Loading...
2003-04-09 SRA MinutesPage 1 of 4 MINUTES OF THE BOARD MEETING OF THE SALEM REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY HELD ON APRIL 9, 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, April 9, 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 and Michael Connelly. 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 March 12, 2003 meeting. There being no discussion, Mr. Vickers made a motion to approve the minutes; Mr. Baldini seconded the motion. Motion passed (5-0). Discussion/ New Business 1. Executive Director’s Report Ms. McClure, Acting Executive Director, provided the Board with her report. • Ms. McClure stated that she had just been informed that the developers of the Old Police Station have switched to Beverly Cooperative Bank to provide the financing for the project. Ms. McClure and City Solicitor John Keenan have been working with the developers but were not aware of the significant changes. These changes include a proposed construction start date of January 2004 and a proposed completion date of July 2005 with extension options. Mr. Vickers stated that he had spoke to the developers that morning and that he felt they were trying to get a commitment letter later that week. Mr. Vickers stated that he did have some concerns with the proposed changes. Mr. Baldini inquired about the completion date. Ms. McClure explained that the proposed timeline would be an extension of a year and a half from the previous January 2004 deadline. Mr. Curran stated that Mr. Vickers and the City should continue to work with the City Solicitor and report back next meeting. • Ms. McClure stated that she has met with the Pabich’s to discuss their proposal for the renovation of the former Bleachers building. She stated that they have initially proposed a Page 2 of 4 total of eight condominium units on the upper floors with commercial uses on the first floor. This project will likely be before the SRA in the next few months. • An update from the last meeting, Digital Bungalow is going to locate on the upper floors of the Daniel Low building and the Joan Boudreau loan will be paid in full. DESIGN REVIEW BOARD RECOMMENDATIONS 2. Heritage Cooperative Bank (35 St. Peters Street) – Consideration of DRB recommendation for building and site improvements. Mr. Curran excused himself from the meeting at this time. Ms. McClure stated that the DRB had made some revisions to the plans that were approved by the Planning Board and that the bank would like to discuss these changes. Paul Bourbeau, architect for the project, presented the revised plans. He stated that the DRB had recommended a new brick paved crosswalk and two raised planting islands. He stated that the owner was not interested in constructing the islands and that the raised islands would not be necessary for traffic calming and would result in a safety hazard for snow removal. Mr. Baldini stated that including the crosswalk and eliminating the raised islands would be a fair compromise. Mr. Brennan asked Mr. Bourbeau if the bank owned the building. Mr. Bourbeau stated that the bank does not own the building and that the owner is not interested in constructing raised islands. He stated that the Bank has made a significant effort to address the concerns of the Planning Board and the SRA. Mr. Connelly moved to approve the recommendation by the DRB with the exception of the condition that the applicant construct raised islands; in addition, this approval would constitute a final approval for the project; Mr. Brennan seconded the motion. Motion passed (4-0) with Mr. Curran abstaining. 3. Townhouse Square Condominiums (99 Washington Street) – Consideration of DRB recommendation for Final Design Submission. Mr. Giard presented the DRB recommendation for the Final Design Submission. He stated that the DRB had approved the submission with the condition that the existing brick along Washington Street remain unpainted and minor adjustments to the storefront paneling to provide a more consistent façade design. Mr. Brennan made a motion to recommendation of the DRB; Mr. Vickers seconded the motion. Motion passed (5-0). 4. City Hall Elevator Project (93 Washington Street) – Consideration of DRB recommendation for Final Design submission for the installation of an elevator. Page 3 of 4 Mr. Giard presented the DRB recommendation for the Final Design submission for the proposed elevator at City Hall. He stated that the orientation of the handicap ramp had been changed to save an existing tree. Mr. Baldini moved to accept the DRB recommendation; Mr. Brennan seconded the motion. Motion passed (5-0). 5. Comcast (133 Washington Street) – Consideration of DRB recommendation for proposed signage. Mr. Giard presented the DRB recommendation for Comcast. The proposal includes the installation of a14” high x 4’ wide on an existing sign band. The sign will be consist of black and red graphics applied directly to the building with no illumination. Mr. Brennan moved to accept the DRB recommendation; Mr. Baldini seconded the motion. Motion passed (5-0). REDEVELOPMENT PROJECTS REVIEW 6. Salem Probate Court (32 Federal Street) – Project introduction for proposed accessibility improvements. Swapan Roy, P.E., presented a proposal for accessibility improvements for the Salem Probate Court at 32 Federal Street. The proposal includes the installation of granite handicap ramp with a decorative black metal safety railing. Mr. Roy stated that they had explored several different site plan alternatives and chose the alternative that would best meet the DCAM and ADA slope requirements. The current configuration locates the handicap ramp on the western side of the central stairwell. In addition, Mr. Roy stated that the safety railing would have a cap to prevent injuries. Mr. Brennan suggested using a rough surface to discourage skating. Mr. Roy stated that the material will be a non-slip surface but that there is no adequate method to discourage skating. Mr. Connelly moved to send the project to the DRB for further study. Mr. Brennan seconded the motion. Motion passed (5-0). 7. Edgewater Café (155 Washington Street) – Project introduction for proposed outdoor café. Dennis Moustakis presented a proposal for an outdoor café for a new restaurant on Washington Street. The proposal includes seven (7) tables along Front Street. Mr. Moustakis also presented a proposed amendment to the approved SRA plans for the rear of 155 Washington Street. He explained that the ventilation system for the buil ding was not constructed properly by the contractor. Mr. Moustakis presented a plan developed by Winter Street Architects to mitigate the impact of the ventilation system. Page 4 of 4 Mr. Baldini moved to send the project to the DRB for further study. Mr. Brennan seconded the motion. Motion passed (5-0). 8. Fuel (196 Essex Street) – Project introduction for proposed outdoor café. Christopher Silva presented a proposal for an outdoor café permit for a new juice bar and coffee shop on Essex Street. The proposal includes three (3) tables along Essex Street and three (3) tables along an existing covered walkway. Mr. Silva stated that the Licensing Board has already given approval of the application and that he has obtained liability insurance for the café. Mr. Vickers moved to send the project to the DRB for further study. Mr. Brennan seconded the motion. Motion passed (5-0). OTHER BUSINESS The SRA members thanked Ms. McClure for a good job while acting as Executive Director of the SRA. There being no further business, Mr. Brennan made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Vickers seconded the motion. Motion passed (5-0). Meeting stands adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Don Giard Department of Planning & Community Development