TOWN OF MANCHESTER, VERMONT
DESIGN ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
MARCH 30, 2022
KILBURN MEETING ROOM
Committee Attendees: John Watanabe, Ramsay Gourd.
Staff Attendees: Planning & Zoning Director Janet Hurley.
Public Attendees: Don Hayward, Chip Edson, Cameron Gray, Jeffrey Seidel (via Zoom), Rob Faro (via Zoom).
Hurley began recording. Gourd called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
Minutes of the February 23, 2022, Meeting.
Watanabe motioned to approve the minutes as drafted. Gourd seconded the motion. The motion carried 2-0-0.
Fraternal Order of the Eagles, 1610 Depot Street, Replacement signage. Application 2022-03-018, Tax Map ID 39-50-04.00.
Hurley shared the sign rendering on screen. She explained that the current wooden carved sign is to be relocated to the Garlic John’s site. She asked what material the base of the sign would consist of. Hayward said the existing wooden base would be painted the darker blue as depicted. The inserts he said would be PVC. Committee members suggested adding the E911 address to avoid confusion with the club number. Hurley indicated that the existing lighting does not meet current standards and would have to be disabled or removed. Committee members suggested LED strip lighting at the top of the sign. Edson suggested Hayward look at the LED strip lighting on the MMC sign on Bonnet Street for guidance. Hurley pointed out that the ground mounted lighting below the wall sign will also need to be removed. Hayward confirmed that no wall sign is proposed currently.
Watanabe motioned to recommend approval as proposed and discussed above. Gourd seconded the motion. The motion carried 2-0-0. Hurley indicated she would be sending a permit to Hayward soon.
Northshire Insurance, 4960 Main Street, Signage. Application 2022-03-023, Tax Map ID 32-52-08.00.
Hurley shared the proposed sign panel design for the existing freestanding sign. Seidel confirmed that it would be a carved wooden sign, black logo and lettering on cream background. Lighting options were discussed. Seidel will return with proposed lighting for the committee to review once he has found a suitable lighting option. Hurley said lighting could be approved with a permit amendment.
Watanabe motioned to recommend approval provided the panels are consistent with existing materials. Gourd seconded the motion. The motion carried 2-0-0. Hurley indicated she would work up a permit soon.
Sterling Aesthetics, 4686 & 4692 Main Street, Signage. Application 2022-03-24, Tax Map ID 31-50-23.00.
Hurley displayed the sign renderings and Edson shared some hardcopies of the renderings. Edson indicated that the “SA” script would be raised and the rest would be carved into the wood. He plans to hang the sign from the new metal framing with eye hooks and then attach the lower panels with metal strips to the main sign panel. LED strip lighting at the top of the sign is proposed. The existing structure and lighting is to be removed, but the planter will be retained and painted. Committee members recommended painting the planter black to match the new sign structure. Edson explained that the wall sign is the same as the main panel on the freestanding sign. No lighting is proposed for the wall sign.
Watanabe motioned to recommend approval as proposed and discussed above. Gourd seconded the motion. The motion carried 2-0-0. Committee members and Hurley wished Edson well in his retirement.
Mosley-Gray & Gray, 152 Bonnet Street, Conversion of garage to dwelling unit. Application 2022-03-025, Tax Map ID 32-50-72.00.Other Business.
Hurley displayed elevation renderings and window specifications as each elevation was discussed. Gourd asked about the door on the north elevation. Gray explained that unlike the depiction, the door would have a 2/3rds single panel frosted glass and single rectangle below the glass. He said he is trying to maximize light in the staircase. There was discussion about whether the kitchen counter would conflict with window placement on the west elevation. Gray explained that he is designing from the exterior to maximize light throughout the interior. Gourd suggested 4-light casement windows instead of those shown in the elevations and specifications. He also suggested that the windows should be no wider than square.
Gray explained that the decking is gray Trex product and the railing a white PVC. He said he would be adding a pediment above the door on the north elevation, but it would only extend about 2’ from the wall. Lighting options for here were discussed. Committee members suggested the best option would be a recessed light within a flat roof in the pediment. Gray agreed. Gray indicated that roofing would match existing, as would siding and trim. Gourd clarified that the specified windows have a spacer bar in between the glass panes and grilles on both the exterior and interior. Gray asked about a sign showing the street address and decoration for the existing freestanding sign structure at the front of the property. Hurley indicated that could be reviewed as a permit amendment.
Watanabe motioned to recommend approval as presented and discussed above. Gourd seconded the motion. The motion carried 2-0-0.
Robert Faro, 46 Elm Street, Replacement windows on contributing historic structure. Application 2022-03-016. Tax Map ID 37-50-24.00.
Hurley shared window specification on screen. Faro expressed his commitment to the area, desire to be in town, and to restoring the long neglected house retaining its historic characteristics as best he can. He said the windows are mostly not functional and he will not be able to replace all 21 of them in kind. Gourd stressed that it is a contributing structure in a historic district. He suggested focusing on the street side of the building. Hurley displayed the Google street view image of the front of the building showing ±8 windows on the façade.
Gourd suggested 2 over 2 Marvin Elevate fiberglass replacements with simulated divided lites for those. He and Watanabe suggested that Faro would be happier with the performance of the fiberglass. Faro countered that he has 20 year old vinyl replacements that have held up well at his current home. Gourd reiterated that vinyl replacements cannot offer the desired profile and depth with exterior muntins. Watanabe agreed with Gourd that the street side windows should not be vinyl. He suggested approval for the vinyl on the other three sides and either keeping the original windows in the front, or come back with an alternative later that meets the desired specifications.
There was discussion about energy efficiency and window replacements. Hurley, Gourd and Watanabe said that the insulation package is the key for energy efficiency and that window replacements are not as important as window purveyors would have one believe. Gourd suggested Faro restore the front windows as best he can. Faro reported that he planned to paint the house a grayish white and windows would be all white.
Watanabe motioned to recommend approval of the proposed 2 over 2 vinyl replacement windows for the sides and rear of the house only. Gourd seconded the motion. The motion carried 2-0-0.
Other Business.
The next meeting of the committee will be April 27, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. Hurley reported that the splash pad is intended to be an amenity for the pool only and that the project is delayed and design may change. Gourd addressed the issue of whether an application should be considered complete if the elevation drawings do not fully reflect specifications. Hurley explained that she relies on the committee to help make these determinations, and that the advisory review with applicants the committee provides is an important aspect of the process. Gourd appreciated Hurley’s work.
Watanabe motioned to adjourn. Gourd seconded the motion. The motion carried 2-0-0 and the meeting was adjourned at 6:10 p.m.
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For the Design Advisory Committee Date