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BeverlyDRB_09122024_DRAFT.docx City of Beverly Design Review Board September 12,2024 Meeting Minutes CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES BOARD OR COMMISSION: City of Beverly Design Review Board DATE: September 12, 2024 LOCATION: Beverly City Hall, 191 Cabot Street, 3rd Floor, Conference Room A MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Jon Ouellette; Ellen Flannery; Michael Barone Jr.; Jared Contrada,Associate Planner; Wendy Pearl MEMBERS ABSENT: Vice-Chair Rachel Poor STAFF PRESENT: RECORDER: Kristan Patenaude Chair Ouellette called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. 1.Applications: a. Mario Antonio's Barber Shop, 197 Cabot Street, Beverly,MA 01915. Sign: Mario Antonio's Barber Shop, 197 Cabot Street. Andrew Scarbriel, owner Mario Antonio's Barber Shop, explained that he is proposing to remove the flat sign and replace it as part of some building renovations. The wall sign is proposed to be replaced with a protruding sign. The Board discussed that the size and design of the proposed sign seems appropriate. Flannery: Motion to approve the signage for Mario Antonio's Barber Stop, at 197 Cabot Street, as presented. Ouellette seconds. Motion carries (5-0). b. Carolyn Parker, 3 Lorion Avenue Worcester,MA 01606. Sign: Bank of America, 446 Rantoul Street. Carolyn Parker,representing Bank of America, explained that the proposal is to rebrand the Bank's existing signage. This will make the signage easier to read, with a clearer logo. The Board agreed that the proposed signage is much clearer, and the colors will better match the building. Ouellette: Motion to approve the signage for Bank of America, at 446 Rantoul Street, as presented. Contrada seconds. Motion carries (5-0). c. Barnat Development LLC,c/o Alexander &Femino, 1 School Street, Beverly,MA 01915. Mod to Site Plan Review 9158-22: 119 Rantoul Street Page 1 of 4 City of Beverly Design Review Board September 12,2024 Meeting Minutes Tom Alexander, representing the applicant, stated that two years ago the City approved a project at this location for 56 housing units, with two levels of parking. Coincidentally, there have been some issues with the cost of the two proposed levels. The new proposal removes one level of parking,reduces the number of units from 56 to 52, and leads to approximately a 3' reduction in height or down one story. The underground parking will be for 39 spaces along with two commercial spaces out front. A special permit is required for the number of resident spaces proposed on the site. This proposal is for a modification of the previously approved plan. The first floor will now be composed of retail space in the front, with residential units behind it. This will read as a four story building. The overall unit layout and count have been revised, along with a slight modification of the proposed windows. The previously proposed projecting balconies have been changed to Juliette balconies. The new proposal includes increased setbacks on the north and east sides. A previously proposed courtyard will remain, but the building will be set back 5' in order to access this area, with a surrounding fence. With a single driveway proposed,landscaping has been added to the back of the site. The garage floorplan maximizes the parking and is efficient. The footprint is proposed to remain the same. The Board expressed concern with some of the parking proposed. Only 35 of the units truly have onsite parking. The applicant team noted that the building is within 100' of a nearby parking garage. The occupancy of the garage is generally well below half. More studios have been incorporated into this design. The Board stated that this application cannot be approved when it refers to another architect and another drawing. There was no landscape plan included in the packet. The applicant team explained that the intent is to use all of the materiality that was previously approved. It is important to move this project forward quickly. This was deemed to be a major modification as the impacts were decreased. The Board discussed the proposed landscape plan for the site. Conditions of approval could be that certain previously approved elements would be included. The applicant team stated that, as the landscape plans advance,they would be happy to present these further. Griffin Engineering is proposed to be used for this project. The Board suggested removing the transoms proposed on the top, fourth floor windows to simplify the design, aside from those above the commercial space. The Board also suggested camouflaging the rooftop mechanics as much as possible. The applicant team agreed. The Board discussed the materials proposed for the building. The Board noted that access to the park from this building for residents and their dogs was previously requested. The applicant team stated that they would look into this. Ouellette: Motion to approve the site plan modification application for 119 Rantoul Street as presented, with the following conditions: changes to simplify the fourth floor windows on the sides and rear of the building; changes the wood banding to masonry and cast stone, leaving wood on the decks; removal of all Page 2 of 4 City of Beverly Design Review Board September 12,2024 Meeting Minutes awnings;holding mechanical to the center of the roof, new landscape plan for additional landscape areas; review of potential egress for residents only to the park from the rear of the building; and masonry columns at the front of the building. Flannery seconds. Motion carries (5-0). d. Harborlight Homes. Mod to Site Plan: 110 Sohier Road,Anchor Point,The Lighthouse Center Kristin Carlson, Harborlight Homes, explained that between 2019 and today, rapid fundraising has been undertaken for the project. A daycare proposed on site has been moved to the first floor of the building. The programming for the community center has changed slightly,for a large community space. This led to changes to the facade and dormers. The materials and finishes remain largely the same. The site plan still includes two sport courts but in different locations for flow of the site. A large grass field and proposed screening are still included on the plan. The landscape planned was previously approved as part of the overall site plan. The Board stated that the change in location of the sport courts is appropriate. The new building design looks clean and great. More shade trees around the outdoor spaces could be included. The Board suggested shifting the six proposed trees to leave the walkway area open and consideration for a low/no-mow grass. Flannery: Motion to approve the site plan modification application for the Anchor Point Community Center at 110 Sohier Road as presented, with the following condition: that the applicant return to the Design Review Board with a presentation on the proposed landscape plan with any changes. Ouellette seconds. Motion carries (5-0). 2. Sign Ordinance Update—Erin Schaeffer,Economic Development Planner Erin Schaeffer, Economic Development Planner, presented to the Board on the proposed Sign Ordinance update. The City has been considering this update for some time and recently received a$50,000 grant to fund the work,with a $10,000 match from the City. The project timeline is for it to be completed by next June. There are four basic tasks for the project: stakeholder engagement, understanding the existing conditions of the City's sign approval process, understanding the processes for other local municipalities, and drafting recommendations for the new Sign Ordinance with supplemental design parameters. Ouellette stated that the existing process appears to be evolving, so the project is well timed. He asked about the Board's role in this process. RE LISTEN TO RECORDING AND ADD MORE DETAILS The Board discussed that there should be an enforcement mechanism considered. The applicants should clearly know what will be expected from the Board during the application process. There was discussion removing billboards from the City. Page 3 of 4 City of Beverly Design Review Board September 12,2024 Meeting Minutes 3. Old Business None at this time. 4. New Business: a. Draft Meeting Minutes (as available) i.August 1,2024 Flannery: Motion to approve the minutes from the August 1,2024, meeting, as amended. Ouellette seconds. Motion carries (5-0). 5. Adjourn Flannery: Motion to adjourn. Ouellette seconds. Motion carries (5-0). Meeting adjourns at 8:32 p.m. Page 4 of 4