BY MARK SARDELLA
WAKEFIELD — Plans for the redevelopment of 314-336 Salem Street (the current site of “Willow Tree”) appear to be approaching the finish line. At their most recent meeting, Attorney Brian McGrail told the Zoning Board of Appeals that by the board’s Jan. 10 meeting, he may be in a position to submit an operations and maintenance plan as well as draft conditions for the project.
Meanwhile the focus of the December hearing was on architecture, materials and landscaping for the multi-unit, mid-rise building planned for the front of the site.
McGrail began by reporting on a recent meeting with the Department of Public Works regarding traffic and drainage. He said that his client had agreed to an easement along with a financial contribution toward drainage.
McGrail also told the ZBA that the Traffic Advisory Committee had requested relocating a crosswalk on Salem Street and his client has agreed to pay for that as well.
He noted that some conceptual landscaping plans had been presented previously and asked landscape architect James Emmanuel to review the current plan.
Emmanuel showed renderings of the front of the proposed building with granite steps leading to a brick walkway. A 3.5 to 4-foot retaining wall will run along the sidewalk in front, with the lawn and landscaping leading up to the building. He pointed out the shrubs and trees along the base of the foundation, including Japanese maples and birches.
ZBA member Chip Tarbell said that he liked the planting scheme.
Architect Andrew Zalewski was asked to review the building design and materials. He displayed renderings showing Anderson windows as well as different types of siding on various parts of the building.
He talked about the rear entrance of the building which will have a canopy. He said that he wanted the rear entrance to be obvious and well lighted for safety. The rear entryway will also feature a lot of glass so that residents will feel safe being able to see inside before entering. He pointed out the light fixtures flanking the entry door as well as the light fixtures on the decks.
Moving to the front of the building, Zalewski showed a solid, wood grain skin door. He said that the synthetic stone to be used on the base of the building will complement the natural stone retaining wall out front.
The board asked for some additional specs on some of the materials and asked that some additional material sample be brought to the Building Department office at Town Hall to allow board members to see them.
No one from the public asked to speak at the Zoom hearing.
The hearing was continued to the ZBA’s Jan. 10 meeting.
—
Another continued hearing was on the application of Northeast Boston Warehouse LLC to construct an addition to an existing building for retail or service use accessory to the allowed warehouse use at 3 Melvin St.
McGrail also represented this project and asked architect Artan Sadiku to present the latest materials and plans for the building.
The hearing was continued to Feb. 14.