Design Review Board

DRB July 24, 2024 Page 1 of 5 City of Salem Massachusetts Public Meeting Minutes Board or Committee: Design Review Board, Regular Meeting Date and Time: Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at 6:00 pm Meeting Location: Virtual Zoom Meeting DRB Members Present: Chair Paul Durand, Catherine Miller, Elizabeth Murray, Marc Perras, Leeann Leftwich DRB Members Absent: David Jaquith, Sarah Tarbet Others Present: Stephanie Owens, Senior Planner Kate Newhall-Smith, Principal Planner Recorder: Christine Petryszyn Signs in the Urban Renewal Area 1. 304 Essex Street: The Black Veil Ken McTague was present to discuss the project, which includes the following: • A double-sided black sign (38.75”x 30”) with gold leaf lettering, with a stationary bracket over the doorway. • The three windows will have the same logo on the glass. • The goat on the logo will be hand-painted. The letters will be carved. Ms. Leftwich noted that the space between Black and Veil looked a bit large. Mr. McTague noted that the façade is bit challenging to work with. The sign will be on the same plane as an abutting business. The logo currently covers 21% of the windows, but they will bring it down in size by 5% or so. Mr. McTague noted that the logo will not be on the front door. Public Comment: No one in the assembly wished to speak. Public comment is closed. VOTE: Miller made a motion to accept the signage as presented with Mr. McTague working to reduce the size between “Black” and “Veil” and the window logos are going to be slightly reduced in size. Durand added that the hanging distance should be 8” or less as the street is catered to pedestrians, and a surety bond needed per City of Salem Code of Ordinance for signs or strictures over public ways. Seconded by: Perras. Roll Call: Leftwich, Miller, Murray, Perras, Durand. 5-0 in favor.  DRB July 24, 2024 Page 2 of 5 Projects in the Urban Renewal Area 1. 34 Front Street: Signage & Small Project Review – Review of proposed signage and facade improvements for Good Neighbor Jamie Metsch, was present to discuss the project, which includes the following: • Signage is intended to be pedestrian in size. There was a color change requested. The only vinyl will be on the door. • A bracketed sign (14.5”x36”) over the door is planned. • The perimeter brown rim and word “neighbor” will be sticking out about a ½ inch. “Good” will be painted on. • The sign will have rounded edges. • Signage on the door includes the Salem zip code. • The sign will hang 2” from the building façade. It will have a 1 ½” inch square tube, flush mount. Ms. Murray and Ms. Leftwich expressed support for the color trim on the windows. Ms. Leftwich noted the that spacing in the word “neighbor” was not consistent. Labelle signs will creating the signs, and that issue can be addressed. Ms. Miller inquired about the other signage on Front Street as it is higher than nearby signs. Mr. Metsch noted they are limited because of the abutting balcony, but that it matches what they did on Spruce Home around the corner. It will be mounted within the masonry joints at the request of the condo association. Public Comment: No one in the assembly wished to speak. Public comment is closed. VOTE: Perras made a motion to approve the proposal as submitted. Seconded by: Miller. Mr. Durand added that the sign is not required to be stationary as it is small, and wind will be minimal. It should also be 8” or less as the street is catered to pedestrians, and a surety bond needed per City of Salem Code of Ordinance for signs or strictures over public ways. Roll Call: Leftwich, Miller, Murray, Perras, Durand. 5-0 in favor. 2. 120 Washington Street: Outdoor Dining & A-Frame Signs – Review of proposed outdoor dining and a-frame signs for Ginger Gene Nigrelli was present to discuss the project, which includes the following: • Mr. Nigrelli reported that Ginger has been at this location for three years and they have had outdoor dining. They have opted not to use the street because they need the parking. • Mr. Nigrelli reported that Sam Adams advertising umbrellas were not permitted, so new ones were purchased.  