2004-08-05Design Review Board
Meeting Minutes - August 5, 2004
Page 1
CITY OF BEVERLY
Public Meeting Minutes
BOARD: Design Review Board
SUBCOMMITTEE:
DATE: August 5, 2004
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: William Finch, Douglas Haring,
Jane Brusca, Leah Zambernardi
MEMBERS ABSENT: Colleen Bruce
OTHERS PRESENT:
RECORDER: Diane Presutti
Ms. Zambernardi calls the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.
Ms. Zambernardi states that Staples has requested to be heard first on the agenda.
1. Staples - Linda Baynes/43 Dodge Street/Sign
Linda Baynes of East Coast Sign Advertising approaches the Board to represent
"Staples". She displays artwork of a sign they wish to display at 43 Dodge Street. The
Sign will display the "Staples" name with the words "Pack & Ship" and "Copy Center"
below the name. They plan to display the sign at the old "Shaws" location. The sign will
be 180 SF with a red background and white lettering 6' high. They will be channel letters
on a red background. She also displays a drawing of the tenant sign to be displayed on the
freestanding sign.
Ms. Brusca arrives at 6:40 p.m.
Mr. Finch questions the size of the sign and lettering. He states that the lettering size is
not within ordinance guidelines. He also states that the sign size is determined by the
square footage of the building. He feels that this size is out of context and asks the Board
members if the Board should request assistance from the City Solicitor. He continues to
state that the ordinance does not allow the listing of services on signage. He also states
that the red background on the sign has to be included in the square footage.
Ms. Zambernardi asks if the store will take up the same amount of space that Shaw's had.
Ms. Baynes states that Staples will only take up one portion of the facade. Mr. Finch
states that would negate the grandfathered status of the sign as the one storefront would
now be divided up into several stores.
Mr. Haring agrees with Mr. Finch. He asks Ms. Baynes to submit revised sketches to the
Board.
Ms. Zambernardi reads the ordinance guidelines to Ms. Baynes and asks her to submit
revised drawings excluding the services language and within ordinance guidelines for
presentation at September's meeting.
Mr. Haring motions to table the building sign until the September meeting stating that the
Board will accept revised drawings to view prior to the meeting. He states that the Board
would prefer to see the letters in red, set on an ivory colored clapboard background to
match the rest of the plaza or that the red background be scaled down to fall within the
parameters of the Zoning Regulations. He also motions to accept the freestanding panel,
seconded by Ms. Brusca. Motion carries 4-0.
2. Edible Arrangements - Nick D'Alleva/45 Enon Street/Sign
Mr. D'Alleva approaches the Board with sketches of the sign he wishes to display at 45
enon Street. His business is located within the Commodore Plaza between Quizno's and
The Karate Studio. He continues to state that he wishes to open the business August 30.
He states that the sign band is 28" high and the tallest letter will be 18". The word
"arrangements" is 3". The sign will be 6' long made of all aluminum lettering. The
freestanding sign may or may not have the logo but will be 12" x 47".
Mr. Finch states that his frontage will allow only 1/2 a sign band and states that is may be
crowded and suggest that Mr. D'Alleva reduce the overall sign size by 2".
Ms. Zambernardi states that the other signs in the place range from 16" to 21".
Mr. D'Alleva states the lettering will be 24" in height.
Mr. Haring states the word "edible" are of thinner letters therefore the sign won't appear
to be as tall. In addition there will be 2" on the top and on the bottom of the sign band.
Mr. Haring motions to accept the wall sign and the tenant panel sign as presented,
seconded by Ms. Brusca. Motion carries 4-0.
3. Mike's Barber Shop - Michael Coronella/296B Cabot Street/Sign
Mr. Coronella approaches the Board with a drawing of a sign he wishes to display at 296B
Cabot Street. He begins to explain to the Board that he wishes to display a nostalgic look
using ivory rather than white. The background will be red and blue. The letters in the
lower section are 7" tall. The sign will be made of oak. The design also will display
barber poles. He also states that he will a display an electric barber pole in accordance
with State regulations.
