TOWN OF MANCHESTER, VERMONT
DESIGN ADVISORY COMMITTEE (DAC) MINUTES
Committee Attendees: Ramsay Gourd, Joelle Greenland, John Watanabe.
Staff Attendees: Janet Hurley (Planning & Zoning Director).
Public Attendees: Cara Boshart, Dan Poalino.
Greenland called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. with committee members Greenland, Gourd, and Watanabe present via Zoom. She stated that the committee was authorized to meet electronically by addendum 6 of the governor’s order 01-20 and Act 92 of the Vermont legislature in response to the COVID-19 threat.
1. United Counseling Service, 5312 Main Street. Replacement of bay windows.
Hurley shared the window specifications as submitted and a few photos of the front of the building taken during the construction, now just green zipwall. Same material color and minion profile as the window above. Gourd asked what are the other windows on the ground floor are. Hurley said they are 6/6 with grilles inside. No original or historic windows on the building anymore. Greenland asked if there is a significant cost difference for these windows. Gourd confirmed that there is a cost difference. He said it is a shame because it is a sweet Greek Revival building that was clad in vinyl with less than appropriate windows installed. Gourd is loath to approve such inappropriate windows for an historic structure in our historic district, but he notes the precedent has been set on this building. Hurley pointed out that the bay windows were not historic and led to Watanabe and Greenland agreed that the building has already been compromised. The proposed windows are two pairs of 8/8 in the same openings that the bay windows were in. Watanabe motioned to recommend approval as presented. Greenland seconded the motion. Gourd said he would reserve discussion. The motion passed 2-0-1, with Gourd abstaining and Greenland and Watanabe voting in the affirmative.
Gourd asked whether historic district guidelines are established and whether the DAC can defer to them. Hurley said that historic guideline have been long-established but that this kind of thing happened regularly anyway. Greenland asked how we prevent this from continuing, each case being weighed on its own merits. Hurley reviewed the permit history and found a 1999 permit that required true simulated divided lights (SDL) not snap-in grilles. Gourd noted that the windows are grille between the glass (GBG) not as permitted. Hurley said she has no recourse as it has been more than 15 years and there was a CO issued. Gourd countered that we can impose a requirement that these new windows have SDL rather than GBG. Greenland noted that page 30 of the Design Guidelines for Manchester’s Commercial & Historic Districts establishes the SDL preference for there more authentic appearance and durability. Watanabe asked when this permit application was made. Hurley recalled that she asked the contractor to submit an application after work was begun. Gourd stated that based on what he now knows about the project and guidelines, he would chance his vote from an abstention to a no. He added this is right at street level at eyelevel, it is almost tactile, and it is a slippery slope. The windows that were installed we have no recourse over, but we cannot repeat the same mistake. Watanabe said he agreed with Gourd and would change his vote as well. Watanabe motioned to rescind the previous vote. Greenland seconded the motion to rescind. The motion passed 3-0-0.
Gourd motioned to recommend approval of the project provided the windows were fitted with permanent simulated divided lights on the exterior of the windows in keeping with district guidelines. Watanabe seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0-0.
2. Community Food Cupboard, 40 Jeff Williams Way, Installation of a 10’ x 8’ walk-in cooler and relocation of shed.
Hurley displayed the site sketch and asked Boshart if it was to scale. Boshart confirmed that it is to scale. The walk-in will be closer to the entryway than the shed is currently. Gourd asked if having the shed further from the entrance will work for the food cupboard. Boshart confirmed that it would, as the shed contains non-perishables. Gourd asked about the status of the fence. Hurley indicated that posts have been installed but no fencing yet. Boshart said that Bennington Heating & Cooling suggested that excavating to lower pad to grade would be expensive and that there is a buried propane tank adjacent to the site. Hurley suggested that there are a few inches of gravel there, and maybe it could be easily pushed aside to allow a lower slab. Gourd motioned to recommend approval as presented provided the permittee explore dropping the pad 4” if feasible. Watanabe seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0-0. Hurley will issue a permit amendment accordingly. The committee thanked Boshart for her work with the food cupboard at a time of unprecedented need.
3. Macs, 271 Depot Street, Tanks, dispensers and exterior lighting replacements.
Hurley shared application submittals on screen. She asked Dan Poalino if the light poles would be essentially the same as what is there. He confirmed they would, bronze color and added they would limit LED to 3000K color temperature. Poalino added that the lighting would have less spread. Poalino explained the compliance reasons for the tank replacements and card readers in the dispensers, which serves as an opportunity to freshen up the other features. Hurley raised the issue of site design, the front of this site consisting entirely of pavement. Given the recent upgrades on Depot Street, the Town wishes to work with Sherman B. Allen, Inc., to improve the site in conjunction with this project. Hurley shared a rough sketch on screen showing ideas for improvement that she, the Town Manager, and Town Consulting Engineer discussed. Poalino agrees to a curbing up front and says the company is not opposed to better define the property. He recounted the planter improvement project to offer better stormwater flow to the catch basin in the roadway.
Watanabe asked what Sherman Allen’s schedule for the project is. Poalino said that the tank delivery will occur first week of September. Poalino said he could meet with town staff on the site on Friday to discuss an improvement plan. Hurley suggested that the DAC make a recommendation on the dispenser and light replacements now, and a plan for the site improvements could be presented later for DAC review. Watanabe motioned to recommend approval as submitted deferring a recommendation on site improvements. Watanabe suggested that this should go before the DRB. Hurley noted that next DRB meeting is September 2, 2020, and asked whether that would be too late for Sherman Allen. Poalino suggested that would work for Sherman Allen, Inc. Greenland seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0-0. Hurley will issue a permit for tank, dispenser, and light replacements accordingly. Hurley will schedule a meeting with Poalino for Friday on site.
4. Annual Organizational Matters.
Hurley shared draft Rules of Procedure on screen. Same as previous rules with new dates.
Gourd motioned to adopt the rule of procedure as drafted. Greenland seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0-0. Hurley will distribute for signatures.
Watanabe nominated Greenland to serve as chair. Greenland said she would welcome the role for another year. Gourd seconded the nomination. The nomination carried with Greenland elected as chair, 3-0-0.
Watanabe nominated Gourd to serve as vice-chair. Gourd said he would accept the role. Greenland seconded the nomination. The nomination carried with Gourd elected as vice-chair, 3-0-0.
Gourd nominated Watanabe to serve as secretary. Watanabe said he would accept the role. Greenland seconded the nomination. The nomination carried with Watanabe elected as secretary, 3-0-0.
5. Minutes of the June 24, 2020, Meeting.
Gourd motioned to approve the minutes of June 24, 2020, with the date correction on the header. Watanabe seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0-0. Hurley will endorse the minutes on behalf of the committee.
Greenland motioned to adjourn the meeting. Gourd seconded the motion. The motion carried at 3-0-0 at 6:03 p.m. The next meeting of the committee is scheduled for August 26, 2020. The committee clarified it will not require an ad hoc meeting for Sherman Williams, Inc., but will be able to review planned site changes on August 26.
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For the Design Advisory Committee Date