DRB July 24, 2024 Page 3 of 5 • He also reported that they met with handicap accessibility and that three tables were purchased to comply with those regulations. They will be delivered on July 31st. • There are outdoor heaters and they are in compliance and will be kept out of the accessible aisle. Ms. Miller asked if the space comes all the way to the lawn. Mr. Nigrelli reported that the space goes right up to the building and up to the grass. Pedestrians must walk through the aisle. He said there is only one entrance. Mr. Perras asked if all the wood structures could be painted black as others have been required to do. Mr. Nigrelli agreed. Mr. Nigrelli reported that the A-frame signs are only up during business hours, and are not installed during the Halloween season per the request from the Building Department. He said the podium is only there when it is busy, and he agreed to paint it black. Public Comment: No one in the assembly wished to speak. Public comment is closed. Mr. Perras expressed his appreciation for making the changes and expediating the work. VOTE: Perras made a motion to approve the proposal as submitted with the addition of painting all outdoor wooden structures black. Seconded by: Murray. Mr. Durand added per the regulations, no business is permitted to have more than one portable sign per entrance from a public ROW, that the sign can only be out during the establishment’s hours of operation, the sign can not be placed on the sidewalk during snow emergencies, can not block handicap accessibility, cannot be out on October 31st, cannot block entrances, exits, and fires escapes, and shall not block sight distances of traffic patterns, sign placement must be directly in front of the establishment, signs must be free-standing and not affixed or chained to any structure or tree, sign must be windproof, and proof of liability insurance of $1 million must be provided and remain in effect for as long as the A-frame is used. The City of Salem and the Design Review Board must be listed as insured. Mr. Perras agreed to change the A- frame sign to black. Roll Call: Leftwich, Miller, Murray, Perras, Durand. 5-0 in favor. Projects Outside the Urban Renewal Area 1. 16-18, 20R Franklin Street: North River Canal Corridor - 100% Design Drawing Review for Buildings A, C & D Phil Tarabelsi, LYF Architects, was present to discuss the project. • He shared the 100% design of building A and C at 75 North Street. Changes were made to the buildings as requested, which includes painting of the garage, painting of concrete exterior, a simplified canopy profile, an increase to the height entry to  DRB July 24, 2024 Page 4 of 5 accommodate insulation, added scoffer boxes, and downspouts in lieu of internal drainage. • They are also now using dark bronze metal elements. • Similar changes were also made to building D. Mr. Perras asked for clarification as to whether the railings and entry door would be bronze. Mr. Tarabelsi said they would. Public Comment: No one in the assembly wished to speak. Public comment is closed. Ms. Newhall-Smith reported that design materials samples were provided, and approved some time ago. VOTE: Perras made a motion to approve as submitted. Seconded by: Murray. Roll Call: Leftwich, Miller, Murray, Perras, Durand. 5-0 in favor. Mr. Durand reminded the applicant that they will need to come back before the board when the signage details are ready. New / Old Business 1. Approval of Minutes: a. May 22, 2024 b. June 26, 2024 VOTE: Miller made a motion to approve the May 22nd and June 26th meeting minutes. Seconded by: Perras. Roll Call: Leftwich, Miller, Murray, Perras, Durand. 5-0 in favor. 2. Sign Manual Update Project – Update on Project Status Kate Newhall-Smith was present to provide an update. She reported that they have updated the sign design manual for the SRA and that it is nearly done. There is a section on temporary art and temporary murals that still needs work. She expressed her appreciation to Paul, Elizabeth and Leanne, for their assistance in developing the manual. She also asked if the members could provide her any edits or changes, and/or confirm their approval via email.  DRB July 24, 2024 Page 5 of 5 The members discussed options in dealing with the P.E.M. and other educational type organizations. It was discussed that it may be helpful to see some of the previous installations/advertising/façade coverings the museum has installed. Adjournment VOTE: Perras: Motion to adjourn. Seconded by: Miller. Roll Call: Leftwich, Miller, Murray, Perras, Durand. 5-0 in favor. The meeting is adjourned at 7:10PM. Know your rights under the Open Meeting Law M.G.L. c. 39 §23B and City Ordinance Sections 2-028 through 2-2033