CITY OF BEVERLYCITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
BOARD OR COMMISSION:
SUBCOMMITTEE:
DATE:
LOCATION:
MEMBERS PRESENT:
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Design Review Board
Thursday, November 5, 2015
Beverly City Hall Conference Room
Chair, William Finch, Sandra Cook, Ellen Flannery,
Joel Margolis and Rachel Matthews
Allison Crosbie, Karen Bebergal
OTHERS: Darlene Wynne
RECORDER: Eileen Sacco
Finch calls the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
Sign: Stop & Shop Plaza/ Citizens Bank — 224 Elliott Street
Christina Moreau of Agnoli Signs addresses the Board and explains that they are
proposing to renovate the sign for Citizens Bank. She explains that they plan to leave the
existing poles and replace the sign and explains the composition of the sign.
Finch explains that the ordinance does not allow for the hours of operation to be listed on
signs. Christine agreed that they would remove the hours of operation from the sign.
Finch states that he has no further questions or comments regarding this matter and asks
if other members of the Board has any questions or comments.
There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter:
Flannery: motion to approve the sign for Citizens Bank at Stop & Shop Plaza with
the recommended changes. Margolis seconds the motion. The motion
carries (5 -0).
Sign: Beverly Bank — 48 Enon Street
A representative of Channel Sign addresses the Board and explains that he is here on
behalf of Beverly Bank for the installation of a new sign at 48 Enon Street. He explains
that they are allow to have 30 s.f and their sign is designed for just under that and the
proposed location is the same as the Beverly Cooperative Bank sign that was removed a
few years ago. He explains the composition of the sign to the Board. He notes
There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter:
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November 5, 2015
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Margolis: motion to approve the sign for the 48 Enon Street, Beverly Bank as
presented. Cook seconds the motion. The motion carries (5 -0).
Sign: Beverly Children's Learning Center — 550 Cabot Street
Margolis recused himself from discussion of this matter.
Terry of Corporate Sign addresses the Board on behalf of the Beverly Children's
Learning Center. She explained that they are proposing a 26.25 s.f. sign and by
ordinance they are allowed 30 s.f. She notes that the sign is the same size that they have
at their existing site and explains that they will be putting granite posts in. She also notes
that they will be pushing the sign to the grass line and the existing sign at the site will be
removed.
Finch states that this is in the R10 Zoning District and will require a Special Permit from
the Zoning Board of Appeal. He states that the Design Review Board can make a
recommendation to approve the Special Permit to the ZBA.
There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter
Flannery: motion to send a recommendation to the Zoning Board of Appeal
recommending approval of the Special Permit for a sign for the Beverly
Children's Learning Center. Cook seconds the motion. The motion
carries (4 -0).
Sign: 181 Elliott Street - Beverly Commerce LLC c/o Cummings Center 100
Cummings Center
Steve Drohosky of Cummings addresses the Board and explains that they are here this
evening to present the redesign of their sign for the Cummings Center. He explains that
they are updating their existing sign and notes that they are proposing to move the sign
from the current location further to the east and it would be to the right of the ATM
building. He explains that the proposed sign has a new design and is the same size as the
existing sign. He states that they are looking for a more contemporary look and notes
that the materials for the sign will be the same as exists now, aluminum panels.
Drohosky states that they are working with the tenants to get a consensus on the font for
the sign.
Finch states that he has two potential issues with the proposal. He states that the
ordinance does not allow for telephone numbers and websites to be on signs. He states
that he looked for documentation that the Special Permit allowed for the that information
and did not find it. He states that he would like to see that removed from the sign.
Drohosky states that the ZBA granted a variance in 1979 for the existing sign. He states
that he talked with City Clerk Wes Slate and he did not have Exhibit A. He states that he
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November 5, 2015
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would like the phone numbers on the sign as they have had for 20 years. He states that he
would consider taking the websites off the sign.
Finch states that the ordinance has changed since 20 years ago and states that he would
proceed with the phone numbers that already exist but would like to see the website
omitted.
Drohosky explains that they would like a digital banner on the sign for the capability of
changing the message.
Cook states that she would be concerned about a flashing sign in that location. Finch
agrees and notes that others have proposed large signs on Cabot Street. He also states
that he is very concerned about setting a precedent noting route 114 as an example.
Drohosky states that they are not looking for a flashing sign and notes that the signs
proposed are tasteful. He estimates the cost of the signs to be $50,000 for each side. He
explained that it will not be animated and it would change cycles. He states that he does
not feel that they should be limited in terms of technology and questions what limitations
the Cabot Cinema had when they changed their sign.
Cook suggests that she would like to see them come back to the Board for the digital
portion of the sign. She notes that the Cabot Cinema sign fades in and out with the same
message.
There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter:
Flannery: Motion to approve the sign for the Cummings Center with the website
information removed. Cook seconds the motion. The motion carries (5-
0).
Sign: Boston Bagel — 3 Oak Street, Beverly, - Thomas Smith and Brookes Townsend
Tom Smith addresses the Board and explains that they are proposing new signage for the
site for Boston Bagel. He also notes that they will be serving frozen yogurt as well. He
further explains that they have renovated the entire site for this business and notes that it
is in the Townsend Oil building.
Smith explains the proposed locations for the proposed signs.
Wynne explains that this request will require a Special Permit from the Zoning Board of
Appeal.
Cook questions the height of the signs proposed. Smith explains the sizes of the signs
and the proposed locations.
Smith explains that they are integrating non profit uses with for profit organizations. He
explains that there is a directory sign that lists all of the tenants in the building.
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November 5, 2015
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Cook explains that there are regulations specified in the ordinance regarding what can be
listed on the signs. Discussion ensues regarding options for signage relative to the
ordinance.
Smith states that they want to include a directory of the offices in the upper floor of the
building. He notes that Townsend owns the building and they would like them included
on the sign.
Smith asks if there is a process they can go through that would allow them to include the
name of the foundation on the sign. Cook suggests that they talk to the sign designer.
Margolis agreed.
Finch suggests that they move forward with the signs proposed for Boston Bagel and
suggested that they seek a Special Permit for the yogurt and foundation signs.
There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter:
Cook: Motion to approve the wall signs for Boston Bagel — 3 Oak Street, Beverly
with the new layout suggested and that the applicant is advised to seek a
Special Permit for the proposed signs for Frozen Yogurt and the
recognition of the foundation. Flannery seconds the motion. The motion
carries (5 -0).
Site Plan Review: 131 Rantoul Street — Depot Square Phase III, LLC
Attorney Miranda Gooding of Glovsky and Glovsky addresses the Board and explains
that they are present this evening to review a site plan modifications proposed for
Windover's 131 Rantoul Street project. She introduces Chris Koeplin of Windover and
Thad Siemasko and John Harding, the Architects for the project.
Attorney Gooding explains that the review is being made in contemplation of a request to
the Planning Board for approval of a minor modification to the project plans.
Attorney Gooding explains that following the issuance of the Special Permit and Site
Plan approval for the project, the permits were appealed by two abutters. As part of the
settlement of the appeal, Windover agreed to purchase the adjacent two - family property
located at 8 Hardy Street. She explains that the additional land area in Parcel A provides
an opportunity to modify the building to improve efficiency and appearance, as well as
the siting of the parking facilities.
Thad Siemasko addresses the Board and explains that the new design squares off the
building footprint and reduces the building area from 97,350 s.f or approximately 12 %.
Gooding also notes that overall the proposed project remains the same, including the
number of residences (72) units and 72 onsite parking spaces.
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November 5, 2015
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Siemasko explains that the most significant change to the project is that 26 parking
spaces formerly contained in the parking garage will now be moved to the surface
parking area behind the building. He notes that with this change, 36 spaces will be
located in the garage accessible from Pleasant Street and this will result in an even
distribution of vehicles to and from the site.
Attorney Gooding explains that they held a meeting with the neighbors last week and
notes that at the request of the abutters they have added more landscaping to the site.
Flannery asks if there is any screening for the National Grid equipment on the site.
Siemasko states that they have submitted a very detailed landscaping plan and they are
trying to stay 10 feet away from the building with the National Grid equipment and notes
that he would be concerned about site lines with more trees but they will take a look at
that.
Matthews asks if they are planning to plant any trees on Pleasant Street. Siemasko
explains the trees that will be planted on the plan and notes that trees removed along
Rantoul Street by the City will be replaced as part of the Rantoul Street reconstruction
proj ect.
There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter:
Cook: Motion to recommend approval of the modification of the Site Plan for
131 Rantoul Street to the Beverly Planning Board. Margolis seconds the
motion. The motion carries (5 -0).
Adjournment
Finch asks if there is any other business to come before the Design Review Board this
evening. There being none:
Flannery: Motion to adjourn the meeting. Matthews seconds the motion. The
motion carries (5 -0).
The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
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November 5, 2015
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