TOWN OF MANCHESTER, VERMONT
DESIGN ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
JANUARY 5, 2022
KILBURN MEETING ROOM
Committee Attendees: John Watanabe, Ramsay Gourd, Joelle Greenland (all via Zoom).
Staff Attendees: Planning & Zoning Director Janet Hurley (via Zoom).
Public Attendees: Pete & Andrea Conrad (via Zoom).
Hurley began recording. Greenland called the meeting to order at 5:01 p.m. Greenland indicated that Town Hall WAS open to any who wished to participate in person; however, no in person participants showed up. Due to an abundance of caution given high COVID numbers, participants are conducting the meeting via Zoom.
Minutes of the November 23, 2021, Meeting.
Watanabe motioned to approve the minutes as drafted. Gourd seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0-0.
Conrad Property Management, LLC, 345, 347, & 349 Bonnet Street, Site and design plan review with lot merger and waiver request. Application 2021-12-129, Tax Map 31-50-06.00 & 31-50-06.01.
Hurley displayed the site plan and architectural elevations. P. Conrad described the project to replace the rear wing of the multifamily building to serve as innkeeper family residence (2 bedrooms up, 2 bedrooms down). The new wing will be 30’ x 44’ – 4 feet wider than the existing wing, but still not as wide as front wing. He indicated that chimneys will be replaced with red brick. Twenty eight trees are proposed to be planted to screen the parking lot and enhance the site. Conrad said they would be a mix of hemlock and spruce on the river side, and birches and maples along the frontage. Roofing will be synthetic slate (European) with straight run installation.
Windows will be Marvin Elevate double hung 6 over 6 to match those already installed in the front wing. Hurley explained that the property has only became included in the Design review Overlay since November, so the window replacement project was begun before a permit would have been required. Gourd offered that he felt the proposed new wing was sensitive to the existing architectural detailing and the synthetic slate is an appropriate choice. The Conrads confirmed that the finishes on the new wing will match those of the original.
P. Conrad said there will be recessed LED lighting on the porch. Committee members indicated that 2700K color temperature is preferred, and they should not exceed 3000K. P. Conrad also said there may be some wicker furniture on the new side porch to match that on the front porch. The Conrads explained that the construction of this residence will be priority and constitute the first phase of work. The parking lot will be undertaken after the residence is finished.
P. Conrad explained that the walkway from the parking lot to the rear wing will not occur as shown. Rather is will curve around to connect with the front walkway. It will be stamped concrete and bordered by boxwoods. Existing post lighting in the vicinity will be removed and no new lighting is proposed. Gourd asked if evergreens were considered to screen the parking from the front. Hurley suggested shrubs for this purpose. P. Conrad said he was amenable to any effective screening plan. The Conrads explained that they have been working with the state on the removal of the pond and per state standards the stream cannot be relocated. It will follow the west end of the pond line. There was further discussion about what the site plan should show and details that should be included.
Watanabe recommended approval as presented provided the following revisions are made to the site plan:
1. Indicate existing post lamps to be removed in front of the proposed parking lot.
2. Indicate the planned walkway to connect new parking to the walkway at the front of the building.
3. Indicate the engineering details for the parking lot to be surfaced with pervious pavement.
4. Indicate species for the proposed trees and a 3-4’ high hedgerow on the east side of the parking lot to screen the lot from Bonnet Street.
5. Remove the fence from the plans.
6. Indicate the new building footprint for the rear wing.
7. Show the proposed new location of the garbage shed.
8. Show the swimming pool.
9. Indicate the course of the stream after pond removal.
10. Indicate that all exterior LED lighting will be 2700K color temperature.
Gourd seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0-0.
Other Business.
The next meeting of the committee is scheduled for January 29, 2022.
Gourd motioned to adjourn. Watanabe seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0-0 and the meeting was adjourned at 5:33 p.m.
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For the Design Advisory Committee Date