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2004-12-15 DRB MinutesDRB Minutes December 15, 2004 Page 1 of 4 DESIGN REVIEW BOARD MEETING MINUTES DECEMBER 15, 2004 A regular 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 Wednesday, December 15, 2004 at 6:00pm. Members Paul Durand, Chris Greene and David Jaquith were present. Tania Hartford, Economic Development Planner and Valerie Gingrich, Clerk were also present. Minutes Minutes from the November 17, 2004 meeting were reviewed and approved. New Business 1. 282 Derby Street (Dunkin Donuts) – Review of the proposed signage and awnings at 282 Derby Street. Ms. Hartford explained that the Dunkin Donuts opened about two years ago and the board reviewed the current signage at that time. She stated that the applicant is proposing to replace the current signage with blade signs and awnings like those on the Dunkin Donuts at the corner of Washington and Derby. Ms. Hartford introduced the applicant, Bob Jackson, who went over the proposal. The applicant explained that the two awnings over the two doors will have the address on them. Mr. Durand asked if only the awnings over the doors would be dropped. The applicant confirmed. Ms. Hartford explained that the awning material and color will be the same as what is on t he Dunkin Donuts on Washington Street, which will match the awnings around the store. She explained that they will have small spotlights for lighting. Mr. Durand asked if the lighting is on the building. The applicant confirmed. Mr. Greene asked the location of the two blade signs and whether both would be lit. The applicant stated that there will be one sign on Derby Street and one on New Liberty Street, and both will be lit in order to draw in pedestrian traffic. Mr. Greene stated that the graphic on the blade sign is too big for the space that it is situated on. He explained that there needs to be a little more black space for the field. Mr. Greene asked if the line between the two names is necessary because graphically, it is not needed. The applicant agreed. Mr. Greene asked if the cup is part of the logo. The applicant stated that it is. Mr. Greene stated that they should align the right side of “Dunkin Donuts” with the lower trademark DRB Minutes December 15, 2004 Page 2 of 4 and align the left side of “Dunkin Donuts” with the “3” in the lower name. He added that the line between the two names should be removed. All members agreed and Mr. Jaquith stated that it is a big improvement. The members agreed to recommend approval of the signage with the above changes to the Salem Redevelopment Authority. 2. 284 Essex Street (YMCA) –Review of the proposed Final Design Plans for the renovation of the storefront at the YMCA. Mr. Durand recused himself. Ms. Hartford explained that the SRA approved the schematic design at their last meeting, and referred the final design plans to the board for review. Ms. Hartford stated that the board had specifically wanted to talk about materials in the final design phase. She introduced the applicants, Mark Meche and Robin Abraham of Winter Street Architects, and asked them to present the final design plans. Mark Meche explained that they found historic photographs of the building and switched gears during the schematic process. He stated that the original storefront had large panes of glass with small mullions. Mr. Greene stated that he understands the change and agrees that it is the right way to go, but his concern is with the proposed materials. He explained that it is clearly an historic building and it should contain wood trim as opposed to the proposed breakfold metal. Mr. Meche stated that his only concern with wood is that the mullions will have to be thicker and they will have to route in the stops. Mr. Greene stated that the narrower look is fine but the material should be wood. Mr. Jaquith asked what the original material was. Mr. Meche stated that the original was aluminum but it would not meet today’s standards. Mr. Greene commented that it is the right layout and transom windows would be wrong. Mr. Jaquith stated that he is fine with the proposal. Mr. Greene asked about signage. Mr. Meche stated that at this point they are only presenting the location and types of signage, not graphics. He went over the signage, which includes retractable awnings, blade signs, and frosting on the windows. Mr. Meche stated that they will present the graphics at a later date. The members agreed to recommend approval of the final design plans with the above changes to the SRA. DRB Minutes December 15, 2004 Page 3 of 4 3. 289 Derby Street (former Coastal Gas Station) – Continued review of the Final Design Plans for the redevelopment of 289 Derby Street (Coastal Gas Station) into a mixed-use building. Ms. Hartford introduced the design team and stated that at the last meeting the board requested the remaining information and materials for the projects. Attorney Scott Grover introduced the applicant, George Belleau and the architect, Craig Douglas of Martins Construction. He commented that they received Planning Board approval since their last DRB meeting. Mr. Belleau stated that he appreciates the board’s work and stated that it is a better project because of them. He added that they had their Chapter 91 hearing. Craig Douglas handed out an update of the project with a sample of the awning material to the board members. Mr. Douglas went over the proposed materials. Mr. Durand asked about the window recesses. Mr. Douglas explained that the top floor needs to be slightly recessed so it will not look flat. He stated that they will build the wall back and it will look like the window is sitting in a thicker wall. Mr. Douglas showed the board members the proposed window, which had historic style molding. He explained that the brick will stick out about three inches from the windows. Mr. Jaquith asked if it will be a running bond. Mr. Douglas confirmed. Mr. Durand stressed that they should not infill the windows. Mr. Greene asked about the building material and motor joints. Mr. Douglas explained that they will use ariscraft, a composite material in 12”x 24” blocks with tight mortar. Mr. Greene stated that they will need to review the brick color and mortar color, so they should set up a sample wall for review during construction. Mr. Greene asked about the sidewalk and whether they could p lant additional trees. Mr. Greene suggested that two additional trees be planted in front of the building. Mr. Greene asked about the plaza paver joints. Mr. Douglas stated that there will be no joints, they will be dry set so that water can filter through. Mr. Greene commented that the pavers are not exactly vertical, so they will have a gap and they should put sand in the cracks. Mr. Jaquith asked for the final landscape plan and the plant list. Attorney Grover explained that Coastal Zone Management said that they would provide a list of coastal plants that they could use. He added that it will probably be thirty percent indigenous and seventy percent other. Ms. Hartford stated that she will make review of the final landscape plan a condition of approval. She stated that when they have their construction drawings, they should submit them for review. DRB Minutes December 15, 2004 Page 4 of 4 Mr. Jaquith stated that the top windows look different from the last meeting. Mr. Douglas explained that the sheets he is looking at are not updated and pointed out the updated drawings. Mr. Jaquith stated that he is disturbed by the brick over the windows because it looks incomplete. Mr. Greene commented that the risk is modern trying to look historic. Mr. Durand commented that the simple opening fits with the ornate window as proposed. The members agreed to recommend approval with the condition that they review the final construction and landscaping plans. Mr. Belleau thanked the board and added that a possible use for the rear space is a day spa. The board agreed that would be a good use for the space. Ms. Hartford stated that the project will go before the SRA at their January 14th meeting. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned