April 7 2016 DRB MinutesCITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
BOARD OR COMMISSION: Design Review Board
SUBCOMMITTEE:
DATE: Thursday, April 7, 2016
LOCATION: Beverly City Hall Conference Room
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair, Sandra Cook, William Finch, Ellen Flannery,
Rachel Matthews, Joel Margolis and Allison Crosbie
MEMBERS ABSENT:
OTHERS:
RECORDER: Eileen Sacco
Cook calls the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
Sign — American Renal — Continued from Last Month -500 Cummings Center — Steve
Drohosky
Steve Drohosky of Cummings Properties addresses the Board and explains that they will need a
Special Permit from the Zoning Board of Appeal. He explains that they are proposing to relocate
the sign for American Renal from the north side of the building to the east side of the building.
He explains that the orignal sign went up in 2002. He notes that since then the new parking
garage was built and the American Renal sign is not visible. He further notes that there are no
changes being proposed for the sign other than it being moved to another location.
Margolis states that he is concerned that the new location for the sign is not consistent in its
location. He suggests that they put the number of the building and the name of the business at
the very top of the building.
Drohosky explains that all of the building numbers are at that level and shows the Board a
photograph noting the locations of the building numbers. He notes that American Renal
requested the new location for visibility. He also notes that they would like to keep the signs
uniform on each building.
Margolis asks if they are anticipating any more signs on that side of the building.
Cook states that she thinks the proposed location for the signs is fine, noting the expense of
moving would involve.
Flannery states that she would not want this to be precedent setting. Drohosky states that it is a
prominent sign location at the 500 building and there are no other tenants that he knows of that
are looking for a sign.
Crosbie questions what they will do to the area where the sign is moved from. Drohosky
explains that they will be removing the sign and patching the holes, then they will replace the
sign and relocate the numbers.
Margolis states that he just does not want to see a hodge podge of signs all over the side of the
building.
There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter:
Flannery: Motion to recommend approval of the Special Permit for the relocation of the
numbers at the 500 building at the Cummings Center and the installation of the sign for
American Renal on the east and west ends of the building. Finch seconds the motion. The
motion carries (5 -1).
Sign: The Learning Zone — 600 Cummings Center — Melissa Ananias
Crosbie addresses the applicant and informs her that she will need a Special Permit for this sign
as it is proposed to be above the second story of the building.
Melissa Ananias addresses the Board and explains that they are proposing to install a sign for
their pre - school program at 600 Cummings Center, formerly the Athletic Club. She explains that
they are proposing chanel lettering with letters mounted and reviews the proposed colors with the
Board. She also explains that they will be direct mounting their logo on the sign as well.
Finch notes that the dormers of the Athletic Club were added when they expanded the top floor
of the building. Drohosky agrees noting that is the reason for the sign being located on the
second story of the building.
There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter:
Margolis: Motion to send a letter recommending approval of the Special Permit for the
proposed sign for The Learning Zone, 600 Cummings Center as submitted. Crosbie seconds the
motion. The motion carries (6 -0).
Sign: - Girdler House — 78 Lothrop Street — Shirley Haynes 18 Foster Street, Beverly Ma.
Shirley Haynes addresses the Board and explains that they have installed a 4'x3' sign on two
posts. She explains that the sign is bigger than they thought it would be. She explains that their
original plan was to put it at the corner of Abbott Street and Lothrop Street and they are hoping
that possibly the Board would allow them to put it in front of the new addition against the wall.
She notes that it is a one sided sign.
Finch suggests that it would make more sense to move the sign to the corner of the property.
Margolis asks if there are any limits as to the size of signs in a residential neighborhood.
Crosbie reports that there is no zoning regarding signage in residential neighborhoods, but notes
that they will need a Special Permit.
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Finch asks how much space there is between the sidewalk and the wall. Ms. Haynes reports that
the building is 20 feet from the road.
Finch suggests that the sign should be 4 feet back from the sidewalk, and suggests maybe even
further if they find that to be a better location.
There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter:
Crosbie: Motion to recommend approval of the Special Permit to allow for the sign at
Girdler House, 78 Lothrop Street, and that the sign be located near the corner of Abbott and
Lothrop Streets no higher than the top of the wall and four (4) feet back from the sidewalk.
Flannery seconds the motion. The motion carries (6 -0).
Sign — Zip's Ice Cream — 294 Elliott Street — John X. DiVincenzo — IOR Woodbury Street,
Beverly
Attorney Bill Page was present with the applicant John DiVincenzo.
