The Montpelier Design Review Committee voted Oct. 6 to approve an accessory structure permit for a prefabricated smoking shelter behind Good Samaritan Haven at 137 Berry Street, with a recommendation that the shelter be a dark color if possible.

Greg Montgomery, the architect for the project, said staff health concerns prompted the shelter to be moved at least 25 feet from the building during permit revisions; he identified a site location about 35 feet from the building and at least 60 feet from the rear property line. The shelter will sit on a small concrete pad and include a bollard-style light for safety and visibility.

Meredith Crandall, planning staff, showed site plans and photos and said the committee can recommend a darker finish for the prefabricated structure; committee members expressed a preference for a dark anodized or painted finish to help the shelter visually recede. Montgomery said the team will investigate pre-finish color options and that field painting is possible for maintenance reasons.

The committee found the structure consistent with Design Review District standards for accessory buildings and agreed the back location is not visible from the street owing to grade changes, buildings and vegetation. The committee approved the application unanimously; Martha Smirsky, Liz Pritchett, Rebecca, Steven Everett and Eric Gilbertson all voted yes.

Crandall explained that, because this is a separate permit (not the lighting amendment), the action is also administrative and will carry its own notice and a separate 15-day appeal period once the permit is issued. She said the staff will add the dark-color recommendation as a permit condition and send the recommendation form to the applicant for signature before issuance.

The committee’s review covered siting, material/color, and durability; timing concerns and budget were discussed but no public funding or dollar amounts were mentioned on the record.