Company – Review of proposed outdoor dining area on the to-be-constructed sidewalk extension along Washington Street and review of the modified rear patio dining area. John Geloso, COO for Boston Burger Company, was present to discuss the project: • Mr. Geloso noted that the City informed them that the beautification project in the front of the building may enable them to have outdoor seating. • Renderings were shared. They included an ADA table and new planters. They were not looking to redirect all of their courtyard seating, but would like to have as many as are allowed. • Mr. Geloso noted that they serve alcohol. • Ms. Owens noted that they are required to separate that area from the public way, and that those requirements fall under the purview of the licensing department. Mr. Geloso noted that they have stanchions and higher raised planters to have the area properly encased. • The timeline for the sidewalk improvements is estimated to be completed before May, but Mr. Geloso reported that timeline is what was shared with him and that he could not confirm. • Ms. Miller inquired about a licensing board requirement that did not let the Derby serve alcohol in an area where pedestrians would cross paths. Mr. Geloso reported that the renderings were not to scale and that they would have to cross the 7 ½’ in front of the façade to get to the brick sidewalk. Ms. Miller said she wanted to make sure any bins or shelves were not placed in the public way. Ms. Martin noted that there doesn’t seem to be clear direction on this issue. Mr. Durand noted that perhaps the licensing board has changed their opinion. • Ms. Miller noted that the important thing is that sidewalk remains open. There were no comments from the public. VOTE: Ms. Martin made a motion to approve the project with two conditions; that the Boston Burger Company may use their courtyard space to the fill extent until the construction is complete and that the public way remain open. Seconded by: Martin. Roll Call: Leftwich, Martin, Miller, Tarbet, and Durand. 5-0 in favor. DRB April 23, 2025 Page 5 of 8 4. 120 Washington Street: Extension of Premise for Outdoor Dining for Blue Fez – Review of design of outdoor dining area. The applicant was not present for the meeting. VOTE: Ms. Miller made a motion to continue. Seconded by: Tarbet. Roll Call: Leftwich, Martin, Miller, Tarbet, and Durand. 5-0 in favor. Projects Outside of the Urban Renewal Area 1. 17 Canal Street: Entrance Corridor – Design review for proposed AC Hotel by Marriott. David Sherborne from Opechee Construction was present to discuss the project: • Mr. Sherborne shared images of 17 Canal Street which is currently occupied by Sammy’s Roast Beef. • He provided an update on the meetings they’ve had with the Historical Commission, Planning Board, and DRB. • On March 26th the Historical Commission granted a waiver of the demolition delay on the existing building. • They had meetings with the Planning Board on March 20th and April 17th. • The project includes 132 guest rooms, 6 stories tall, just over 97,000 sq. ft of gross building floor area, on a 16,000 square ft. building footprint. Amenities include a restaurant and lounge, which are publicly open. Guest amenities include a fitness room, meeting rooms, and a market area. Parking includes 60 valet only spaces with 30 spaces each on two levels. • The project is compliant with lot size, but they are seeking relief under P.U.D. for minimum side yard requirements. They are complaint with the building height and fence height. They are seeking relief for the floor area ratio. They are providing parking where none is required. • Mr. Sherborne noted that much of the feedback they received to date centered on materials and composition of the building façade, façade treatment on the corner of Pond and Canal Street, fenestration treatment, signage, placement of the transformer, accessible sidewalk, and opportunities for public art. • Mr. Sherborne said they could not incorporate the existing neon sign but offered to store it if there was a use for it elsewhere in Salem. • Additional information was requested from the Planning Board about traffic flow. Minor adjustments were made for the landscaping along Pond St. • Photos were shared of referenced projects similar to the Eagle Iron Foundry. • The site plan was shared. Other locations for the transformer were explored, but they were limited by vehicular space and clearance. They are proposing to screen the transformer by continuing the façade treatment. • Updated landscape plans will be