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2005-08-10 SRA MinutesSRA Minutes August 10, 2005 Page 1 of 3 MINUTES OF THE BOARD MEETING OF THE SALEM REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY HELD ON AUGUST 10, 2005 A Regular 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, August 10, 2005 at 6:00pm. Roll Call Acting Chairman Russell Vickers called the meeting to order, and on roll call the following members were present: Conrad Baldini, Michael Connelly, Christine Sullivan, and Russell Vickers. Also present were Lynn Duncan, Executive Director, Tania Hartfod, Economic Development Planner, and Debra Tucker, Clerk. New Business 1. Executive Director’s Report- None DEVELOPMENT REVIEW Project Amendment 2. 17 Central Street (Old Police Station) Bill Luster addressed the board concerning the progress of 17 Central Street. The work is nearing completion and 4 units have closed with 4 more expected next week and some owners have already moved in. A walk through with the Planning Department was held and some changes came to light. A change in the transformer location by Mass Electric was necessary to install switchgear equipment. The project lost 1 parking space as a result. A grading change in the rear of the building occurred as a result. The handicapped ramp became unnecessary. Two small retaining walls were constructed. The brick arch was lost due to digging for the switchgear. One window was lost near the switchgear equipment. The developer proposed a picket fence. The patio for unit 4 was changed. The original front doors will be reinstalled in an estimated 6 weeks. Ms. Hartford asked about the light fixtures. Mr. Luster said that they got the old exterior fixture working and, therefore, did not put up the new sconces as previously proposed. Ms. Hartford asked about the hanging lantern in the interior hallway. Mr. Luster said that they can’t find information on the suggested idea and are open to suggestion. After discussion there may not be enough headroom in the hall due to the grade changes. Ms. Sullivan offered that the hanging lantern was Planning Board Chairman Walter Power’s concern. Ms. Hartford added that Chris Greene of the Design Review Board was also interested. Mr. Luster said that he would consult with them. He also said that he would go before the Planning Board concerning the site plan issues. The SRA board will also view the area. The architect on the project added that when the rear building had been removed from the grounds it changed the elevation and this as a result changed the headroom in the hallway but that the project had been built according to the plans submitted. Mr. Vickers asked about closing out the project with regard to escrow and retainage. Ms. Duncan answered that there have been partial releases made by unit. Ms. Hartford recapped that the remaining outstanding SRA issues for the project were the 2 Central St. exterior doors, 2 front door sconce lights, and the hanging lantern in the interior hall. SRA Minutes August 10, 2005 Page 2 of 3 Mr. Connelly moved that the changes to the 17 Central St. project plans be approved as presented with the exception of the exterior sconce lighting on the Central St. side, which will be referred to the Design Review Board. Ms. Sullivan seconded the motion, and the motion was approved (4-0). SIGN REVIEW Project Approval 3. 51 Lafayette Street (Derby Lofts) John Gately of Winter Street Architects presented signage for the Derby Lofts project. The overall standard blade sign design and size and layout was presented. Ms. Hartford reported that the DRB approved the plan and that individual tenants will appear for sign approval. The signs will be a light bronze patina in color. The caution signs for the garage on Lafayette and Central Streets were discussed in length. Due to concern over the size and location for pedestrian safety it was recommended that the developers take the matter to the Salem Police and have the plan reviewed. Ms. Sullivan moved that the signage plans for Derby Lofts be approved as presented with the exception of the caution signs, which the developer will have reviewed for safety. Mr. Connelly seconded the motion, and the motion was approved (4-0). 4. 24 New Derby Street (Artists’ Row) Ms. Hartford informed the board that the DRB had reviewed and approved the signage being presente d for the brick walls at 24 New Derby Street, Artists’ Row. Mr. Baldini moved that the signs for brick walls at 24 Derby Street be approved as presented and as recommended by the Design Review Board. Mr. Connelly seconded the motion, and the motion was approved (4-0). Ms. Hartford reported that the City had installed new sign poles, which had been damaged in the past and accidentally removed. Ms. Hartford explained that the DRB reviewed and approved the signage proposals as presented for Baobab Space, Share an Umbrella, and Craftisans. She added that the DRB had approved that if the artists returned next year, they could use these same signs next year without having to go before board as long as there were no changes made to the sign. 5. 24 New Derby Street (Baobab Space) Mr. Connelly moved that the sign for Baobab Space at 24 Derby Street be approved as presented and as recommended by the Design Review Board. Ms. Sullivan seconded the motion, and the motion was approved (4-0). 6. 24 New Derby Street (Share an Umbrella) Mr. Baldini moved that the signs for Share an Umbrella at 24 Derby Street be approved as presented and as recommended by the Design Review Board. Ms. Sullivan seconded the motion, and the motion was approved (4-0). 7. 24 New Derby Street (Craftisans) SRA Minutes August 10, 2005 Page 3 of 3 Mr. Connelly moved that the signs for Craftisans at 24 Derby Street be approved as presented and as recommended by the Design Review Board. Mr. Baldini seconded the motion, and the motion was approved (4- 0). 8. 73 Lafayette Street (Beverly Cooperative Bank) Ms. Sullivan recused herself from this matter. Ms. Hartford reported that the DRB had approved the signs for the Beverly Cooperative Bank. Mr. Connelly moved that the signs for the Beverly Cooperative Bank be approved as presented and as recommended by the Design Review Board. Mr. Baldini seconded the motion, and the motion was approved (3- 0). 9. 70 Washington Street (North Shore Career Center) Mr. Baldini moved that the signs for the North Shore Career Center be approved as presented and as recommended by the Design Review Board. Mr. Connelly seconded the motion, and the motion was approved (4-0). REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY PROJECTS 10. Old Salem Jail- Update Ms. Duncan reported that 25 developer’s kits had been issued by her staff. She had had 1 request in writing and a few other phone calls requesting a time extension due to timing because of summer, the holiday, and vacations. She said that this was expected and recommended extending the deadline from August 19th to September 12th in order to allow time for additional proposals and better proposals. Ms Duncan said that at this point she expected 4-6 good solid proposals. Mr. Baldini agreed that this sounded like a good idea. Mr. Vickers added that it was expec ted and would be the wise thing to do. Ms. Sullivan commented that 3 weeks was not a lot of time. Ms. Duncan said that she would issue an official written notification and would also have the staff phone the interested parties. Ms. Sullivan moved that the deadline for proposals for the Old Salem Jail redevelopment project be extended to September 12, 2005. Mr. Baldini seconded the motion, and the motion was approved (4-0). Ms. Sullivan requested that Ms. Duncan put together a criteria sheet for the board to use in the evaluation of the proposals. Ms. Duncan said that she would and that this would expedite the process. Mr. Vickers agreed and said that the board had used the same process with the redevelopment of the old Police Station project. Ms. Duncan added that she has been making sure to involve the Massachusetts Historic Commission as a part of the process. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Mr. Baldini motioned to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Connelly seconded the motion, and the motion passed (4-0). Meeting stands adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Debra Tucker Clerk