2015-03-05CITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
BOARD OR COMMISSION:
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RECORDER:
Design Review Board
Thursday, March 5, 2015
Beverly City Hall Conference Room
Chair, William Finch, Ellen Flannery, Sandra Cook
Rachel Matthews, Allison Crosbie
Karen Bebergal
Eileen Sacco
Finch calls the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
Park Street Automotive — 122 Park Street - Sign Review
Ronald Jedraszek addressed the Board and explains the location of the property where he
has established a automotive repair business. He explains that he his proposing a basic
sign on the front and corner of the building.
Finch asks if there are any issues with zoning regarding the size of the sign. Crosbie
states that she looked it up and there are no issues.
There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter:
Flannery: motion to approve the proposed sign for Park Street Automotive located at
122 Park Street as presented. Cook seconds the motion. The motion
carries (5 -0).
Cabot Plaza — Goldberg Properties — Sign Review for Beverly Animal Natural
Health Center
Mr. Ed Juralewicz addresses the Board and explains that they are requesting to replace
the signs that are already there noting that the plaza is going through a renovation and
they will be changing the signs for all of the businesses.
Juralewicz explains that they will be changing the signs from box letters to block letters
and explains the design and how it will look on the building. He states that the sign will
be a white base with green letters.
Finch asks what size the sign will be. Juralewicz explains that the sign will be 2 feet -6
inches by 12 feet.
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March 5, 2015
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Juralewicz explains that every tenant will have a new sign eventually and he is working
with them now on the designs. He states that he expects to be back before the Board with
a few more over the next couple of meetings.
There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter:
Cook: Motion to approve the sign as proposed for Beverly Animal Natural
Health. Flannery seconds the motion. The motion carries (5 -0).
Site Plan — Cummings Properties — 201 Elliott Street — Steve Drohosky
Steve Drohosky addresses the Board and explains that he is joined this evening by the
entire design team for the project and introduces Mike Aveni, Jim Trudeau, and Jen
Davidson.
Drohosky explains the history of the site and notes that the site was previously approved
for the construction of a hotel. He further explains that they spent the last 10 years
unsuccessfully looking for a partner in the hotel industry. He explains that the Greater
Boston real estate market is on an upswing and they went to the Beverly City Council
seeking a zoning change to an IR overlay district which allows for a mixed use for the
development of their property.
Drohosky shows the Board renderings of the proposed residential condominiums noting
that they are proposing 73 — one and two bedroom units (65 two bedroom units and 8 one
bedroom untis). He shows the Board various views of the site from different directions.
He notes that the proposed design is similar to what they proposed for the hotel and it is
proposed on the same footprint that was approved for the hotel.
Drohosky states that the garage has solar panels that will eventually feed the new
building.
Drohosky explains that they are scheduled to go before the Planning Board for site plan
review March 17, 2015 but notes that the Parking and Traffic Commission asked for a
more detailed traffic study and they have asked the Planning Board for a continuance and
will now be presenting to the Planning Board on April 14, 2015.
Drohosky reports that Cummings Properties held an open house last Thursday and invited
162 neighbors from around the Cummings Center property to attend and ask questions
about the project.
Matthews asks what the square footage of the two bedroom units will be. Drohosky
explains that they will be 1,600 s.f and up. He also notes that on the top floor there will
be penthouse units with kitchen, living and dining areas.
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March 5, 2015
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Finch asks if they are proposing a mixed use building. Drohosky explains that the mixed
use designation is for the entire Cummings site and this building will just be residential.
Davidson addresses the Board and reviews the design of the building and the materials
that they are considering using. She notes that they are looking to attract empty nesters
and young professionals.
Finch states that he is pleased with the design noting that it is an articulated design. He
notes that he likes the railings and the sun screens although he is not sure about the arch
roof. Davidson states that they have been looking at that and are considering other ideas
but left it on the plan for this presentation.
Flannery asks for an explanation of what the McKay Street side of the property will look
like to the neighbors. Davidson explains that the west side of the site will have the same
detailing as the area in front and there will be a landscaped area with a picnic area.
Drohosky explains that there will be no back side to the building explaining that they are
not intending it to be different. He explains the views of the site from the two locations.
Drohosky also explains that they are working on a landscaping plan for the screening of
the garage.
Davidson explains the facade of the building and the materials that will be used to define
the windows.
