2003-01-09Design Review Board
Public Meeting Minutes – January 9, 2003
Page 1
CITY OF BEVERLY
Public Meeting Minutes
BOARD: Design Review Board
SUBCOMMITTEE:
DATE: January 9, 2003
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Margaret O’Brien, William Finch, Leah
Zambernardi, and Douglas Haring (arrived at 7:10
p.m.)
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT:
OTHERS PRESENT:
RECORDER: Diane Presutti
Ms. Zambernardi called the meeting to order at 6:45 p.m.
1. The Furniture Institute of Massachusetts - Philip Lowe/116 Water St./Sign
Mr. Lowe approaches the Board with a sketch of a sign he wishes to display. The sign
will be of MDO plywood or cedar. The upper sign will be gold leaf and the lower sign
will have a cream background with burgundy lettering and a gold leaf border. The sign
will hang from a bracket with an extension bar applied. A cable may also be applied from
the building to the outer point of the bracket for reinforcement.
Ms. Zambernardi asks the Board for any further questions or comments.
O’Brien states that cedar or plywood would be acceptable.
Ms. O’Brien motions to accept, seconded by Mr. Finch.
Motion carries 3-0.
2. Cellular Notions - Homayoon Salehi/242 Elliott Street/Sign
Mr. Salehi approaches the Board with a picture of an internally illuminated sign. The
background will be green with white lettering. The dimensions are still in question. The
text of the sign would read “CELLULAR NOTIONS” only.
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Public Meeting Minutes – January 9, 2003
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Mr. Finch addresses Mr. Salehi regarding his concern of the green background and
suggests that he use an opaque dark green.
Mr. Finch motions to accept the opaque dark green sign with white letters contingent that
accurate dimensions be submitted to Ms. Zambernardi for approval, seconded by Ms.
O’Brien. Motion carries 3-0.
3. H & R Block - Jonathan Cody/157 Cabot Street/Sign
Mr. Cody of SignArt, Inc., approaches the board with a sign for H & R Block. The sign
will be 2’ x 8’ with a black background, white letters and a green block.
Ms. Zambernardi suggests to Mr. Cody that the green square not be illuminated at night.
Mr. Cody accepts her suggestion.
Ms. O’Brien motions to accept contingent that the green square not be illuminated at
night, seconded by Mr. Finch. Motion carries 3-0.
4. Comcast - Jonathan Cody/12 Tozer Road/Signs
Mr. Cody displays 2 signs he wishes to display at 12 Tozer Road. The signs will be
replacing the existing AT&T signs. The signs will have white lettering with a black
background and plum-color symbols. The signs will not be illuminated.
Mr. Finch motions to accept, seconded by Ms. O’Brien. Motion carries 3-0.
Mr. Haring arrives at 7:10 p.m.
5. Bank north - Kevin Mellen/55 Dodge Street and 175 Cabot Street/Signs
Mr. Jay Kahn approaches the Board on behalf of Banknorth. He explains that Banknorth
has taken over Warren Bank. Banknorth will be replacing existing signage of Warren
Bank at 55 Dodge Street and at 175 Cabot Street with Banknorth signs of similar
dimensions.
Mr. Kahn continues by stating that they wish to replace the wall sign at 55 Dodge Street
with their logo and the text “Banknorth” in dark blue letters with no background. He also
explains that the ATM header sign above the entrance will also be changed to
“Banknorth.” Both signs will be illuminated.
Mr. Finch suggests that they enlarge the letters “24-Hour ATM” in blue and reduce their
logo, similar to the way Warren Bank had their sign.
Mr. Mellen states that he will discuss their suggestion with the company and notify the
Assistant Planning Director of their decision.
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Mr. Finch motions to accept the wall sign, seconded by O’Brien. Motion carries 4-0.
Finch motions to table the matter of the ATM header sign until Mr. Mellen consults on
the design with the Assistant Planning Director, seconded by Ms. O’Brien. Motion
carries 4-0.
Mr. Jay Kahn continues to display signs for 175 Cabot Street. He shows the Board the
material he wishes to place over the granite “Savings Bank Building” sign.
Mr. Finch suggests that the new sign be slightly enlarged and drilled into the brick mortar
and not into the granite in order to preserve the underlying granite sign.
Mr. Finch also suggests that the “Banknorth” sign above the door be placed so as not to
further destroy the underlying granite lettering. He suggests that Mr. Kahn use the same
drill holes in installing the “Banknorth” sign that were used to install the existing Warren
Bank sign.
Mr. Kahn continues by showing the projecting sign with a white background.
He also shows the Board various signs that will be placed around the building and its
parking lot.
Mr. Finch suggests that the white background of the projecting sign may not be
appropriate to the downtown area.
Mr. Haring suggests an opaque sign that is smaller in height.
Ms. O’Brien suggests a more traditional sign similar to other signs appearing in the
downtown area such as a projecting wood sign supported by a bracket. They could still
display the Banknorth logo and colors using such a sign.
Mr. Mellen states he will confer with Banknorth to se if they are amenable to such a sign.
Mr. Finch motions to accept the signs contingent on the conditions set forth for the two
signs that will cover the underlying granite signs, and to table a decision on the projecting
sign until Mr. Mellen consults on the design with the Assistant Planning Director,
seconded by Ms. O’Brien. Motion carries 4-0.
Mr. Haring excuses himself.
7. Keller Williams Realty - Joe Reis/Cummings Center/Sign
Mr. Reis approaches the Board with a sketch of a sign to be displayed on the first floor of
the Cummings Center. The sign will have internally illuminated white letters.
Ms. Zambernardi states that this sign meets the conditions set forth in the variance for
signage at the Cummings Center.
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Ms. O’Brien motions to accept, seconded by Mr. Finch. Motion carries 3-0.
8. N. Majorek, M.D. - Joe Reis/Cummings Center/Sign
Mr. Reis continues with a sketch of N. Majorek, M.D. sign to also be displayed on the
first floor at the Cummings Center. This sign will also have internally illuminated white
letters.
Ms. Zambernardi states that this sign meets the conditions set forth in the variance for
signage at the Cummings Center.
Ms. O’Brien motions to accept, seconded by Mr. Finch. Motion carries 3-0.
Mr. Haring returns.
9. Approval of minutes:
Mr. Finch motions to accept minutes of November 7, 2002 and December 15, 2002.
Seconded by Mr. Haring. Motion carries 3-0.
10. Adjournment:
Ms. O’Brien motions to adjourn at 8:00 p.m., seconded by Finch. Motion carries 4-0.