March 1 2018 DRB MinutesCITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
BOARD OR COMMISSION: Design Review Board
SUBCOMITTEE:
DATE: March 1, 2018
LOCATION: Beverly City Hall Conference Room
MEMBERS PRESENT: Ellen Flannery, Joel Margolis, Matthew Ulrich, Emily
Hutchings, Rachel Matthews, Sandra Cook
MEMBERS ABSENT:
RECORDER: Donna Musumeci
Cook calls the meeting to order at 6:30pm.
1) 112 Sohier Road Applicant: North Shore Education Consortium
The applicant is proposing an update to an existing sign that will include the address at the top of the sign
with the name and logo of the North Shore Education Consortium on the main portion of the sign. The sign
will match with white panels and teal lettering and will be two sided. The sign will not be illuminated.
There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter:
Matthews: Motion to approve the signs as presented, Margolis seconded.
The motion carries 5 -0. (Flannery arrived after this item for vote)
2) MCJ Insurance Company Applicant: MCJ Insurance Agency
The location of the business is in the Cabot Plaza where the pharmacy used to be. The applicant is
proposing one wall sign and one directory sign. Both the wall sign and the directory sign include the name
of the business, and will be internally illuminated. The wall sign is 24" x 96 ", and the directory sign will be
on a 1' x 8' panel.
There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter:
Hutchings: Motion to approve the signs as presented. Flannery seconded. The motion
carries (6 -0).
3) 181 Elliott Street 800 Building Applicant: Bayada Home Health Service
This sign requires a special permit based on location; the sign will be placed higher than is allowed by right.
The sign maker representing the applicant stated that Bayada is constantly interviewing people at this
location, and that their first -floor locations are not sufficiently visible to clients. Their location is tough to
navigate from the outside, and. They propose a 21" x 115" sign that says their name. The sign is tasteful
and clean. The location and sign will face the tennis club location within the Cummings Center. The Board
asked whether additional signs are located or will be proposed on the building and the specific fagade of
the building. The sign maker stated this applicant is the first business to ask for such signage in this
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building on the Cummings Center site.
There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter:
Cook: Motion to recommend approval of the sign to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Hutchings
seconded. The motion carries (6 -0).
4)181 Elliott Street 100 Building Applicant: Goddard Technologies
Goodard in the 100 building towards the rear of the Cummings Center. The applicant currently has a sign
on the first floor and are requesting to move it above Lucent Technologies for more visibility, using the
same sign they have now. This is an installation of the existing sign, not a manufacture of new sign. All
signs in this location are illuminated. This requires a special permit because of the height where the sign
will be placed.
There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter:
Cook: Motion to approve the sign as presented to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Matthews
seconded. The motion carries (6 -0).
5) 181 Elliott Street Applicant: LexaGene
Lexagene is located in the 500 building of the Cummings Center. The applicant established that it makes
more sense to have the sign on the side of the building, as there are so many signs in the front, but the
applicant was asked not to have it on the pond side. The applicant chose a location that gives them more
visibility coming from Balch Street or from Elliott Street. Margolis cited concern regarding the placement of
signs on the side of the building. The Board discussed with the sign maker the option to place the sign on
the front of the building, where Keller Williams is. The sign design does have a "DNA" logo symbol design
with letters. The Board discussed a reduction of the height of the logo to keep the sign within the sign band.
The Board agreed upon the recommendation is to place the sign below the "500" and above Keller Williams
on the front of the building, but the height of the logo needs to be reduced.
There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter:
Cook: Motion to recommend approval of the sign to the Zoning Board of Appeals with the conditions that
(1) the height of the image (logo) would be reduced to 48 "; and (2) that the sign would be moved
from the side fagade to the front fagade of the building facing Balch Street, below the "500" and
above the "Keller Williams" sign. Ellen Flannery seconded, The motion carries (6 -0).
