2003-08-27 DRB MinutesDESIGN REVIEW BOARD
MINUTES FOR THE MEETING HELD ON
AUGUST 27, 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, August 27, 2003 at 5:30pm.
Members Paul Durand and David Jaquith were present. Tania Hartford, Economic Development
Planner and Valerie Gingrich, Clerk, were also present.
Minutes
Minutes from the July 23, 2003 meeting were reviewed and approved.
Old Business
• Edgewater Cafe Outdoor Cafe
Ms. Hartford informed the Board that the SRA accepted the recommendation of the DRB in
reference to the Outdoor Cafe, but the SRA gave the DRB a time limit of sixty days to review the
cafe and make changes.
Mr. Durand commented that the chain should not be white, because it is seen too well. Mr. Durand
also commented that all of the posts should be the same height, and that the chain cannot be
attached to the conduit on the building.
The Board recommended that the chain be black, the posts be the same height, add an additional
post at the building, and have only one chain from post to post.
Project List
Culver Insurance (20 Central Street) – Review of proposed sign.
The proposed signage includes two wall signs along Central Street and the adjacent alley. The
proposed signs will be aluminum with a black background and gold leaf lettering, flush mounted to
the wall.
Mr. Durand commented that it is a good sign, and the applicant replied that the signs would match
those around them in the same complex. Mr. Jaquith inquired as to whether the two signs are the
same size, and the applicant replied that one sign is 8” x 48” and the other is 12” x 72” in size.
The Board recommended approval of the proposed signage.
Boston Hotdog Company (60 Washington Street)—Review of proposed sign.
The proposed signage includes one 43” x 33” hanging sign with metal bracket and one 1’ x 10’ wall
sign. The hanging sign will be hand carved wood with a black background, Italian gold leaf letters,
and an image of a hotdog. The hanging sign would be attached to a metal bracket. The proposed
wall sign will be hand carved wood with a black background and gold lettering in the existing sign
band along Washington Street.
Mr. Durand commented that the dimensions on the drawing of the hanging sign do not look
proportional, and stated that perhaps the dimensions were inverted. Mr. Durand asked what the sign
would be made from. The applicant replied that the sign would be made of composition wood and
the letters and hotdog would be hand carved.
Mr. Durand commented that the dimensions of the hanging sign seem to be inverted and that the
sign seems too large. The applicant agreed that the dimensions must have been inverted, and asked
the Board what they would like the dimensions of the sign to be.
The Board recommended that the hanging sign be 24” x 36” and then the wall sign would be 14” x
12’ in size. The Board recommended that the proposed signage be approved with the above size
changes.
Laura Lane Skin Care (242 Essex Street)—Review of proposed sign & awning.
The proposed signage includes one awning with 6” x 8’ lettering and two 18’ x 4’ window signs. The
proposed awning will be green with white lettering. The proposed window signs will be white vinyl
letters attached to the inside of the windows along Essex Street.
The “Bootery” sign will be removed and the area will be painted with the same color. The awning
will be recovered with an aqua color canvas. Mr. Durand asked the applicant why she chose aqua,
and Ms. Lane replied that the interior will have aqua and that the skin care line that she will carry has
aqua packaging.
The applicant commented that the Army Navy Store has green and the Phoenix School has blue, so
the aqua should fit in. Mr. Durand commented that a darker shade would be better than the color
submitted. The Board agreed that the applicant must submit a swatch of the fabric to be used, which
should be darker than that submitted.
The Board recommended approval of the signage with the condition that they see and approve the
fabric swatch prior.
Temptations/Balloons & Baskets (304 Essex Street)—Review of proposed awning
and facade improvements
The proposed awning will replace the existing awning and be exactly the same dimensions. The
applicant is also proposing to repaint the front of the building.
The applicant explained that he does not do walk-in retail business at the location. The Board
recommended that the font be “Goudy” and the words be centered on the awning. In addition, the
letters should be spaced out more.
The applicant proposed to repaint the facade an off-white color, because white makes it look dirty.
The Board suggested that the applicant paint it white to match the windows.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned