2004-02-05
CITY OF BEVERLY
Public Meeting Minutes
BOARD: Design Review Board
SUBCOMMITTEE:
DATE: February 5, 2004
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Colleen Bruce, Jane Brusca, William Finch,
Douglas Haring
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: None
OTHERS PRESENT: Leah Zambernardi
RECORDER: Leah Zambernardi
Ms. Bruce called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.
1. Custom Medicine Pharmacenter - 25 Cabot Street - Mary Beckman
Ms. Mary Beckman presents plans to install a wall sign and awning sign at her property.
The Board asks her to select colors for the background of the wall sign and come back to
them at the March meeting.
Mr. Finch makes a motion to continue this matter to the March meeting. Seconded by
Ms. Bruce. Motion carries.
2. YOGA - 45 Enon Street - Ed Juralowicz
Mr. Ed Juralowicz from United Sign Co. approaches the Board with a request to install a
wall sign at 45 Enon Street.
Ms. Bruce states the sign is appropriate in context with other signs in the Commodore
Plaza.
Ms. Bruce motions to accept the sign as presented. Mr. haring seconds the motion.
Motion carries.
3. La Rouge Nail Care - 38 Rear Enon Street, Suite 9 - My Nguyen
Ms. My Nguyen approaches the Board with a proposal to install a wall sign and a tenant
panel on a freestanding sign. Mr. Haring suggests that the background color of the sign
match as closely as possible the yellow background of the "Millenium" sign located in
the plaza. Ms. Zambernardi asked that both signs read the same.
Mr. Haring motions to accept the signs with the condition that the yellow background
color match as closely as possible, the yellow background of the "Millenium" signs
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Meeting Minutes – December 4, 2003
Page 2
within the same block, and that both signs read "La Rouge Mail Care". Ms. Brusca
seconds the motion. Motion carries.
4. Subway - 386 Cabot Street - Supplemental Sign Approval
Ms. Zambernardi states that Mr. John Bos would like to request a sign on the Cabot
Street facing side of his awning, which will read "Subway" in white and yellow letters.
Mr. Finch motions to accept as presented. Mr. Haring seconds the motion. Motion
carries.
5. Site Plan Review - CVS - North Beverly Plaza - Steve Haight, Appledore
Engineering
Mr. William Stark presents the proposed plans to construct a new CVS freestanding
building with a drive through at North Beverly Plaza.
Mr. Finch states that the gables work when you have a pitched roof but that they don't
work when there is a mansard roof. He has a problem with that much mansard roof there.
He states that there is still a wall on Dodge Street. He states he took photographs of the
other buildings on the site and he notes the roof heights of the buildings in comparison to
the proposed building and shows the inconsistencies. He notes how steep the mansard
roof is and how close to the street the building is. He shows a photo rendering overlaying
the roof slope onto one of the existing buildings to show the difference in slope.
Mr. Stark states that he thinks Mr. Finch may have over-exaggerated the roof slope. He
states that the first rendering was a standard box. The second rendition included a
mansard. He understands the Board's concerns. He stated that the problem is that he
needs the vertical distance and the volume. In the rear of the store is a mezzanine and he
has a height problem there.
Ms. Bruce comments on the pilasters and their weight and scale.
Mr. Finch, Mr. Stark and Mr. Haring ensue in a discussion on the vertical distance of the
roof slope and the use of interior spaces.
Mr. Haring states he sees in big improvement. Mr. Finch states he is still concerned
about the blank wall facing Dodge Street. Mr. Haring suggests a trellis of plantings to
break up the length.
Ms. Zambernardi suggests fenestration with tinted glass to reflect the rhythm of the
windows of the plaza. Mr. Stark states they would be plate glass windows 1 foot or 2
deep with light boxes so they would be internally illuminated. Graphics would be inside
and would change periodically. Standing outside, you would see lighted boxes with signs
inside. Mr. Haring compares it to a billboard. Mr. Stark states it would be more visually
appealing than tinted glass.
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Meeting Minutes – December 4, 2003
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Mr. Haring asks if Mr. Stark could add dentils to match those of the plaza. Mr. Stark
states that probably would not be acceptable to his client. He states the cost is driving the
proposal. They have to ensure that they retain the interior space primarily. Perhaps they
could add dentils at the entrance.
Mr. Finch asks about having a column at the corner of the main entrance. Mr. Stark
attributes the awkward appearance to the drawing. He states he could put a column there
if it would please the Board.
Ms. Bruce asks for clarification of activities at the rear of the building.
Ms. Zambernardi summarizes changes that the Board would like the applicant to make
and come back to them with. The Board would like the applicant to: 1) reduce and soften
the slopes of the mansard roof; 2) install a bold trellis with a narrow planting strip and
accent lighting under the roof overhang on the Dodge Street side of the building; 3)
increase the depth in rake to increase the shadow line to be similar to the rest of the plaza.
Mr. Finch motions to continue the meeting to February 12, 2004 to review the changes.
Seconded by Ms. Bruce. Motion carries.
6. Site Plan Review - Bushby Estates - 58-64 Dodge Street - Attorney Tom
Alexander on behalf of Mart Management
Mr. David O'Sullivan presents the plans for 16 residential units and one commercial
space at 58-64 Dodge Street. He states that the applicant has already met with the
Historic District Commission and with the Board of Appeals. He states that they will be
preserving the existing multi-family home on site and will rehab. it into 2 townhouse
units. They will tear down the other automobile related buildings on the site and will
construct 14 new townhouses, one commercial space and associated parking and
landscaping.
Ms. Bruce asks if handicapped units will be provided. Mr. O'Sullivan states there are no
requirements for handicapped units because they are for sale units.
Ms. Zambernardi asks if there are elevations showing the view of the buildings from
behind the historic building. Mr. O'Sullivan shows the buildings and states that the
height of the historic house at the ridge is 25 feet. The height of the building directly
behind it is 29 feet. The other part is 34 feet 9 inches high.
Mr. O'Sullivan states the drawings were revised after the Zoning and Historic District
Commission meetings. Mr. Finch explained some changes the applicant had made in the
height per Historic District Commission recommendations.
Ms. Bruce states that she is pleased they are reusing the topsoil. She asks if there will be
an irrigation system. Mr. O'Sullivan states the plans are conceptual and do not show and
irrigation system. He points out trees on the plans that exist and will remain. He states
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Meeting Minutes – December 4, 2003
Page 2
they will reinforce the boundaries of the parcel with sugar maples and white pine to avoid
a solid screen that looks like a fence. There will be of interest with color through
flowering shrubs.
The Board voted to recommend that the Planning Board approve the site plan as presented
with the following conditions:
1. That the sugar maple tree shown between the two brick walkways serving the
renovated multi-family dwelling be removed from the plan;
2. That the line of white pine and sugar maple trees shown in front of the renovated
multi-family dwelling be staggered;
3. That additional fenestration is applied to the three elevations showing none;
That additional flowering trees are added as a buffer between the renovated multi-
4.
family dwelling and the new residential units directly behind it.
7. Election of Officers
Mr. Finch motions to nominate Colleen Bruce to serve as Chair of the Design Review
Board for one year. Ms. Brusca seconds the motion. Motion carries.
Ms. Brusca motions to nominate Mr. Haring as Vice Chair of the Design Review Board
for one year. Mr. Finch seconds the motion. Motion carries.
8. List of "Most Frequently Asked Questions"
Ms. Zambernardi states that she has developed a list of "Most Frequently Asked
Questions" for review by the Board members. She states that this list will be attached to
Design Review Board applications. She anticipates that this information will help
applicants to learn the typical elements of signs that the Board looks for such as phone
numbers. The Board members make comments for inclusion in the list.
The meeting adjourned at 10:00 p.m.