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2004-07-14 SRA MinutesSRA Minutes July 14, 2004 Page 1 of 4 MINUTES OF THE BOARD MEETING OF THE SALEM REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY HELD ON JULY 14, 2004 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 Wedne sday, July 14, 2004 at 6:00pm. Vice Chairman Michael Connelly called the meeting to order and on roll call, the following members were present: Conrad Baldini, Michael Brennan, Michael Connelly and Russell Vickers. Lynn Duncan, Acting Director of the Department of Planning & Community Development, Tania Hartford, Economic Development Planner, and Valerie Gingrich, Clerk were also present. Minutes Mr. Brennan motioned to approve the minutes from the meeting held on June 9, 2004. Mr. Baldini seconded the motion. Motion passed (4-0). Appointments 1. Appointment of Executive Director—Appointment of Lynn Duncan, Acting Director of Planning & Community Development, as the Executive Director of the Salem Redevelopment Authority. Ms. Hartford stated that historically, the SRA has formally appointed the Director of Planning & Community Development as the Executive Director of the SRA. Mr. Brennan motioned to appoint Lynn Duncan as Executive Director of the SRA, Mr. Vickers seconded and the motion passed (4-0). New Business 2. Executive Directors Report Ms. Duncan stated that she is pleased to be the Executive Director of the SRA and stated that there are currently several exciting projects that the Redevelopment Authority is working on; 18 Crombie Street and the potential Old Salem Jail project. Ms. Duncan stated that the next step for 18 Crombie Street is the transfer of the deed and Ms. Hartford will be working with the City Solicitor, Jim Gilbert on that. Ms. Duncan stated that she will be attending tonight’s City Council Committee meeting regarding the potential transfer of the Jail to the SRA for redevelopment along with any of the members who are interested in attending. Ms. Duncan passed out a letter that was sent to a business owner (Elite Physical Therapy) who erected an illegal sign, as requested by the SRA. Ms. Hartford stated that she will inform the members as to the response from the business owner. SRA Minutes July 14, 2004 Page 2 of 4 REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY PROJECTS 3. 18 Crombie Street—Approval of the Design Review Board recommendation for the proposed Final Design Plans for the redevelopment of 18 Crombie Street Ms. Hartford introduced the applicant, Warren Sawyer of Habitat for Humanity and their architect, John Goff. She stated that this is the final step in the permitting process and the plans are pretty much the same as when the board saw them the last time. She explained that the only condition that the DRB put on the approval was that the historical marker would be revised and the text and location would be worked on. Mr. Goff gave a brief overview of the project and stated that the paint colors have been approved by the DRB. He explained that the body color will be blue/gray and the trim will be cream. Ms. Goff explained that they will be adding a window in a location where historically there was a window. Mr. Brennan inquired as to whether it will be a six over six dummy window. Mr. Goff explained that it will be a real six over six window but it will have a wall behind it for privacy because it is in the bathroom. Mr. Brennan asked what the construction schedule will be. Mr. Sawyer stated that they will be ready for construction on August 1st or 2nd and they will complete the project in one year as they agreed to. Mr. Brennan asked when they would begin interviewing families. Mr. Sawyer stated that they have already started interviewing. Mr. Vickers asked if they would transfer the deed prior to construction starting. Ms. Hartford stated that they will transfer the deed before the end of the month, but they will still be monitoring the construction and they will hold the $5,000 in escrow. She stated that the SRA also always has the right of reversion. Ms. Hartford explained that the deed will be a simple deed because the Land Disposition Agreement contains all of the details. Mr. Goff stated that he brought the paint chips if the board would like to look at them. The board members complimented the color choices. Mr. Brennan motioned to accept the DRB recommendation for approval of the Final Design Plans for the redevelopment of 18 Crombie Street, Mr. Vickers seconded and the motion passed (4-0). DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS 4. 266 Essex Street—Review of the alterations made to the approved Final Design Plans for the redevelopment of 266 Essex Street (former Bowman’s Bakery). Ms. Hartford gave an overview of the project and explained that the project was not built as shown on the approved plans. She stated that the architect, Michael Lutrzykowski, from H.H. Morant is present and he can go over the changes. She stated that the board can accept the changes or they can send the proposal to the Design Review Board for review. SRA Minutes July 14, 2004 Page 3 of 4 Mr. Lutrzykowski stated that the project has taken approximately 2-3 years and the changes are results of some structural aspects of the building. He outlined the changes and explained why they had to be made. Mr. Lutrzykowski stated that the right elevation was permitted as brick, but the brick was not structurally sound and they had to keep the stucco on the brick. He explained that they want to keep the stucco and paint it to match the building body color. Mr. Brennan clarified that the stucco was on the building before and they would be restoring it to that state. Mr. Lutrzykowski stated that that was correct. Mr. Lutrzykowski explained that they had to make several changes to the rear elevation. He explained that the window at the stairway had to be removed due to a building code issue. He stated that they also brought the cornice line around the building and a small section above that is not brick like it should be. He explained that the contractor stamped the stucco to make a brick appearance, but they are proposing to cover the section with clapboards. Mr. Brennan asked what the approved plans show in that section. Mr. Lutrzykowski stated that the plans show the existing brick continuing up the façade, but when they got to the construction phase, they found no brick in that section. Mr. Brennan commented that the board should send the proposal to the DRB for review. Mr. Baldini motioned to refer the project to the DRB for design review of the proposed changes to the project, Mr. Vickers seconded, motion passed (4-0). SIGN REVIEW Design Review Board Recommendations 5. 24 New Derby Street (Craftisans)—Approval of the Design Review Board recommendation for the proposed signage at 24 New Derby Street (Artists Row). Ms. Hartford explained that the DRB recommendation is slightly odd because they recommended approval of the sign as a temporary sign that has to be taken down on November 15, 2004. She explained that the sign is for one of the artists stalls on Artists Row and the DRB didn’t really like the sign, and they told the applicant that the sign could not return with the same sign next year , but they would approve it as “temporary”. Ms. Hartford explained that the sign is for a group of twenty-six artists who formed a cooperative in one of the stalls. She explained that the goal of the program was to draw amateur artists to Artists Row. Mr. Brennan motioned to accept the DRB recommendation for approval with the condition that the sign would come down no later than November 15, 2004, Mr. Baldini seconded the motion, and the motion passed (4-0). SRA Minutes July 14, 2004 Page 4 of 4 6. 140 Washington Street (Il Bocca Italiana)—Approval of the Design Review Board recommendation for the proposed change to the existing hanging sign. Ms. Hartford explained that the hanging sign for Il Bocca Italiana was permitted too small and the other signs up the street are 2’ x 3’ signs. The owner is willing to go through the Storefront Improvement Program so that we can help her with financing to get a bigger sign. Ms. Hartford stated that the DRB agreed that the sign is too small and that the sign should match the YMCA sign. Mr. Vickers motioned to accept the DRB recommendation for approval, Mr. Baldini seconded, and the motion passed (4-0). There being no further business, Mr. Brennan motioned to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Baldini seconded the motion. Motion passed (4-0). Meeting stands adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Valerie Gingrich Clerk