June 7 2018 DRB MinutesCITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
BOARD OR COMMISSION
SUBCOMITTEE:
DATE:
LOCATION:
MEMBERS PRESENT:
MEMBERS ABSENT:
RECORDER:
Design Review Board
June 7, 2018
Beverly City Hall Conference Room
Ellen Flannery, Joel Margolis, Emily Hutchings, Rachel Matthews,
Matthew Ulrich, Sandra Cook (arrived for item #6)
Donna Musumeci
Flannery calls the meeting to order at 6:30pm.
1) Art Studio Sign & Neon Applicant: Beverly Nails & Spa Boutique
The applicant is proposing a wall sign and a panel on a freestanding directory sign. The wall sign exceeds
the square footage allowance. A graphic resides to the right of the lettering "Beverly Nails ". A
recommendation was made to remove the graphic and replace with the lettering "& spa boutique" in that
space to be in compliance. The panel sign is in compliance.
There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter:
Hutchings: Motion to approve the sign with the removal of the graphic and move the
"& spa lettering ", so that it fits within the 20" high requirement. Ulrich seconded.
Second motion to approve the freestanding panel as presented. Ulrich
seconded.
The motions carry (5 -0).
2) 138 Dodge Street, Courtney Neill & Maura Conin Applicant: Inner Source Chiropractic
Applicant has an opportunity to move to Dodge Street. Signs are made of wood, one sign will be on a brick
wall (lower part of the building), the other a projecting sign, placed so it can be seen from north and south
directions. The wall sign and projecting sign are allowed by the Ordinance. Although the projecting sign will
be hung lower than is recommended, it is in compliance. The wall sign works well aesthetically on the brick.
Applicant mentions an awning that will include an address number on it; was advised this does not require
approval of the DRB and to check with the Building Inspector.
There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter:
Margolis: Motion to approve the signs as presented. Hutchings seconded.
The motion carries (5 -0).
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3) Ellis Square Social Applicant: Nikita Paras
The applicant is rebranding the restaurant, replacing the existing wording with the signage "Ellis Square
Social ", meant to make the restaurant more inclusive. Lettering and background for the sign will be the
same style and font as the current signage, and the sign is compliant.
There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter:
Flannery: Motion to approve the sign as presented as Ellis Square Social. Matthews
seconded. The motion carries (5 -0).
4) Site Plan Review, 42 Dunham Road Applicant: Harmonic Drive, LLC
The applicant Harmonic Drive is developing a 98K manufacturing space, a 21/2 story building as its
Headquarters. The applicant has met positively with abutting neighbors. The front of the building will have
different types of metal panels, similar to Cherry Hill buildings. There will be a grid pattern and flat metal
panels, with the panels rear of the building having vertically panels. Colors will be silvers and grays, with
the exception of the entry, which will be the "Harmonic" cyan blue, and a couple of cyan blue colored strips
around the building. The landscaping will be mostly grass; around the abutting neighborhood, there will be
arborvitaes, and 8' spruce cedar plantings.
Some landscaping will buffer the loading area. There will be LED 23' pole lights and the building will have 3
and 4 head fixtures. Lights will have motion sensors, being conscious of the condos 40 -50 feet from the
property line. The back of the building abuts a water tower. HVAC units will be on the roof. Hours of
operation are 7:30 -5:00 for the office, manufacturing ends at 3:30. The noisiest equipment are the
compressors on the north concrete wall which serves well for sound proofing.
There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter:
Hutchings: Motion to recommend to the Planning Board the site plan as presented. Ulrich
seconded. The motion carries (5 -0).
