2003-06-25 DRB MinutesPage 1 of 5
DESIGN REVIEW BOARD
MINUTES
JUNE 25, 2003
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, June 25,
2003 at 5:30pm.
Members Chris Green and Don Giard were present. Tania Hartford, Economic
Development Planner and Valerie Gingrich, Clerk, were also present.
Rockafellas Restaurant (227-231 Essex Street)—Review of proposed outdoor cafe.
The applicants, T. Kevin Marchino and David McKillop, described the proposed cafe
tabletops as white and green heavy Corian. The proposed chain to be used to section off the
cafe will be thick, black plastic chain. The chain will be linked through stands that consist of
a die cast pole with a base.
Mr. Green suggested that they choose materials that have a substantial look to them rather
than temporary looking materials such as the lightweight plastic chain. He suggested that an
aluminum chain would have a more substantial look and would still be more lightweight.
Mr. Giard suggested using raised planters instead of poles to separate the cafe from the rest
of the streetscape because it keeps the area open and adds some color. Mr. Green
commented that planters are very hard to move when they have soil in them, and there is
also the problem of what to do with them in the winter. He further commented that they do
not want to lose the sense that it is a public sidewalk.
Mr. Green commented that the street in front of the building is not level. Mr. Marchino
replied that using poles and chain would help to alleviate this problem because they could
use different height poles as necessary.
Mr. Green suggested using free-standing black cast metal, possibly aluminum, bollards with
broad bases with a black metal chain of the weight that the applicants supplied at the
meeting. The applicants agreed to supply catalogue specifications for the base to the DRB.
Mr. Green inquired as to whether there would be a waiter station outside. Mr. Marchino
replied that the hallway inside the doors is very large and that they could probably place a
waiter station there. He stated that they would rather have it inside. Mr. Green stated that
most outdoor cafes in Boston have an outdoor waiter station setup with menus and other
items. He stated that his concern is with access and noted that the doorway should not be
too narrow.
Mr. Giard inquired about the manholes in the cafe location. Mr. Marchino replied that the
majority of the manholes in the cafe location are level and that they stayed away from the
one manhole that is not level.
Mr. Giard inquired about lighting for the evening. The applicants replied that it is bright
with light coming from the streetlights and the marquee.
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Mr. Giard inquired about proposed umbrellas for the cafe. Mr. Marchino stated that the
umbrellas would be green or black, and that they would have separate bases. Mr. Giard
suggested green or off-white for the umbrellas. Mr. Killop stated that they were considering
black because the awning are black. Mr. Giard stated that the umbrellas do not have to
match the awnings. Mr. Green agreed and suggested that they use green.
The applicants agreed to provide specifications for the bollards to be used to hold the chain
to section off the cafe. Mr. Green stated that he was prepared to approve the layout,
location, tables, and chairs, but they needed to see the specifications of the poles/bollards.
Mr. Marchino showed the Board wire cable that would be used at night to secure the tables
and chairs. Mr. Green suggested that the cable be black.
The Board gave a positive recommendation to the layout, the umbrella, and the chain
contingent on the submittal and approval of the base/bollard specifications.
Ms. Hartford inquired about the holes at the basement windows. Mr. Marchino replied that
they had been mulched and would be landscaped.
Aroma Sanctum Perfumes (5 Central Street)—Review of proposed sign.
Mr. Giard introduced the sign proposed and stated that there was an issue of the proposed
iron bracket not matching the brackets of the other sign brackets on the building. The
applicant, Akura Kulak, stated that the previous iron bracket (that matched the other two)
was missing and the owner did not know what happened to it. The proposed iron bracket is
one that the owner has and would like to use. Mr. Green stated that due to the molding on
the building, the bracket proposed would not work and a new bracket would probably have
to be custom made.
Mr. Giard informed the Ms. Kulak of the Main Streets Program which would help to cover
the cost of a custom made bracket. Mr. Green asserted that the bracket should match the
other brackets.
Ms. Kulak stated that the sign company that she was working with could not locate the style
of bracket that had been there previously. Mr. Giard replied that he spoke with a
representative of a sign company and found that such a bracket could be custom made.
Mr. Green stated that the sign itself is fine. The font is fine, but the words should have
more space between them without getting closer to the edge of the sign. The members
agreed that the color and overall layout of the sign is good.
Ms. Kulak stated that the sign would be made of a heavy PVC material. The members stated
that the material was fine.
The members gave a positive recommendation on the conditions that the words and the
symbol have more space around them and therefore are smaller, and that the iron bracket
match the two brackets on each side.
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Mr. Giard stated that he would provide blacksmith information for the iron bracket when
the applicant resubmitted the revised graphics.
