04092026_JPH_PlanningBoardandDRBCity of Salem Planning Board and Design Review Board Joint Public Hearing
Minutes April 9, 2026
Page 1 of 6
Know your rights under the Open Meeting Law M.G.L. c. 30A § 18-25 and City Ordinance § 2-2028
through § 2-2033.
JOINT PUBLIC HEARING WITH THE DESIGN REVIEW BOARD
MEETING AGENDA
A joint public hearing of the Salem Planning Board and the Design Review Board was held on
Thursday, April 9, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. via remote access. Public participation was possible
via Zoom video and conference call.
Chair Kirt Rieder calls the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m.
I. ROLL CALL
Planning Board
Present: Chair Kirt Rieder, Jonathan Berk, Tom Furey, Carole Hamilton, Helen Sides,
Graham Wing, and Josh Turiel (7)
Absent: Sarah Tarbet (1)
Arriving Late: Zach Caunter (1)
Design Review Board
Present: Marc Perras, Paul Durand, Daniel Estes, and Catherine Miller (4)
Absent: Sarah Tarbet, Kate Martin, Elizabeth Murray (3)
Also in attendance: Stephanie Owens, Senior Planner
Mr. Estes has submitted a form 23B3 to the Salem Redevelopment Authority regarding
this project.
II. REGULAR AGENDA
A. 8 Harrison Road (Map 31, Lot 327), 9 Harrison Road (Map 31, Lot 340), 262 Loring
Ave (Map 31, Lot 1), and 266 Loring Ave (Map 31, Lot 341), Salem, MA Applicant:
Joseph C. Correnti, Esq. f/b/o WinnDevelopment Companies, LLC Description: A
continuance of a public hearing for all persons interested in the application of
Joseph C. Correnti, Esq. f/b/o WinnDevelopment Companies, LLC for the property
located at 8 Harrison Road (Map 31, Lot 327), 9 Harrison Road (Map 31, Lot 340),
262 Loring Ave (Map 31, Lot 1), and 266 Loring Ave (Map 31, Lot 341) in the R1
(Residential One Family), RC (Residential Conservation), SGO (Smart Growth Overlay
District), ECOD (Entrance Corridor Overlay District), and CROD (Coastal Resiliency
CITY OF SALEM
PLANNING BOARD
City of Salem Planning Board and Design Review Board Joint Public Hearing
Minutes April 9, 2026
Page 2 of 6
Know your rights under the Open Meeting Law M.G.L. c. 30A § 18-25 and City Ordinance § 2-2028
through § 2-2033.
Overlay District) Zoning Districts for Smart Growth Overlay District Plan Review and
C-ROD Site Plan Review in accordance with the following sections of the Salem
Zoning Ordinance: Section 7.4 Smart Growth Overlay District, Section 8.9 Coastal
Resiliency Overlay District, and Section 37 of the Salem Code of Ordinances,
Stormwater Management Permit. Specifically, the applicant proposes a total of up to
145 dwelling units through the adaptive reuse of three (3) existing Salem State
University South Campus buildings (Harrington, Academic, and Alumni buildings) and
the construction of one (1) new four-story residential building along Harrison Road.
No changes are proposed to the footprints of the existing buildings. Site
improvements will also include approximately 159 off-street surface parking spots
and a connective network of landscaped common areas and pedestrian paths. This
project is the second phase of a two-phase project known collectively as the Forest
River Residences, to be located at 8 Harrison Road (Map 31, Lot 327), 9 Harrison
Road (Map 31, Lot 340), 262 Loring Ave (Map 31, Lot 1), and 266 Loring Ave (Map
31, Lot 341)
Attorney Joe Correnti is in attendance for the applicant. Derek Hansen and Steve
Senna of WinnDevelopment, Bethany Moody and Matt Marotta of ICON
Architecture, and Mark Klopfer of KMDG are also in attendance.
