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: Dan Poalino, Terry Meissner, Nicole Kesselring.
Greenland called the meeting to order at 5:02 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 executive order 01-20 and Act 92 of the Vermont legislature in response to the COVID-19 threat. Kesselring reported that Poalino was having trouble connecting. Hurley provided a dial-in number and meeting ID for Kesselring to convey. The committee took up the TD Bank application first.
1. TD Bank, 58 Bonnet Street, Replacement Signage.
Hurley shared proposed plans on screen. Terry Meissner presented the proposed new signs and explained that TD is rebranding, dropping the bank text to emphasize they are more than a bank. Hurley raised issues about the size and positioning of the directionals. The consensus among the committee was that they should exhibit the same surface area as what they are replacing. Watanabe asked why the directionals need replacement at all. Meissner explained. Hurley indicated that the directionals appear to be too close to the sidewalk and could be hit by the town sidewalk plow. Hurley also asked whether the existing lighting was shielded. Committee members felt the lighting should be downcasting per current ordinance standards. Meissner was receptive to the issues raised. Gourd motioned to recommend approval as presented with the following caveats: (1) the directional signs should be scaled down to a maximum 2 square feet, (2) the directional signs should be moved further from the sidewalk to avoid conflict with town sidewalk plowing, (3) existing uplighting should be replaced with new shielded downcasting lighting, and (4) the post supporting the electrical conduit and outlet should be painted to green to match the freestanding sign posts. Greenland seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0-0. As zoning administrator, Hurley will issue a permit accordingly.
2. Mac’s Market, 271 Depot Street, Tanks, dispensers and exterior lighting replacements.
Dan Poalino confirmed that he was connected. Hurley shared a proposed site plan. Dan Poalino introduced engineer Nicole Kesselring. He described the reasoning behind the proposed landscape plan, including safety issues, beautification, and definition of property boundaries. A Kesselring added details about the design approach. A fixed raised curb, as was previously contemplated, would have created stormwater issues. Parking curbs will allow water to migrate through and sheet off the pavement. Hurley shared a photo of a landscape solution similar to that proposed designed by Kesselring at Five Guys in Rutland. Poalino explained why gas spill would be very minimal.
Hurley relayed that Town Manager John O’Keefe expressed concern that the parking curbs be securely fixed into the ground. Poalino said they would be pinned and secured in the ground with rebar. Kesselring added that defining the access points to the property, which should prevent continued driving over the sidewalk adjacent to the pumps. Kesselring also explained that the planters need to be positioned to allow access by the fuel transport trucks. A stripped island on the west side will help define the property limits, and on the east side a new grass island is proposed. There was discussion about landscape maintenance on the property. Poalino explained that stone is proposed instead of mulch. Committee members expressed a strong preference for mulch instead of the proposed 1”-4” river stone. Hurley displayed the side profile of the proposed garden. Poalino pointed out that the garden will be recessed. The stone and mulch options were extensively discussed.
Watanabe asked about the material composition of the planter. Kesselring indicated the new planter would be defined by granite curbing. Watanabe expressed concern about having two different planter designs. Kesselring noted the existing raised planter at the other end matches the Price Chopper raised planter. Poalino added that the raised planter protects the Citco sign.
Watanabe motioned to recommend approval the new site design as presented with the strong recommendation that mulch be used in the planting beds rather than stone. Gourd seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0-0. Poalino was expressed receptivity to the idea of using mulch instead of stone.
3. Minutes of the July 29, 2020, Meeting.
Watanabe motioned to approve the minutes of July 29, 2020. Gourd seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0-0.
Greenland motioned to adjourn the meeting. Watanabe seconded the motion. The motion carried at 3-0-0 at 5:42 p.m. The next meeting of the committee is scheduled for September 30, 2020.
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For the Design Advisory Committee Date