2014-05-01Draft Beverly Design Review Board - Minutes
May 1, 2014
CITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
Board:
Design Review Board
Date:
Thursday, May 1, 2014
Location:
Beverly City Hall
Members Present
Chair William Finch, Karen Berbergal, Jane Brusca, Ellen
Flannery, Rachel Matthews, Aaron Clausen
Members Absent:
Leah Zambernardi
Others Present:
Aaron Clausen, Planning Director
Recorder:
Eileen Sacco (transcription from recording)
Finch calls the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m
Sign: Tony's Seafood Market — 242 Elliott Street
Lisa DiMercurio addresses the Design Review Board and explains their proposal for two signs,
signs, one to be located on the front of the building (40x70) and the other to be located on the
side of the building (20x35).
Finch questions if the sign proposed for the side of the building is in conformance with zoning.
DiMurcurio states that Building Inspector Steve Fredrickson signed off on the location of the
signs.
Finch stated that he thinks that zoning only allows a sign on the corner of a building if it is on a
cross street. Clausen states that the proposed sign for the side of the building is smaller than the
one for the front of the building.
Finch states that he has no problem with the sign as long as it conforms to zoning and suggests
that Clausen check on the zoning, noting that he does not want to set a precedent. He also notes
that otherwise it is a nice looking sign and he has no problem with it.
Clausen recommends that he DRB approve the sign pending review of the ordinance to be sure it
complies with zoning regarding the location of signs on the corner of a building.
Flannery: motion to approve the sign for Tony's Seafood Market, 242 Elliott Street as
presented, pending a review of the zoning ordinance relative to the placement of
signs on the corner of a building. Clausen seconds the motion. The motion
carries.
Sign: AT &T The Wireless Experience — 55 Dodge Street
The applicant addresses the Design Review Board and explains their proposal to install signs at
55 Dodge Street, the former location of T- Mobile.
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Finch notes that this is another question of a sign on the corner of the building as with the
previous application.
Flannery explains that this location is the entrance to the plaza and there is a street that runs
alongside it.
Finch notes that the DRB does not allow other language on the sign such as the proposed
"AT &T Authorized Dealer" description. He explains that while it is not allowed on the sign
band the DRB has not control over what is in the window and recommends that they could put a
decal or sign in the window specifying AT &T Authorized Dealer as long as it is less than 20% of
the window space.
Flannery: motion to approve the sign for AT &T The Wireless Experience at 55 Dodge
Street, without the description AT &T Authorized Dealer. Clausen seconded the
motion. The motion carries.
Sign: Mike Bromaghim — Frozurt — 412 Cabot Street
Mike Bromaghim addresses the Design Review Board and explained the proposed sign for
Frozurt.
Finch notes that the location is the former Chinese takeout restaurant.
Flannery reports that she drove by there and questioned if the sign would be located on the top of
the tower that they are building. Bromaghim explains the location of the sign and notes that it is
not as high as you would think noting that it would be 11 feet from the bottom.
Finch expresses concern about the sign complying with zoning, noting that it does not allow
signs to be placed above the first floor. Clausen reviews that zoning and explains that it would
be allowed it is no higher than 15 feet above grade and this is proposed to be 11 feet above
grade. He notes that the challenge of this for the Board is that there was no photo or elevations
provided with the application.
Bromaghim explains that there really is no other place to put the sign. Finch agrees and notes
that as long as the zoning has been clarified he has no problem with this.
Flannery: Motion to approve the sign as presented for Frozurt at 55 Dodge Street. Clausen
seconds the motion. The motion carries.
Sign: Christen Grugnale — Reflections by Christen Photography — 70 Herrick Street
Flannery notes that the applicant is not present but recalled that the Design Review Board has
reviewed the site a couple of months ago and suggests that the Board go ahead and review the
sign application. She explains that the site is located at the corner of Sohier Road and Herrick
Street.
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Finch agrees and notes that it looks like a pretty straight forward application, noting that it is a
small photography business and he is comfortable with the proposed sign.
Flannery: Motion to approve the sign for Reflections by Christen Photography at 70 Herrick
Street. Clausen seconds the motion. The motion carries.
Sign: Sharon Ramos and Alissa Mead — SOHOCATS Luxury Feline Hotel
Ramos addresses the Design Review Board and explains that they opened their facility in
November of 2013. She explained that they are both employees of the Feline Hospital in Salem
and explained their services.
Clausen reported that Ms. Ramos and Ms. Mead are recipients of a Main Street grant for the sign
facade program. Ramos stated that they are very excited about that noting that they would not be
able to afford to do this at this time if not for the grant.
Clausen explained that recipients of the grant get free design guidance from an architect. Ramos
explained that the Main Street review board has approved their design. She explained that they
will be painting the trim of the sign band and installing the sign. Finch asked if the colors
provided on the plan are the exact colors they will be using. Ramos explained that the color in
the plan does not match noting that the color is a yellow and is tasteful, the plan does not show
the true color. She also noted that the background of the sign would be white.
Finch confirmed that the sign would be a flat sign.
Finch stated that he has no problem with the proposed sign, noting that they really need a sign to
let people know what they do.
Flannery: Motion to approve the sign for SOHOCATS Luxury Feline Hotel at 70 Herrick
Street. Clausen seconded the motion. The motion carries.
Sign: French and Italian Clothing — Beverly Farms
Finch notes that this application was submitted late. Flannery states that she has not read the
application. Finch explains that it is for an awning which the Board typically does not need to
approve but this proposal calls for 6 inch lettering on the awning.
Finch states that he does not see any issues with the proposed sign. Flannery agrees.
Flannery: motion to approve the sign for French and Italian Women's Clothing in Beverly
Farms. Clausen seconds the motion. The motion carries.
Approval of Minutes
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The minutes of the Design Review Board meeting held on April 3, 2014 were presented for
approval. Flannery states that she has several corrections and clarifications she would like to
suggest and offered to read them and edit them.
Clausen: Motion to approve the minutes of the April 3, 2014 Design Review Board
meeting pending review and edits by Flannery. Finch seconded the motion. The
motion carries.
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the Design Review Board this evening a motion
was made by Flannery to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Clausen. The motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
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