5) 130 Sohier Road - Site Plan Review Applicant: Sohier Road Self Storage
This is a return based on other city boards and commissions having further recommendations. With the
changes required by these other boards and commissions, sufficient changes in the design rendered the
need to return to the Design Review Board. Changes include reduction of the overall size of the site in front
and reduction of the proposed secondary building by 8,000 square feet. A real estate business office that
was planned in that space will be eliminated. The revisions for the main building include the removal of
some windows on the primary fagade, an elevator to the first and second floors, and a storage space for
carts (used by the tenants). A sidewalk is being extended on Sohier Road with a new crosswalk to
Northridge across the street. The area behind the smaller building will be all pavement; there is also a 50'
easement that you pass by and there will be some landscaping. At the front, there will be perennial beds
around the door. Around cart storage area, will be taller trees at 10'. Recommendation was made to plant
alternative trees, and to include a hedge (greenway) in between the trees.
There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter:
Pa
Ulrich: Motion to recommend approval of the proposed Sohier Road Self Storage LLC site
on the conditions of (1) changing the greenwave views in front of the building to
either Hatfieldii Yews or Hicksii Yews, at a minimum height of five to six feet, and
(2) planting three 40'x 4' plant beds in between the Littleleaf Linden trees along
Sohier Road, two in front of the building, and one to the left of the entrance, at a
3ft on- center spacing of greenwave views at 18" to 24" height. Hutchings
seconded. The motion carries (5 -0).
61 211 and 199 Rantoul Street - Site Plan Review Apolicant: Windover Ford. LLC
Applicant is back to discuss further changes for the site. First change are the panels: the original plan was
to use metal panels with a texture, but it determined it was difficult to do and expensive to install. Since the
last review, the building will become a modular building in construction style, which the applicant states now
lines up the doors and windows much better with more organized 5th and 6th floors. The material to be
used will now be Nichiha panels in lieu of metal panels on the exterior of both buildings. The material is
more durable then Hardie boards, and like the metal panels, can be staggered. The panels sit on a track,
and the fastenings aren't seen.
There is a change in the elevation for the building at 211 Rantoul: the bays are shifted left so that they look
similar. The main entry to the units has a canopy; to space to the left of the entry is still undetermined as to
what will be in the space (retail, restaurant, etc.) Colors will be medium to dark gray. Applicant states that
the biggest change is the size of the panels, that were 18'x 3' and are now 18'x 6'. For the elevation on
Wallis Street, 6 windows were added, and the courtyard is simpler. The eyebrow was eliminated, and 2
bays were added. On the east elevation, the bump outs that were on the top floors were eliminated. There
is still the upper deck/lounge facing north on Bow Street, and the western portion of the upper floors has
the lounge with window facing Rantoul Street and the river. Courtyard changes include taking out the
curved benches, adding landscaping and removing some plantings to create more space. There is still the
dog park, and the garage door will be next to it. Some plantings removed to accommodate house grills, but
there will still be planters. Two trees were added on Wallis Street as requested.
The Board stated that the first floor loses its pedestrian feel with the changes, and concern was expressed
over the elimination of the doors to the left of main entry. The applicant added that the retail area can all
change once known who will be going into the space, doors will be added accordingly. Planning is ongoing
for the first floor.
The applicant stated that the building at 199 Rantoul has fewer alterations: at the stairs towers, 8 windows
were added. There was a question of how many more columns were added, and a recommendation made
to perhaps lower the sill, since the windows seem smaller.
The Board expressed concerns that the with the changes, the buildings currently feel too large, with limited
pedestrian scale on the first floors.
There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter:
Hutchings: Motion to continue the site plan revisions. Flannery seconded. The motion carries (6 -0).
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7. New /Other Business:
Draft Meeting Minutes, April 5, 2018
Flannery: Motion to approve the April meeting minutes. Matthews seconded. Motion
carries (5 -0).
July DRB meeting to be held July 12, 2018.
Hutchings: Motion to move the July 5 DRB meeting to July 12, 2018. Ulrich seconded.
Motion carries (5 -0)
Other
Hutchings advised that Caroline Mason has joined the Historic Commission and has expressed interest in
serving on the DRB. She is being nominated to be on the Board.
8. Adjourn
Hutchings: Made a motion to adjourn. Flannery seconded.
The meeting adjourned at 8:50pm.
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