Rear of "The Monarch" senior center/condo complex.
Approval for design of a roof garden Thursday wrapped up Planning Board dealings for a new senior center/condo complex at 400 East Front Street.
In early talks on project dubbed "The Monarch," developer Glen Fishman and his staff promised a second floor roof garden over ground-level parking. Architectural drawings indicated four trees and other plantings. However, promotional material released this year showed a plain deck with chairs and some potted arborvitae, a change that did not sit well with city officials.
On Thursday, planners discussed a design developed by landscape architect April Stefel of the Planning Division in cooperation with city officials, the mayor and the developer. Attorney Alfred Faiella said it was one of the last steps toward issuance of a certificate of occupancy for the project.
The design features four pergolas, or roofless gazebos, that can be covered in vines to provide shade, but which would weigh much less than trees would. Other plantings include geraniums, vinca, fountain grass and lavender in large pots. Tables with umbrellas and seating are are part of the design. Planning Director Bill Nierstedt said it had taken "quite a bit of back and forth" to agree on the new design.
The roof surface itself will be a textured rubber membrane in two shades of beige, which board member William Toth, an architect, called "a good product" that is very durable.
Although the design is not the same as a full-fledged rooftop garden, it satisfied the board members. Click
here for a prior Plaintalker article on the subject.
Faiella said the certificate of occupancy may be issued as soon as Monday and buyers may be able to move into the new condos. The roof garden will be accessible both to seniors and occupants of the condos, but not to the public. Balconies at the rear of the U-shaped complex will overlook the site.
Faiella urged the Planning Board members to take a walk-through at the complex. A sales staff is located across the street and has been arranging tours for prospective buyers of the 63 two-bedroom condos. At a celebration held in the new senior center in May, Fishman said eight had been sold at that point. Click
here for more information on the condos.
--Bernice Paglia