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2005-01-12 SRA MinutesSRA Minutes January 12, 2005 Page 1 of 5 MINUTES OF THE BOARD MEETING OF THE SALEM REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY HELD ON JANUARY 12, 2005 A meeting of the Salem Redevelopment Authority (SRA) Board was held in the third floor conference room at the City Hall Annex, 120 Washington Street, on Wednesday, January 12, 2005 at 6:00pm. Chairman Michael Brennan called the meeting to order and on roll call, the following members were present: Michael Brennan, Conrad Baldini, Michael Connelly, Christine Sullivan, and Russell Vickers. Lynn Duncan, Executive Director of the SRA, Tania Hartford, Economic Development Planner, and Valerie Gingrich, Clerk, were also present. Minutes Mr. Vickers motioned to approve the minutes from the meeting held on December 8, 2004. Mr. Baldini seconded the motion. Motion passed (5-0). New Business 1. Executive Directors Report Ms. Duncan stated that while Ms. Hartford is on maternity leave, Ms. Gingrich will be filling in for her. She stated that this will be Ms. Hartford’s last meeting. Ms. Duncan went over the dates of the meetings scheduled to discuss the Old Salem Jail. Ms. Sullivan asked what the first meeting is for. Ms. Duncan explained that the consultant will discuss preliminary reuse concepts with the SRA, prior to the public comments. Ms. Duncan stated that she is working on setting up the meeting regarding historic preservation in reference to the jail. She stated that the meeting could possibly be scheduled for next Wednesday or Thursday morning at 8:00AM. Ms. Duncan stated that Elite Physical Therapy submitted a letter to the board, which states that the applicant could not attend the meeting to discuss his sign. She stated that the applicant requested that the matter be delayed until he returns from a business trip and at that time he will rectify t he situation. Ms. Hartford stated that she had talked to the applicant and conveyed the message that he will need to attend the next SRA meeting, or the SRA will instruct the Building Inspector to take the sign down. She stated that the department will send a follow-up letter with the message in writing. REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY PROJECTS 2. Old Police Station – Update on project status. Ms. Duncan stated that the SRA held a site visit to the Old Police Station prior to the meeting and the units are framed, some having sheetrock. Ms. Duncan stated that twelve of the fourteen units are under agreement and the SRA will hold another site visit before the building is completed. SRA Minutes January 12, 2005 Page 2 of 5 Mr. Brennan asked what was required in the Land Disposition Agreement. Ms. Hartford stated that they will look at the LDA to make sure all requirements are being met. Mr. Vickers asked about the remediation loan payback. Ms. Hartford stated that they will pay the loan granted by the city when they close on the last four units. DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS Project Approval 3. 284 Essex Street – Approval of the Design Review Board Recommendation for the proposed Final Design Plans for the renovation of the storefronts at the YMCA building on Essex Street. Ms. Hartford introduced Mark Meche and Robin Abraham of Winter Street Architects and stated that the only change that the DRB made was that the storefront material was changed from break metal to wood. She stated that the DRB recommended approval of the final plans with that change. Mr. Connelly motioned to accept the DRB recommendation for approval of the final design plans for 284 Essex Street. Mr. Baldini seconded. Motion passed (5-0). 4. 289 Derby Street – Approval of the Design Review Board Recommendation for the proposed Final Design Plans for the construction of a mixed-use building at 289 Derby Street (former Coastal Gas Station). Ms. Hartford stated that the DRB has made numerous changes to the proposal over the past several months. She stated that SRA is the last local approval that the project needs and the DRB recommended approval of the project with seven conditions. Ms. Hartford introduced Attorney Scott Grover and Craig Douglas of The Martin Company. Attorney Grover stated that it has been a productive process as the input from the DRB and planning staff has been very helpful. He stated that the Chapter 91 process is ongoing and they expect that a license will be issued in March or April and they will begin construction in the spring. Mr. Baldini asked how long the project will take. Mr. Belleau, the applicant, stated that it will take eighteen months to complete the project. Mr. Baldini commented that the project is the best designed project the SRA has seen in a while. Mr. Douglas went over the design of the building, the materials and the site layout. He stated that the signage will consist of arch top awnings above the first floor doors and a bronze plaque on the corner of the building for the address. Mr. Douglas stated that the DRB will review the final construction plans prior to starting construction. Mr. Connelly asked about the location of the underground garage entrance. Mr. Douglas stated that it is on the front side of the building on the side next to Brothers. Attorney Grover stated that the applicant, through the Planning Board process, has agreed to contribute $15,000 for the reconstruction of crosswalks in the area. SRA Minutes January 12, 2005 Page 3 of 5 Ms. Sullivan asked Attorney Grover