shared. Weeping cherry trees will be added. There will be a curb cut on the south end. Valet parking will be accessed from Kenny Court. The DRB April 23, 2025 Page 6 of 8 traffic will be very circular around the site, and not impacting the intersection of Canal and Washington Streets. A sidewalk on the north side of Pond Street is not possible due to the slope. • Various updated renderings were shared from various views with lighter colored aluminum screen panels and brick. Mr. Sherborne said they are working on the textured metal tile to break up the massing. • The name of the hotel is proposed to be AC Hotel to avoid confusion with the Hotel Salem. • Options for masonry and sills were reviewed. Windowsills were adjusted to avoid headlights are the vehicles are being parked. • The treatment at the parking level is glass. Ventilation will come out of the back of the building. The applicant feels there will be enough. • Above the entry will be an ACM aluminum composite material/aluminum rainscreen material panel. The fish scales are gone. • Masonry will be precast, it could be a split rock face manufactured product. • Mr. Durand preferred option B and C. • Ms. Miller preferred the darker version. She appreciated that the transformer is hidden and hopes some refinement could be made. • There are two options for the valet; one with an entrance off Courtyard, and one with and exit and entrance off Kenny. There will be no guests in the parking structure. It will all be valet/professional drivers. • Ms. Miller felt that the public art area could be beautiful as brick facing, but would depend on the art. She would like to know more about the design of the landscaping. • The landscape plan and plant list was shared. The landscape architect will attend the next meeting. Ms. Miller noted that the plantings can help take away from the monolithic character of the first floor. • Ms. Tarbet thanked the applicant for considering their feedback. She agrees that she likes the darker brick, but is in favor of a more subtle brick detailing in lieu of the precast banding or different course. She was not convinced the glazing matching the upper windows is the best approach. • Materials will be shared. • The garage will be heated in order to keep a thermal envelop, but they can explore options to screen. • Ms. Tarbet asked if the windows facing Pond St could be scaled to be more appropriate for the abutting residential area. Mr. Sherborne said they would look at that. • Ms. Martin feels the band along the first floor should be less prominent. She prefers Option A. She noted that the corbeling at the top floor may be too small for the scale of the building, and wonders whether it could be incorporated elsewhere as well. DRB April 23, 2025 Page 7 of 8 There were no comments from the public. • Mr. Durand requested that the ventilation in the parking lot be looked into before the next meeting. He believes more free air may be needed. He feels each of the three options are viable. • The board members were most supportive of Option A. VOTE: Ms. Miller made a motion to continue. Seconded by: Leftwich. Roll Call: Leftwich, Martin, Miller, Tarbet, and Durand. 5-0 in favor. New / Old Business 1. Approval of Minutes: a. March 26, 2025 The minutes were not in the file and will be taken up at the next meeting. 2. Remote Meetings Ms. Owens reported that the SRA is still working to figure out how they are going to meet. They may work to meet once a year in-person. Board members were happy to continue meeting remotely. 3. Staff updates, if any • Ms. Owens did not have any staff updates. • The Exchange Wall was taken off the agenda. The applicant is working to update the colors. • Ms. Miller requested that the Anthem Group lease be explained to the DRB. Ms. Owens said she would arrange for that. • Ms. Miller noted that there is construction going on at Jerry’s. She said it looks like they have enclosed all their windows. She hopes the particle board will be painted. She also added that there is a proliferation of plastic flowers in the flower boxes, particularly on Front Street. She wasn’t sure if there was a rule on that issue, but perhaps the Chamber of Commerce could weigh in. Ms. Owens said she would look into it, and report back. Upcoming Meetings 1. SRA: May 14th 2. DRB: May 28th Adjournment VOTE: Miller: Motion to adjourn. Seconded by: Leftwich. All in favor. The meeting is adjourned at 8:02PM. DRB April 23, 2025 Page 8 of 8 Know your rights under the Open Meeting Law M.G.L. c. 39 §23B and City Ordinance Sections 2-028 through 2-2033