2023-02-01

TOWN OF MANCHESTER, VERMONT

DESIGN ADVISORY BOARD (DAB) MINUTES

February 1, 2023

KILBURN MEETING ROOM

Committee Attendees:  Joelle Greenland, John Watanabe, Mary Shoener  

Absent: Ray Nevin

Staff Attendees:  Peter Brabazon, Assistant Zoning Administrator  

Public Attendees:  Chris Megroz (via speaker phone), Lauren Kelly & Thad Buck, Sam Johnson, Steven Drunsic & Jason Keener P.E  VHB

Brabazon initiated recording. Greenland called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.

1. Watanabe motioned to approve the January 3, 2023 meeting minutes. Shoener seconded the motion. 

The motion carried 3-0

2. Chris Megroz, 96 Depot Street, Construction of new entryway (Exterior Door Installation) Application 2022-12-122, Tax Map ID 32-52-48 & 32-52-42.00 

John Watanabe posed the question to the applicant for the specifications on the new door. The applicant stated that the door proposed for the location will match all of the other single doors installed at this location.  The door will be made of mahogany and will have an oil finish.  The glass window lights will be 2 over 3 to match existing doors. There were no additional questions and a motion made to approve the application as submitted by Watanabe and seconded by Shoener. 

The motion carried 3-0

3. Thad Buck,4961 Main Street Suite #3.   New Sign installation. Application 2023-01-003, Tax Map ID 32-50-56.01

Thad Buck has proposed a new 24” X 24” Round sign for the Roadrunner. The material for the carved sign will be a high-density urethane.  The applicant indicated on the application there would not be any lighting needed at this time.  Should the applicant wish to light the sign he will come back to the DAC with the proposed lighting for review and approval.  Having no additional questions from the Board a motion to approve the application as submitted by Watanabe and seconded by Shoener.  The motion carried 3-0

4. Sam’s Wood Fired Pizza, 4478 Main Street, move existing free-standing lighted sign to the gable end of the building.  Application 2023-01-005 Tax Map ID 36-50-38.00

Sam Johnson would like to use the existing free-standing sign on the gable end of the building and add lighting in keeping with the opposite gable end.  

The discussion of sign placement in the recent past was brought up.  There had been several different proposals presented by Sam, which to date, have not been implemented.  

The free-standing sign has a frame, which according to Sam has been there for a very long time (30 years).  Watanabe asked if the intention was to remove the frame as part of the sign relocation?  Sam’s response was that he needed to get permission from the owner to remove the frame.

Watanabe made a motion to approve the sign move to the gable end and the addition of the lighting to match existing fixtures, subject to the existing free-standing sign frame to be removed.  The motion was seconded by Shoener.

  The motion carried 3-0

5. Manchester Riverwalk, Inc.  Depot Street Bridge.  Review Site Plan for new pedestrian bridge, Application 2023-01-04, Tax Map ID 32-52-25.00

Steven Drunsic gave an overview of the pedestrian bridge project.  The Manchester Riverwalk, Inc. has kept the Design Advisory Committee up to date all along the way as the designs were being developed.  Jason Keener provided two color renderings of the bridge and described the materials as epay decking which is a very dense and aesthetically appealing materials.  The Board agreed that the project is a nice addition to the downtown area and would be a welcome addition.  The lighting was mentioned to be some low-level lighting along the bridge decking.  Additional lighting on the abutments would match existing lighting in the Factory Point Park area.  

Steve and the Manchester Riverwalk Board are moving forward with plans to meet with Development Review Board at 7:30 PM this evening.  

Having no additional comments questions or concerns the motion to approve the pedestrian bridge as submitted was made by Watanabe and seconded by Shoener.

The motion carried 3-0

Other Business:

Cannabis Sign Options proposed:  

The Board has been given a sampling of proposed sign colors. The Board prefers the Green sign on top with white lettering and yellow lettering is the second choice.

Shoener made motion for recommendation for approval of the green sign with white lettering with the second choice for the yellow lettering.

Next Meeting to be scheduled February 22, 2023.  John Watanabe will be unable to attend so we will need Ray Nevin to be available.

Motion to adjourn at 5:35 P.M. by Watanabe and seconded by Shoener. 

The motion carried 3-0

___________________________________________ _______________________

For the Design Advisory Committee Date