Crosbie states that she looked at the landscaping plan and notes that there is already quite
a bit of arborvitae on the site and encouraged them to look at other options. She notes
that they have 22 additional arborvitae listed on the plan. Trudeau states that they will
look at other options.
Finch suggests that the Board could send a letter to the Planning Board stating that the
DRB has reviewed the plans and are in favor of the designs presented this evening.
Cook: Motion to send a letter to the Planning Board indicating that the Design
Review Board supports the plans shown on the design boards presented
this evening. Flannery seconds the motion. The motion carries (5 -0).
Finch notes that the material to be used are still under discussion with the Design Review
Board.
Site Plan — 131 Rantoul Street — Windover Development — Atty. Miranda Gooding
Attorney Miranda Gooding addresses the Board and explains that the property is located
at 131 Rantoul Street at the corner of Railroad Avenue and Rantoul Street. She notes that
it is diagonally across the street from Depot Square.
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Gooding explains that the property is currently common condominiums noting that there
are three units in common ownership, owned by the O'Neil family. She further explains
that the O'Neil family wishes to remove the condominium status and sell the front parcel
while maintaining ownership of the other two. She explains that they are proposing to
sell the front parcel to Windover who is proposing to construct a mixed use building of
residential and retail use that is within the zoning regulations. She also notes that this
project will require a Special Permit from the Planning Board. She notes that they are in
the process of getting ready to file with the Planning Board.
Thad Siemasko, the architect for the project, addresses the Board and explains that the
proposal encompasses the entire site. He explains the location noting that Railroad
Avenue is a two way street while Pleasant Street is a one way with parking on both sides
of the street. He explains that the plan is to put the parking in the back of the building out
of view from Rantoul Street. He explains that in order to access the parking they are
planning to ask the City Council to make Pleasant Street a two way street. He explains
the proposed circulation for the site with the exit from the parking area onto Pleasant
Street.
Siemasko explains that the state plans for Rantoul Street show three curb cuts along
Rantoul Street and they are proposing to eliminate them and install curbing so there will
be a clean line along the front of the building. He notes that there could be metered
parking there as well.
Siemasko states that this is a prime location for retail space, noting the proximity of the
depot. He notes that the schematic design for this project is hardly finished.
Siemasko reviews the ground level floor plan and notes that they have recently
discovered that they do not have to provide parking for the retail use because the MBTA
garage parking can count towards the required 21 parking spaces for the retail use. He
notes that without those parking spaces they could add 7 more units but after discussions
with the developer and the City Planner they have agreed to add two more units for a
total of 70 residential units on the site. He also notes that City Planner Aaron Clausen
has recommended making the retail space a little larger.
Siemasko explains the design for the facade of the building and the outdoor space on the
site. He notes that the parking area will be buried in the back of the building so it will not
be visible from Rantoul Street. He explains that a vestibule will give the building an
urban feeling and there will be outdoor space for the residential space and the retail
space, suggesting they may have a sitting area or outdoor seating if there is a restaurant in
the retail space. He also notes that the landscaping area will have outdoor amenities as
they are hoping for a nice active space.
Siemasko reviews the typical floor plan for the building, noting that there will be 20 units
per floor. He states that the building will be 55 feet tall noting that zoning allows for it to
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March 5, 2015
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be 75 feet tall. The building will be 5 stories — four floors of residential and one floor of
retail space.
Finch asks who the targeted renters would be. Siemasko states that they are looking to
continue to attract young professionals. He also notes that the top floor will be a level up
in design etc. and they would expect they would attract empty nesters as well.
Crosbie asks if they have the elevations for the Railroad Avenue site of the site.
Siemasko states that they do not have them yet but he would expect that the general
purpose of that side would be less active.
Finch states that he is pleased with the setback of the building from Rantoul Street noting
that he feels that the guidelines for Rantoul Street allow too much. Siemasko agrees
noting that they like the extra 10 feet without imposing on the neighbors. He also notes
that Clausen suggested urban landscaping in the front of the building rather than
plantings.
Siemasko explains that they still have a lot of work to do. Finch states that he is a little
less sure about the first story flat roof. Siemasko states that they could do a sloped roof
or some outdoor space in that location.
Finch notes that this is an advisory review and the Board does not need to take any action
at this time.
Gooding agrees noting that they felt that it would be good to get input from the Board
early in the process.
Adjournment
Flannery: motion to adjourn, seconded by Cook. The motion carries (5 -0).
The meeting is adjourned at 7:40 p.m.
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March 5, 2015
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