what is meant by “commercial use” on the plans. Attorney Grover stated that the intention is that they will have retail uses in the first floor space along Derby Street. Ms. Hartford commented that the board could require the use to be retail as a condition of approval. Ms. Duncan commented that the use should be retail. Mr. Vickers asked if there is a definition for retail uses. Ms. Duncan stated that retail uses are those where a product is sold. Mr. Vickers commented that they need a clear definition. Attorney Grover stated that the large facility of public accommodation has to be public and therefore retail, not an office. Ms. Sullivan stated that she is not trying to derail the project, but it is very important that there be life on the first floor of the building. She stated that they do not want an office on the first floor of the building. Mr. Belleau stated that his intention is to have retail uses on the first floor, but he does not know what exactly will happen. Attorney Grover stated that they will want something that compliments the residential units on the upper floors such as a coffee shop or a place where you can get a newspaper, etc. Mr. Brennan commented that it also has to be something that will survive. Mr. Belleau stated that he knows for sure that the use will not be selling t-shirts. Mr. Vickers asked if the commercial units are condos. Mr. Belleau stated that they will be condos if he can sell them that way, and if not, he will lease the space. Mr. Vickers asked if the facility of public accommodation is for one tenant. Mr. Belleau stated that it is not necessarily, but it will be a retail use as required by Chapter 91. Mr. Vickers asked if the terraced area in the back of the site is also for public use. Mr. Belleau stated that it is as required by Chapter 91. He stated that Chapter 91 has dictated what happens with half of his site, so he has to balance the uses to make the project work. Mr. Connelly stated that he agrees with Mr. Baldini that this is the best project they have seen in a while and Mr. Belleau will do the best thing for the first floor space. Ms. Hartford went through the conditions of approval as recommended by the DRB. Ms. Duncan stated that it would be difficult to add a restriction on the use at this point, but the decision will clearly state that the first floor space is to be commercial. Mr. Belleau stated that he thinks of commercial uses as anything other than residential or industrial uses. He added that he does not know if he could turn an office away. Ms. Duncan stated that he could especially if he is restricted by the SRA. Mr. Baldini commented that they cannot restrict the use at this point. He added that Mr. Belleau is a businessman and needs to do what he has to do to make the project work. SRA Minutes January 12, 2005 Page 4 of 5 Mr. Brennan agreed that it is too late to restrict the use. Mr. Belleau commented that he does not think an office would pay the rate for the commercial space on Derby Street. Mr. Vickers commented that the board needs to define “retail” for future projects such as they did for the Old Police Station. He stated that the board restricted the first floor use to a certain type of tenant and also included an escape clause. Ms. Duncan agreed that it is too late and stated that they will have to start the discussion when a project first comes to the board. She stated that many communities are limiting the use of downtown first floor space to retail. Ms. Sullivan agreed that it is late, but stated that it is an important issue of what use in allowed on the first floor. Ms. Duncan stated that the board will have to discuss uses during the permitting process. Ms. Sullivan asked if the brick on the building is red. Mr. Douglas showed the board a sample brick. Mr. Belleau stated that he is before the board with this project because he believes that if you put people in the downtown, they will drive everything else. He stated that they will not have to force retail if they have people living in the downtown. Mr. Baldini motioned to accept the DRB recommendation to approve the final design plans for 289 Derby Street with conditions. Mr. Connelly seconded. Motion passed (5-0). Mr. Belleau thanked the board members. SIGN REVIEW Project Approval 5. 282 Derby Street (Dunkin Donuts) – Approval of the Design Review Board recommendation for the proposed signage and awnings at 282 Derby Street. Ms. Hartford stated that the Department of Planning & Community Development has been working with the applicant for several years to change the awnings and signage to match that of the store on the corner of Washington and Derby Streets. She stated that the proposal is to replace all signage and awnings with two hanging signs (one along Derby Street and one along Liberty Street) and awnings that match the awnings on the store on Washington Street. She stated that the DRB recommended approval with the condition that the “Dunkin Donuts” lettering be centered above “Baskin Robbins”. She stated that the sizing was changed slightly. Mr. Connelly motioned to accept the DRB recommendation for approval of the proposed signage for 282 Derby Street. Mr. Vickers seconded. Motion passed (5-0). SRA Minutes January 12, 2005 Page 5 of 5 Adjournment There being no further business, Mr. Baldini motioned to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Vickers seconded. Motion passed (5-0). Meeting stands adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Valerie Gingrich Clerk