2003-03-12 SRA MinutesPage 1 of 4
MINUTES OF THE BOARD MEETING
OF THE SALEM REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
HELD ON MARCH 12, 2003
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, March
12, 2003 at 6:00pm.
Chairman Robert Curran called the meeting to order and on roll call, the following members
were present: Michael Brennan, Conrad Baldini, Robert Curran, and Russell Vickers. Michael
Connelly was absent. Denise McClure, Acting Executive Director of the SRA, Don Giard,
Senior Planner, and Tania Hartford, Economic Development Planner, were also present.
Minutes
Chairman Curran called for approval of the minutes from the February 12, 2003 meeting. There
being no discussion, Mr. Brennan made a motion to approve the minutes; Mr. Vickers seconded
the motion. Motion passed (4-0).
Discussion/ New Business
1. Executive Director’s Report
Ms. McClure, Acting Executive Director, provided the Board with her report.
• The developers of the Old Police Station are nearing a loan closing with Heritage Bank. The
Land Disposition Agreement (LDA) is being finalized and they are working to tighten dates
and language before the document is complete. Ms. McClure stated that she would get the
full document to Mr. Vickers to review, on behalf of the SRA, prior to executing the
agreement.
Mr. Brennan asked the extent of the LDA. Mr. Vickers explained that the LDA is basically a
Purchase and Sale Agreement, except with more detail. The developers are ready to proceed
with conditions set by the city. Heritage Bank is waiting for the LDA to be issued before
they close on the loan. Mr. Curran stated that Mr. Vickers is the official contact for the SRA
and he should review and information pertaining to the LDA.
Ms. McClure explained that part of the LDA will include the easements that the city
currently has with the commercial tenants located behind the Police Station. The easements
allow these business owners access to parking and their back doors through the Police
Station parking lot. John Keenan, City Solicitor, is including the easements in the LDA and
they will also be included in the individual condo agreements.
• Mr. Curran questioned the letter that was given to the SRA members regarding repairs to the
Museum Place Garage. Ms. McClure stated that she can give a more thorough overview at
the next meeting. Mr. Curran stated that it was not necessary.
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DESIGN REVIEW BOARD RECOMMENDATIONS
2. CVS Pharmacy (200 Essex Street) – Consideration of DRB recommendation for proposed
signage.
The DRB recommended approval of the sign application for CVS Pharmacy located at 200
Essex Street. The proposal includes the removal of an existing internally-illuminated sign and
the installation of the following: a 25” x 172” wood-carved wall sign; 36”x 48” wood-carved
hanging sign and black metal sign bracket; four (4) red fabric awnings over the existing
storefront windows and entrance; and three (3) black gooseneck light fixtures. Each awning will
have an 8” valance with 5” white lettering. In addition, the existing ‘CVS’ window sign will be
removed.
Mr. Brennan moved to approve the recommendation by the DRB; Mr. Baldini seconded the
motion. Motion passed (4-0).
3. Townhouse Square Condominiums (99 Washington Street) – Consideration of DRB
recommendation for Schematic Design.
The DRB recommended approval of the Schematic Design of the rehabilitation of the
commercial space at Townhouse Square Condominiums located at 99 Washington Street. The
proposal consists of storefront improvements and the construction of a 16’ x 16’ roof deck.
The storefront proposal includes the removal of simulated granite, metal paneling, slate roof
structure at the corner of Essex and Washington Street and a portion of a brick wall along
Washington Street. New construction includes: exterior grade MDX trim framed with 1”x6”
pine boards and round trim; installation of four (4) Morgan full light exterior wood doors and
sidelights; installation of one (1) new storefront window; and the restoration of three existing
cast iron columns. In addition, the proposal includes the construction of a new 16’ x 16’ roof
deck and one-story access structure. The roof deck will include a 42” high wood railing painted
white.
Ms. McClure stated that David Pabich, Property Owner, asked if the final plans for the building
could be sent right to the DRB rather than coming back to the SRA next month and if the
demolition could begin prior to final approval by the SRA.
Mr. Vickers made a motion to allow the property owners to begin limited demolition at the site;
Mr. Brennan seconded the motion. Motion passed (4-0).
Mr. Baldini made a motion to send the project to the DRB for final approval; Mr. Vickers
seconded the motion. Motion passed (4-0).
4. Peabody Essex Museum (Essex Street) – Consideration of DRB recommendation for
proposed campus signage program.
Ms. McClure explained that the PEM campus sign package was separated from the citywide sign
package to keep the museum moving. Since the SRA last saw this proposal, the signs on Brown
Street were removed, the poles on the free-standing signs were reduced from 30’ to 25’ and the
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dimensions of the banners were reduced to 14’-6” in height and 3’-8” in width. The SRA will
need to provide a waiver for the free-standing signs because they are illegal in the Urban
Renewal Area. The Museum has received all their other approvals and this is the last step before
the signs can be installed.
Mr. Vickers asked if the signs on Hawthorne Street are permanently removed. Attorney Joe
Corenti, representing the PEM, explained that the Historic Commission did not like the signs
and basically in all the hearings, the change of those signs came up. After the Zoning Board of
Appeals (ZBA) meeting, the PEM realized that they could not come up with a new concept in a
few weeks so they decided to remove the signs from the package until they can come up with
something more appropriate.
Mr. Brennan moved to accept the DRB recommendation to approve the sign package and to
approve a waiver for eight (8) free-standing signs; Mr. Vickers seconded the motion. Motion
passed (4-0).
REDEVELOPMENT PROJECTS REVIEW
5. Daniel Lowe Building (227-231 Essex Street) – Consideration of a change in use on the first
floor of the building from a commercial retail use to commercial office use.
Ms. McClure introduced the new owner of the Daniel Lowe Building, Chris Pape. She explained
that Mr. Pape’s business, Digital Bungalow, would like to change the use of the first floor of the
space from commercial retail to commercial office use.
Mr. Pape stated that they are not making many changes to the space aside from replacing the
floors and the strip fluorescent lights. They will also be building two offices. Their hope is to
eventually move to the second floor space and make the first floor a restaurant, or something to
that affect.
Mr. Brennan moved to approve the change in use; Mr. Baldini seconded the motion. Motion
passed (4-0).
6. City Hall Elevator Project (93 Washington Street) – Consideration of the final submission
for the installation of an elevator at City Hall.
Staley McDermet, architect for the project, explained that he submitted the final plans for the
installation of an elevator at City Hall and understands that the plans would be referred to the
DRB for further study. He explained the changes made to the plan in the schematic design stage
including the placement of the railing and changes to the platform.
Mr. Brennan moved to send the project to the DRB for further study. Mr. Vickers seconded the
motion. Motion passed (4-0).
OTHER BUSINESS
7. Approval of SRA Board meeting schedule for the remainder of 2003.
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Ms. McClure explained that the schedule of SRA meetings for 2003 needs to be approved by the
Board. Mr. Curran asked if the schedule could be modified to change the May 14 meeting to
May 7.
Mr. Vickers made a motion to approve the meeting schedule with the change in the May
meeting date; Mr. Baldini seconded the motion. Motion passed (4-0).
There being no further business, Mr. Brennan made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Vickers seconded
the motion. Motion passed (4-0).
Meeting stands adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Tania Hartford
Department of Planning & Community Development