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Jan 7 2016 DRB minutesCITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES BOARD OR COMMISSION: SUBCOMMITTEE= DATE: LOCATION: MEMBERS PRESENT= MEMBERS ABSENT: OTHERS: RECORDER: Design Review Board Thursday, January 7, 2016 Beverly City Hall Conference Room Chair, William Finch, Sandra Cook, Ellen Flannery, Rachel Matthews, Joel Margolis and Allison Crosbie Karen Bebergal Eileen Sacco Finch calls the meeting to order at 6.30 p_m_ Sign: 30 West Street — Lux Realty North — Continued from December — Patricia Murray Crosbie explains that this application was continued from the December meeting of the Design Review Board_ Patricia Murray addresses the Board on behalf of the applicant Deborah Lunt and explains that they are requesting to install a wall sign and a projecting sign as well as awnings_ Murray explains that the proposed signs are similar to what was there before_ She explains that the proposed projecting sign is 9 square feet_ Cook reviews the sign dimensions and calculates and notes that the zoning ordinance allows for a maximum of 7 square feet_ The Board discussed the proposed location of the signs and made suggestion that the projecting sign be placed in line with the brackets for the previous sign that was on the building_ Crosbie notes that the proposed wall sign and awning lettering complies with the Ordinance but suggested that the wall sign be placed on the side of the building for better visibility_ Finch notes that the draft for the signs shows telephone numbers which need to be removed because they are not allowed on signs_ He suggests that they can put the phone number in the window but the sign may only show the name of the business_ Murray states that they will not be installing the awnings right away, noting that they will be installed later this year_ Design Review Board Meeting Minutes January 7, 2016 Page I of 6 There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter= Margolis: motion to approve the signs for 30 West Street — Lux Realty North, with the circle sign being placed in line with the brackets from the previous sign_ Flannery seconds the motion_ The motion carried (6 -0)_ 196 Cabot Street — Cabot Variety — Continued from December — Mac Beverly Realty - M. A. Maloney Maloney addresses the Board and explains that they are proposing to install two (2) wall signs on each facade of the building_ He explains the dimensions for the signs with the Board_ He explains that the letters for the signs will be applied to the background_ Finch asks what color the letters on the sign will be_ Maloney states that the letters will be burgundy_ Finch notes that he noticed that there is an electric sign in the window of the property and the City does not allow them Maloney explains that he got a notice from the City of Beverly regarding the electric sign and he has stopped using it_ Crosbie states that the proposed signs meet all of the ordinance requirements_ There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter= Cook: Motion to approve the proposed signs for 196 Cabot Street — Cabot Variety as depicted_ Flannery seconds the motion_ The motion carried (6- 0)_ 201 Broughton Drive — Townhomes of Beverly — Jason Parillo — Back Bay Sign Parillo addresses the Board and explains that they are proposing to install a monument sign on the corner of Broughton Drive and Brimbal Avenue_ He explains the proposed location and notes that the existing sign will be removed_ Parillo explains that they are proposing a double -faced monument sign with white push through acrylic letters and translucent vinyl applied to the faces of "Townhomes of Beverly" with a 1/8" white border left around the letter_ He also notes that the sign will be lit internally with white LED's and the sign cabinet is direct burial with 4" square x 9' steel tube and a stone base will be built after the sign is installed_ Parillo explains that they are proposing the new sign because they want more name visibility_ Design Review Board Meeting Minutes January 7, 2016 Page 2 of 6 Finch states that it is hard to judge a free standing sign with a stone base and questions the proposed location of the sign_ Cook suggests that the sign could be imbedded into the wall itself_ Parillo states that they had a discussion with the owner about that approach but they did not like it_ Flannery notes that a sign for a residential space should be inviting_ Cook suggests that they remove the two flanking logos for a cleaner look_ Crosbie notes that this sign requires a Special Permit from the Zoning Board of Appeal_ The Board discussed alternatives to the details of the sign and suggested a flat surface_ Finch states that he would like to see alternatives_ Cook states that there should be enough sense of the new stone wall_ Parillo states that he will meet with the owner and relay the comments from the Board_ Finch suggest that the Board continue the matter to the next meeting in February_ Cook: Motion to continue the matter to the February 4, 2016 Design Review Board meeting_ Flannery seconds the motion_ The motion carries (6 -0)_ 131 Brimbal Avenue — Sunoco Gas Station — Michael Grendal — Atty. Thomas Alexander Attorney Thomas Alexander addresses the Board and explains that the existing convenience store and gas station will be tom down and replaced with a new larger store_ Steve Harrison explains that they are proposing signs that are similar to what is presently on the site and explains that they are proposing 2 wall signs on the primary facade of the building, canopy signs consisting of 5 separate signs, window signs and a gas station sign_ Finch questions the history of the existing signs and asks if they were approved by a variance_ Alexander states that he checked with the Zoning Board of Appeal and there are no sign variances on file for the site_ Finch estimates that the signs date back to at least 2008 noting that he looked at the City GIS maps and the sign is in the photo in 2008 but not back in 2002_ Flannery questions when the Official NASCAR reference was added to the signs_ Harrison explains that they have been using that for about 10 years_ Harrison reviews the proposed signs and notes the dimensions of the signs and the proposed locations of them_ Design Review Board Meeting Minutes January 7, 2016 Page 3 of 6 Harrison reviews the text for the signs and explains the text that on the Building & Canopy_ Sunoco, APlus, Official Fuel of NASCAR, Official Pit Stop_ He states that for the most part the signs are similar in size to what is there now and notes that they have applied to the Zoning Board for variances to increase the number of the signs for the site_ Cook asks if APLUS will be the name of the convenience store on the site_ Harrison states that it is the name of the store_ Finch states that he has a problem with the increase in the number of signs for the site_ He notes that he doesn't have a problem with the design of the signs but he is concerned about increasing the size of them He further notes it is an issue of trying to keep things consistent_ Attorney Alexander explains that the location of the property is near the highway and they are looking to increase their visibility from the highway_ He states that it would be different if this were a downtown location_ Cook states that the proposed highway sign is super high_ Margolis questions the need for the wording on the signs regarding the "Official Fuel of NASCAR" Grendal states that he does not have a problem eliminating that language_ Margolis also states that he would like to bring the height of the free standing sign down a few inches_ Finch states that he is not sure that four signs were ever approved for the site and notes that the Board tries to keep clutter and white noise down in the city_ Harrison suggests that they eliminate one of the NASCAR signs facing the front of Brimbal Avenue_ Margolis notes that the convenience store has many additional signs on the site advertising items for sale such as Coca Cola, Beer and Cigarettes and questions if the DRB has jurisdiction over those signs as well_ Atty_ Alexander states that they would accept a condition that no other signage is allowed on the site_ Finch notes that sandwich board signs are not allowed_ Crosbie explains that the applicant needs a special permit for the signs and the Board can make a recommendation to the Zoning Board on that_ The Board discussed sending a recommendation to the ZBA and conditions to recommend as follows= Design Review Board Meeting Minutes January 7, 2016 Page 4 of 6 L The "Official Fuel of NASCAR" should be removed from the gasoline price sign and the overall height shall be reduced to 19 feet, 9 inches_ 2_ One "Official Fuel of NASCAR" shall be removed from the canopy facing Brimbal Avenue_ 3_ There will be no additional merchandising sandwich board signs on the site_ Sign: 145 Cabot Street — Bloom Beauty — Sherry Murphy_ Murphy addresses the Board and explains that they are proposing a projecting sign 24 x 36 x 3 /4- Cook notes that the application does not show the color of the sign_ Murphy explains that the sign will have gold letters on a dark brown background_ Crosbie states that the proposed sign complies with the Ordinance_ Crosbie: Motion to approve the proposed sign as submitted_ Flannery seconds the motion_ The motion carries (6 -0)_ Site Plan Modification Review —10 -12 Congress Street — Windover Development Attorney Thomas Alexander with offices at 1 School Street addresses the Board and explains that he is joined this evening by Thad Siemasko, the Architect for the project and Chris Coaklin of Windover Development_ Atry_ Alexander explains that the property is under agreement with Windover Development and they will be going to the Planning Board for a modification of the Special Permit and the Site Plan Review that was approved in 2007 for 10 -12 -16 Congress Street_ He explains that the applicant is presently allowed to build 72 units containing 164 bedrooms and the modification they are seeking would reduce the number of units to 62 and the number of bedrooms from 164 to 87_ Atty_ Alexander explains that the approved plan calls for _88 parking spaces per bedroom as opposed to the modified plan which provides for 1.0 parking space per bedroom_ He further explains that the reduction in parking under the Request for Modification is in keeping with a recent City of Beverly study of seven large apartment/condominium complexes in the downtown area_ Atty_ Alexander also notes that the height of the building is being reduced by five feet and there will be no underground parking on the site as originally proposed_ Siemasko addresses the Board and reviews the approved plans and the proposed changes with the Board_ He notes that the modification includes smaller buildings and reduces the footprint_ He reviews the layout of the units and the elevations of the site_ Design Review Board Meeting Minutes January 7, 2016 Page 5 of 6 Siemasko reviews the materials they are considering for the project as well as proposed color schemes for the buildings, lighting for the site_ He notes that the plan drawing attempts to show the level of detail in the buildings_ Siemasko reviews the proposed shingle materials for the project noting that they are considering five quarter board which is a Hardy board shingle with muttons between the glass with a historical looking sill_ He notes that the proposed trim etc_ with details as to size_ Siemasko reviews the landscaping plan for the site_ Crosbie notes the proposed use of Green Ash trees on the site and suggests that they not risk it as it is susceptible to emerald ash borer and suggests that hearty spruce trees would be appropriate_ Finch asks if they have met with the neighbors of the site_ Alexander reports that they are meeting with neighbors on Monday evening at 6 =00 p_m_ Siemasko reviews the colors for the buildings and notes that they are proposing that one building be red and the other green_ Flannery asks Matthews for a suggestion on the colors proposed_ Matthews states that she would be fine with one of each of the proposed colors, noting that they are compatible_ There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter= Crosbie: Motion to recommend approval of the applciation as presented with the conditions that the proposed Green Ash trees on the site be replaced on the plan, and that the buildings will be painted two different colors as presented at the meeting which are compatible_ Flannery seconds the motion_ The motion carries (6 -0)_ Election of Chairperson Crosbie explains that the Board is required to elect a Chairperson annually_ Flannery nominates Sandra Cook to serve a Chairperson of the Design Review Board for the year 2016_ Margolis seconds the motion_ The motion carries_ 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 (6 -0)_ The meeting was adjourned at 8 =00 p_m_ Design Review Board Meeting Minutes January 7, 2016 Page 6 of 6