TOWN OF MANCHESTER, VERMONT
DESIGN ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
April 27, 2022
KILBURN MEETING ROOM
Committee Attendees: Joelle Greenland, John Watanabe, Ramsay Gourd.
Staff Attendees: Planning & Zoning Director Janet Hurley.
Public Attendees: Katy McNabb, Chrissy Carroccio, Chris Ponessi, Frank Crane, Steve Wilson, Bob Short (via Zoom), Greg Van Houten (via Zoom), Fiona Morton (via Zoom).
Hurley began recording. Greenland called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
Minutes of the March 30, 2022, Meeting.
Watanabe motioned to approve the minutes as drafted. Gourd seconded the motion. The motion carried 2-0-1 with Greenland abstaining as she was not present for the meeting.
Hub International, 377 Center Hill Road, New sign, Application 2022-04-038, Tax Map ID 32-52-14.00.
Hurley shared the sign rendering on screen. Crane described the replacement sign.
Gourd motioned to recommend approval with the caveat that the sign be redesigned to offer some dimensional relief (either carved or applied). Watanabe seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0-0.
UCS, 5312 Main Street, Replacement of freestanding sign, Application 2022-04-040, Tax Map ID 32-51-07.00.
Hurley shared the proposed sign designs to replace the existing freestanding sign along with a depiction of the existing structure. Van Houten explained the plan for the new sign. He said it would replace the existing sign, extend to a height of 6 feet above grade, and would not have lighting. The graphic is vinyl on powder coated aluminum. There was discussion about the amount of text on the sign. Hurley and committee members recommended less text, perhaps adding the UCS logo. The speed of vehicles at that location is too fast to read the directory of services. Committee members suggested the directory of services could be posted on the side of the building adjacent to the driveway. Noting that the site is in a recognized historic district, the committee expressed a preference for a wooden sign. Van Houten said that wooden signs do not last. Hurley noted the existing wooden structure had been there for decades.
Watanabe motioned to recommend approval of a new freestanding sign with wooden posts and panel without the text identifying the services offered. Gourd seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0-0. The committee encouraged Van Houten to recommend UCS include its logo on the graphics.
McDonald's, 180 Depot Street, Site and design changes, Application 2018-11-106.4, Tax Map ID 32-52-40.22.
Hurley displayed the sign plans for changes at the McDonald’s site. Wilson described the proposed plan to add a second drive-thru lane to alleviate stacking on the site, with a second menu board and a pay window bump out. New larger columns are proposed for the front of the building, along with a cream paint color and new architectural asphalt shingles. The second drive-thru lane would mean duplicate ordering stations with 2 speakers, 2 menu boards, and 2 clearance bars. Wilson explained that use of digital menu boards allows for smaller structures because the entire menu does not need to be displayed at once.
Gourd motioned to recommend approval as proposed. Watanabe seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0-0.
NOTE: The Zoom meeting session aborted and Hurley was unable to reconnect.
Bob Short, 114 Elm Street, Site plan changes, Application 2021-11-122.1, Tax Map ID 37-50-31.00.
Hurley called Bob Short and put him on speaker phone. She displayed application submittals. Short explained the new use and proposed site plan. He said one parking space is proposed in front of the easterly dumpster enclosure. He said the storefront doors open outward at 36 inches. Hurley recommended flexible car stops. Short said the hours of operation of The Glass Shop are 7 to 5 Monday through Friday and half day Saturday. Vacasa operates from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week. Short said the fencing for the dumpster enclosures would be solid vinyl PVC fencing.
Committee members expressed a preference for wood due to the site falling in the Manchester Depot Historic District. Short explained that the front of each enclosure would be a hinged gate so that haulers could access each dumpster. Each enclosure would be situated on a hard surface of 6” x 6” pressure treated frame with gravel fill. Four arborvitae are proposed to extend the hedgerow recently planted along the east property line. Gourd recommended one more on the north end next to the town parking lot.
Watanabe motioned to recommend approval as presented and discussed above, with the DRB to determine the wood fencing details. Gourd seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0-0.
TPW, 4903 Main Street, Site and design changes, Application 2020-11-102.1, Tax Map ID 32-50-63.00.
Hurley shared design plans for a front patio and adjoining landscaping. McNabb described the plan to replace the concrete walkway with bluestone, install the bluestone patio and plant that new tree where one was removed a few years ago. Green land thanked the applicants for coming back with a plan to replace the tree. McNabb explained the need to regrade the front yard to flatten the area for the patio. She and Corroccio explained that the idea is to add to the inviting streetscape with an attractive sitting area (Hurley displayed proposed benches). It would be inviting to passersby but primarily for use by TPW.
Gouurd asked if Carroccio would consider installing a short hedge around it. Carroccio said no because it would be too much of a deterrent. She wants to widen the path to the door to be more in keeping with the scale of the building and retain the garden beds. If public use becomes too much of a problem, a small sign identifying the patio as private could be installed. Gourd asked if the benching would be bolted down. McNabb noted it is very heavy. Carroccio said bolting would be tasteful if needed. Watanabe asked if the bluestone would be set in concrete. Carroccio said either that or dry laid. Watanabe recommended dry laid as esier to maintain in the long run due to buckling and settling that may occur.
Gourd motioned to recommend approval as proposed. Watanabe seconded the motion. Greenland asked what species of tree would be planted. McNabb said it would likely be Ginko or Freeman Maple. The motion carried 3-0-0.
Roundhouse Bar & Grill, 2282 Depot Street, Signage, Application 2022-04-039, Tax Map ID 19-20-19.00.
Hurley displayed the proposed signage. Ponessi explained the change of use to restaurant from the private Eagles Club. He said the Applicants would be submitted additional plans for extending service with a town water connection. Gooseneck lights such as those used for Pearl’s place are proposed. The existing light posts will be removed.
Watanabe motioned to recommend approval of the signage and lighting as proposed. Gourd seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0-0.
Bonnet & Main, 15 Bonnet Street & 4869 Main Street, Outdoor service plan for restaurant, Application 2022-04-041, Tax Map ID 32-50-83.00.
Hurley called Fiona Morton and put her on speaker phone while displaying application submittals. Morton explained that the 6’ x 8’ shed on the Thomas Jefferson courtyard would function as a soup shack in the winters and for gelato sales in the summer. Morton described the outdoor service and seating plan for the Bonnet Street side of the building.
The LED lighting is shielded and to be strung between poles on high tensile wire that will not sag. Gourd explained that due to the hanging bistro lights extending from the wire toward the ground, they would need to be mounted higher than the 8 feet proposed to allow clearance for taller people. He also explained the preference for 2700K color temperature with a 3000K maximum. Greenland asked what the hours of operation would be. Morton responded that hours were primarily daytime, but there may be some evening events. She said the lighting would be inviting for diners even in the daylight. Gourd agreed.
Gourd motioned to recommend approval as presented with the posts to be mounted to offer 8 feet of clearance from the bottom of the light fixtures. Watanabe seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0-0.
Other Business.
Hurley noted that Sam Johnson was unavailable due to coaching duties for a lacrosse game at Champlain Valley. The next meeting of the committee is planned for May 27, 2022. However, Hurley explained that she must use or lose a few weeks of vacation time before June 30 and that it might mean missing or postponing the next meeting. Watanabe asked about the force DAC recommendations. Hurley explained that DAC recommendations become conditions of a permit issued by her administratively.
Watanabe motioned to adjourn. Gourd seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0-0 and the meeting was adjourned at 6:14 p.m.
___________________________________________ _____________________________
For the Design Advisory Committee Date