2014-03-06CITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
BOARD OR COMMISSION:
SUBCOMMITTEE:
DATE:
LOCATION:
MEMBERS PRESENT:
MEMBERS ABSENT
OTHERS PRESENT:
RECORDER:
Design Review Board
None
March 6, 2014
Conference Room A, Third Floor City Hall
Rachel Matthews, Jane Brusca, Karen Berbergal,
Ellen Flannery, Leah Zambernardi
Bill Finch
Ed Juralewicz, United Sign Company; Aaron
Clausen, Director of Planning; Representative from
Cala Renee Salon
Craig Schuster
The meeting is called to order at 6:30 p.m. Zambernardi introduces the first agenda item.
1. Sign: Microline Surgical Inc., 50 Dunham Road, Beverly MA 01915
Juralewicz of United Sign Company presented a sign for Microline Surgical. He stated
that the sign conforms in every respect except for height and he will be going to the ZBA
on March 25 to get a special permit for the height. He stated that the sign will be
internally illuminated and colored grey which will limit the amount of light being
emitted. There was a discussion among the Board members and Juralewicz about the
location of the sign. Juralewicz noted the sign will be located facing the parking lot and
the new parking garage. He further noted that the sign cannot be seen from the highway
or Dunham Road. There was some concern by the Board members with the sign location
and whether it would be visible to the condos nearby. Juralewicz stated that the new
garage and the existing trees would obscure the sign.
Flannery and Brusca commented that the sign location and design is appropriate in
relation to the building facade.
Zambernardi asked if there were other businesses going in this building and if so would
they be installing signs? Juralewicz commented that there could be others. Zambernardi
asked if the businesses do request signs, would they be at the same level as this proposed
sign? Juralewicz stated that current construction techniques of building facades generally
cannot support signs but Cummings has constructed the facade of this building with
plywood backing at the location of the proposed sign and at another locations to support
sign installations. It is Juralewicz's opinion that other signs will probably be installed at
the same height at these two locations. He also stated that if any business wanted a sign
on the first floor that they could do that by right.
Flannery asked for a clarification on why the sign needed a special permit. Juralewicz
said the special permit is needed because of the height of the sign which is above the
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second story. He further elaborated that a sign is only allowed to be located below the
first set of windows of the first floor; second floor and above you need a special permit.
Zambernardi noted that the Board's role is to make a recommendation to the ZBA as
opposed to the building commissioner.
Flannery made a motion to accept the sign as presented and to forward the application to
the ZBA for approval. Brusca seconded. Matthews, Brusca, Berbergal, Flannery, and
Zambernardi in favor. None opposed.
2. Signs: Cala Renee Salon, 309 Rantoul Street, Beverly MA
Juralewicz of United Sign Company presented an application for a sign for Cala Renee
Salon. He stated the sign will consist of custom cut lettering 3 /4" thick PVC and painted
with a Matthews bright gold, which does not exactly imitate gold leaf, to reduce costs. He
stated that this Matthews gold will not tarnish because it is made with acrylic
polyethylene. Zambernardi asked if this sign will be illuminated. Juralewicz commented
that none of the existing signs have lighting on them. A representative for the salon
commented that there is existing exterior lighting on the building.
Brusca asked why the two versions of the window sign. A representative for the salon
explained that the grey on the window shown on one of the drawings was just so you can
see the design clearly on the paper, the windows will actually be clear.
There was a discussion with the Board members and Juralewicz about the location of
phone numbers and it was noted that the Board generally recommends not to put business
phone numbers on signs. Juralewicz commented that the code does not prevent a business
from putting the phone number on the sign or window and he generally recommends his
clients not to put the number on the sign but in the window. Flannery commented that the
general opinion is that the less you have the better, you do not want to make it too busy or
confusing. Zambernardi stated an alternative is to place a phone number on the window.
Matthews made a motion to accept the sign as presented. Flannery seconded. Matthews,
Brusca, Berbergal, Flannery, and Zambernardi in favor. None opposed.
A representative for the salon asked the Board if the City of Beverly sign improvement
program has been approved. Clausen said yes it has been approved.
A representative for the salon asked what is the next step for the sign application.
Zambernardi commented that she will write a letter of approval and mail it to the salon
owner. Then she can then go to the building commissioner for her permit to install the
sign.
3. Approval of Minutes: February 6, 2014 Regular Meeting
Zambernardi commented that meeting minutes need to be revised. The correct address for
item 2 should be 81 Bridge Street. Flannery made a motion to approve the draft minutes
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of the February 6, 2014 meeting with revisions. Brusca seconded the motion. Matthews,
Brusca, Berbergal, Flannery, and Zambernardi in favor. None opposed.
4. New or Other Business
Zambernardi stated that there was no new business.
5. Adjournment
Flannery made a motion to adjourn. Brusca seconded. Matthews, Brusca, Berbergal,
Flannery, and Zambernardi in favor. None opposed.
The meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m.
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