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2003-02-26 DRB MinutesDesign Review Board Minutes of the Meeting February 26, 2003 A meeting of the Design Review Board was held in the third floor conference room at 120 Washington Street on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 at 5:30 p.m. Those in attendance were: Paul Durand, David Jaquith and Don Giard. CVS Pharmacy (200 Essex Street) Michael Caggiano of Plymouth Sign Company presented a new sign package for 200 Essex Street. He explained that the original proposal included changing the color of the existing internally-illuminated signage from black to red. After working with the City, the applicant agreed to remove the internally-illuminated signage and focus on a more substantial storefront improvement project. The new application includes a 25” x 172” wood-carved wood sign, a 36” x 48” wood carved hanging sign with black decorative metal bracket, three gooseneck-style light fixtures, and four red fabric awnings. Each awning will have an 8” valance with 5” white lettering. Mr. Durand asked Mr. Caggiano if they had chosen a color for the light fixtures. Mr. Caggiano stated that his applicant preferred white. Mr. Durand requested that the color of the fixtures be changed to black. Mr. Jaquith and Mr. Giard agreed with the suggestion. Mr. Giard asked Mr. Caggiano if they had determined the ground clearance for the awnings. He stated that the awnings should be low enough the shelter pedestrians and provide a sense of enclosure. Based on the dimensions of the storefront, Mr. Giard recommended a 7’-6” ground clearance. Mr. Giard asked the other members if there were any additional comments. The members then voted unanimously to approve the application with the condition that the light fixtures be changed to a black color and that the ground clearance for the awnings be set at 7’-6”. Peabody Essex Museum (Essex Street) Museum spokesperson Greg Liakos updated the Board on the regulatory and design status of the campus signage program. Mr. Liakos outlined the changes that had been made in response to the Board of Appeals and the Salem Historic Commission. These changes include reducing the height of the free-standing banners along the Essex Mall and Charter Street and the elimination of the signage along Hawthorne Boulevard. Mr. Liakos stated that the museum may propose signage along Hawthorne Boulevard at a later date, but their current focus is on the six remaining banners for the museum opening. Will Phippin from the Peabody Essex stated that the Museum is now proposing a stripped-down package approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals. Mr. Liakos explained that the revised application includes a total of six free-standing banners. The height of the banner poles has been reduced from 30’ to 26’ and the height of the banners has been reduced from 18’ to 14’-6”. He explained that the intent of the banners was to provide liveliness and color and to highlight the changing exhibits of the museum. Mr. Liakos also stated that the application includes two pedestrian-scaled directional signs to be located along the esplanade between Charter Street and Essex Street. He explained that the museum plans to continue working with the City on schemes to identify the their campus in a historically sensitive way. Mr. Durand stated that he felt the Design Review Board did not have an issue with the previous application. Mr. Jaquith agreed with Mr. Durand and stated that he preferred the larger signs. Mr. Jaquith asked Mr. Liakos if there are any remaining Historic Commission issues facing the museum. Mr. Liakos explained that the Historic Commission had some concerns with the sight lines of the historic properties along Hawthorne Boulevard that led to the revisions. Mr. Jaquith asked when the entire plan would be presented. Mr. Phippin explained that the museum will form a partnership with the City and that the City will take the lead role. Mr. Giard thanked the museum for their updated presentation and asked the other board members if there were any other issues. The board then voted unanimously to provide a positive recommendation for the revised proposal as submitted. Townhouse Square (99 Washington Street) David Pabich, P.E., project manager for Townhouse Square, presented photographs, plans and specifications for a storefront renovation schematic design proposal at 99, 101 and 103 Washington Street and 230 and 232 Essex Street. Mr. Pabich outlined the existing storefront conditions, including two fluted cast iron columns that were discovered during the exploratory demolition process. He explained that the proposal includes the removal of simulated granite, metal paneling, and slate roof structure. These areas will be trimmed with exterior grade MDX and framed with 1”x 6” pine boards. The interior of the frames will be trimmed with quarter- round trim. The proposal includes the installation of new Morgan full light exterior wood doors and sidelights. A new storefront will be created by removing a portion of a brick wall along Washington Street and replacing it with a new picture window and wood doorway. The existing cast iron columns will be exposed and painted Atrium white. Mr. Pabich also presented plans for a 16’ x 16’ roof deck for the flat roof above 230 Essex Street. He explained that the roof deck will have a 42” high railing with 1” square spindles. A new access structure for the deck will be built near the center of the roof span. Mr. Pabich presented photographs that illustrated the visibility of the roof deck from the street. Mr. Durand asked Mr. Pabich if they intended to paint the brick wall along Washington Street. Mr. Pabich explained that they intended to use Atrium white paint for this section of brick and that they may consider removing a portion of this brick wall at a later date. Mr. Giard asked Mr. Pabich if he had considering using wood paneling for the remaining brick wall section to match the rest of the storefront. Mr. Pabich stated that they had considered that option, but preferred to paint the brick since they may remove a portion of the brick wall at a later date. He explained that they did not want to install work that may eventually be removed during a future renovation. Mr. Jaquith inquired about the height of the roof deck railing. Mr. Pabich explained that the roof deck will be 42” high as required by the building code. Mr. Durand inquired about the height of the roof access structure. Mr. Pabich stated that it would be one-story in height. Mr. Jaquith asked Mr. Pabich what material would be used for the railing. Mr. Pabich explained that the proposed material is wood. At this time, Mr. Pabich stated that he was interested in moving as quickly as possible with his project. He asked the board if there was any way to expedite the review process. Mr. Giard explained that there is a two-phase review process that includes Schematic Design and Final Submission. If there are no further comments, the board can vote to recommend approval of the Schematic Design. This recommendation would be forwarded to the SRA for final approval. Once the SRA approves the Schematic Phase, they can then forward the project back the DRB for the Final Submission Phase. Mr. Pabich asked the board what additional information would be required for the Final Submission Phase. He stated that he would be willing to submit any additional information prior to the next SRA meeting to expedite the project. Mr. Jaquith and Mr. Durand stated that they could make themselves available prior to the next SRA meeting to assist the applicant. Mr. Giard explained that a Final Submission would include more detailed drawings and specifications. Mr. Giard stated that he could provide an example of a recently approved submission for review by the applicant. Mr. Giard stated that the only action the board can take tonight is to recommend approval of the Schematic Phase. He stated that the DRB recommendation would be considered by the SRA and that the SRA does have the ability to give final approval to the project without sending it back to the DRB. At this time, the board voted unanimously to recommend approval of the Schematic Design submission. Mr. Giard explained that this recommendation would be forwarded to the SRA for approval at the their next scheduled meeting on March 12, 2003. Mr. Giard also stated that he would forward a copy of a recent Final Design submission package to the applicant for their review. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.