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1999-03-04City of Beverly, Massachusetts Public Meeting Minutes Board: Design Review Board Subcommittee: Date: March 4, 1999 Place: Beverly Senior Center, 90 Colon Street Board members present: Margaret O'Brien, Jennifer Palardy, William Finch. Board members absent: Douglas Hating Others Present: Debbie Hurlbun, Assistant Planning Director Recorder: Carol K. Pearce Debbie Hurlburt calls the meeting to order at 6:35 P.M. 1. Batten Brothels IncJBertucci's - New Sian Ms. Hurlburt updates members that at the last meeting Batten Brothers Inc. and Bertucci's were asked to come back with a revised sign, different than what the Board saw at that lag meeting, and notes that they are here tonight for that purpose, and asks for them to introduce themselves forthe record. Attorney Mark CAovsky states he was not here at the hst meeting but was brought up to date, and he indicates that with him is Richard Batten ~om Batten Brothers Signs Inc. who also was not present at the hst meeting, end he introduces Ray McNally ofBenucci' s who was present at the last meeting. Mr. Glovsky states he studied the history and did research and understands how Bill Finch feels about interaaHy illuminated signs. He notes there is no prohibition against intentally illuminated signs, and it makes sense that with regard to the architectural role, to have signs that are consistent. He states he understands there was another property in North Beverly which proposed internally iDnmlnsted signs end that was not approved by this Board but he thinks that is a different situation than this because it is a clapboard building, residential in character. He states that Bertucci' s site at 27-33 Enon Street is located in an area which is not residential in character and that there are a number of commercial properties in the area, many of which have internally illuminated signs. He feels that what is being proposed and what has been designed by Batten Brothers isaesthetically pleasing and consistent with the neighborhood. He states he has been hard pressed to understand how this particular proposal would adversely affect the value of abutting properties since there is nothing of residential character. He distributes copies of the proposed sign to the Board members, and notes that this is an area zoned Commercial General. He states that it is his feeling that this kind Of zOning district is a neighborhood where a sign such as what is proposed would be consistent with the automobile related businesses, Lastly he states in looking at the criteria for approving or disapproving the sign, the Board should take into considentiun the surrounding area. Design Review Board Meeting Minutes- 3/4/99 Page 2. Mr. Glovsky notes that Bertucci' s has made a si4gnificant investment in upgrading the propeay. They proposed recycling a sign fxom Oh Buster whereby they reduced the sign down in size by about fifty percent. He notes they are consistent with the zoning ordinance and feels the Board should consider the aesthetic appearance of the sign and the overall affect on the area. He feels the sign is really a pins for the neighborhood He further notes that the Gibbs gas station across the street is going to install an internally illuminated sign, which he indicates is going to be the first such sign in the area. Ms. Hurlbutt questions the 10 x 10 pole comers, and Mr. Batten replies they are of an aluminum material as is the rest of the sign and will be painted. Ms. Palardy questions whether the letters will be illuminated, and Mr. Batten replies they will be illuminated. Mr. Batten further states that the panel color is #953, which is an off white or soft white, and that around the panel is a border which is the same color. Ms Palardy questions the pole color and Mr. Batten replies it is historical color #12 which is a gold color. He states that the colors have been picked to match the building, and the pole color is #35 which is a brick color. Ms. Palardy questions the finish, and Mr. BaXten notes it is a semi-gloss, not fiat or high glosi He states that too rm, ch gloss makes the builder appear dirty too soon. Ms. Hurlburt inquires if there is a photograph of this sign, and Mr. Batten replies there is not. He also indicates there is no picture of any other sign, but replies this was custom designed for this location. Ms. Hurlburt asks if Mr. Batten is also here for Starbucks Coffee, and he indicates that he is, and that the name on that portion of the sign would be gree~. M~ O'Brien says the Board should leave it to Mr. Batten to blend the colors. Ms. Hurlburr thinks that Mr. Glovsky' s argument about internal illumination at this location is reasonable and feels it could be aesthedcaliy pleasing and wants to know if the poles are wooden. Mr. Glovsky states they are steel beams and that they could be wrapped with wood, but they are existing at the preseat time. Mr. Batten indicates they are a heavy gauge aluminum, 090, close to 1/8 inch thick. Mr. McNaliy adds that the new sign at the Peabody store which was done when the store opened looked better than what was at that location previously. Mr. Batten adds that when considering aluminum versus wood, aluminum has a longer life and better quality of fabrication. Design Review Board Meeting Minutes - 3/4/99 Page 3. Ms. O'Brien questions the bottom panel of the sign which is blank at the present time, and is informed by Mr. Batten that