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RIVER ROCK RESIDENCES 6.30.16 KIMBERLEY DRISCOLL MAYOR LYNN GOONIN DUNCAN, AICP DIRECTOR CITY OF SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT 120 WASHINGTON STREET  SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS 01970 TEL: 978-745-9595  FAX: 978-740-0404 DRB Recommendation – River Rock Residences and Retail Page 1 of 3 MEMORANDUM TO: Members of the Planning Board FROM: Paul Durand, Chairman, Design Review Board SUBJECT: DRB Recommendation – 70-92 ½ Boston Street (River Rock Residences and Retail) DATE: June 30, 2016 CC: Lynn G. Duncan, Director, Dept. of Planning & Community Development All projects proposed in the North River Canal Corridor (NRCC) Neighborhood Mixed Use District that require Site Plan Review by the Planning Board are also required to receive a recommendation by the City’s Design Review Board (DRB). The DRB’s role is to review proposals to ensure that they are designed to complement and harmonize with adjacent land uses with respect to architecture, scale, landscaping and screening. Proposal and DRB Review The Applicant appeared before the DRB for the first time on May 25, 2016, to present plans for the construction of a proposed 50 residential units with and 1,184 square feet of retail in one building, and six (6) townhome units in a separate building. Three existing structures on the property would be removed. The proposed project site has frontage on both Boston and Goodhue Streets, very close to the intersection of Boston, Bridge, and Goodhue Streets. A proposed surface parking lot accessible two ways on Boston Street will provide 47 spaces, and separate lot accessible from Beaver Street would provide an additional nine (9) spaces. There will also be 46 parking spaces located underneath the building, which will be accessible from Beaver Street. The townhomes will have one garage space per unit. In addition to the above information, the applicant provided details on lighting for the parking areas, compatibility with the surrounding area, materials, and landscaping. Some of the materials detailed, include red brick for the main building, a white Azek trim, metal cladding on the top floor bays with painted trim boards at the top. Cast stone heads at the windows. DRB Recommendation – River Rock Residences and Retail Page 2 of 3 Below is a sampling of major comments made by DRB Members at the May 25th meeting in regards to this project:  Too much variation in the size and style of windows on both buildings.  Concern was expressed as to how pedestrians could access various areas of the site from Boston Street, going toward Goodhue Street.  Too much yellow color siding being used on the townhouse building.  The Board asked the applicant to rethink the location of the retail. A comment was made noting that it would be preferable to see it closer to Boston Street so as to continue the line of retail storefronts along that street. There was an acknowledgement that the applicant might prefer retail along Goodhue Street so as to better activate that street and to help the retail locations across the street at the 28 Goodhue property.  A hazardous condition at the entrance of the parking lot on Boston Street was noted, where drivers pulling in might not be prepared to anticipate drivers pulling out of the first few spaces at the entrance.  That public art be considered for the site; perhaps within the turnaround facing Boston Street. The applicant returned for a second meeting before the DRB on June 22, 2016. A number of revisions in response to previous comments from the DRB were presented, including the following:  A staircase was added for improved pedestrian access to the apartment building from Boston Street.  The retail space was relocated from Boston Street to Goodhue Street.  Material colors were revised.  The townhouse roof was revised from a gable roof to a hip roof and was lowered 3’ to decrease height and verticality of the townhouses in relation to the neighboring apartment building.  Exterior bike storage was added near the Goodhue and Boston Street main entrances.  A curb cut on Boston Street was relocated and parking spaces were shifted, so as to improve access and vehicular mobility and safety within the parking lot along Boston Street. The Board appreciated the revised version of the proposed project. They provided the following final comments:  That smooth hardy plank siding be used as opposed to one with a faux wood grain.  That the white picket fence in front of the townhomes on Boston Street be made of wood or an appropriate product other than vinyl. DRB Recommendation – River Rock Residences and Retail Page 3 of 3 Recommendation At a regular meeting of the Design Review Board held on June 22, 2016, the Board voted unanimously (6-0) to recommend approval of the proposed project at 70-92 ½ Boston Street as modified by the applicant in revised plans dated June 10, 2016. As part of its recommendation, the DRB requests the following: 1. The applicant shall submit final construction plans to the Design Review Board (DRB) for its review and approval prior to obtaining a building permit. 2. A detailed plan for site and building lighting, to include both specifications and locations of lighting fixtures, shall be provided for review and approval by the DRB prior to issuance of a building permit. 3. All plans, materials and color samples shall be in accordance with those submitted to and approved by the DRB on June 22, 2016. 4. The DRB approves of all presented signage (building and freestanding signage); however the applicant must submit a sign permit application to the Department of Planning and Community Development, for processing and approval. A sign permit shall then be issued by the City’s Building Department. All future changes to signage and/or proposed installation of signage for retail tenants, shall be approved by the DRB prior to issuance of sign permits. The signage for the building and the site shall conform to the City of Salem’s Sign Ordinance and NRCC zoning code. The Applicant is strictly required to construct the project in accordance with all details of the approved drawings. Permission to make changes from such approved drawings must be requested by the Applicant in writing to the Director of Planning and Community Development who, in turn, will reply in writing giving approval or disapproval of the changes. No changes in the work are to be undertaken until such approval has been obtained. Please contact Andrew Shapiro, Economic Development Planner, at 978-619-5685 or ashapiro@salem.com if you have any questions regarding this recommendation.