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287 Lafayette-Cof H application for HVAC 67 Congress Street Salem, MA 01970 Phone (978) 979-9278 Fax (978) 744-7558 dpabich@salemrenewal.com 1/21/2017 Jessica Herbert, Chair Salem Historical Commission 120 Washington St Salem, MA 01970 Dear Chairwoman Herbert and members of the Commission: Renewal Ventures LLC purchased 287 Lafayette Street in August 2014 with the intent of transforming a house of worship into a facility for higher education. Much care has gone into preserving the historic fabric of the original structure, both on the interior and the exterior, so as to move the building forward in terms of its functionality and systems while retaining many of its iconic features. In the spring of 2014 we filed for and received a certificate of appropriateness from the Salem Historical Commission for the planned renovations of 287 Lafayette. Absent from our submittal was a proposed rooftop HVAC unit and associated ducting. At that early date, prior to our purchase of the building, it was anticipated that the existing HVAC systems that served the building would be adequate for use following our renovations. As we moved forward with design and construction, it became clear that the existing HVAC system was inadequate to meet the current code requirements, and additional equipment was necessary. With the many moving parts of a complex project such as this, we overlooked the need to come before the Historical Commission for approval of the additional HVAC equipment. Once the system was designed, installed and ultimately put into service, it became clear that there was an issue with noise from the new equipment that required immediate attention. We enlisted an acoustical engineering firm to assess the situation and design mitigation measures. Concurrent with this we began a dialogue with the abutters about the ir concerns about the acoustics and aesthetics of the new equipment , and pledged to resolve the issues. The designed solution for the noise concerns was the addition of sound attenuators to the new rooftop HVAC unit. The attenuators worked as designed in reducing the noise, but they exacerbated the aesthetic concerns. Our architect, John Seger, and I had significant dialogue with the abutters, including an open, on- site meeting, to discuss different options for addressing the aesthetic concerns. The installation of a screen around the system was discussed, but was deemed infeasible by our structural engineer due to the impact such a screen would have on the snow load on the roof. From those discussions arose a solution for screening the east side of the HVAC unit by hanging prefabricated metal panels directly onto the unit. We apprised the Salem State University Neighborhood Advisory Committee of our proposed solution and ultimately implemented it as described. The final step remaining in the plan laid out with the abutters is to paint the system (including the sound attenuators) the same flat grey as the panels we installed on the east side. The thinking here is that the system will be less conspicuous if all parts are uniformly colored with minimal sheen. We will also paint the silver ductwork that is on the Lafayette Street side of the system the same flat grey. Renewal Ventures and Salem Renewal have great respect for historic preservation and hopefully our body of work we have produced over the last 16 years is evidence of that. With that, we humbly request your favorable consideration of our application. Sincerely, David Pabich, P.E. Manager Salem Renewal LLC Renewal Ventures LLC Salem State University –Roof Top Unit January 30, 2017 Pre-Construction-Dated 1/5/2015 Existing ductwork and intake vent. RTU located in background. Salem State University –Roof Top Unit January 30, 2017 Post -Construction 12/10/2017 Roof-top Unit with added sound attenuation equipment. Salem State University –Roof Top Unit January 30, 2017 Proposed Painted RTU Painted gray to match the asphalt roof.