Ms. Moody shares her screen. Winn is preserving and adapting the existing
structures on the upper campus for an aging community. Will be retaining the
historic massing and features. All work will be done with guidance from the National
Park Service (NPS) and the Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC). Design is
focused on creating community across the campus. Including a covered plaza and
convenience stairs. There is substantial rehabilitation needed including existing
fenestration, masonry, roofs, and general changes from academic buildings to
housing. The historic building façades on the upper campus are in worse condition
than Harrington Building. The project will be receiving tax credits for historic reuse.
The new “Harrison Building” is also included with the tax credits. Massing of the new
building has been reviewed with NPS; the sighting is appropriate, but the
relationship is to Harrington Building and therefore takes its façade from the mid-
century. The team is trying to balance cohesive design with Avalon as well. The new
building will allow enough units of aging in place housing without modifying the
historic buildings. This will create a more engaging street edge than a surface
parking area. There will be sensitive modifications to ensure equitable access. Used
Enterprise Green Communities and Executive Office of Housing and Livable
Communities (EOHLC) Senior Design Guidelines. Working to maintain the spirit of
entering the Harrington Building.
Mr. Caunter joined the meeting.
City of Salem Planning Board and Design Review Board Joint Public Hearing
Minutes April 9, 2026
Page 3 of 6
Know your rights under the Open Meeting Law M.G.L. c. 30A § 18-25 and City Ordinance § 2-2028
through § 2-2033.
Mr. Klopfer shares the landscape plan. The site plan is cohesive across the Avalon
and Winn projects. There are goals for amenity spaces including landscape space
rather than asphalt, and a series of trails between upper and lower campus The
south portion of the common area has changed. The sidewalk has moved away from
the building, the direction of the roadway and the driveway are further north
allowing. Smart Growth Overlay guidelines have been followed, particularly for
connectivity from exiting pedestrian paths to the larger network of Salem. Will
create enhanced exiting site buffers for direct abutters. The plan is to put in as many
street trees as possible; there are now four (4) trees on west side of gym.
Public Comments
Written Public Comment can be found here.
Polly Wilbert
7 Cedar Street
Concerned that there is no clarity for this phase of the project. Concerned about the
Winn component vis-a-vis the Avalon project. Understands the buff is driving the
Winn, but it would have been useful to draw the complex together so there was
commonality in the color palette. Concerned how the fact that this is a senior
complex that these residents are being accommodated. Concerned with a senior
development with uncovered parking. Wondering if there is any relationship to
accommodate the Winn cars in the Avalon garage. Doesn’t think they are seeing
enough for a valuable assessment.
Planning Board Comments
Mr. Furey says this is a challenging and amazing project. Thinks this will be a
beautiful area.
Ms. Sides comments on Ms. Wilbert’s statement and asks if there is there thought
to solar panels on the open parking spaces? Wonders about the change in the color
tones. And this may actually allow for unifying the color palette.
Mr. Rieder feels good about the colors. Asks if it is a private residence adjacent to
the curb cut (yes).Some parking is under building still open air. Ask if the primary
crosswalk to Harington Building is raised? Mr. Klopfer says that they thought it
would all be at grade, level to the driveway, the stripes seem a mistake. The
pathways to the upper campus will be mostly unchanged to the current packed dirt.
Ms. Sides asks for an answer to her solar panel question. Ms. Moody says they can
study that and review the impact with NPS and MHC. Mr. Rieder says there is
City of Salem Planning Board and Design Review Board Joint Public Hearing
Minutes April 9, 2026
Page 4 of 6
Know your rights under the Open Meeting Law M.G.L. c. 30A § 18-25 and City Ordinance § 2-2028
through § 2-2033.
precedent at the Plummer School on Winter Island Road. This would be preferable
rather than going over landscape. Mr. Senna says that the degree of affordability in
the senior housing is significant and they have budget limitations. Winn has an in-
house sustainability team. They will keep solar in as an option to put in during
construction if things go well. Will need to look to see what will be seen or not. In
terms of parking lot, area reserved for a potential geo thermal field . It would be an
either or though, not both.
