TOWN OF MANCHESTER, VERMONT
DESIGN ADVISORY COMMITTEE (DAC) MINUTES
Committee Attendees: Joelle Greenland, John Watanabe, Ramsay Gourd, Alan Benoit.
Staff Attendees: Janet Hurley (Planning & Zoning Director).
Public Attendees: Karen Geriak, Adam Dworkin, Emma VanVorst, Frank Parent, Ed Morrow, Marek Kovak, Paul Carroccio, Chip Edson, Mary Jo Gourd, Steven Bryant, Suzanne Fontaine.
Greenland called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. with committee members Greenland, Benoit, 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. Hurley asked that all participants mute themselves unless speaking.
1. Cold Cow Creamery, 4645 Main Street, Replacement windows and signage, Application 2020-08-064.1.
Hurley shared application submittals on screen. Greenland asked what the material of the existing windows is and what the material of the replacements is. Geriak said the existing are wood and the replacements are vinyl. Committee member Gourd joined the meeting. Geriak directed attention to the window quote showing the double hung replacements. She explained that she needs to install windows that open to allow air circulation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Also need one in the kitchen to allow air circulation. These will be at the front of the building. Geriak confirmed that the replacements are one over one with no grilles in them. Gourd pointed out that the picture unit combination had grilles on the upper smaller panes. Gourd asked why vinyl and are they simulated divided lights, or grille between the glass. Hurley confirmed from the specification that they are grille between the glass.
The existing picture window has divided lights. Geriak noted that the windows have never been replaced and they are single pane and allow water into the building. Hurley displayed existing side window. Gourd confirmed existing windows have divided lights. Geriak confirmed that the temporary order window will also be replaced. Greenland asked whether a quote for wood windows was obtained. Gourd noted that fiberglass is also an option. Hurley summarized that grilles were only proposed for the paired small upper panes beside the picture window on the south side. Geriak remarked that adjacent buildings do not have grilles. Gourd wants to see some articulation and some scale even the picture windows downtown have some articulation. He gave pinball arcade example with muttons above. Hurley asked what the committee would like to see in this case. Gourd suggested replacement of existing windows with in-kind with grilles on the exterior. Geriak said she could do the grilles. Hurley suggested that would be 6 over 6 for the front double hung windows. For the south side of the building a 12 light picture window unit and two 4 over 4 side windows.
Greenland noted that she wanted to provide consistency as a committee in terms of window material. She recalled allowing vinyl when vinyl had been used previously on an historic building. Hurley noted that this is not an historic building in an historic district. Gourd noted that simulated divided lights may not be available for vinyl windows. Watanabe asked whether other than vinyl was looked at. Geriak and Dworkin confirmed they had not looked at other material.
The proposed signage was discussed. Hurley showed the proposed signage plan. Gourd observed that the pink of the sign and gray of the building are of the same value and suggested a border to make the sign pop. Geriak noted that Cold Cow Creamery is just a pop-up business during the COVID threat and she would be coming back to the committee next year with a plan for dining room expansion and permanent signage. Gourd motioned to recommend approval of replacement windows of a material that allows simulated divided lights with muttons appropriate to the scale of the building in keeping with the previous windows and approval of the signs as presented. Watanabe seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0-0.
2. The Old Brick Furniture Co., 1011 Depot Street, Replacement sign panels, Application 2020-11-094.
Hurley displayed the proposed signage. VanVorst explained that Bennington Furniture purchased Old Brick Furniture Company and is proposing these sign replacements with new logo and branding. Hurley asked VanVorst if the two existing signs on the south side (street side) of the building would also be replaced. VanVorst said she was only made aware of the freestanding panel and the window stencil for the west façade. Hurley explained that the current application is for just these two, and if the other two (wall sign and awning) were to be replaced, they would have to be presented separately. Gourd remarked that it is a shame that the vertical Old Brick Furniture Company logo does not maximize this horizontal panel arrangement. Watanabe motioned to recommend approval as submitted. Gourd seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0-0.
3. Bromley Manor, 2595 Depot Street, Construction of private patios, Application 2020-11-095.
Hurley shared the site plan on screen. Parent explained the project. Greenland remarked that the patios would not be seen from the street. Parent confirmed that would be the case. These are patios off the back of the apartments. He noted they would be using a permeable paver to avoid increasing impervious cover. He shared the specifications with Hurley via email. Hurley noted that she may not have passed that information to the committee. Gourd asked if they were perforated. Parent said the blocks themselves are solid, but the space around them allows water infiltration. Gourd asked whether the pavers were ADA compliant. Parent indicated they were. Greenland asked whether any parking spaces were lost with the patio additions. Parent confirmed that no parking spaces were lost. The patios will replace what is currently lawn. Gourd motioned to recommend approval as presented. Watanabe seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0-0.
4. Northshire Bookstore, 4869 Main Street, Construction of interior access drive, Application 2020-11-097.
Hurley displayed the proposed site plan. Morrow noted this has to do with the dissolution of the 21 Bonnet Street property. The bookstore is retaining the southern half and this connection will allow access for the bookstore property. Morrow directed attention to the proposed driveway. Morrow explained that only one parking space will be lost because the parking spaces would be restriped at 9 feet wide, rather than 10 feet as currently configured. This will result in the loss of only one space. An upper island would be a foot narrower with this new configuration.
Hurley suggested that the landscaping plan be presented at a later date. Morrow noted that his daughter-in-law is the landscaper and the landscaping would be substantially the same. Morrow explained that currently the area where the driveway is proposed is almost entirely gravel. Hurley showed Google imagery that confirmed this. Morrow noted that the driveway joins the pavement between the two trees as shown. Watanabe asked what the time line for the work is. Morrow said as soon as possible, because he will lose access to the area as soon as Drunsic removes the northerly driveway to replace it with parking for Charlies. Watanabe would like to see the area and evaluate landscaping at a later date. Greenland reiterated that the committee would like to see the plans when they are prepared to be consistent with what is expected from other applicants. Gourd noted that the area is not visible from the street and the landscaping will be consistent with what is there. Hurley noted that this is going to the DRB. Gourd motioned to recommend approval as presented with an understanding that the landscaping be consistent with what is there on the property. Watanabe seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0-0.
5. rk Miles, 618 Depot Street, Sign modification, Application 2020-09-076.1.
Hurley noted that this is a very minor alternation. The Benjamin Moore sign panel is proposed to be a little bit smaller than previously approved. Watanabe motioned to recommend approval of the change as proposed. Gourd seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0-0.
6. MJG Interiors, 98 Bonnet Street, New freestanding sign, Application 2020-11-098.
Gourd recused himself from review of this application. Benoit joined the committee to serve in Gourd’s place. Hurley displayed the sign and the proposed location. Greenland asked what the sign height is. Edson said the top of the post would be 84 inches, so the sign panel would hang about 4 feet from the ground. Edson explained that this is an existing sign that Mary Jo Gourd had at the Little Equinox. Hurley asked M. Gourd whether she would want sign lighting. She answered that she would not. Hurley asked about plantings beneath the sign. M. Gourd indicated that she would maintain it as lawn for now. Benoit motioned to recommend approval as presented. Watanabe seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0-0.
7. Pearls Place, 1942 Depot Street, Building renovations. Application 2020-11-100.
R. Gourd representing the applicant, remained recused from this review. Benoit continued to serve in his place. Hurley displayed the proposed plans. Gourd explained that Pearl’s Place is the reimagining of the former Bistro Henry. The exterior will receive a full renovation. The long front porch will be extended, the smaller porch to be trimmed with capitals. The idea is an extended farmhouse that has evolved over time. The patchwork of corrugated metal roofing will be replaced with standing seam metal. The existing slate roof on the original house structure will be repaired with slate as needed. Replacement windows are aluminum clad windows in a bronze finish to match the new roofing. A shed dormer seen on the west elevation is to be removed. Reconfigured for a drive up window and reconfigured loading dock in the back. A rear bulkhead door is to be replaced with a service door. A new service door added for patio. A new chimney is to be added on the south side adjacent to the patio dining. Another shed dormer to be removed on the east side. Cultured stone clad exterior fireplace, prefabricated unit for exterior application. Bryant said it would likely be gas, but could be wood.
Patio will be pavers, replacing existing decking. Post lights to be added along the driveway to replace floodlights on utility poles. 2700K LED lights. Outdoor seating will be expanded. A pea stone patio with picnic tables is also proposed. A tight evergreen screening will screen the pea stone patio from the workings at the rear of the building. The north driveway will have clockwise circulation to function for the take out service. Watanabe asked if this was going to the DRB. Hurley confirmed that it was, but there was not time to warn for the conditional use review for December. Gourd located the lighting specifications and the color pallet to display on screen. Hawthorne yellow lemon chiffon trim, bronze roof and windows, slate weathered with iron oxide, bronze lights. Greenland asked whether snow guards are needed. Gourd indicated they were not necessary in this case. Watanabe asked how many light poles were proposed. Hurley displayed the site plan. Post lamps around the deck to be removed. Floodlights on a utility pole also to be removed. The posts will allow for pedestrian clearance. Benoit motioned to recommend approval as submitted. Watanabe seconded the motion. The Motion carried 3-0-0. Benoit exited the meeting.
8. Tulley, LLC, & 4915 Main Street, LLC, 4903 & 4915 Main Street, Installation of replacement windows, heat pumps, and split rail fence, removal of shed roof, and rear entryway changes at 4915 Main Street, Application 2020-11-101.
Hurley displayed the application submittals on the screen. Carroccio explained the TPW office proposal to remove a pear tree and replace with another deciduous tree in the spring, display an evergreen in a pot for the winter, and add a split rail fence at the rear. Carroccio explained that the pear tree does not branch and needs to be trimmed every year, such that it will no longer Watanabe asked for clarification on whether this is one or two separate applications. Hurley said the application is consolidated for both properties. She asserted that it is one application applied to both properties, as one project, as one site.
Greenland asked that if there were any conduits associated with the heat pumps that they be painted to match the building. Carroccio confirmed that he would do that. He said he would come back in the spring with a permit request for painting. He continued describing that the heat pumps would be mounted at 18 inches from the ground on mounting stands, rather than mounted on the building. Greenland asked whether three split rails are proposed. Hurley showed the proposed fence with three rails. Carroccio noted that the rails could be removed in the winter for snow removal or emergencies. The windows are proposed to match the existing 6 over 6 vinyl with grilles between the panes. Carroccio reviewed historic photos of the building and noted that interestingly there was a phase in the 1960s and 1970s where there were no divided lights, and in the 1950s they were 2 over 2. Gourd indicated that was likely the original patterns for this Victorian building.
Long-range plan is to refresh the front back to a 1950s look. Gourd asked Hurley to display the south elevation. Carroccio noted that the window on that side was the original take out window for Mother Myrick’s in the 1970s. Hurley showed the north side of the building and asked if the picket fence was still there. Carroccio indicated that it was and that at least ten air conditioners were to be removed. Greenland asked about relocating electrical service to the rear. Carroccio confirmed this was the plan. All the wiring on the front of the building would be removed. Gourd indicated this is a case were the windows have a negligible impact on the streetscape. Accordingly, Gourd motioned to recommend approval as presented. Watanabe seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0-0.
9. Bonnet & Main, 15 Bonnet Street, Soup shack, fire pits, and bench seating. Application 2020-05-038.1.
Hurley displayed application submittals. Fontaine explained this was being proposed as an attraction, a place to sit. The soup sack is located on the patio next to the Thomas Jefferson installation. Gourd asked whether the fire pits were to be wood burning and whether the fire chief was consulted. Fontaine said that they are far enough from the building that she is not worried about them and they are fitted with metal screens. They will be installed directly over the lawn. Hurley noted that there is an outdoor fire ordinance. Fontaine said that a paver could be installed underneath the units. Hurley confirmed that the fire chief should be consulted.
Greenland asked for clarification about picnic tables that were placed on the grass for the summer season. Fontaine explained the arrangement was made to place them there temporarily. Greenland asked about the outdoor restaurant heaters. Fontaine indicated they would not work for this application and were not readily available. She confirmed that these are all temporary installations. Hurley indicated that the shack could be approved as a temporary structure for up to six months. Gourd motioned to recommend approval as submitting but recommends looking into propane rather than wood burning pits as well as consulting with the fire chief. Watanabe seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0-0.
10. Approval of minutes of October 28, 2020, meeting.
Watanabe motioned to approve the minutes of October 28, 2020. Gourd seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0-0.
Watanabe asked for more clarification on why the Carroccio project is not two applications. Gourd indicated that it is a simple question of paperwork. Hurley agreed explaining that the application form only has room to indicate one landowner, so Carroccio filled out two forms, but it is one application. There was more discussion about window guidelines. Greenland expressed that concern about the plethora of temporary signs. She hoped this will be cleaned up after COVID. Hurley indicated that enforcement of temporary sign regulations is not going to be a priority during the COVID-19 emergency. Watanabe advocated that the window standards be prescriptive rather than guidelines. He is concerned about there being too much subjectivity in the process. This will require revised bylaws. Hurley suggested applying for a municipal planning grant to work on changes to the historic districts and the design guideline in the coming years.
Gourd motioned to adjourn. Watanabe seconded the motion. The motion carried and the meeting was adjourned at 6:52 p.m. The next meeting of the committee is scheduled for Monday, December 21, 2020, at 5:00 p.m., rather than Wednesday, the day before Christmas Eve.
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For the Design Advisory Committee Date