TOWN OF MANCHESTER, VERMONT
DESIGN ADVISORY BOARD (DAB) MINUTES
July 26, 2023
KILBURN MEETING ROOM
Committee Attendees: Joelle Greenland, John Watanabe, Mary Shoener
Excused Ray Nevin
Staff Attendees: Peter Brabazon, Zoning Administrator
Public Attendees: Cindy Luce, Andrea Conrad & Lillian Bogossian
via telephone Suzanne Fontaine
Brabazon initiated recording. Greenland called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
Greenland asked for a motion to approve Minutes of May 24th 2023 and Shoener made the motion to approve seconded by Watanabe, all in favor motion passed 3-0. The June 28th minutes are still outstanding due to a missing section and tabled along with special meeting minutes from June 7thuntil the next meeting.
The motion carried 3-0
Bennington County Habitat for Humanity, 51 Memorial Avenue. A new larger sign measuring 78” X 33.” Is proposed to replace existing sign. A new hanging sign will also be installed to replace previous sign. The smaller sign will be measuring 37” wide by 18” high Application 2023-07-059, Tax Map ID 32-50-51.00
Cindy Luce, representing Habitat for Humanity, stated they are now in the process of rebranding and therefore need to change out the look and design of existing signs to match the new look for Habitat. The new sign will hang from the soffit which is the smaller sign and is a double sided sign. The second sign is on the South side facing Maplefields. Chip Edson was out of Town but recommended a larger sign that will measure 78” Wide X 33” high. There is no lighting proposed for this application. As drawn on the submission, the red marking represents the outline of the larger sign. The sign is made of wood and will be using eyelets to affix the sign to the building. The sign will be about 6” lower due to the eyelet locations. Watanabe made a motion to recommend approval as submitted the second came from Shoener.
All lighting will meet current ordinance specifications the lights will be off at closing. The LED will be no more than 40 watts and not to exceed 2700 to 3000 kelvins.
Remove and replace the back loading dock. The existing dock will be removed and the landing will be going from 6’ X 6’ to 12’ X12’. The ramp is to be moved to the opposite side as it exists is for loading and unloading and not for handicap accessibility. The parking lot is currently gravel but the plan is to pave at some point in the future. Is there enough space to meet setback as this is proposed? The change will allow for an additional parking space. Phase 1 is expansion of the dock and signs and new ramp to be flipped.
Phase 2 of the project will require additional information to respond to the design (new doors and window placements). The applicant will also be asked to provide details on any additional landscaping being considered. Will the applicant be considering any additional sidewalk from the parking to the entry? These items can be reviewed in greater detail when the applicant is ready.
Watanabe made the motion to recommend approval for the phase 1 as submitted seconded by Shoener. The motion carried 3-0 in favor.
Megan Tifft & Andrea & Pete Conrad., 385 Bonnet Street. New one story Mahar Funeral Home building, Application 2023-07-057, Tax Map ID 31-50-05.00
The Board reviewed the proposed elevations. The main entryway will be facing Bonnet Street. The barn doors face Bonnet street and the covered porch towards the gazebo.
The lighting will be provided in the future but will follow the ordinance. The roofing will be the Davinci rubber membrane, the same as the product used at the Barnstead Inn. The specification sheet was provided and detailed the siding, roofing and window materials. There are two floors identified but there seems to be floors missing from the plans? The existing building will be much taller and there is no dimension identified on the draft drawing. The question of existing foundation and the exact footprint of the building was discussed and the applicant had no current plans to replace the foundation. That plan may change if the foundation is not useable but will not be determined until the demolition is completed. The applicant will need to return to the Design Advisory with the details. The applicant will be returning with lighting plan and landscaping plan.
The parking lot will be defined and will have enough spaces to accommodate the two bedrooms. The downstairs will be set up as an open floor plan, to host events. Similar to the existing event barn at the Inn at Manchester.
Watanabe made the motion to approve the design as submitted seconded by Shoener. The motion carried 3-0.
Decorative Interiors, 4570 Main Street. New paint color change for exterior of the building, Application 2023-07-058 Tax ID 36-50-43.00
Lillian Boggosian is requesting to change the color of her building at 4570 Main street.
The color is Benjamin Moore white. The brown inset of the trim and black repeats on the front door and the sign. There were no further questions.
Watanabe made a motion to approve as submitted contingent upon receiving the exact name of the product to be used. Shoener seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0
Bonnet & Main/Suzanne Fontaine, 4869, 4969 Main Street.
New 26” X 36” Blade Sign to be located over entry door. Application 2023-05-037 Tax ID 32-50-81.00
Greenland placed a call to the applicant to see if she could be present by phone. The applicant called back and said she is working and not available for being present at the meeting physically.
One is being substituted for an existing location flat sign plus a new blade sign and had been installed on the building previously. The sign is approximately 6” larger than the old on one finished dimension are 36” X 36”. The original logo was done quickly and now they have a desired design. The materials are made of wood and raised lettering painted white, window signs will be removed and will have a few decorative pieces, but no lettering is planned. The light that is flush is existing. The new awnings will be low profile and will make the window look more finished with not writing on them. The proposal for the awnings will be 10 “from the face of the building. The corner location does look as though the height may be close to min head heights. The applicant asked for it to be approved for the size that is more in keeping with the standard sizes.
The Board had no additional questions or concerns. A motion was made by Watanabe and seconded by Shoener. The motion carried 3-0
Other Business:
The discussion was brought up regarding what the Advisory Board is called. The consensus among the members present, was that it will continue to be called the Design Advisory Board (DAB). All letterhead and notations should reference the name moving forward from today.
Annual meeting adoption of Rules:
Motion to approve rules, modified to reflect minor changes submitted by Greenland was made by Watanabe and seconded by Shoener accepting changes noted and read into the meeting minutes as follows:
“Any applicant or interested party must appear in person, unless they can demonstrate a hardship to the administrative officer, who will decide its merits. Its valid applicants with approved hardships can attend meeting via remote or be represented by an agent.”
Motion by Watanabe and seconded by Shoener. The motion carried 3-0
Motion made Watanabe for Greenland continue to be Chair seconded by Shoener
All in favor 3-0
Motion made by Watanabe for Shoener continue to be Secretary, seconded by Greenland All in favor 3-0
Motion made by Greenland for Watanabe to be Vice Chair, seconded by Shoener
All in favor 3-0
With no additional business Watanabe made a motion to adjourn the meeting and seconded by Shoener. The motion carried 3-0 Meeting Adjourned at 6:08 pm
Next Meeting scheduled for August 30th at 5:00 PM
___________________________________________ _______________________
For the Design Advisory Board Date