Mr. Berk. On solar panels. Take a look at GEs back parking lot. He thinks they would
run into issues with NPS and doesn’t think solar over parking would be a good fit
here. Mr. Rieder agrees but because there is a large strip of trees that would have to
be edited.
Design Review Board Comments
Ms. Miller loves the idea that the paving continues through the driveway but feels
like the paving gives the pedestrian a sense of confidence and vehicles won’t see
them. The historic awnings on the Harrington building are very plain and on the new
building they are fussier. Wonders if the newer one could be simplified.
Mr. Estes asks if there was allocation for parking for trailhead in public realm. Mr.
Senna says that there will be spaces provided and that they are on the Avalon
property. On the approach down Harrison Road from Loring Avenue, asks if there is
discussion about scales being similar, the Harrison Building seems taller? Ms. Moody
says yes, the park service recognized that are not altering massing but want a viable
housing project so the building needed to be larger. Tried to take other
opportunities, like stepping back of upper floor and trying to pick up datum of the
two-story Harrington Building.
Mr. Perras, on the corner piece; doesn’t think it fits into the logic of the building. The
Harrington Building has chunks of masonry with fine curtain wall. Would prefer to
play more with the Harrington building. This feels like it interrupts the mass. Is there
a chance the building can scoot back on the site? This hides the Harrington Building
as it is now. Should be flush or set back. On the wood-look panels, Ms. Moody says
they are fiber cement to bring some warmth and helps speak to the Avalon project.
Will have to submit materials to MHC and NPS, they will have final say. Mr. Perras
would like some connection between the two pallets. Finds it hard to judge without
rendering of both sites.
Mr. Durand agrees with Mr. Perras. Can they get a drive through? It will help people
understand them together. Mr. Perras likes the massing overall.
City of Salem Planning Board and Design Review Board Joint Public Hearing
Minutes April 9, 2026
Page 5 of 6
Know your rights under the Open Meeting Law M.G.L. c. 30A § 18-25 and City Ordinance § 2-2028
through § 2-2033.
Mr. Senna says that they are pulling material together for Planning Department.
Mr. Rieder would like a view from the backside of the Harrison building as well. In
trying to understand the massing, all views clip the top of the buildings. Additionally,
the brick coursing on the Harrison Building seems off compared to the Harrington
Building. The rendering seems off as well or is the door eight fee (8’) tall. Would like
home depot downspouts removed from the Harrington Building. On the site plan,
there is the indication that one way section is up or depressed.
Motion to close the Joint Public hearing is made by Josh Turiel, seconded by Jonathan
Berk and passes 8-0 in a roll call vote.
Kirt Rieder Y
Jonathan Berk Y
Zach Caunter Y
Tom Furey Y
Carole Hamilton Y
Helen Sides Y
Graham Wing Y
Josh Turiel Y
Motion to close the Joint Public hearing is made by Marc Perras, seconded by
Catherine Miller, and passes 4-0 in a roll call vote.
Catherine Miller Y
Marc Perras Y
Daniel Estes Y
Paul Durand Y
III. ADJOURNMENT
A motion to adjourn the joint public hearing of the Planning Board and the Design
Review Board is made by Josh Turiel, seconded by Jonathan Berk, and passes 8-0 in a roll
call vote.
Kirt Rieder Y
Jonathan Berk Y
Zach Caunter Y
Tom Furey Y
Carole Hamilton Y
Helen Sides Y
Graham Wing Y
City of Salem Planning Board and Design Review Board Joint Public Hearing
Minutes April 9, 2026
Page 6 of 6
Know your rights under the Open Meeting Law M.G.L. c. 30A § 18-25 and City Ordinance § 2-2028
through § 2-2033.
Josh Turiel Y
A motion to close the Design Review Board meeting is made by Marc Perras, seconded by
Catherine Miller, and passes 4-0 in a roll call vote.
Catherine Miller Y
Marc Perras Y
Daniel Estes Y
Paul Durand Y
The Joint Public Hearing closed at 7:31 pm