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2004-12-08 SRA MinutesSRA Minutes December 8, 2004 Page 1 of 6 MINUTES OF THE BOARD MEETING OF THE SALEM REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY HELD ON DECEMBER 8, 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 We dnesday, December 8, 2004 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 Ms. Sullivan stated that she wanted to make it clear in the minutes that she worked with Boon on a volunteer basis. Mr. Baldini motioned to approve the minutes from the meeting held on October 13, 2004. Mr. Vickers seconded the motion. Motion passed (5-0). Mr. Vickers motioned to approve the minutes from the annual meeting held on October 13, 2004. Mr. Connelly seconded the motion. Motion passed (5-0). New Business 1. Executive Directors Report • Bowman’s building Ms. Duncan stated that based on discussions with board members regarding the proposed first floor use for the Bowman’s building, a doctor’s office will be acceptable as the use. She stated that there was nothing in the minutes or on the plans that indicate that the use was to be a certain type of retail. Ms. Sullivan stated that in the future, the board will have to be specific in what is meant by retail uses. • Lawrence Place Ms. Duncan stated that in the next instance, the Bleachers building, the decision is clear as to what the desired use is for the first floor. She explained that a mortgage company was planning on moving into the space, but they talked to the owners of the building and they are willing to work with the city to find a retail tenant. Ms. Duncan stated that the owners indicated that they misunderstood what the SRA was looking for as a retail tenant and it has been difficult to find a tenant for the space. She stated that they will continue to look for a retail tenant, or they will have to come back to the board to do another use. Mr. Vickers stated that the board should define “retail.” SRA Minutes December 8, 2004 Page 2 of 6 Ms. Duncan stated that retail is when something is being sold—there is a basis definition that everyone would agree on. She stated that the board can discuss the matter more at a later date. • Design Guidelines Manual Ms. Duncan stated that they had the public meeting on December 1, 2004 to review the Design Guidelines Manual and they are moving forward with the comments that they received. She stated that the document will be available the beginning of the year. She stated that the manual will aid commercial property owners and board in the design of commercial space and signs. She stated that the board will receive copies as soon as they are available. • Project Updates Ms. Duncan stated that the project team for 18 Crombie Street will be giving an update tonight. She added that at the next meeting they will get an update on the Old Police Station project and Bill Luster has offered to give a tour of the project before the meeting. • Elite Physical Therapy Ms. Hartford stated that she called the owner and he agreed to submit color samples tomorrow. She stated that if he does not, she will send a violation letter. REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY PROJECTS Mr. Brennan stated that they will discuss the Old Salem Jail project at the end of the agenda. 2. 18 Crombie Street – Update on the redevelopment of 18 Crombie Street. Ms. Hartford introduced the project team consisting of Paul Durand of Winter Street Architects, Alice Barber and Chuck Cornelli, board members of Habitat for Humanity. She distributed copies of a letter from the president of Habitat for Humanity of the North Shore, which outlines the current project status, as well as, a current construction schedule. She then explained that they will be giving an update on the status of the project including the removal of the clapboards and a change in architects. She added that she will be meeting with Mr. Durand on a monthly or biweekly basis during the project. Mr. Durand stated that he is working for Habitat on a volunteer basis and did not want to create a conflict of interest. He stated that he will be working to make sure that what was approved by the SRA is carried out. Mr. Cornelli stated that the de-leading of the building has been completed and the clapboards had to be removed because of their condition, but they will be replaced with matching new clapboards. He added that they have started demolition of the rear addition. Mr. Cornelli explained that the intent is to do interior work through the winter and start the exterior in the spring. He stated that they will be proposing a change in the roofing material. Mr. Durand stated that the clapboards had to be removed, but with their removal, they have the opportunity to install an air barrier and to insulate, which will create a vapor barrier and result in a more efficient building. He stated that it will have an historic look and be more efficient. SRA Minutes December 8, 2004 Page 3 of 6 Mr. Baldini asked if the will be de-leading the clapboards and reusing them. Mr. Durand stated that the clapboards were not salvageable but they are replicating them and installing new clapboards. 3. 18 Crombie Street – Review of the proposed amendment to the approved Final Design Plans. The amendment changes the material of the roof from cedar shingles to “slate like” asphalt shingles. Mr. Durand explained that the plans that were approved call for wood shakes for the roof, but the shakes were not approved by the building inspector. He explained that they are now proposing to install asphalt shingles that look like slate, which were acceptable to the building inspector. He stated that the same shingles were used on the Bleachers building. He added that the building currently has asphalt shingles, and they would be replacing it with the new shingles. Mr. Durand showed the board a sample of the proposed shingle. Mr. Baldini suggested that the board approve the change without design review in order for the project to move forward. Mr. Connelly motioned to approve the proposed amendment to the Final Design Plans to allow the installation of asphalt shingles that look like slate. Mr. Vickers seconded. Motion passed (5-0). DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS Project Approval 4. 