2005-06-02
Design Review Board - Public Meeting Minutes
June 2, 2005
Page 1
Design Review Board
Date: June 2, 2005
Members Present: Leah Zambernardi, Colleen Bruce,
William Finch
Members Absent: Douglas Haring
Others Present:
Recorder: Diane Presutti
Ms. Zambernardi called the meeting to order at 6:40 p.m.
1. St. Mary’s Parish – Helene Stevens/253 Cabot Street/Sign
Ms. Stevens approaches the Board with a design for a replacement sign that will stand
about 7’ high. The sign will be burgundy with gold lettering. There will also be a
message board attached below the sign. This sign will be two feet higher than the
existing sign.
Ms. Zambernardi states that the sign ordinance prohibits interchangeable message signs
however, Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40A Section 3 basically exempts
religious institutions from zoning and Section 29-25.A.7 of the Beverly Zoning
Ordinance allows that religious entities to have interchangeable message signs.
Mr. Finch indicates that the height is taller than a person and suggested reducing it by
cutting down on the size of the crown cap and possible reducing the message board from
three lines to two. He also suggests locating the message board sign elsewhere such as
on the building.
Ms. Zambernardi asks Ms. Stevens if this would be possible. Ms. Stevens states she
prefers the message board to be on the freestanding sign and that she can tweak the size
down somewhat to accommodate the Board's concerns.
Ms. Bruce suggests that the color of the message board match the color of the sign.
Mr. Finch motions to approve the sign with the condition that the overall height of the
sign is reduced to approximately 5-feet 6-inches above ground. He states this should be
done by reducing the letter size of the message board text to 3-3/4-inch letters and by
reducing the size of the sign crown proportionally. In addition, the Board requested that
the applicant explore options for the background color of the message board other than
white. The Board preferred the background color match the color of the upper panel.
Should this not be available, they also prefer a black background with gold or white
letters. Ms. Bruce seconded the motion and the motion carried 3-0.
Design Review Board - Public Meeting Minutes
June 2, 2005
Page 2
2. Chianti Restaurant – Robert Marino/285 Cabot Street/Awning
Mr. Marino presents a design which would replace an existing awning sign and that
would create one new awning sign. He wishes to replace the existing awning with two
awnings to indicate two different entrances, one to the restaurant and one to the dessert
bar. The awning design presented would be of cloth with white lettering with Chianti on
one line and the test indicating the restaurant or the dessert bar on the second line. He
also indicates that he would go to the ZBA if they couldn’t find a solution and asked if
the DRB would submit a letter to the ZBA supporting this proposal.
Mr. Finch indicates that letters on an awning sign are limited to one line and 6-inches in
height. He discusses the possibility of a projecting sign identifying the business name
and the two awnings with one line of text that can have the restaurant name and the name
of the entrance. Ms. Zambernardi and Ms. Bruce suggest other solutions to Mr. Marino.
Mr. Marino states he has a hardship because there is a tenant entrance on the front of the
building separating the two entrances. Also, his storefront is on a corner and is obscured
by trees, therefore a wall sign or projecting sign would not attract attention or visibility.
He doesn't want to take the trees down. He would like to have the awnings because he
feels he would get the best visibility from them.
The Board members collectively expressed concern over supporting a variance for more
than one line of lettering and for the lettering size, because they feel that other designs
that conform to Zoning may be possible. They statedthey would like Mr. Marino to
consider other options and to provide a more accurate depiction of how the awnings
would be attached to the storefront. Mr. Finch motions to continue this discussion to
June 9, 2005 at 6:30 p.m.
3. Appleseed’s and Country Home Collections – Ed Juralewicz/30 Tozer Road and
50 Dodge Street/Signs
Mr. Juralewicz approaches the Board with three sign designs for Appleseed’s at 30 Tozer
Road, Appleseed’s at 50 Dodge Street and Country Home Collections at 50 Dodge
Street.
Mr. Juralewicz states that the first sign proposal is for a wall sign and a freestanding sign
at 30 Tozer Road. He states that the freestanding sign is existing and they will replace
the sign face.
Ms. Bruce motions to approve the sign as presented. Seconded by Mr. Finch. Motion
carries 3-0.
Mr. Juralewicz states the second sign proposal is for three new Appleseed's signs at 50
Dodge Street. One sign will be the replacement of a tenant panel on the freestanding
sign, one will be the replacement of a roof sign and one will be a wall sign in the gable of
the store entrance. Ms. Bruce suggested that the size of the wall sign is scaled back so
Design Review Board - Public Meeting Minutes
June 2, 2005
Page 3
the edges of the sign do not touch the edge of the gable roof. Mr. Juralewicz states he
can bring the size down to 72" in length and he'll adjust the height accordingly.
Ms. Bruce motioned to accept contingent upon reducing the length of the wall sign to 72”
and height adjusted proportionally, seconded by Ms. Zambernardi. Motion carried 3-0.
Mr. Juralewicz states that the third sign is for the replacement of the current Country
Home Collections sign. Ms. Bruce motions to approve as presented. Seconded by Mr.
Finch. Motion carries 3-0.
DiMaJe Hair Studio – Marylou Conti/232 Cabot Street/Sign
Ms. Conti presents a sketch of a wall sign 27 inches tall by 8 feet in length.
Mr. Finch motions to accept as presented, seconded by Ms. Bruce. Motion carried 3-0.
Minutes of April 7 & May 5, 2005
Ms. Bruce motions to accept minutes seconded by Mr. Finch. Motion carried 3-0.
Meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.