2021-10-27 Meeting MinutesCity of Salem Massachusetts
Public Meeting Minutes
Board or Committee: Design Review Board – Regular Meeting
Date and Time: Wednesday, October 27, 2021 at 6:00 pm
Meeting Location: Remote Participation via Zoom
DRB Members Present: Chair Paul Durand, Glenn Kennedy, Catherine Miller,
Marc Perras, Helen Sides, J. Michael Sullivan
DRB Members Absent: David Jaquith
Others Present: Kate Newhall-Smith
Recorder: Colleen Brewster
Chair Paul Durand calls the meeting to order at 6:00PM. Roll call was taken.
Signs in the Urban Renewal Area
1. 281 Derby Street: Home Décor Group
Jason Gagnon of Soucy Signs, representing Owner Johnathan Tapper, of Home Décor
Group, was present to discuss the project.
Gagnon stated that they are proposing to change three signs, the wall sign on New
Derby Street, a blade sign on New Derby Street, and the wall sign above the rear
entrance. The New Derby Street wall sign would be prismatic PVC with a background
color of Marina Gray by Benjamin Moore with brilliant gold metallic lettering and a clear
coat. The proposed blade sign will be double-sided, 4-feet-wide x 6-feet high, PVC
routed-out with painted cold metallic paint and graphics set into the panel and mounted
to an existing bracket. It will an almost exact replication of the existing blade sign. The
rear wall sign will have the new business name and a window graphic that was placed in
the transom over the door was never permitted but will be replaced but reduced by 20%.
No lighting is proposed to illuminate the signage.
Newhall-Smith stated that the front façade signage is .2-feet over the maximum
allotment. Chair Durand noted that it’s too minimal to notice. Newhall-Smith added that
the rear window decal that has been reduced by 20% but is still oversized and needs to
be reduced by 1.9 SF based on size of the rear storefront glass. Gagnon replied that he
will provide a revised signage package.
Gagnon stated that the Benjamin Moore sign has come into question. Tapper noted that
their business is tied to Benjamin Moore, and they have requested signage on one of
their main elevations which the owners believe it’s an essential part of their businesses.
Newhall-Smith noted that the Design Guidelines state that a logo and trademark can
only be used if they operate business on the premises. Tapper stated that Benjamin
Moore is their biggest partner and vendor. Sullivan asked if there was an agreement
with the manufacturer to use their signage. Tapper replied no; however, the premium
brand draws business and suppliers. Sullivan stated that if it’s part of their operation and
they want to let everyone know because it’s integral to their business model. Kennedy
added that their affiliation is like Winer Brothers with Ace Hardware, and he has no issue
with it being on the sign. Perras agreed but noted that the sign needs to be below their
business name.
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Kennedy suggested the Benjamin Moore portion of the sign be stacked, reduced in
scale, and placed below the store name so the store name becomes primary, and
Benjamin Moore is secondary. Sides agreed and suggested the Home Décor logo start
at the midpoint of the sign panel and to also reduce sign of rear wall sign.
Gagnon noted his concern with a lack of visibility and readability if the signage were to
be reduced. Kennedy replied that the gold color is light enough that the wording won’t
disappear. Miller suggested the rear sign not be included since the parking lot is used
by known customers. Newhall-Smith suggested lowering the rear sign. Chair Durand
agreed and suggested the rear signage be placed above the brick banding. Sides and
Kennedy agreed with both the alignment and reduction of the rear signage. Miller
suggested eliminating the transom vinyl sign. Kennedy agreed.
Kennedy presented a revised front wall sign that was in line with the blade sign. Tapper
replied that he would reach out to Benjamin Moore to determine if they have an issue
with the adjusted signage.
Chair Paul Durand opened public comment
No one in the assembly wished to speak.
Chair Paul Durand closed public comment.
Sides: Motion to continue with the applicant to return with revised signs and determine if
the newly proposed sign is acceptable.
Kennedy: Amended the motion to approve it contingent upon reducing the scale and
lowering the “Home Décor Group” front wall sign and placing a reduced scale and
stacked Benjamin Moore sign below it, to reduce the size of and lower the rear wall sign,
and to reduce the size of the transom sign above the rear door, revise the sign package,
with Kennedy to review revised plans. Seconded by: Sides.
Roll Call: Kennedy, Miller, Perras, Sides, Sullivan, Durand in favor. Passes 6-0.
2. 11 Church Street: Die With Your Boots On
Ken McTague, of Concept Signs, was present to discuss the project.
McTague stated that the black band will continue the length of the storefront and be an
1/8” thick aluminum composite material placed over the existing trim with flat vinyl
graphics. The size of the window graphic on either side of the entrance door have been
reduced, the graphics on the lower left-hand corners are a neon coffin integrated into the
lower sign band at the bottom of the window, with vinyl decals on the entry doors.
Sides suggested they simplify the wording to “Jewelry” rather than “Jewelry and Pins”
and to “footwear” rather than “boots and shoes.” Kennedy suggested a reduction of all
signage by 15% to allow more blank space and the ability to see into the shop because
its overwhelming. He stated that the window decals compete with business signage in
the sign band. Miller suggested the black stripe could continue to the other two windows
for consistency. Kennedy noted that the repetitive nature of the signs is excessive.
McTague suggested using the bottom logo at the other logos for consistency, which
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would also open the view through the windows. Kennedy suggested placing contact
information and hours on the doors only not the business name since the sign band is
low enough to be easily seen. Perras suggested the text on the left-side windows not be
stacked because it makes them hard to read. McTague suggested separating the
information between the lower band. Kennedy stated that in addition to everything being
reduced by 15%, that only 1 line of text be along the bottom stripe and to extend stripe to
last two windows, remove logo from doors and make it hours and operation.
Chair Paul Durand opened public comment
No one in the assembly wished to speak.
Chair Paul Durand closed public comment.
Kennedy: Motion to approve everything 15% smaller, 1 line only for bottom stripe,
extend strip to last two windows, remove logo from doors and make it hours and
operation with Kennedy to review the revisions. Seconded by: Sides.
Roll Call: Kennedy, Miller, Perras, Sides, Sullivan, Durand in favor. Passes 6-0.
3. 120 Washington Street: Flying Saucer
Ken McTague of Concept Signs, was present to discuss the project.
McTague stated that the new sign would be brushed aluminum with black vinyl graphics.
It will be two sided and no lighting is proposed. Kennedy suggested the border trim of
the sign be the same thickness as the wall sign.
Chair Paul Durand opened public comment
No one in the assembly wished to speak.
Chair Paul Durand closed public comment.
Kennedy: Motion to approve as presented. Seconded by: Miller.
Roll Call: Kennedy, Miller, Perras, Sides, Sullivan, Durand favor. Passes 6-0.
4. 91 Lafayette Street: Wendy’s
No one was present to discuss the project.
5. 204 Essex Street, aka 2 North Street: Good Witch of Salem
Ken McTague, of Concept Signs, was present to discuss the project.
Sullivan left the meeting.
McTague stated that the new sign would be 30-inches-wide x 38-inches-high PVC sign
with flat vinyl graphics. The client will use their existing logo which has been copyrighted
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and trademarked. The sign will be mounted to the existing scroll bracket. Kennedy
suggested darkening the grey color of the text and star shadow by one- or two-color
tones.
Chair Paul Durand opened public comment
No one in the assembly wished to speak.
Chair Paul Durand closed public comment.
Kennedy: Motion to approve with the suggestion to darken the grey color of the text and
star shadow. Seconded by: Sides.
Roll Call: Kennedy, Miller, Perras, Sides, Durand favor. Passes 5-0.
Sullivan returned to the meeting.
Projects in the Urban Renewal Area
1. 73 Lafayette Street and 9 Peabody Street: Schematic Design Review –
Redevelopment of 73 Lafayette Street and 9 Peabody Street through the construction of
mixed-use structures for affordable elderly supportive housing, compact residential units,
the North Shore Health Center, and additional space for non-profit organization,
continued from 3/24/21.
Attorney Scott Grover of Tinti & Navins, Mickey Northcutt and Ilene Vogel of Northshore
CDC, Jonathan Evans and Sierra Bainbridge of Mass Design Group were present to
discuss the project.
Evans stated that they are excited to combine a community health center, age-restricted
affordable housing, artists residences, public art infrastructure, art, and an activated
public realm at this site and tie the Point neighborhood to the downtown. On Peabody
Street: The previous massing has been reduced to 1,000 SF of gallery space, with 29
age restricted affordable housing units, 500 SF of micro-storefronts, with a building
reduced to open the view to the river. On Lafayette Street: They took queues from the
existing building, placed age restricted housing on the Lafayette Street side of the
building and the Health Center on both Lafayette and turning the corner onto New Derby
Street. They are limiting the interior uses of the building due to storm surge, will rehab
the old façade, and stepped back the new upper levels and reduced the depth of the
New Derby side of the building. The focus is still centered on the curved corner with a
lobby to draw people through the building and to the waterfront. They’ve also
maintained 1-way curb cuts on either side of the building. The materials being
considered are brick colors tones with flat copper accents. They will rebuild the old
façade and maintain the mosaic, stack bond and herringbone patterns. Large scale art
will be placed on the party-walls to capture the spirit of the Northshore CDC. At the rear,
there will be a sloped pedestrian pathway connecting the building to the waterfront,
parking for 15 visitors, a drop-off for patients, with 14 resident parking spaces at the
Peabody Street building.
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Bainbridge stated that they will provide a place gathering space for multi-generational
community voices. They are seeking ways to foster connections from the city to art,
health, and ecology which are items that can be picked up in the landscaping and
compliment the activities inside the new structure and the four corridors into the site.
This will create art opportunities on the site and bring attention to issues of ecology and
climate change, health opportunities for the community. The combined sites will be
activated and have multiple entry points, wide corridors, site lighting, security cameras,
stair access, rain garden, gathering spaces, climate change art, permeable/repurposed
bricks, and docks that extend over the water. The areas behind the Peabody Street
building will have tables, play spaces, gathering spaces, bicycle parking, The planting
materials will be a combination of pollinator gardens with coastal ecology plantings.
Regarding resiliency, they will work with contours in the landscape, seating walls, and
the 12-foot-high contour to provide protection from the rising water. The proposed
materials would be a combination of asphalt, brick, CIP concrete, wood, permeable
concrete pavers, repurposed concrete slabs, and concrete boulder blocks, with the intent
to reuse as much material as possible while maintaining the materiality and texture of
Salem but to reembody it.
Perras stated that the design has progressed and is much more accessible, although he
preferred the old massing of the Peabody Street building that was curved along the
canal that had a clear form and connected to the curve of the main building. He is
unsure about recreating the existing façade on Lafayette and New Derby Street and
doesn’t like recreating the original form. He would encourage a more abstract recreation
while paying homage to what previously existed. Kennedy agreed with Perras regarding
the massing on Peabody Street and noted that the pink lighting on the renderings takes
away from the images making it difficult to focus on the buildings themselves. Evans
noted that the pink facades are a placeholder for future artwork, and they are
considering highlight the ceiling of the Health Center too.
Miller stated that the urban design has taken a big step forward and appears to be a
better fit. She appreciated the landscape designs and emphasis on pedestrian
connections and noted that pushing the parking towards the building celebrates the
waters edge. The tree planting proposed are good although they could add more on
Lafayette Street at the existing planting beds. She requesting the proposed grading
changed from the river to the building. Bainbridge replied that the building is being
raised 2-feet to 12-feet above sea level and the landscape will provide additional
protection though the long seating/sea wall. Evans added that there will be
approximately a 2- ½ foot difference in grade at the building and the slope will be at an
approximately 2%. Miller replied that the proposed design is good for Salem.
Kennedy noted that the presentation is geared towards life fitting into art and suggested
they research the more appropriate balance of at in San Antonio. Sullivan suggested
that too many art locations are proposed. Evans replied that they don’t want the product
to be art and they will adjust the placeholders for the art locations. Sullivan suggested
they consider how those art walls are being viewed since they will act a billboard that will
change over time. Chair Durand noted his preference for sculptural elements in the
greenspace rather than using the building as a billboard.
Kennedy stated that rebuilding the existing façade is a distraction that complicates the
building and takes away from the overall massing of the building, although he is in favor
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of the corner entrance leading people through the building. Sides noted her empathy to
the pushback received and loss of that façade. Evans stated that they will also be
reidentifying the interior spaces of the existing portion of the building too and the corner
that was once 2 levels will not be 1. Sullivan noted that the proposed design is
reminiscent of the building across the street and this suggestion may not be as
successful.
Chair Durand requested the anticipated phasing of the projects Evans replied that
Phase 1 will be the health center and Phase 2 the Peabody Street.
Chair Paul Durand opened public comment
Emily Udy, 8 Buffum Street & HSI. They met with the applicant a couple times, the
design keeps improving and the design team is listening and responding to feedback. At
the start of the project, they were under the impression that the façade would remain but
at their most recent meeting with the Northshore CDC they discussed the reconstruction
of the existing façade due to infrastructure and water incursion issues, but they pleased
to see their reconstruction efforts of the historic façade if they are as accurate as
possible include brick detail patterns and cornice details. They continue to look forward
to that commitment as the project moves forward. She asked the Board to review the
urban renewal plan and commitments to protect resources in the urban renewal area.
No one else in the assembly wished to speak.
Perras noted that this discussion has put the design team in a difficult position, but he
still believes the proposed Lafayette Street building design should be a different abstract
of the existing building. The shapes at the top of the building aren’t needed and don’t
work well, there are other ways to achieve a successful pedestrian friendly lower level.
The landscape design could be a fantastic urban landscape experience. Evans stated
that much like the Bruce Bolling Building in Dudley Square was well preserved and they
intended to do it here, despite their combining two or three buildings in one location.
Sides stated that this is an important project that has progressed well and will fill a need
and connect to the Point neighborhood.
Kennedy appreciated where the design can go and where they are going with it.
Newhall-Smith suggested the Board clarify their comments about the re-creation of the
historic façade. Sullivan shared Perras’ concerns with recreating the façade. Sides
agreed with Perras and suggested the façade be more interpretive. Miller agreed with
Perras and noted that the existing building does lend itself to an urban design scale, but
it doesn’t need to be brick with the recreated details since it won’t look like the old
building. Chair Durand agreed and noted his concern with creating a Disneyland feel
where the new building is similar but not exact, which doesn’t seem genuine. He
suggested the existing building either remain or go away.
Miller noted that they can’t ignore climate change concerns, but the building is too low
for the 21st century. Northcutt stated that they have wrestled with this façade, and he
pushed to keep it despite it not being in a historic district because it does contribute to as
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a national historic resource. It’s not a bad building and gives the building character.
Until late August they felt that it would be kept but raising the building came up late in
their design process. Maintaining the facades wasn’t overly pushed for at the various
meetings they’ve added either. Chair Durand reiterated that recreating the building isn’t
true.
Chair Paul Durand closed public comment.
Sides: Motion to continue to the next regular meeting. Seconded by: Perras.
Roll Call: Kennedy, Miller, Perras, Sides, Sullivan, Durand favor. Passes 6-0.
2. 133 Washington Street: Small Project Review – Installation of replacement windows,
continued from 9/22/2021
Dennis Droggitis of JMJ Construction was present to discuss the project.
Droggitis stated that the owner wants to replace the windows on second and third floor
of building. He will also repoint the brick masonry, remove storm windows and shutters,
will removed sashes and jambs, install replacement Marvin double-hung 6 over 6 to
match the existing, with white fiberglass exterior and a wood finish on interior. White
PVC trim will be added at the exterior to fill in the void between the masonry opening.
They will repaint the masonry with a matching mortar and reinstall the existing shutters,
and the storm windows will not be reinstalled.
Sides asked if the replacement windows will have simulated divided lite and if they will
be white. Droggitis relied yes, and they will arrive with a prefinished white factory finish,
with the shutters painted to match. The Board discussed using a less bright white paint
color. Kennedy proposed “Barely There” by Benjamin Moore. Chair Durand suggested
Stone White which is offered by Marvin.
Chair Paul Durand opened public comment
No one in the assembly wished to speak.
Chair Paul Durand closed public comment.
Sides: Motion to approve with the Stone White paint color for windows and the shutters
painted to match existing. Seconded by: Sullivan.
Roll Call: Kennedy, Miller, Perras, Sides, Sullivan, Durand favor. Passes 6-0.
3. 91 Lafayette Street: Small Project Review – Façade modifications to Wendy’s, including
new materials and architectural features
Heidi Hogan and Kelsi Hall of Hammer Enterprises were present to discuss the project.
Hogan stated that they can use an earth-toned red blade accent wall over the dining
room rather than their standard red and will extend 26-inches above the roof line. The
signage will be reduced in scale and converted to halo light fixtures. The directional
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monument signs that say Enter and Exit will be reduced in size and will not have the
Wendy’s logo.
Chair Paul Durand opened public comment
No one in the assembly wished to speak.
Chair Paul Durand closed public comment.
Miller requested to see the signage on the elevations. Kennedy and Sides agreed.
Newhall-Smith suggested a night rendering be included in the signage package. Hogan
suggested applying for the building first and signage second due to the owner wanted to
begin the renovation before winter. The Board agreed. Hogan noted that the blade
color will be the darker Crimson Red which was used at location in the Chicago area.
Sides: Motion to approve continue the review of signage. Seconded by: Kennedy.
Roll Call: Kennedy, Miller, Perras, Sides, Sullivan, Durand favor. Passes 6-0.
Hogan stated that they are adding the blade wall, metal fascia, and two canopies at the
driveway. Miller asked if they will each have a metal cap. Hogan replied that the cap
can be Hardieboard although it’s not preferred Miller noted her preference for the
darker cap color and that she would have no issue if the metal cap were darker. Perras
agreed. Kennedy agreed with the use of darker vs. anodized trim, which takes away
from the signage.
Hogan stated that they will also do some tuckpointing to the existing brick façade, add
accent tile to the two front corner piers. She noted that recessed lighting will be in the
underside of the drive-thru canopies.
Chair Paul Durand opened public comment
No one in the assembly wished to speak.
Chair Paul Durand closed public comment.
Perras: Motion to approve the architectural design strategy with the complete Chicago
color palette. Seconded by: Sides.
Roll Call: Kennedy, Miller, Perras, Sides, Sullivan, Durand favor. Passes 6-0.
4. 10 Derby Street: Small Project Review – Replacement of windows on third floor
Samuel Clement, of Jones Architecture was present to discuss the project.
Perras recused himself as an employee of Jones Architecture. Miller stated that while
she has a friendly relationship with the applicant, she has no ties to this project.
Clement stated that they want to replace windows in their office, a third-floor unit. 17
windows will be replaced in total, 5 on east elevation facing Old Town Hall, 3 on the
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south elevation, and 9 on the east elevation facing Higginson Square. The existing
windows are true divided lites but the double-hung replacement windows will be
simulated divided lites with the same quantity of divided lites. The outer sash will be
aluminum, with an aluminum frame and aluminum cladding over the exterior wood
painted to match the existing windows.
Sides asked if other windows been replaced in the building. Clements replied not on
their half of the building. Sides asked what replacement window was installed at the
back half of the building. Clements replied that he cannot say for certain that any have
been replaced. Sides asked why they selected aluminum vs. fiberglass. Clements
replied that they believed aluminum windows may be more resilient than fiberglass.
Miller requested the proposed manufacturer. Clements replied Marvin Double-Hugh G2.
Durand and Sides stated that they have no issue with the proposed window.
Chair Paul Durand opened public comment
No one in the assembly wished to speak.
Chair Paul Durand closed public comment.
Sides: Motion to approve as submitted. Seconded by: Miller.
Roll Call: Kennedy, Miller, Sides, Sullivan, Durand favor. Passes 5-0.
5. 1 Salem Green: Small Project Review – Façade modifications including removal of
existing entrances, creation of new entrances, and modifications to window glazing
Samuel Clement of Jones Architecture was present to represent Salem 5 Bank and
discuss the project.
Clement stated that while most of the interior renovation were interior renovation with a
few exterior modifications and some minor site work. They will replace existing clear
story windows in kind, replace some second-floor louvers with new clerestory windows,
replace some louvers, replace two storefront entrances along the west façade, replace
several storefront glass panels and install some spandrel glass. Modifications to the
elevator stair core will result in the replacement of the entrance storefront glass along
Church Street; however, the new aluminum finishes will match the dark bronze color.
They will apply a frosted semi-opaque film at the newly enclosed east facing alcove to
conceal interior mechanical upgrades and will enclose an existing brick alcove at the
north façade with new brick and a new steal door painted dark bronze with metal coping
at the new roof. The sliding glass door entrance at the vestibule on the opposite side of
the alleyway will be replaced with a single aluminum swinging door. Mullins will be
added at some of the new aluminum frame windows rather than continuing with the butt
glazing.
Kennedy left the meeting.
Chair Paul Durand opened public comment
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No one in the assembly wished to speak.
Chair Paul Durand closed public comment.
Miller asked if the new entrance doors have ADA push buttons. Clements replied that
they will evaluate and consider them, although they have the clearances necessary to
not incorporate them.
Sides: Motion to approve as presented. Seconded by: Sullivan.
Roll Call: Miller, Sides, Sullivan, Durand in favor. Passes 4-0.
Perras returned to the meeting.
Projects Outside the Urban Renewal Area
1. 1 Harmony Grove Road: Entrance Corridor Overlay District – Review of revisions to
permitted plans
Zach Silvia and Tony Boisvert of DJSA Architecture, Jeannie Giuggio representing the
ownership group, and Anthony Roberto were present to discuss the project.
Silva stated that this site is the former Salem Oil and Grease Factory and is a
brownfields site redevelopment. The modifications presented are to the architectural
aspects of the previously approved plans only. The redevelopment was first reviewed in
2014 and many of the existing buildings have been demolished. The new building
footprints have undergone minimal or no changes. The original entrance was on
Harmony Grove Road over a pedestrian bridge, where 43 units in three buildings were
proposed, and an existing commercial building across the canal will remain. In 2018
amended drawings were approved which included a new community building across the
canal to the north along Harmony Grove Street. The 2021 redesign is maintaining the
three proposed buildings with similar footprints. The unit quantities remain at 43 in
Building 1, 43 in Building 2, and 38 in Building 3. Only color scheme modifications are
proposed at the community building to the north. At the west side of the site is a 6-foot x
80-foot fitness center and outdoor basketball courts are being proposed for tenant use
only.
Silva stated that a redesign with the new property owners lead to the addition of amenity
spaces, large expansive windows, adjustments to the massing and projections of the
buildings to accommodate changes to internal layouts, and to provide visual breaks to
the massing. Planning Board feedback they received in September were that the
facades were overly busy, too much verticality, and too many colors proposed making it
seem as if too many projects were blended into one.
Silva stated that the informal meeting with Helen and Amanda held earlier this month led
to the following modifications. Boisvert added that their strategy was to soften the
presence of the building by scaling back the color to create a monochromatic color
palette with grey high end cement board siding with dark brick banding at the first floor
and stair tower, creating a single roofline rather than undulations and scaling back the
vertical elements at the bump outs. They maintained the wood-tones to define the
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building entrances. The previously proposed black metal elements: the railings at the
pre-cast balconies, roof edge, window frames would become medium bronze. Those
changes led to addition comments of too much verticality on the building, an
overpowering design, and request to incorporate more brick to help anchor the building
rather than the mass of cement board siding.
Boisvert stated that the newly revised plans incorporate brick being raised up to the
second story in some areas, anchoring the corners of the building along the canal, and
giving the structure more of a horizontal presence and less verticality. They also scaled
down the horizontal projects away from the roofline and down to the third floor. There
would also be site modifications due to the minor changes in the building footprint. The
community building colors will match the modifications to the residential building colors.
Chair Durand requested information regarding the proposed fence along the canal.
Silva replied that a black metal fence is proposed. Boisvert added that a 6-foot-high
black chain-link fence is proposed along the railroad tracks to match the overall design
of the project. Silva noted that the civil engineer stated that the black chain-link fence
was pre-approved with the previous iterations and he’s not sure if it’s use is tied to any
MBTA requirements but that can be determined.
Miller stated that the landscape plan will be critical and there not enough detail has been
provided to give a schematic approval of that design at this time and it could be separate
of the architectural review. Silva noted that the civil package and revised landscape plan
are currently being peer reviewed but can be a separate or integrated presentation with
the architecture.
Perras asked if this project has been vetted in terms of brownfields requirements. Silva
replied yes. Perras stated that the design is improving with each iteration but noted his
concern with the glaringly different wood entries that don’t need that much attention
drawn to them and suggested the continued use of brick. The dancing of the brick up
and down across the façade is a nice move but the use of more brick at the entrance
doesn’t need to extend up to the roofline, a lower roof could be incorporated to give the
pop-outs less of a townhome feel. The updated version of the canal side of the building
is much for successful and interesting. He suggested incorporating the brick into seating
and/or retaining walls on sit so the material palette extends into the landscape.
Perras asked if the design team has been assigned the modifications to the community
center. Silva replied yes, but only color palette modifications are proposed. Perras
replied that the current community center design doesn’t work with the overall formal
strategy of the residential structures and its pitched roof is problematic and changing the
color alone is not sufficient because it no longer looks as if its part of the same
development. All associated buildings should have the same vocabulary and at the very
least they should have a brick base and a flat roofs. Boisvert asked if Sides recalled any
discussion about pitched roof community building. Sides replied that there was an
agreement to maintain an old building on site, it was later determined that it needed to
be demolished. Leaving as a future project was deemed unacceptable and needed to
be redeveloped. They may have never completed their initial review of the building
elements before the overall project was put on hold. During their informal meeting she
suggested to at least change the color, so it matches the residential structures. She
agreed with Perras that the architectural design of the community building should also
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change. The project has come a long way and their efforts to ground the buildings.
Some efforts could be made to further reinforce the horizontality of the buildings by
banding some together with banding. Increasing the height of the brick helps. Boisvert
added that the changes to the bump outs also impact the units that a certain level of
marketable square footage which they need to be mindful of as well, in addition to the
financial aspects.
Miller asked if the Hardie plank will have a smooth edge. Silva replied that the planks
would be a bevel edge channel siding.
Miller stated that a native planting would be especially appropriate, hearty plantings that
can handle the occasional flood, and more trees.
Chair Durand stated that the Hardie factory has had significant delays and may be
discontinued. He suggested the applicant confirm whether the Aspyre line is still being
produced.
Perras reiterated his preference for the brick over the fiber cement paneling. Sides
agreed with Perras’ recommendations to modify the entrance and reduce their height
and suggested they be brought down to the third-floor level leaving the top balcony
exposed.
Chair Paul Durand opened public comment
No one in the assembly wished to speak.
Chair Paul Durand closed public comment.
Boisvert asked if another informal meeting could be held with board members to
continue to streamline the process or if they must continue with the public meeting
process only. Perras replied that he would be happy to discuss revision with the
applicant. Newhall-Smith stated that as long as the applicant is aware that Perras is
only one voice and voting member of the full Board she has no concerns with it. Chair
Durand suggested Miller’s input may be helpful in terms of landscaping.
Perras: Motion to continue with an enhanced development utilizing the brick, reviewing
the entrances, landscape plan, and additional details. Seconded by: Sides.
Perras: Amended the motion to include a strong desire to also revise the design of the
community center. Seconded by: Sides
Roll Call: Miller, Perras, Sides, Sullivan, Durand in favor. Passes 5-0.
New / Old Business
1. Approval of Minutes:
a. September 22, 2021
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Public Meeting Minutes
Miller: Motion to approve the meeting minutes from August 22, 2021 with Miller’s
edits. Seconded by: Sides.
Roll Call: Miller, Perras, Sides, Sullivan, Durand in favor. Passes 5-0.
b. Miller: Motion to approve the meeting minutes from September 29, 2021.
Seconded by: Perras.
Roll Call: Miller, Perras, Sides, Sullivan, Durand in favor. Passes 5-0.
2. Staff Updates, if any: The Board discussed moving the November meeting to
Wednesday, November 17th or Thursday, November 18th. Newhall-Smith to determine
and inform the Board of Zoom availability.
3. Miller noted that both a light and dark green accent colors have been installed on the
Brix building.
4. Miller noted that textured Hardieboard was installed on 25 Lynde Street when smooth
surface boards are preferred and requested.
Adjournment
Miller: Motion to adjourn. Seconded by: Sides.
Roll Call: Miller, Perras, Sides, Sullivan, Durand in favor. Passes 5-0.
Meeting is adjourned at 10:00PM.
Know your rights under the Open Meeting Law M.G.L. c. 30A §18-25 and City
Ordinance Sections 2-028 through 2-203