Mr. Finch states to the Board that the building is currently owned by Montserrat College
of Art.
Mr. Haring states that no sandwich board sign can be displayed.
Mr. Haring approves as presented noting ivory will be replacing white, seconded by Ms.
Brusca. Motion carries 4-0.
4. Studio Hair Design - Linda Hays/238 Rantoul Street/Sign
Ms. Hays approaches the Board with a drawing of a projecting sign being lavender and
black with silver lettering. The sign will be attached by a metal bracket. The sign will also
say "walk in service". There will be no external lighting. The only light on the building is
a house light for the apartment. She also states that the hours of operation and the phone
number will be displayed on the entrance door.
Ms. Zambernardi asks the Board for their approval of "walk in service" on sign.
Mr. Haring motions to accept as presented, seconded by Mr. Finch. Motion carries 4-0.
5. Montserrat College of Art - Robert Beauvais/23 Essex Street/Sign & Banners
Mr. Beauvais and other members of Montserrat College approach the Board with a model
of the building showing a new sign and various colored banners scattered about the
building. He explains they wish to upgrade the appearance of the building. They will also
be installing a plaza on the Essex Street entrance with landscaping. The sign and the
banners will be of a stretch canvas on metal plates installed on the Essex Street and Dane
Street sides of the building. The model shows the exact placement of the banners. The
metal plates holding the banners are removable. The sign will be blue, grey and green on a
white background.
Ms. Zambernardi states to the Board that the banners are not signs for they have no
wording nor are they identifying colors for the school therefore the Board should direct
their attention to the sign only.
Mr. Haring states that the banners should not obstruct the windows or they will be
obstructing the architectural feature of the building. He also suggests that they use
Sumbrella fabric for the banners.
Mr. Finch agrees with Mr. Haring.
Mr. Beauvais states that they will consider Sumbrella.
Mr. Haring motions to accept as presented in perforated fabric wrapped around frame in
context as part of banner system on building referring to order Section 29-25E of the
Zoning Ordinance, seconded by Mr. Brusca. Motion carries 4-0.
6. Super Stop & Shop - Sherry Clancy/37 Enon Street/Sign
Mr. Alexander approaches the Board on behalf of Super Stop & Shop located next to
Commodore site. These changes are the result of he Commodore Site modification plan.
He also states that the building that formerly housed Dawson's Hardware will be torn
down, therefore Stop & Shop will be remodeling their building as well with new signage
and a new freestanding sign. He also explains that the building facades will be beige and
buff colors.
Ms. Clancy states that the new sign will show 43" & 21.5" high lettering on a 6' sign. The
words will be stacked allowing for less presence but the same square footage. The word
"Super" will be in red and will also contain the red and green dots. The lettering will be
black but will light up red.
Mr. Haring motions to accept as presented, seconded by Mr. Finch. Motion carries 4-0.
Ms. Clancy states that the freestanding sign will be replaced in the planting bed being 12.2'
wide x 15' high, measuring 30 square feet with Citizen Bank panel. The sign will be
internally illuminated and she also stated that lighting is an important factor due to the
busy traffic in this area.
Mr. Haring motions to accept as presented, seconded by Ms. Brusca. Motion carries 4-0.
7. Approval of Minutes
Mr. Haring motions to accept minutes of June 10 & July 1, 2004, seconded by Ms.
Brusca. Motion carries 4-0.
8. New Business
Mr. Haring addresses the Board concerning interchangable signs and asks the Board to
consider adding a restriction to the ordinance.
Mr. Haring also mentions the manhole problems with methane gas. He would like the
Board to look into the possibility of burying utility lines for a nicer appearance.
Mr. Haring also mentions to the Board creating a sunset law regarding billboards.
Mr. Finch motions to adjourn at 8:40 p.m.