Loading...
1999-02-04CITY OF BEVEP~LY MASSACHUSETTS PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES BOARD: Design Review Board SUBCOMMITTEE: DATE: February 4, 1999 PLACE: Beverly Public Library BOARD MEM3~ERS PRESENT: William Finch, Margaret O'Brien, Jennifer Palardy, Debbie Hurlburt BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Doublas Haring, Scott Houseman RECORDER: Florence Sagarino Debbie Hurlburt calls the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. and calls the first applicant. 1) BEVERLY CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE/NANCY SMITH/~ CABOT STREET Debbie Hurlburt states that the applicants appeared before the Zoning Board of Appeals and are requesting a 32 sq.ft. sign on property located in an R1 District, where no signs are allowed. Hurlburt states that they are asking to upgrade their present sign, and are coming back with a carved sign which will be externally illuminated. They have requested that the Board continue their hearing until the next Board meeting scheduled for March 4, 1999. 2) BERTUCCI'S 27-33 ENON STREET/LANDSCAPING UPDATE Debbie Hurlburt states that this matter was started a year ago and the landscaping was reviewed and approved contingent on plans being submitted to the Board. She states that at the last meeting she would give the plans to the City Arborist for his suggestions and recommendations. It was suggested by the Arborist that they use plantings that will remain green all year and he approved the land- scaping plan. 3) BERTUCCI'S 27-33 ENON STREET/BATTEN BROS.,INC. (SIGN) Debbie Hurlburr states to the Board that they had approved a free standing sign - a monument sign - with external lights. When the revised plans were submitted, they showed internal illumination. For that reason, they are appearing before the Board this evening. page two Jeffrey Sarra of Batten Bros., representing Bertucci's. Also present are Ray McNally and Tom O'Donnell of Starbucks. Sarra shows the previous sign to the Board. He states that since the first meeting they have downsized the sign and it will be closer to the ground and that the brick base is in. They are requesting to have approval as submitted with an opaque background. He states that the color for the tenants will be different. Starbucks will have white lettering on a green background. These are colors specified by the architect. He states that the color can be changed according to the Board. At this point, he shows Benjamin Moore color charts which are a #953 off white. Finch asks the applicant the number of tenants listed on the sign, to which Sarra responds there are three; Bertucci, Starbucks and Eastern Bank. Finch states that he prefers that the letters be externally illuminated. Sarra states that their preference is internal illumination because it is better for visibility than an external illumination, which he claims are more fifficult to read. McNally states that externally illuminated signs are not as durable because they have found that the paint peels; lights. go out and all this does not lend any beauty to the building. He asks the Board why they feel it is so important to have external lights. Board members agree that it is more attractive and the neighbors in the area feel it is too overwhelming with all the signage in the area, and that this could set a precedent for other busi- nesses to do the same. Finch adds that the Board just recently denied the Ray Insurance sign application. McNally asks what the code states and feels that they have been accommodating to the Board's request and their intention is to please everyone, and feels strongly on the internal lighting. Hurlburt states that the ordinance allows internal lighting, however, it is the discretion of the Board as to how it fits in to the site with regard to facade, etc. She further states that there have been discussions regarding some businesses that are far back from the street who need internal lighting for visibility and then there are businesses which are close to the street that do not necessarily require internal lighting. Finch asks if this is the only signage there presently, and if it is an internal light. McNally states that it is presently a wall sign that is illuminated. Finch feels that if they have normal signage that people will find them and also feels that there is adequate signage and has a difficult time allowing additional illumination. He states that they are trying to avoid situations where everyone is trying for more visible signs. page three Palardy states that she likes the sign which is presently there and would prefer an external light. McNally states they would like to come back with some final graphics and will try to enhance the quality. Palardy asks if they have any externally illuminated signs to which McNally responds no. Sarra states that they wanted to keep the background opaque and visible, and wanted a long listing sign which would have an anodized frame with no raw metal exposed. Palardy states that during the day an externally lit sign would look better, particularly if it were a wood carved sign. Finch states that he would like the appli- cant to bring the graphics with them when they return to the Board. Hurlburt states that they have photos and requests they present these with the completed graphics at the next meeting of the Board scheduled for March 4, 1999. 4) STARBUCKS COFFEE C0./27 ENON STREET/PAUL HALKIOTIS TOm O'Donnell representing Starbucks Coffee presents a plan of the sign. He points out the location of the sign which is to the left of Bertucci's, next to the bank. He states that this is channelized lettering, internally lit. It will have white letters with a green background. He presents photos to the Board. He states that the sign band is dark green on a yellow building. He states there is a disc sign for the back door. The sign is illuminated so that it is visible from the train which runs behind the building. Hurlburt states that the awnings will have no letters. Finch inquires as to the size of the letters to which O'Donnell responds they are 14 in. x 18 ft. 6 in., and is designed in accordance with the ordinance. Hurlburt states that she will check the ordinance. Hurlburt asks if the Board wishes to approve one plan, which the Board endorses as submitted. The applicant will return on March 4, 1999 regarding the second request. 5) BEVERLY SEAFOOD/STONE & LOTHROP STREETS William George states to the Board that there is a sign presently on the building. He would like two signs, one on the front and one on the side. He presents a plan showing a mural painted by Earl Allen with signage in the middle. This will be the front sign that he is requesting. He wishes to repaint what is already there. page four Hurlburt states that she will have to speak to the Building Inspector regarding the size and the removal of one business to another and whether or not this is a non-conforming sign. She states that if it is allowed, it would be a 40 sq.ft. sign. She feels that the Board has to look at the whole thing as a sign. Finch is concerned with the total sign and feels that it could be set up with different colors. Mr. George states the importance of the signage and states that it will not be painted on the building, because the building is stucco. He states that they only want two different signs. Hurlburt states that Tim Brennan has stated that they are only allowed 40 sq.ft. Palardy states that perhaps the Board should be looking at this as a mural. The applicant states that perhaps they can put the mural on the sign and that the actual sign would conform to 40 sq.ft. Palardy suggests that the sign be within the mural. Hurlburr states that if the business words are framed, that would be the extent of the sign and the Board would not have to consider the mural as part of the sign. Hurlburt states that they can approve as discussed, but that they need something from the sign maker as to the dimensions. She suggests to the applicant that he bring this to her office. Regarding the second sign - this will be behind the tree located on the property. He states he is not sure of the dimension. Hurlburt states that when a business closes they have to be in conformance and they are only allowed a 20 sq.ft.sign. Finch states that the sign should be for identification purposes only, not to advertise products. He states that they can have 1-2 items. He suggests that a sandwich board sign could be used. Mr. George states that he would like to name at least two items that he sells and perhaps he could square off the corner and place the wording on it; that the 20 sq.ft. would be acceptable to him. He states that he will be keeping the shrubs and if possible some trees in the area. Suggestions were made by the Board as to placing the words "lobster" and "fresh fish" or perhaps pictures of lobsters and fish instead of the words. Mr. George talks about the sign on the pole which will not be lit.Finch questions if this is allowed. Board discusses when change in ownership occurs, it should be brought up to code. Also,the Board feels they do not wan internally illuminated sign. Palardy states if a freestanding sign were allowed,it would be lower to the ground;or placed on a bracket. She page five states that some have a chalkboard and therefore can change the wording at any given time. Mr. George also questions whether he could place a neon sign in the window which could be 30% for advertising for live lobster and fresh fish, to which Finch states that it is allowed by right as long as it is 30% or under. The Board approves a 20 sq.ft. sign using the revised language. Meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.