61503 Rantoul Street Applicant: Hawaiian Stvle Sushi Bowls
A new version of the sign was proposed, which will only state "Colo Poke." This sign will be a painted sign
with a red background and white lettering and will be on aluminum. The Board discussed the option to
include banding around of the sign, around the sides of the white, or a black border that helps highlight the
sign. The Board recommended it be a little smaller than the Rasta Pasta sign next store. The sign will be
externally illuminated.
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There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter:
Cook: Motion to recommend approval as presented, but with a thin black border around the sign, and on
the condition that the sign is sized /placed so that about two inches of the ivory sign band are visible above
and below the sign. Ulrich seconded. The motion carries (6 -0).
40 Sam Fonzo Drive - Continued Site Plan
The proposed project includes the construction of a new office /warehouse building that would house two
tenants on a currently vacant lot. At the February 2018 DRB meeting, Board members stated that color
imagery and /or sample materials should be provided to better show how the development will appear.
Included in this report is a single -color rendering of the building. Staff has requested that the applicant
provide at least two full site plans at the meeting, and has recommended at least one additional color
rendering. The most recent site plans were brought, with the colors that were requested. The most recent
plan shows that the exterior appears to be stucco, and a stucco color. Board members noted that this
building resembles the building next to the site, but there should be more information submitted here at
DRB in order to approve. There are no samples of materials and clarification is needed on what they are,
stucco, medal panels etc. The Board would also like to see a color sample and what the materials will look
like.
Cook proposed the Board continue the site plan review and the applicant will come back with specifics on
material types, signage, and color samples.
8) 2688 Cabot Street - Continued Site Plan
The city sent the applicant historical photos of downtown buildings which was very helpful. There was lots
of brick so the decision was made to introduce a red brick color for the top fagade. There is a smaller
version for the rear elevation, and other colors were looked at (some blues) but the applicant determined
that the brick color looks better. The Board noted that windows on the ground floor look good, and
recommended the red brick color on other areas, specifically two strips of red on the front. Commercial
white color of portions of the building is the same as the Atomic Cafe.
Jelwyn windows will be used for "epic" views with clean lines. The back decking will be putty gray that
blends with the brick color. The Board noted that windows on the ground floor look good. The walkway in
back was addressed for safety with parking and traffic, and the area will have a prominently painted strip.
The Board complemented applicant for responding to their recommendations. Applicant to submit a revised
site plan to specify what has been revised.
There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter:
Cook: Made a motion to recommend approval of the site plan as presented to the Planning Board with the
red brick color being added to the northeast corner, and correction on the plan that the siding on
the front is clapboard. Ulrich seconded. The motion carries (6 -0)
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9. New /Other Business:
a) Election of Chairperson for the Design Review Board
Flannery: Makes a motion to recommend Sandra Cook as Chairperson. Cook to remain
Chairperson of the Design Review Board for 2018. Ulrich seconded.
The motion carries (6 -0).
b) Draft Meeting Minutes
January 11, 2018
February Meeting Minutes
Recommended changes and review of the minutes for accuracy and approval. Hutchings will review and
revised January / February minutes for the next meeting.
c) Review of proposed Site Plan Application Instructions submitted by Hutchings. Group reviewed the
proposed instructions, and recommendations emphasizing:
- the need for color images and /or renderings;
- detailed exterior materials and specifications;
- landscaping - add site amenities, including but not limited to light fixtures, images, material samples etc.
Board members noted that not all of the above are necessarily required for the first review, but with others
as they continue.
d) Review of proposed examples of sign applications submitted by Hutchings. Five good examples were
reviewed. Group decided to use Art by Alyssa, Chive Events, and NY Bagel as good examples to use for
future applicants. Hutchings will go back to businesses for their approval, and will review with Aaron
Clausen for any information that should be confidential, blacked out, etc.
10. Adjourn
Cook: Made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Flannery seconded. The motion carries (6 -0)
The meeting adjourned at 7:51.
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