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2006-12-06 Public Meeting Minutes - Design Review Board December 6, 2006 Page 1 Design Review Board Public Meeting Minutes Meeting: Design Review Board Date: December 6, 2006 Present: Leah Zambernardi, William Finch, Colleen Bruce, Larry Jaquith Absent: None Recorder: Leah Zambernardi The meeting was called to order at 6:30pm. 1. Bridge Street Automotive / 83 Bridge Street /Signs Mr. Michael Boland presents a plan for two signs at his business on 83 Bridge Street. He states that he will replace the panel on the existing freestanding sign and that he will replace the three "CITGO" signs on the gasoline canopy. Ms. Zambernardi states that the freestanding sign is a legal nonconforming use and that the panel on the sign may be replaced by right if it is the same size and the supporting structure does not change. She states that the canopy signs may be problematic. She reads from the Sign Ordinance and states that the CN zone requirements allow up to 2 canopy signs provided they are a maximum of one line, not greater than 12-inches in height and no longer than 6-feet. She states that the proposal is for 3 signs, each on 2 lines and each measuring 2-feet in height and 9-feet in length. She states there are currently 3 signs on the canopy so Mr. Boland would be allowed 3 signs. She questions whether Mr. Boland conforms to the other requirements. Mr. Boland states that the sign he is proposing fits within the same spaces that the current "CITGO" signs are in. He states that the height of the letters is about the same. The Board determines that a variance would be needed from the ZBA for the letters to be allowed on 2 lines. They concur this is appropriate as the sign would be too long if it was to be put on 1 line. Mr. Finch asks if the colors on the drawings are representative of the true colors. Mr. Boland states the colors will reflect the red in the photos. The drawings are not true to the actual color that will be used. Ms. Bruce asks whether the canopy is still needed. Mr. Boland states he will no longer sell gas but that he would like to keep the canopy so that he can put the used vehicles underneath it. Mr. Jaquith comments that the freestanding sign is highly visible and that there may be no need for the canopy signs at all. Public Meeting Minutes - Design Review Board December 6, 2006 Page 2 Ms. Bruce asks that the credit card information and that the website be taken off the freestanding sign. Mr. Finch motions to accept the freestanding sign so long as the web page and the credit card information is taken off the signs, and the colors reflect the color in the photograph submitted for the record, seconded by Ms. Bruce. Motion carries 4-0. Mr. Jaquith motions to write a letter to the ZBA recommending approval of the canopy signs, seconded by Mr. Finch. Motion carries 4-0. 2. Hair Tech Design / 505 Rantoul Street / Sign Ms. Sirlei Franco presents a drawing of a sign measuring 17-inches in height by 119- inches in length to display at her business at 505 Rantoul Street. Ms. Bruce notes that the graphics are nice but that the image on the right of a face with flowing hair obscures the text of the design. Mr. Jaquith concurs. Ms. Zambernardi suggests eliminating that component of the sign and matching it to the right side. Mr. Jaquith motions to accept as presented contingent upon removal of the graphic image on the left side and matching the color on the right side, seconded by Mr. Finch. Motion carries 4-0. 3. Bliss / 36 West Street /Sign Lisa Bergeron presents a drawing and color sample of a projecting right angle sign to be displayed at her business at 36 West Street. She states the sign will measure 24-inches in height and 42-inches in length. She provides a color sample and states that the sign will be a green apple color. She states the sign will be externally illuminated. Ms. Bruce motions to accept the sign as presented, seconded by Mr. Finch. Motion carries 4-0. 4. The Flying Lion / 280 Cabot Street, Unit 8 / Sign Ms. Zambernardi states that the owners wish to be heard at the January meeting. 5. Just Kidding / 108 Bridge Street / Signs Ms. Kimberly Delano presents a drawing for 2 signs to be placed at her new children's consignment business at 108 Bridge Street. She states that 2 signs have been made already and that she is a new business owner and wasn't aware of the requirements. Board members discuss the proposed roof sign and note that this is a matter of precedent and discuss other alternatives for the sign to be displayed. Members prefer the projecting right angle sign that is proposed but are sympathetic to the fact that the signs have already Public Meeting Minutes - Design Review Board December 6, 2006 Page 3 been made. Ms. Delano agrees to hang the sign under the roof overhang of the front of the building. The sign on the other side of the building is approved as presented. Ms. Bruce motions to approve the sign with the changes to the location of the front wall sign. Mr. Finch seconds the motion. All members are in favor and the motion carries. 6.Site Plan Review Application/ 319-325 Cabot Street/ Beverly Affordable Housing Coalition Ms. Zambernardi recuses herself from review of this application. Dick Doherty of Hancock Engineering, Jim Thornhill of Luna Design, Phil Posner of Metaxas Norman & Pidgeon, and Mickey Northcutt of the Beverly Affordable Housing Coalition present plans to renovate the site at 319-325 Cabot Street. Dick Doherty explains the project. He states they will tear down the existing Mayflower Hotel building and construct a new building containing 43 residential units. He states that they will provide 31 parking spaces and landscaping. Mr. Jaquith asks about the sidewalk and whether it will be accessible. Mr. Doherty states they will construct a new sidewalk and that they will coordinate with the City. Jim Thornhill describes the architecture of the 3 -1/2-story building. Mr. Finch asks about the materials and Mr. Thornhill notes that they would use a hardi-board material. Members discuss the massing and roof shape of the bays facing Cabot Street. Mr. Thornhill states that lighting would be directed away from the residential abutters' properties. They have also landscaped using species that grow large fairly quickly so as to reduce the impacts of the building on the abutters. He points out the more heavily landscaped area at the back left of the building. They are not putting benches there because they don't want to encourage congregating. Ms. Bruce notes that hemlocks grow large and fast and she states that only about 2/3 the amount they propose are needed. They also discuss the problems with grass as groundcover. Mr. Thornhill explains that a few spots would have grass for snow storage. Mr. Jaquith makes a motion to accept with the following comments: 1. that the architect work with the relationship between the trim, the siding, windows and the dimensions at the roofline to gain more dimensionality; 2. that the applicant coordinate with the City on the sidewalk details such as handicapped accessibility. Ms. Bruce seconds the motion and it passes 3-1-0 (Bruce, Jaquith, Finch in favor, Zambernardi in abstention). 7. Other Public Meeting Minutes - Design Review Board December 6, 2006 Page 4 Ms. Zambernardi states that the Boston Private Bank and Trust Company at 57 Enon Street received a recommendation from the DRB in May 2006. They would like to change their lighting by adding three wall sconces on the rear of the building. Members approve of the change. 8. Minutes Members discuss some of the violations included in the November minutes. Zambernardi states she still needs to follow up with some of them. Mr. Jaquith motions to approve the minutes. Ms. Bruce seconds the motion and it carries unanimously. The meeting adjourns at 7:45 p.m.