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2012-03-01CITY OF BEVERLY BOARD: DATE: BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: RECORDER: OTHERS PRESENT: Bruce calls the meeting to order. PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES Design Review Board March 1, 2012 Bill Finch, Colleen Bruce, Rachel Matthews, Karen Bebergal Jane Brusca Associate Planner Kate Newhall Kate Newhall Don Martin, Ward 5 City Councilor 1. 48 Dodge Street — Site Plan Review: Walgreen's Pharmacy — Westward Apple Orchards Limited Partnership, 48 Dodge Street, Beverly, MA 01915 Attorney Tom Alexander presents his client's site plan, describing the location and its surroundings. He introduces the project team including, Mr. Swerling from Bohler Engineering, Mr. Loring from Moeser and Associates, Jeffrey Dirk from Vanasse and Associates and Jeff Rhuda from Symes Development, the property owner. Together they present the changes to the site plan that was originally presented to the Board in January 2012. The revised plans preserve a portion of the historic home on the corner, added landscaping along Conant and Dodge Streets and made changes to the exterior elevations. Swerling presents site plan in detail. He stated that the development team and Walgreen's saved a prominent piece of the house, although not the whole structure because it impeded too far into the site. This softened the intersection at IA as well as the addition of extra landscaping at the corner. Overall the site now has 2 '/z times more plantings than the original plan. There is a 5' wide landscaped strip along the Dodge Street property line. Lorigan describes the design changes to the building's facade. They added some elements to make the walls along Conant Street less plain. Introduced more clapboards and reduced some of the brick. There is added trim, pilasters and a sloping mansard roof. Lorigan states that the hip roof was removed along with the glass that was present in January. They changed the color of the building to more muted earth tones so that it would blend better with the other buildings on the site, including the historic home. The goal was to not draw attention away from the historic home while also complimenting the existing buildings. Finch asks for a building section to see the mansard. Lorigan states that the corner of the building gives the idea of what the profile will look like but he does not have a building section to show. Finch states that the changes to the original plans were very responsive to the comments made by the DRB in January. However, he believes the mansard is too shallow to make a visual impact. Lorigan states that the mansard comes out 18," which will still have a visual impact. Bruce also agrees that these revised plans are greatly improved from those presented in January. Finch suggests fenestration along middle section along Dodge Street elevation. Lorigan states that this can be added. DRB March 1, 2012 Page 2 of 3 Lorigan shows a brick sample, which is more tan than red. Finch prefers a red brick. Bebergale agrees with Finch. Bebergale states that the red will fit in better with the surrounding buildings. Lorigan wanted to look a bit different than the buildings across the street, which is why the color was changed. Bruce asks about the clapboard colors. Lorigan states that they are cream. Matthews states that she understands the need to stand out with the buff brick rather than the red and is ok with the new color choice. Councilor Martin asks if there are plans to renovate the remaining existing building and if so, would it make sense to have them match the Walgreen's color palette? Rhuda responds and states that in the future the remaining buildings may be renovated, but he hasn't yet decided when that will happen. Rhuda believes, that in the long -term, there will be symmetry among the buildings on the site. Finch asks about the planting bed along Dodge Street. He asks if there is any thought regarding a wall /fence along this edge. Alexander states that a fence was discussed with Planning Department staff. He indicates that his clients are willing to entertain installing a decorative fence so long as the various City groups are interested in this. Finch states that a fence may be better than plantings for this location. Rhuda states that over time, a decorative fence along the property line will be best. Alexander states that his clients had to "give up" six additional parking spaces in order to retain the historic home — now the site plan has a deficit of twelve parking spaces and will not meet the zoning requirements. Alexander states that the number of parking spaces shown meet Walgreen's requirements. He states that his client has applied for a Special Permit from the Planning Board to waive the parking requirements and he would be appreciative if the DRB could state their support of the Special Permit since they were adamant that the historic home be saved. The Board agrees to support their Special Permit application via a statement in their recommendation letter to the Planning Board. Bruce asks about the maneuverability of the delivery trucks. Swerling states that the size of the delivery trucks are required to be smaller. Also, there is enough room on site to turn them around without going onto Conant Street. Finch asks if they have talked with the City to put in more plantings along the city -owned land. Alexander indicates that his clients are able to put extra plantings in the buffer zone, with City permission. There are existing trees, but the applicant is able to add more since they are tall and may not provide sufficient screening. Bruce would like to officially recommend the addition of extra trees in the buffer land between the site and the neighbors. Newhall agrees to put this in the Board's recommendation letter. Bebergale and Finch express their distaste for the buff brick; Newhall agrees with them. Matthews reiterates her opinion that the buff will help the building stand out from those around it. Lorigan again states that he wants his building to be a bit different than what is across the street and wants to keep the buff brick over the red brick. Newhall states that she can include the Board's concerns with the brick color while also expressing an understanding of what they are trying to accomplish with the buff brick. DRB March 1, 2012 Page 3 of 3 Newhall reviews the other recommendations to include in the letter to the Planning Board: Fence along Dodge Street in lieu of some of the landscaping; support of the Special Permit application; and support of extra plantings in the City -owned land. Bruce asks about the lighting plan. Swerling states that it has not been revised since the January meeting. Bruce asks about using the site to cut through to avoid the light at Conant/Dodge. Mr. Dirk states that they have changed the circulation pattern to reduce this probability by making the parking lot one way. They have added a landscaped island to further reduce the appeal of using the lot as a cut - through. He believes that the one -way pattern and reduction in aisle widths to 23' will slow down the traffic on the lot. 2. Approval of Minutes — February 2, 2012 Meeting Matthews: Motion to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by Newhall. All in favor. 3. New /Other Business Newhall reminds the Board that the April meeting is the second Thursday of the month, rather than the usual first. The meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 12, 2012. She will send out an email to remind everyone of the change as it gets closer. Meeting is adjourned at 7:30 pm