Salem’s Color Corner (60 Washington Street)—Review of proposed sign.
Mr. Giard pointed out the proposed locations of the two wall signs, one on Washington
Street and one on Lynde Street.
Mr. Green commented that he liked that the proposed sign is similar to other nearby signs.
Mr. Green stated that the lettering is cramped and the font is modern and fat. The
applicant, Kevin Millet, replied that they had used a font, Franklin Gothic, which they were
told was acceptable. Mr. Green stated that given the other signs in the area and the historic
building, the applicants need a more historically appropriate font. Mr. Green commented
that the color of the proposed sign is acceptable.
Mr. Giard inquired about the height of the sign band, and Mr. Green commented that the
sign band should be the same as the Courthouse Deli next door. Mr. Green stated that the
preferred dimension is 16 inches as opposed to the proposed 22 inches.
Mr. Millet suggested a smaller size serif font. Mr. Green suggested using one of the classic
newspaper fonts. The applicant stated that they would use Claredon font. The members
agreed that Claredon would be perfect. Mr. Green inquired whether the applicants would
use all capital letters, and they confirmed that they would.
Mr. Giard asked the applicants, Mr. Millet and Lenny D’Italia to clarify exactly where the
sign would be placed and exactly what distance it would cover. Mr. D’Italia replied that the
sign would be centered above the two windows, and the sign is smaller than the length of
the windows. Mr. Green suggested that the applicants give a border around the sign with
routed edges (similar to the Courthouse Deli sign).
Mr. Giard asked the applicants to make the suggested changes and resubmit the changes to
him for final approval at the next Salem Redevelopment Authority (SRA) meeting.
Victory Chapel (60 Washington Street)—Review of proposed sign.
The applicant, Sean Hester, explained that the sign is for the same building as Salem’s Color
Corner. Mr. Green stated that like the sign for Salem’s Color Corner, the sign would need to
be 16 inches high. Mr. Hester described the existing sign, which is white plastic with
aluminum facing.
Mr. Green commented that the font is acceptable, but the colors, layout, and overall look are
not. Mr. Green inquired as to how important it is for the flame logo to be on the sign. Mr.
Hester replied that is not necessary.
Mr. Green stated that the sign can and should be more spaced out with a border. Mr. Hester
inquired as to what colors and materials are acceptable. Mr. Green replied that white is
good.
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Mr. Giard suggested using material that is thicker and looks more substantial, such as wood.
The applicant described a heavy plastic material that has a finish that looks exactly like wood
with a mahogany finish.
Mr. Hester agreed to resubmit his application to the DRB with the suggested changes. The
applicant agreed to take down the existing sign that did not receive approval. The members
suggested hanging a temporary sign in the window.
Nostalgia (103 Washington Street)—Review of proposed sign.
The applicant, Kim Raines, presented the Board with her proposed sign. The sign is white
outlined in black with lavender flowers. The location of the sign is level to Pamplemouse
(next door) on Washington Street.
Mr. Green commented that he liked the shape, color, and general layout of the sign but the
font is not very readable because it is too thin and has variable letter sizes. Ms. Raines stated
that she actually wanted to use the font on her business card, but it did not work.
Mr. Green commented that the use of capital letters and lower case letters is great. He also
commented that the shape, color and layout convey the message and the lettering can be
somewhat neutral.
Mr. Giard commented that the white border on the lettering may not help with the
readability. Mr. Green inquired as to what the sign would be made of. Ms. Raines replied
that it would be made of wood and painted. She suggested that all black lettering might be
better, and the members agreed. Mr. Green suggested using fonts such as Baskerville or
Garamond.
Mr. Giard asked the applicant to specify the location and asked whether there is enough
room in the green panel to install the sign. Ms. Raines replied that there is enough room.
Mr. Giard asked the applicant to sketch in the location of the sign.
Ms. Raines agreed to submit the suggested changes to be reviewed for final approval at the
next meeting of the SRA.
Winer Brothers (Lafayette Street)—Review of proposed sign.
Ms. Hartford stated that the applicant, Allan Houle, was not able to attend the meeting. She
explained that he is applying for approval of the sign that is already up. If it is not approved
he will have to take it down.
Mr. Green commented that the sign is not ready to be approved because the lettering, “ACE
Hardware,” is too big. Mr. Giard commented that the sign looks too big, partly because it is
low. Mr. Green asked if the sign is 9 feet high.
The members agreed that the font is fine, but the logo needs to be smaller and the entire
sign needs to be smaller. Mr. Green suggested that the sign be 36 inch es by 48 inches. Mr.
Giard stated that the material is thin PVC.
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The members agreed that they could not give a positive recommendation as it is. He will
have to resubmit to the DRB.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned