TOWN OF MANCHESTER, VERMONT
DESIGN ADVISORY COMMITTEE (DAC) MINUTES
Committee Attendees: Joelle Greenland, John Watanabe, Ramsay Gourd.
Staff Attendees: Janet Hurley (Planning & Zoning Director).
Public Attendees: Ed Morrow, Jon Valles, Bill Drunsic, Bill McCabe, Bob Dowling, Mark Lenza, Maresa Bowen.
Greenland called the meeting to order at 5:01 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. She indicated that the meeting was being recorded.
1. Northshire Spiral Group, LLC, 15, 21, 39 & 41 Bonnet Street & 4869 Main Street, Barn demolition and parking lot changes associated with dissolution of the former Spiral Scoops lot, Application 2020-08-070.
Hurley displayed the proposed site plan on screen. Morrow deferred to Drunsic to describe the plan. Drunsic indicated the parcel would be split between the two adjoining parcels, the barn would be demolished, and the forward drive would be removed to be replaced with two paved parking spaces for the Charlie's lot. A swap of lands to square off the retained parcels is also proposed. Drunsic explained two aspects of the plan would be deferred and permitted separately: (1) he will add parking from the Charlie’s side, and (2) Morrow will add a driveway connection from the rear bookstore parking to allow access to the southerly portion of the lot which is to be appended to the bookstore lot. Gourd indicated that the barn is not a contributing historic structure and does not add to the streetscape. Hurley confirmed that the parcel is not in a historic district. There was a brief discussion about tree plantings as previously required. Drunsic indicated that it would happen. Gourd motioned to recommend approval as presented. Watanabe seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0-0.
2. Depot Street Associates, LLC, 365 Depot Street (Starbucks), Replacement of main entrance doors, Application 2020-09-074.
Hurley displayed the replacement door specifications on screen. McCabe explained that Starbucks needs a sturdier door model, as the current doors are constantly requiring repair. He confirmed they would be painted to match the existing. Watanabe motioned to recommend approval as presented. Greenland seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0-0. Gourd recommended that McCabe employ ball bearing hinges. As zoning administrator, Hurley will issue a permit accordingly.
3. Robert Dowling, 37 & 39 Elm Street, Design amendment involving porch additions,
Application 2018-05-029.4.
Hurley displayed the elevation drawings on screen. Dowling described plans to add covered porches to the renovated carriage house at 39 Elm Street. For the smaller proposed porch serving the main entrance, cedar shakes will be employed to match the existing. For the porch on the bank side of the building, pressure treated wood will be used for the framing and the tread and decking would consist of cedar. This porch would be roofed in asphalt matching the existing roofing. Gourd asked what the treatment would be on the triangular shed roof wall. Dowling offered that he would use wood clapboard painted white to simulate the existing horizontal corrugated metal siding on the structure. Watanabe motioned to recommend approval as presented. Gourd seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0-0. As zoning administrator, Hurley will issue a permit accordingly.
4. Total Fitness Equipment, 4964 Main Street, New signage and wall mounted HVAC units, Application 2020-09-077.
Hurley displayed application submittals on screen. Valles described the proposed signs. Both will be carved. Hurley indicated that they would match the sizes that were there previously, and the roof mounted sign would use the existing roof brackets. There was a discussion about the colors of the Total Fitness signs. Valles indicated this has been his business logo for 35 years. It was suggested that changing the white to something in between white and the cream trim on the building would be preferable. Valles was receptive to the idea. There was discussion about the already installed wall units. Hurley confirmed that the air-conditioning unit has been removed. Valles added that the wall vent has also been removed, and new siding has been painted to match existing. Committee members asked that the conduits be painted to match the siding. Valles will ask the contractor if this can be done. Hurley suggested that the DAC make its recommendation, and if Valles finds they cannot be painted, he come back for amendment. There was a brief discussion about landscaping. Hurley indicated that the property line is too close to the building to allow for it. Valles confirmed this. Gourd motioned to recommend approval as presented with the caveats that (1) the white in the signs be replaced with a derivative of the trim color, and the (2) the conduits enclosing the condensate lines be painted to match the siding. Watanabe seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0-0. As zoning administrator, Hurley will issue a permit accordingly.
5. Mark Lenza, 4724 Main Street, Barn addition, Application 2020-09-081.
Hurley displayed the aspect renderings of the barn addition. Lenza described his plan. He indicated that finishes would match those on the existing barn and door styles would match existing doors. He said that the proposed bay doors would open out and be smaller than those on the other end of the barn. He indicated that the entry door would be a six panel door and the covered entry roofing would match existing roofing on the barn as closely as possible. Watanobe motioned to recommend approval as presented. Greenland seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0-0. As zoning administrator, Hurley will issue a permit accordingly.
6. Maresa Bowen, 4965 Main Street, Sign for Well Built Wellness.
Hurley displayed the bracket specification and a photo of the light pole on which the sign is to be mounted. Bowen said the bracket would be attached to the pole with metal clamps. Gourd indicated that an 80” height is standard. Bowen is not sure what the height will be. The concern is that pedestrians could hit their heads on it if it hangs too low. Bowen liked the idea of adding arrows to the sign to indicate the direction of her entrance. Committee members agreed that was a good idea for this location. Watanabe motioned to recommend approval as presented provided the sign will allow 8 ft. clearance. Gourd seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0-0. As zoning administrator, Hurley will issue a permit accordingly.
7. rk Miles, 618 Depot Street, Additional sign panel for freestanding sign, Application 2020-09-076.
Committee members reviewed the proposed Benjamin Moore sign panel for the rk Miles freestanding sign structure in preparation for this meeting. Hurley concurred that it was a straightforward application. Gourd motioned to recommend approval as presented. Watanabe seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0-0. As zoning administrator, Hurley will issue a permit accordingly.
8. Minutes of the August 26, 2020, Meeting.
Gourd motioned to approve the minutes of August 26, 2020. Watanabe seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0-0.
Gourd motioned to adjourn the meeting. Watanabe seconded the motion. The motion carried at 3-0-0 at 5:56 p.m. The next meeting of the committee is scheduled for October 28, 2020.
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For the Design Advisory Committee Date