Atty. Page addresses the Board and explains that they are proposing to install a sign at 294 Elliott
Street. He explains that they are proposing to replace a pre - existing sign with a new sign at the
former Dick and Junes Ice Cream Stand. He states that the new sign will be the same size and
made of the same materials as the old Dick and Junes sign and will be internally lit.
Finch suggests that they double check the dimensions of the sign to be sure that it is appropriate.
There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter:
Crosbie: Motion to approve the sign request for Zip's Ice Cream, 294 Elliott Street as
presented. Margolis seconds the motion. The motion carries (6 -0).
Sign: Martins Dental Partners — 130 Cabot Street — Corporate Sign Concepts
Terry of Corporate Sign Concepts addresses the Board and explains that they are proposing a
sign for a new business, Martins Dental Partners at 130 Cabot Street.
He explains that they are proposing a sign that is 16 '/z x 120 feet. He explains that the
placement of the sign is difficult because of the location of the lights on the building. He reports
that they have asked the landlord to move the sensor lights and shows the Board a photo.
He also explains that the sign will be PVC Board with laser cut letters with no illumination.
Cook states that she thinks that the sign and the location are appropriate.
There being no further questions or comments regarding this proposal:
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Margolis: Motion to approve the sign proposal for Martins Dental Partners, 130, Cabot
Street as submitted. Flannery seconds the motion. The motion carries (6 -0).
Informal Review: 480 Rantoul Street — Beverly Crossing 480 LLC — Windover
Development 15 Rantoul Street, Beverly Ma.
Miranda Gooding of Glovsky and Glovsky addresses the Board and explains that she is joined
this evening by Chris Koeplin of Beverly Crossing and Thad Siemasko the Architect for the
proj ect.
Gooding explains that the proposed site is the former Friendly's site on Rantoul Street and
explains that they are proposing a mixed use development with 90 units of rental housing and
commercial space on the first floor. She states that the proposed building will comply with all
zoning in the district. She notes that they will require a Special Permit from the Planning Board
because the proposed commercial space is less than 25% of the site in the CC zoning district.
Chris Koeplin addresses the Board and explains the new name that they are doing business under
is Beverly Crossing LLC. He explains that Windover Construction is no longer affiliated with
them, noting that while they will be doing work for them, Windover Construction was sold and
they are now two separate companies.
Thad Siemasko addresses the Board and explains the site plan for the project. He explains that
they are proposing 90 units of rental housing and commercial space on the first floor. He also
notes that they have made an effort to provide the required parking on the site as required by
zoning. He notes that the proposed parking is a lot for this site and more than they will need and
they may consider reducing the parking.
Siemasko reviews the layout of the site and notes that they are proposing 1,900 s.f of
commercial space on the first floor. He reviews renderings of the proposed building showing the
street view on Rantoul Street to show how the building will fit with the surrounding area.
Cook notes that the streets are catching her eye in the rendering and questions what is going on
with the corners of the building. Siemasko explains the height and the elevations of the building
and explains that they have added cornices on it.
Finch states that he is not happy with the brown concrete masonry. Siemasko explains that the
color in the rendering is off a little and explains that they have a buff brick in mind. Finch states
that he has concerns about the concrete.
Koeplin explains that they want this building to be different from the Enterprise building.
Margolis states that compared to the Weaver Glass building, which is big, this building is
massive in scale and size. He suggests that the building needs to be more open and notes that it
looks like a college dorm. He also states that he would like to see more green space.
Finch states that this is a big site and this would give us an opportunity to get into some other
types of buildings. He states that he would like to see more of a variety of building types.
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Margolis agrees and states that he would like to see something more fitting with a coastal New
England Town.
Flannery states that she would like to see a less boxy look to the building. She also stated that
she likes the court yard at 131 Rantoul Street and she would also like to see more green space.
Siemasko explains that their strategy is that they want to do a horizontal fashion.
Atty. Gooding explains that the development of this site at this end of the street is a balancing act
financially. She noted that there has been a project permitted for this site for 10 years that has
not been built because no one wanted to do it. She further notes that they came to the Board
informally to review their plans to get input from the Board and it has been very helpful. She
also notes that there is a higher number of two bedroom units in this project than others.
Koeplin states that they understand the concerns of the Board. He states that they are proposing
an urban street edge and notes that Rantoul Street is suffering because of the street edge. He
notes that this looks large but it is 5 units long. He further states that they feel that this is a really
strong urban edge.
Cook agrees that this end of Rantoul Street needs something that give a little more height and
mass but this seems a bit large.
Atty. Gooding thanked the Board for their input and notes that they will be continuing to work on
the plans and take their suggestions into consideration.
Informal Review: 2 Hardy Street — Hardy Street Realty, LLC — 15 Rantoul Street, Beverly
Atty. Miranda Gooding and Michael Doucette of Glovsky and Glovsky address the Commission
and explain that they are proposing a development for 2 Hardy Street. She explains that the
proposal includes a 6 -unit multifamily dwelling with 2 bedroom units and notes that the parking
spaces will be accessed from Hardy Street. She also notes that the proposal conforms with
zoning and dimensions for the CC district.
John Harding of Siemasko and Verbridge addresses the Board and explains the site plan. He
explains that they are proposing a simple building with 6 units on three floors which will all be 2
bedroom units. He also explains that there are six parking spaces proposed, one per unit.
Harding explains the proposed materials for the building. He explains that they are proposing
hardy clapboard with an asphalt roof. He explains the shingles that they are looking at and notes
that they are considering fish scale shingles as well.
Cook states that the project seems pretty straight forward and notes that she has no questions at
this time. She asks members of the Board if they have any questions or comments regarding this
proj ect.
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Atty. Gooding thanked the Board for reviewing the project informally and notes that they will be
back with final plans and a presentation.
Discussion: Cabot Cinema — 286 Cabot Street, Beverly — Discussion Regarding Possible
Changes in Overall Color Scheme of Sign
Casey Soward, Executive Director of the Cabot Cinema addresses the Board and apologized for
changing the color scheme on the sign without first consulting the Board. He notes that they
changed it back when the city notified them of the issue.
Soward explains that he had some conversations with neighboring businesses that had some
suggestions for the color of the sign and did not particularly care for the white background on the
sign.
Soward explains that the black background makes the sign more readable and is not so bright.
He notes that they would use the same lettering that was approved with the new color scheme.
Flannery states that the change in color make a big difference in the appearance of the sign and
notes that she loves it.
Finch states that he found the color change to be much less strident. He also notes that he had a
chat with Councilor Scott Houseman who favored the white sign to have it look more like the
traditional sign. He also notes that the letters are more readable with the new colors.
Matthews states that they had to change with the times and digital cannot compare to what was
there.
There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter:
Crosbie states that she will send a letter to them stating that the Board has reviewed the changes
to the colors of the sign for the Cabot and they approve the change.
Site Plan Review — 102 Cherry Hill Development LLC — 102 Cherry Hill Drive — Steve
Connelly
Atty. Miranda Gooding of Glovsky and Glovsky addresses the Board and explains that she is
joined this evening by Steve Connelly of Connelly Brothers Construction. She explains that this
site is located at the corner of Cherry Hill Drive and Sam Fonzo Drive.
Gooding stated that this is an exciting project and explains that the company Hi Resolution by
Solutions is renovating the facility to move its World Headquarters to Beverly. She noted that
that this is a simple site plan in an area intended for this use. She introduced Steve Connelly to
explain the plan.
Connelly addressed the Board and explained that this lot is at the corner of Sam Fonzo Drive and
Cherry Hill. He explained the location for the proposed building and noted that the lower floor
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would be used for manufacturing and the upper floor will be for administration and Engineering.
He explains that the building will be built into the hill in the upper level of the building will be
accessible parking lot at the top of the site in the lower level will have access to the building on
the loading dock side of the building.
Connelly explained the site plan and noted the location of the roadways in the parking area. He
explained that they expect 3 to 5 box trucks per day making deliveries to the site and there would
be no conflict with the school located next to the site. He also estimated that they might have 1 -2
trailer trucks per week. He explained that most of this shipments would be small in size he
further explained that the company builds robotic equipment for biosciences and everything they
build is sourced in Massachusetts and get sold all over the world.
Connelly explains that the parking requirements for a 40,000 s.f. requires 260 spaces and notes
that they had previously intended to ask for a reduction in parking requirements but have since
decided to provide the full parking requirement.
Connelly explains the access to the site and notes the areas for truck access noting that the
industrial park was designed for buildings like this.
Connelly explains that they are in the process of getting their required permits from the Federal
Aviation Association (FAA) noting that it is a long process.
Connelly reviews a rendering of the building noting the proposed landscaping. He also explains
the lighting plan and notes the existing lights that will be moved on the site. Connelly reviews
the proposed materials for the construction of the building.
Atty. Gooding states that they are hoping to get a recommendation from the Board in time for the
next Planning Board meeting.
Cook states that she likes the plan and has no comments at this time.
There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter:
Flannery: Motion to recommend approval of the project as proposed. Finch seconds the
motion. The motion carries (6 -0).
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the Design Review Board this evening. Flannery
moved to adjourn the meeting. Margolis seconds the motion. The motion carries (5 -0).
The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
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