this has not been determined yet by the owners of the building. Mr. McNally states that the landlord is in negotiations with Eastern Bank for space in the complex and the bottom space on the sign. Mr. Batten adds the sign panel is one big piece, and that the panels go on and the letters are muted out. Mr. G-lovsky adds that they wiIl determine if there is going to be additional tenant and if not, the lower portion of the sign cotrid be removed, and the entire sign could be lowered. He further notes there will be a separate entrance for Bertucci' s Market. Ms. Hurlbun asks ifBertucci's Pizn and Bertucci's Market are separate enterprises, and Mr. MeNally replies that the Market will be retail Italian sales. He notes that they each have a separate entrance and separate cashiers, but that they are part of the same corporation. Ms. Hurlbun asks for questions F~om the Board. There being none, Ms. O'Brien makes a motion to accept the sign with the stipulation as noted, that if no additional tenant is involved, the entire sign would be lowered. Seconded by Ms. Palardy. ~ Hurlbun notes that the motion is approved, and that if there is no additional tenant, the sign will be lowered 14 inches. Mr. Batten indicates that he will notify the Board within thirty days. 2. Paul Halkiotis/Stsrbucks Coffee Comnanv - New Sign Ms. Hurlbun notes that the Starbucks Coffee matter is approved and will so notify the involved individnals. 3. Kim Weaver/The Golden Han~er - New sign Carhi Whitaker of Ca~son Real Estate shows pictures of the building, noting the sign that is being removed and also shows a picture of the proposed sign. She notes that the sign is just about the same size and is gold leaf on a black background, and is owned by the owner of the building. Ms. O'Brien notes that the bracket is too high, and Ms. Palardy feels it is too thin. Design Review Board Meeting Minutes - 3/4/99 Page 4. Ms. Hurlburt states she feels the problem is the placement of the bracket on the building and feels that lowering the brackets would give is a mere appropriate appearance. Ms. Palardy says a more appealing bracket would make it look more attractive. Ms. Hurlbun questions whether it would be better if it were centered between the windows. There is general discussion about whether the sign should be more substantial and not so thi.~ and Ms. O'Brien wants to know if it would be best to have a design on both sides of the sign. Ms. Hurlbun suggests squaring it off and having more of a triangular shape. Ms. Pahrdy suggests this is an odd shape sticking out of the building and feels the shape should be changed. Ms. Hurlbun notes she feels it would be nice to have the bottom of the sign connect with the brackets. Ms. Palardy notes that the top of the sign should be lined up with the top of the sign bracket~ Mr. Hurlbun further notes that they should check on the height of the sign from the sidewalk and then come back for final approval IV~ Palardy makes motion to approve the sign contingent upon receipt of the new brackets and review of the design, seconded by Ms. O'Brien. Motion carries. 4, Beveriv Animal Hospital - New Sign Ms. Hurlbun states this is a one-story brick building with royal blue awnings in the H & R Block Building and that the building inspector told her that this sign would be approved if it shows on Charhock Street. Ginger Catalani, Manager of the Beverly Animal Hospital, notes that the plastic letters currently in place will be removed and that the sign would be blue and white to match the awnings. She feels the proposed placement of the sign is the best location, and that brackets would be flush to the building. She notes there are two awnings on Cabot Street and two awnings on Charnock Street. Ms. Palardy states she is uncomfortable with the sign sticking out of the comer of the building. Ms. Catalaul states the sign will be !it by other lights, and will not be internally illuminated. BiLl Finch said he does not have a problem with the sign as proposed, and feels it could be approved pending his site review. Design Review Board Meeting Minutes - 3/4/99 Page 5. Ms. Hurlburt indicates that the placement of the sign and brackets will be left to Mr. F'mch's discretion after his site visit. M~ Palardy makes motion to approve the sign contingent upon Mr. Finch' s site visit, seconded by Ms. O'Brien. Motion carries. 5. Kathy Humphrey/Business Image, he. - New Sign No one appeared for thi~ meeting. Ms. Palardy makes a motion to send a letter to the Building Inspector that with regard to this matter, there appears to be a zoning viohtion in that the number of posted signs exceeds thirty percent of the window space. Seconded by Ms. O'Brien. There being no further discussion, motion carries. 6. Memorial Middle School. 502 Cabot S~'eet - New Sign It is noted that the sign was made 48 inches by 78 inches and cannot be allowed because under the zoning ordinances it is too large for signs in a residential area. 7. Walgreens Ms. Hurlbun notes that at the last meeting it was decided that Beverly' s Arborist Phil Kllmowicz should review the site and that a result of this inspection showed 5 inch callper sycamore maple trees are good, and that everything is fine. Ms. O'Brien makes motion to accept the landscaper's design as presented by Walgreens, seconded by Ms. Palardy. No discussion, motion carries. Mr. Palardy makes motion to adjourn, seconded by Ms. O'Brien, motion carries. Meeting adjourned at 8:05 P.M.