2015-05-07CITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
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RECORDER:
Design Review Board
Thursday, May 7, 2015
Beverly City Hall Conference Room
Chair, William Finch, Ellen Flannery, Karen
Bebergal, Allison Crosbie
Sandra Cook, Rachel Matthews
Eileen Sacco
Finch calls the meeting to order at 6:40 p.m.
Sign: 284A Cabot Street — Roost & Company — James Metsch and Kate Levy
Metsch addresses the Board and explains that they are proposing to install a wall sign on
the primary facade that is proposed to be 24" x 96" x 1" and the height of the letters will
be 8 inches. He explains that the height of the sign will be 10.25' at the highest point
and 8.25' at the lowest point, and the sign will be illuminated externally by soft light
exterior flood fixtures.
Metsch also explained that the lettering for the sign will be on natural wood with
burned /etched lettering in the same dimensions and font as shown on the plan.
Finch notes that they are proposing a plywood background. Metsch explains they will
use an oil base marine grade clear poly to darken the wood, noting that they are looking
for a more natural character. He states that they tested birch and pine, and they are
considering using birch.
Finch notes that the lettering proposed is very fine and cautions that it might not be very
readable. Metsch explains that it is their brand and they are trying to attract foot traffic
to their business. He also notes that the sign at their Salem location is smaller.
Flannery states that she is comfortable with the sign using the birch wood. Finch agrees.
There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter:
Flannery: motion to approve the sign for Roost & Company, 284 Cabot Street as
amended using birch wood for the sign. Bebergal seconds the motion.
The motion carries (4 -0).
Draft Design Review Board Meeting Minutes
May 7, 2015
Page I of 3
Sign: Flourish — 79 Rantoul Street — Jean Sword
Andrew Bablo addressed the Board and explains that the applicant is requesting to install
a sign at 79 Rantoul Street. He explains that the proposed sign is a projecting sign, 79" in
height and 48" in length and letters will be 6 inches. He also explains that the sign will
be 100% metal (stainless steel and aluminum) with 3/8" letters on both sides.
Finch explains that the ordinance (Section 38 -26) states that business owners are
encouraged to mount a projecting sign so the top of the sign is no more than 15 feet
above the sidewalk and the bottom of the sign is no less than 9 feet above the sidewalk.
He explains that the proposed sign is 5' 8" above the sidewalk and that is dangerous and
people could walk into it, noting that is why the ordinance has a limit.
Bablo explains that the awning of the building prevents the placement of the sign at the
required height, and it presents a bit of an obstacle.
Finch states that he would be comfortable with the sign being 7 feet above the sidewalk
and notes that they would need to get a special permit from the zoning ordinance.
Finch reviews the proposed sign and notes that they are proposing a white sign and
suggests that there would not be enough contrast to be seen, noting that it is their
decision.
Finch reports that the proposed lettering for the window is not the concern of the DRB
and explains that the lettering can occupy 20% of the overall space.
The Board discussed the need for a variance for the projected sign to be less than 9 feet
above the sidewalk. Crosbie suggests that the DRB could send a letter to the ZBA
indicating their support for the variance to install the sign 7 feet above the sidewalk.
Finch agrees that they are going to need a variance and agrees that a letter to the ZBA is
appropriate. He also states that if the applicant chooses to change the sign colors or the
materials he would be amenable to having Crosbie review them administratively.
There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter:
Flannery: Motion to send a letter to the Beverly Zoning Board of Appeals in support
of the applicant's variance to install a projected sign at 79 Rantoul Street,
7 feet above the sidewalk. Crosbie seconded the motion. The motion
carries (4 -0).
Sign: Mobil Station - 453 Essex Street — Fazio Enterprise of East Boston Inc.
Draft Design Review Board Meeting Minutes
May 7, 2015
Page 2 of 3
Andy of Sign Art and Mr. Fazio addressed the Board and explained that they are
proposing to take down the manual price signs at the gas station at 453 Essex Street and
install an electronic price sign canopy.
Finch explains that the sign ordinance does not allow lit signs on service stations and
recalls that they have requested this before and the DRB was not in favor of it.
Fazio states that the Gulf Station put one up on a pole sign and the Building Inspector had
no problem with the LED price sign.
Finch notes that was one station and it was done in violation as they did not come before
the DRB.
Fazio offered to change the LED signs proposed to non - illuminated signs that are allowed
by zonig. Finch states that is a good solution.
There being no further questions or comments regarding this application:
Flannery: motion to approve the sign for the Mobil Station at 453 Essex Street as
amended with non - illuminated signs. Crosbie seconds the motion. The
motion carries (4 -0).
Discussion with Artful Life Counseling Center
Crosbie reported that the applications for a projecting sign and a sandwich board sign for
Artful Life Counseling Center 234 Cabot Street was received after the meeting agenda
was posted and therefore the matter cannot be decided this evening. She suggests that
since the applicant is here this evening, the Board can have a brief discussion on this
matter but any action by the Board must take place at the next meeting.
The Board held a brief discussion on the proposed signs. Finch offered some suggestions
and explains that sandwich board signs are reserved for first floor tenants. A discussion
ensues regarding the location of the space Artful Life occupies in the building. Finch
notes that the prior tenants of that space had requested a sandwich board sign for that
same space and were advised the same.
Finch requested that the matter be placed on the June agenda for action by the DRB.
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the Design Review Board this evening:
Flannery: motion to adjourn, seconded by Crosbie. The motion carries (4 -0).
The meeting is adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Draft Design Review Board Meeting Minutes
May 7, 2015
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