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2000-01-06City of Beverly, Massachusetts Public Meeting Minutes BOARD: SUBCOMMITTEE: DATE: PLACE: BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT: OTHERS PRESENT: RECORDER: Design Review Board January 6, 2000 Beverly City Hall Douglas Haring, Margaret O'Brien, Jennifer Palardy, William Finch and Debbie Hurlburt Debbie Hurlburt Ms. Debbie Hurlburt calls the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Ms. O'Brien recused herself from discussion on this matter Beverly Commerce Park. Inc - Signage and Site Plan Review: Mr. Bruce Oveson representing the Cummings Center introduced himself to the Board. Mr. Oveson first discussed the Site Plan Review application and stated that this was a whole new application because they are now seeking approval for a two-level parking garage. Mr. Oveson presented the new plans and explained the deck and stated that after discussion with the management it was learned that one deck is not enough parking, therefore they need to seek approval for two levels. Mr. Oveson showed the elevations of the structure. He stated that the height would be 27 feet 6 inches to the top of the parapet. The ramp will remain at the entrance as was proposed before and the helix piece at the north end will go to the ramp. The end that goes to the ramp will still be steel and the deck will be concrete. The placo panel is the same detail as the existing building and the landscaping will remain the same. Mr. Oveson stated that the wire cable guardrails will remain the same and the color of the panel will match the building. Motion was made by Haring to approve the site plan review application for the Cummings Center, seconded by Palardy. All members in favor. Motion carries 4-0. The Board then opened up the discussion regarding signage. Ms. Hurlburt has reminded members that the signage portion was continued from the last meeting so that the members could conduct a site inspection. Mr. Oveson stated that the Cummings Center is looking for a separate panel freestanding sign apart from the current freestanding sign is located. The proposed sign will be located on the island where the ATM machine is located. The sign will be internally illuminated with 10 panels, and because it is a cluster sign, they are allowed the bonus signage from identification purposes. Mr. Oveson stated that this would be a white background sign with green lettering. He added that at the last meeting, it was stated that white illuminated signs were thought to be too bright and that they will use an ivory background instead. Discussion ensued regarding the Zoning Board of Appeals Variance that was granted for all the signage on the site. Design Review Board January 6, 2000 meeting Page two Mr. Oveson stated that Mr. Gerry McSweeney of the Cummings Center has spoken with Mr. Scott Houseman from the ZBA and that Mr. McSweeney will appear at the meeting of January 25, 2000 of the ZBA. He stated that the applicant wants to get all the issues worked out with this Board and then talk with the ZBA about how this all fits in with the signage package. Mr. Haring stated that he did not think that this added anything aesthetically to the site, and in fact adds more graphics to the site. Mr. Oveson stated that the way the Zoning Ordinance is written he believes that this sign is allowed by right. Mr. Finch stated that he looked at the site and that this sign will add to the clutter that is already in this area and he asked if what they are really trying to do is to get more visibility for a few tenants on site. He added that if Cummings wanted to take down the other sign and put this up then he would accept that but if the issue is to give someone more visibility then there is other ways to try to deal with that. Mr. Finch added that he understands that some tenants have different signage needs than other tenants, but just to put up signage because it is in conformance and because you want to get all that is allowed by right even if it looks bad he cannot support that. Mr. Finch stated they he could however, relook at what the needs are for that one entity and if granted then when and if that usage ceased then the right to that sign would no longer be allowed. He added that installing this new freestanding sign would open a Pandora's box, and that the sign is too large but he could perhaps go along with a smaller sign as a directional or one for that specific business. Mr. Haring stated that he has several safety concerns with adding more signage to this area that is already cluttered. Mr. Finch stated that this sign is aesthetically unpleasing. Ms. Palardy added that the sign clutters up the area and that all this clutter leads for a very dangerous situation for vehicles and pedestrians. Ms. Hurlburt stated that she does not like that the sign is intended to be internally illuminated and that she also does not like the location of the sign, Ms. Hurlburt asks Mr. Oveson if he would like to continue this to the next meeting in February so that he can get a sense of what discussion will occur with the ZBA or if he would like to have the Board make a formal recommendation. It was decided that the Board would continue this to the next meeting. Motion made by Haring to continue discussion n this matter to the February meeting, seconded by Palardy. All members in favor. Motion carries 4-0. Ms. O'Brien returns to the meeting at this time. Sweet Peas Resale Boutique - Sign: Ms. Debbie Bouffard and Ms. Laurie Constantino appeared before the Board to discuss their proposed signage at 6 Wallis Street. Ms. Bouffard stated that they are seeking approval for a projecting sign that is 36 inches by 24 inches with a purple background with off white lettering and graphics. The Board discussed the location of the sign. Motion made by O'Brien to approve the signage as presented, seconded by Palardy. All members in favor. Motion carries 5-0. Design Review Board January 6, 2000 meeting Page three Ms. Hurlburt stated that the applicants are also seeking approval of a small sign on Cabot Street at the corner of the Odd Fellows Building to direct customers onto Wallis Street. The Board discussed this and determined that it could not support this request and suggested that they seek guidance from the Building Inspector as to whether this is allowed. 3. Beverly Auto Top & Upholstery - Sign: Mr. Gerardo Spagnolo appeared in his own behalf. He presented plans for a freestanding sign to be located onto a post that already exists on the site. He stated that the sign would be 4 feet by 5 feet, internally illuminated with a white background and dark blue lettering and graphics. The members discussed the concern of an internally illuminated freestanding sign where the building is not situated too far from Cabot Street. They also discussed internally illumination in regards to the proximity to residences. The Board did state that externally illumination would be a much-preferred way to illuminate the sign. Mr. Haring stated that the sign between the doors has not been approved by the Board and may not be allowed because he currently has a wall sign for identification purposes. Motion made by Haring to approve the freestanding sign with the conditions that the background color is off-white, the sign be externally illuminated, the removal of the signage between the two garage doors, and the removal of the colored banners, seconded by Palardy. All members in favor. Motion carries 5-0. 3. Minutes: The minutes of the September 9, October 7, and November 4 1999 minutes were presented to the Board. Motion made by Haring to approve the September, October and November minutes as amended, seconded by O'Brien. All members in favor. Motion carries 5-0. 4. Adjourn: Motion made by Finch to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Palardy. All members in favor. Motion carries 5-0.