From: 	"David White" <dmwarch@comcast.net>
To:	"'Helen Donaldson'" <HCD@portlandmaine.gov>
CC:	"'Will Conway'" <wconway@sebagotechnics.com>, "'Gordon Reger'" <greger@regerholdings.com>, "'Demetri Dasco'" <dasco@atlasboston.com>, "'Alex Dasco'" <adasco@atlasboston.com>
Date: 	10/11/2013 11:05 AM
Subject: 	RE: comments on Seaport Lofts elevations

Nell,

See below.

David

  _____  

From: Helen Donaldson [mailto:HCD@portlandmaine.gov] 
Sent: Thursday, October 10, 2013 9:47 AM
To: David White
Cc: Will Conway
Subject: comments on Seaport Lofts elevations

David, 

We had a chance to meet briefly yesterday on the revised elevations.  We
like how you pulled out the Newbury Street door and added the window
mullions.  The composition works better now too.  We have the following
thoughts (also noted on the markup attached):

‑ The awning still isn't working.  I'm attaching a couple of options that
are closer to what we were envisioning ‑ a little more contemporary in
style.  Take a look and let me know if you feel like this direction is
possible. 

I will change the awning. I will suggest that the final detail for the
Newbury Street canopy be worked out with staff. The Hancock canopy to remain
as shown.

‑ Is there a reason for removing the sidelights at the Hancock Street door?
Could you replace?

No reason other than trying to down play this non entrance. I will cave on
this.

‑ Some of the balcony doors appear to have mullions as well.  We think they
would read better if they were styled after the first floor doors (i.e. no
mullions at all).

No problem with removing these mullions.

‑ The openings on the building's left side (looking into the driveway)
appear better now, but the idea was to have them match the balcony openings
in proportion (like the areas we've asked you to screen).  Can you change
the dimensions there?

I can't line this up with the balcony above because of the structure I have
to have in the outside corner, so I used the proportions of the smaller
window and lined it up with the inside line of the balcony above. No change.

‑ The urban designer suggested adding a belt course at the top of the second
floor (to match the transition strip between the metal cladding and the
brick).

If the intent was to create different heights of brick, adding this belt
course would go against this intent. I do not recommend and it will not be
included in the revised elevations.

‑ On the NW corner, I'm wondering if there's some alternative to odd post
configuration.  I think you need the aisle width in that location, so
pulling the post underneath the building won't work.  That said, is there
another option besides the triangular filler there?  What is the material on
the post and the triangle?

This configuration allows water to shed off this "post configuration". It is
all metal including the "roof". I would not want it flat, the angle could be
flattened, but not below 4/12. My preference is to leave it as shown and if
the staff and I can work something out differently later, fine.

‑On the revised elevations, is it possible to show all openings (e.g. HVAC
vents)?  Folks here have mentioned the pattern of openings on Phase I, and
that it might be good to have a look. 

Right now I am not sure whether we will have HVAC units that will have a
packaged condenser which will require a louver or whether we will have roof
mounted condensing units, so I cannot definitively show something that may
not be there. There will be the usual vents for interior unit fans and an
exhaust/intake vent for the gas fired HWH.

We're looking forward to seeing revisions and renderings as soon as you can
provide them.  Hopefully you can get them to us by Tuesday afternoon at the
latest?  Let me know if you think this is possible. 

I should have these to you by Tuesday. The revised renderings won't be
available until later. I have not yet been authorized to revise the
renderings.

Thanks, David.

Nell

 

_____________________________________

Nell Donaldson

City of Portland Planning Division

389 Congress Street

Portland, Maine 04101

874‑8723

hcd@portlandmaine.gov

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