2005-05-05
Design Review Board
May 5, 2005
Page 1
Design Review Board
Date: May 5, 2005
Members Present: Leah Zambernardi, Colleen Bruce,
William Finch
Members Absent: Douglas Haring
Others Present: None
Recorder: Leah Zambernardi
Mr. Haring called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm.
1. Lucky Dog Sports Bar - Janine Stanton - 129 Cabot Street
A representative of Lucky Dog Sports Bar approaches the Board. He states that he was
the old manager for Team Spirits Sports Bar and that when he acquired the business he
wasn't aware that he had to get approval from the Board to change the lettering on the
existing sign. He states that the coloring and size of the sign has remained the same.
Zambernardi thanks him for responding to the letter that was sent to him and for coming
to the meeting. She asks what his plans are for the existing awning that has the name of
the old business. He states that temporarily, he will cover up the lettering reading "Team
Spirits" and leave the white lettering that reads "Sports Bar". He eventually would like to
put letters up reading "Lucky Dog Sports Bar". Board members agree that he may put
that lettering up so long as it is centered, a uniform font and 6-inches in height. Finch
suggests that white letters will be more readable than the gold letters.
Finch states his greater concerns are the banners on the storefront and on the side of the
building. He states this business is not even at the corner of the building and that they
don't have the right to display a sign there. The Lucky Dog representative agrees to
remove those signs.
The Board discusses the possibility of revising the colors of the projecting sign to be
more readable. They inform the representative that any changes to the signs will need
DRB approval. Bruce notes that although there are many sandwich board signs out on
the sidewalks currently, the law on the books is that they are not allowed.
Bruce motions to approve the sign with the following conditions. As a temporary measure,
the applicant will remove or cover the lettering "Team Spirits" on the awning. The applicant
has received approval from the Board to replace the lettering on the awning with white, 6-inch
height lettering of a uniform font, which will be centered on the face of the awning. The
Board also requires that the applicant remove the large sign on the side of the building facing
Franklin Place and the yellow Keno sign below the windows of the storefront. Finch seconds
the motion and it carries unanimously.
Design Review Board
May 5, 2005
Page 2
2. Modification to Site Plan #84-04 - Modification of McKay Street Access -
Cummings Properties - 950 Cummings Center Drive (201 Elliott Street)
Two representatives from the Cummings Center present the changes to the 6-Story Hotel
for the Cummings Center. The access from McKay Street is being redesigned in order to
remove the existing turning restrictions. Zambernardi provides background for this
project stating that in late 2003, the Planning Board approved a 3-story building at this
location, which included an access onto McKay Street. Due to neighborhood concerns
about increased traffic on McKay Street, the Planning Board imposed restrictions on the
turning lanes into and out of the access. The Planning Board retained jurisdiction over
this plan for 1 year, so they could review the impact of the access drive. In late 2004,
rather than implementing the 3-story office building, Cummings Properties submitted a
request for a 6-Story Hotel. In order to do this, they received approval for a zone change
from IG to IR, a special permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals, and site plan approval
from the Planning Board. The Planning Board also reviewed the access to measure the
traffic impact. They reviewed a traffic study submitted by Cummings Properties and they
considered comments from City Department heads and the Parking and Traffic
Commission. The voted to allow the removal of the turning restrictions with the 6-story
hotel plan, but retained jurisdiction to review the traffic impacts one year from
completion of the hotel. Members also required that the applicant come back to the
Board for a modification of the Site Plan to formally revise the plans. Zambernardi states
that this is the reason they are back before us.
A representative of the Cummings Center states that the plan is the same as the site plan
already reviewed by the Board, the only difference is the turning restriction.
Bruce motions to approve the plans without conditions. Finch seconds the motion and it
carries unanimously.
Bruce motions to adjourn at 7:00 p.m. Finch seconds the motion and it carries
unanimously.