284 Essex Street – Approval of the proposed Schematic Design Plans for the renovation of the storefronts at the YMCA building on Essex Street. Ms. Hartford stated that the applicant is here to get approval of their schematic design plans and present the final design plans, which will be referred to the Design Review Board. She stated that the next two agenda items can be combined. Ms. Hartford explained that the DRB made some changes to the plans and recommended approval of the schematic design. She added that the DRB wanted to discuss the materials at the Final Design Phase. She stated that the board will need to make two motions, to approve schematic design and to send the final design to the DRB. Ms. Hartford introduced the applicants, Mark Meche and Robin Abraham of Winter Street Architects. Mr. Meche stated that they did make some changes to the project and they are now closer to the original storefront. He explained that unlike the heavy window details on the upper levels, the original storefront was not heavy. He stated that they will discuss the proposed materials with the DRB in the final review. Ms. Abraham went over the details of the project and explained that they are proposing to restore the storefront to what the historic photos show, which are large panes of glass. She went over the site plan and pointed out the location of the proposal. Ms. Abraham explained that they are not touching the main entrance because it is not owned by the YMCA. Debra Amaral, Executive Director of the YMCA, explained that the space swap with the Salem Housing Authority will most likely not occur and they are moving ahead with the project assuming that it will not take place. Mr. Meche pointed out that they are proposing the location and scale of the signage for the building. SRA Minutes December 8, 2004 Page 4 of 6 Mr. Brennan asked if they will be changing the upper windows. Mr. Meche stated that they will not. Ms. Abraham went over the proposal for the Seawall Street elevation, which includes changing a window to a door for an entrance to the preschool. Mr. Vickers stated that they are making good progress. Mr. Baldini motioned to accept the DRB recommendation for approval of the schematic design plans for the YMCA and send the final design plans to the DRB for review. Mr. Vickers seconded. Motion passed (5-0). Final Approval 5. 193 Washington Street (Bank of America) – Approval of the Design Review Board recommendation for the proposed signage at 193 Washington Street. Ms. Hartford stated that the DRB reviewed the signage twice and made some changes to the background color and the size of the lettering. She explained that the original proposal was for a white background, and now the background is champagne. She stated that the location of the sign is on the corner of Derby and Washington and the sign will be backlit as all the signs on the building are backlit. Ms. Sullivan motioned to accept the DRB recommendation for approval of the proposed signage for 193 Washington Street. Mr. Vickers seconded. Motion passed (5-0). 6. Old Salem Jail Ms. Duncan stated that they have made a recommendation to the SRA as to who they should choose to do the market study for the Old Salem Jail. She noted that several interested citizens are in attendance, one being Jody Parasonestas. Ms. Duncan explained that they received three proposals for the market study and they held interviews yesterday. She stated that she, Ms. Hartford, Ms. Gingrich, and representatives from the SRA—Christine Sullivan, Russ Vickers, and Michael Brennan—were joined by Barbara Cleary and Stanley Smith of Historic Salem Inc for the interviews. Ms. Duncan stated that the firms that submitted were The Cecil Group, Community Design Partnership and Finegold Alexander. Ms. Duncan explained the criteria for choosing the firm to complete the market study and stated that her recommendation to the SRA would be that they hire The Cecil Group to develop the market study for the jail. She stated that while both the Cecil Group and Finegold Alexander were both strong candidates, the Cecil Group presented a creative way to move through the process in a short time frame and will work well with the public process. She stated that the project team consists of Steve Cecil and Peter Smith, both principals. Ms. Duncan stated that Finegold Alexander had a strong team with FXM, but The Cecil Group edged them out. She asked if the audience had any questions. SRA Minutes December 8, 2004 Page 5 of 6 A member of the public asked where the firms are from. Ms. Duncan stated that all of the firms are located in Boston. The member of the public asked if there are any descriptions of work that they have done. Ms. Duncan passed around copies of the proposals. Mr. Brennan stated that he spent a lot of time reviewing the proposals and the submissions from The Cecil Group and Finegold Alexander stuck out as being the best. He explained that The Cecil Group’s interview was much stronger and they have done reuse studies that have resulted in development as suggested in the study. He added that they have a lot of experience in public process and they were enthused as they looked at it as a big project. Mr. Brennan stated that they were the only group to talk about the bypass road and it’s relation to the site. A member of the public stated that The Cecil Group did the Nahant Lifesaving Station and they did a great job. Ms. Sullivan stated that The Cecil Group and Finegold Alexander were equally good, but she had confidence that The Cecil Group would be the best firm given their focus and tight time frame. She added that they wrote on their boards to illustrate what they were talking about and it instantly made sense. Mr. Vickers stated that The Cecil Group has a strong partner in Peter Smith for the real estate part of the project. He stated that Mr. Smith knows developers and will be a great asset. Mr. Brennan stated that he asked the firms if they think there is a niche of developers who would be interested in the site and all of the firms indicated that there are, which was encouraging. Mr. Brennan added that with The Cecil Group, the primary people will be at the meetings. Ms. Sullivan clarified that they are not developing the jail at this time, but doing a market study. Mr. Brennan explained that the study will aid developers in the next step. A member of the public stated that it is a smart plan, which will make sure they don’t run into trouble later. Mr. Baldini motioned to acquire the services of The Cecil Group for the development of a market study for the Old Salem Jail. Mr. Connelly seconded. Motion passed (5-0). Ms. Duncan asked the members of the audience to introduce themselves. Ms. Duncan stated that the next step will be to get the consultant on board as soon as possible so that they can start looking at the existing conditions and have the initial meeting with the board. Ms. Duncan stated that they will be informing residents of the meetings via mail when the jail is on the agenda. She explained that they will be holding two community meetings later in the process. Mr. Vickers asked about the first meeting with the consultant. Ms. Duncan stated that they may need to hold a special meeting. Mr. Brennan asked that Ms. Duncan look into holding a meeting the week after Christmas. SRA Minutes December 8, 2004 Page 6 of 6 Adjournment There being no further business, Mr. Vickers motioned to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Connelly seconded. Motion passed (5-0). Meeting stands adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Valerie Gingrich Clerk