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2004-03-08 DRB Special Meeting MinutesDRB Minutes March 8, 2004 Page 1 of 3 DESIGN REVIEW BOARD SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES MARCH 8, 2004 A special meeting of the Salem Design Review Board (DRB) was held in the third floor conference room at the City Hall Annex, 120 Washington Street, on Monday, March 8, 2004 at 8:00AM. Members Paul Durand and David Jaquith were present. Tania Hartford, Economic Development Planner, and Valerie Gingrich, Clerk, were also present. Project list 289 Derby Street (Coastal Gas Station) – Continuation of the Schematic Design Review for the proposed mixed use development. Ms. Hartford introduced the project and the development team. Attorney Scott Grover thanked the board members for agreeing to hold a special meeting and introduced Ms. Brigitte Fortin. Ms. Fortin outlined the changes to the plan, which included changing the roof design, and adding some architectural features to the building. Mr. Durand commented that he does not love the roof however he stated that he will not object because it could change in the final design. He suggested that that cornice line should be heavier but the proposed cornice is acceptable. Mr. Jaquith commented that the side elevation is better than the front elevation. He commented that the development team has made considerable improvements, but everything should be flexible until final design approval. He commented that the building still looks like a 1970s apartment house and there is certainly room for improvement. Mr. Durand stated that additional improvements could come in the choice of materials. Mr. Jaquith suggested that when the condo spaces are configured the design team could make the spaces different and add more details. Mr. Durand inquired as to whether part of the building is shown as recessed. Ms. Fortin replied that it is proposed as recessed approximately ten inches. Mr. Jaquith commented that if the material is brick, it will most likely be eight or twelve inches. Mr. Durand asked about the depth of the balconies. Ms. Fortin stated that they will be five feet deep. Mr. Jaquith stated that the project could be better and the better the project is, the more money Mr. Bellows makes. Mr. Durand agreed and stated that they are looking for a quality building and the applicant should not budget on the minimum side. Mr. Jaquith commented that they do not need as much deck space on the roof. He asked how many units are on the top floor. Ms. Fortin stated that there are six on the top floor DRB Minutes March 8, 2004 Page 2 of 3 and there are eight on the other floors. Mr. Jaquith suggested making the top units special. Attorney Grover commented that the change in the roofline could allow more flexibility in making the top units special. Ms. Hartford asked the board members what their recommendations for final design would be. Mr. Jaquith stated that they will look for fine detail and materials in the final, as well as signage and lighting concepts. Mr. Jaquith reminded the applicants that the retail space should not be treated as a secondary concern. Mr. Durand agreed and stated that they are fine with the schematic design and they will look at details and materials in the final design, and they will expect minor improvements in form. Ms. Hartford stated that the next stage, following schematic design approval by the SRA, will be to present to the SRA for final design approval. Mr. Durand stated that the applicant should feel free to submit progress prints as the projects progresses. 266 Essex Street (Bowman’s) – Review of proposed changes to redevelopment at 266 Essex Street. Mr. Michael Lutrzykowski informed the board that the cornice of the building had been torn off by the contractor. He explained that although the contractor had good intentions, he did not receive permission from the owner to take the existing cornice off. Mr. Durand asked if the contractor is replacing the cornice. Mr. Lutrzykowski stated that the contractor started replacing the cornice, but it is not the same as what previously existed. Mr. Lutrzykowski stated that they stopped the work when they found out and worked on a proposal to replace the cornice that was taken down and disposed of. Mr. Durand asked who the contractor is. Mr. Lutrzykowski replied that D.L. Cote is the contractor working on the job and he is the second contractor working on the project. Mr. Jaquith asked who the first contractor was. Mr. Lutrzykowski stated that Mr. Steve Rice was the first contractor. Mr. Lutrzykowski stated that the owner understands the problem with removing the cornice when permitted plans show the cornice remaining as it was, and the owner is frustrated with what happened. Mr. Lutrzykowski presented the proposed changes to the project, which include rebuilding the cornice to match the previous cornice as closely as possible. Mr. Jaquith commented that he has no problem with the proposed changes, but he did notice other minor changes. He stated that the board had been deceived about the elevator override, which is a big box on the building, but was not shown on the plans. The members agreed that the molding changes are fine. Mr. Durand commented that they should match the dental work as closely as possible to the previous materials. DRB Minutes March 8, 2004 Page 3 of 3 Mr. Durand inquired as to what is going in on the first floor. Mr. Lutrzykowski stated that one of the spaces has been taken by a pet bakery and the other is still available. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned