Design Review Committee

DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE By City Clerk at 2:29 pm, Jan 18, 2023 TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18th, 2022 1. Call to Order/Roll Call – Matt S. call the meeting to order at 6:05pm 2. Minutes – None 3. Public Comments – None 4. Communications – None 5. Continued Applications 130 Market Street – Multi-family residential development, Special Permit & Site Plan A revised set of architectural drawings were presented to DRC. The Applicant’s Architect, Scott Brown presented the revisions to the architectural plans and site plan that were made in response to the comments from DRC. Most of the com- ments from the previous meeting were addressed by the development team. DRC noted the following: The building plans should be annotated with dimensions such as overall height, sill level, finished floor elevations, etc., moldings, trims, window and door surrounds, entryways, balconies, partitions materials, notes on special details, window sched- ule, chimney details. DRC supports all the changes made to the site plan and building design. It recommends approval of the revised site plan and building design. Motion by Rachel, seconded by Matt. Unanimous. 6. New Applications Sign – 35 Water Street The Applicant presented the application. The proposal seeks to install a wall mounted sign on a building that is used for industrial and office purposes. The building is located in a multi-building industrial complex. The application did not provide sufficient information on the signage area, loca- tion, lighting etc. DRC suggested that the applicant and staff do a site visit to bet- DRC Minutes 10-18-2022 1  ter understand the intent and design of the proposed signage. The applicant was al- so advised to work with the other industrial condo owners to determine how the signage from the industrial complex should be prepared. DRC requested additional information for sign area and other pertinent de- tails. The application was continued to the next meeting. 7. Other Business - East End Smart Growth Overlay District – Design Standards update Rachel presented a draft document with some changes to the current design stand- ards. There were members from the public present who shared photos of some other buildings and developments as examples that should be considered for mid to high density residential multifamily development and for mixed use develop- ments. DRC discussed how the design standards for the zoning ordinance will need to re- flect the neighborhood character for the existing Smart Growth district separately from the proposed Smart Growth District as the neighborhoods that they encom- pass are very different in character as well as the intended uses within those dis- tricts. It was agreed that the recommendations from the Merrimack River District Study for building design, new development and redevelopment should be re- viewed and considered in the revisions to the design standards. Further, DRC members feel that images for different building types should be carefully selected for the ordinance and balanced with sufficient verbiage to clear- ly convey the intent and purpose that each image represents for this area. It was al- so suggested that perhaps a supplementary design guide with a lot more images and more design detailed be developed to support the written text of the smart growth ordinance. DRC agreed that additional time is needed to review the new images that it re- ceived today along with the changes proposed to the existing design standards. DRC will discuss changes to the design standards at the next meeting and also which images should be incorporated into the ordinance. This would then become a working draft and then a final recommendation can be considered at the 11/14 or later DRC meeting. Motion by Rachel to continue discussion on EEOD design standards to the next meeting. Second by Matt. Continued DRC Minutes 10-18-2022 – Approved 2  6 Center Street – Historic Preservation pre-application The Applicant has submitted information on a project application that they intend to make formally under the Historic Preservation Special Permit provision of the zoning ordinance. DRC finds that the information provided with the application does not support a building of historical significance. Further, nothing in the building renovation or improvement indicates that the building is being restored to its original character. It appears that the building has changed overtime and the applicant is merely mak- ing repairs to the exterior façade. There is no information on any details that would indicate this structure was historical significant or that it represents a structure that is important to the historical and cultural heritage of the City. No details from the interior of the building were provided that would indicate that this structure repre- sents a historical or architectural style or detail by use of certain building construc- tion techniques, materials etc to be of significance that justifies its preservation. The addition of the carriage barn is also not justified as there is no evidence that one existed on this site. Based on the reasons stated above, DRC does not support this application for Historic Preservation for the structure located at 6 Center Street. Motion by Rachel, seconded by Matt. Unanimous. 8. Adjourn - Matt moved to adjourn @ 8:45pm. Rachel seconded. Approved unani- mously. DRC Minutes 10-18-2022 – Approved 3