Loading...
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 Design Review Board minutes March 6, 2014 Page 1 of 3 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 Design Review Board minutes March 6, 2014 Page 2 of 3 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. Design Review Board minutes March 6, 2014 Page 3 of 3