September 6 2018 DRB Minutes (2)CITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
BOARD OR COMMISSION: Design Review Board
SUBCOMITTEE:
DATE: September 6, 2018
LOCATION: Beverly City Hall Conference Room
MEMBERS PRESENT: Ellen Flannery, Emily Hutchings, Caroline Baird Mason, Joel Margolis,
Matthew Ulrich
MEMBERS ABSENT: Sandra Cook, Rachel Matthews
RECORDER: Donna Musumeci
1) Viewpoint Sign and Awning Applicant: Honey Dew Donuts, 15 Yankee Division Highway
The applicant is proposing the replacement of two existing signs. The first is a freestanding sign by the road
replacing the current Dunkin Donuts sign. The sign will be the same size and refaced saying Honey Dew
Donuts. The second sign is a wall sign, replacing the existing individual channel letters that say Dunkin
Donuts with Honey Dew Donuts. The width of the new Honey Dew Donuts signage will be slightly less than
the Dunkin Donuts signage due to the Honey Dew Donuts logo being smaller in size.
There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter:
Margolis: Motion to approve the signs as presented. Flannery seconded. The motion
carries (5 -0).
2) Viewpoint Sign & Awning Applicant: Littlefuse, 78 Cherry Hill Drive
The applicant is a large electronic manufacturing company and is proposing two signs. The freestanding
sign would be replaced in the existing cabinet and will be polycarbonate with vinyl lettering. The sign is in
compliance and there is no special permit is required.
There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter:
Hutchings: Motion to approve the faces for freestanding sign as presented. Margolis
seconded. The motion carries (5 -0).
The second sign is a wall sign. The applicant realizes the sign is out of compliance but would like a larger
sign that can be hung higher than permitted by right. The applicant noted that if the sign is hung no higher
than the 15' requirement, the visibility will be limited due to the industrial nature of the neighborhood.
Hutchings noted we have seen this situation with sign height and sizes for industrial developments and
recognizes adjustments are needed for industrial signage.
Applicant proposes a non - illuminated sign with fabricated aluminum letters, stud mounted with no visible
fasteners, and placed on the fagade in the upper right -hand corner for larger visibility. The overall size of
the sign is 116sf. There was discussion on the building having multiple tenants, which could affect the
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placement of signs on the building. It was determined that this applicant is the only tenant on this side of
the building and there will be only be one sign on that side of the building.
Hutchings: Motion to recommend to the Zoning Board of Appeals to approve the proposed
wall sign as presented considering the assumption that it will be the only sign on
that portion of the building. Ulrich seconded. The motion carries (5 -0)
3) David Ekizian Interiors Applicant: Dal Mare, 24 West Street
The applicant proposed a slight change to the awning sign and wishes to match the color of the lettering to
that is on the approved projecting sign. The size of the lettering on the awning will be up to 10" in height;
the applicant still plans to go for approval on the size since the lettering is larger than what is permitted.
There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter:
Hutchings: Motion to recommend to the Zoning Board of Appeals the proposed sign as
presented. Flannery seconded. The motions carries (5 -0).
4) Jonah Hulbert Applicant: Worthy Girl Consignment, 156 Cabot
The applicant is proposing two non - illuminated signs; a blade sign on the right -hand side of a window
measuring 12 "x24 ", that says "Worthy Girl" on both sides. The second sign is a wall painted sign to be
placed on the fagade.
There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter:
Margolis: Motion to approve the signs a s presented, Mason seconded. The motions
carries (5 -0).
5) Rahul Khanna Applicant: Smiley Dental, 45 Dodge Street
The applicant is moving into the Radio Shack space in Beverly Plaza. The sign is replacing the existing
Radio Shack sign, with a total size of 29" x 225" using the same footprint.
There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter:
Flannery: Motion to approve the signage presented by Smiley Dental. Ulrich seconded.
The motion carries (5 -0)
6) Churchhill Properties Applicant: Churchill Properties, 123 Brimbal Avenue
Applicant was in last month to propose an awning that is larger than allowed, and also proposes to add a
freestanding sign that will be placed on the grass in between the parking lot and the sidewalk, The reason
is that the awning sign can be seen from the rotary, but not from Sohier Road. A wall sign on the building
would not be seen because of the building being in between hill and trees. A 32" x 72" (16sf) freestanding
non - illuminated sign is proposed, that will be carved with white lettering and gold leaf. The sign will be in
the IR district where freestanding signs are not allowed except in a case of limited visibility. The proposed
location of the sign is also due to electrical equipment, a manhole and others factors, though it will be
placed so that people can walk by /around it. There are similar signs located in the same area for
surrounding businesses.
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There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter:
Flannery: Motion to recommend to the Zoning Board of Appeals the Churchill Properties sign
as presented. Ulrich seconded. The motions carries (6 -0).
7) Elliott Beer & Wine Market Applicant: Elliott Beer & Wine Market, 242 Elliott Street
The applicant is moving to the Cost Cutters space and proposes a wall sign that is burgundy in color with
white letters. The sign will be internally illuminated, the same as all signs in this plaza.
There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter:
Mason: Motion to approve the sign as presented. Margolis seconded The motions carries
(5 -0).
81 Nikhil Shah Aaalicant: Boston Consianment. 43 Enon Street
The applicant owns both storefronts at this location and is proposing an additional sign that will be internally
illuminated. The new sign will have matching channel letters and the same font as the other sign. Both
signs together are greater than the 20sf allowed and needs a special permit. It is cost prohibitive for the
applicant to move the Boston Consignment sign over, and the business does occupy both bays.
There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter:
Hutchings: Motion to recommend to the Zoning Board of Appeals the proposed signage as
presented. Flannery seconded. The motions carries (5 -0).
91 John Connors Aaalicant: GEM Auto Parts. 465 Rantoul Street
The applicant will be occupying the former Britton Auto parts space and plans to install a new sign using
the existing channel letters that say "auto parts" and will replace "Britton" with newly install LED lights that
say GEM. The GEM will be red in color. The auto parts letters are in good condition and are neon, but
replacement is costly so will be done at a later time. The fagade will be painted and patched to erase the
imprint of the old letters.
Flannery: Motion to approve the sign for GEM Auto Parts as presented. Ulrich seconded.
The motion carries (5 -0)
10) Anchor Point- Site Plan Review Aaalicant: Harborliaht Communitv Partners. 108 Sohier Road
Andrew DeFranza from Harborlight, Thad Siemasko and Matt Ulrich presented. The applicants stated
project is called Anchor Point and will be a model affordable housing project for decades to come; located
at the corner of Sohier and Tozer Roads on a 5 -acre site in the first "40R "district for Beverly. There will be
75 affordable units, with 20% of units set aside for families facing homelessness. This is viewed as a family
housing project with a substantial service overlay for the families and children who will reside here.
Buildings:
There will be three buildings: two for housing and one as a community building, where Harborlight will also
have office space. Residential buildings are labeled A and B. The community building may will also have a
drop off spot for an after - school van program or breakfast program for kids. The site is five acres, with
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varied topography; the applicant stated the plan is to keep many of the trees, particularly along Tozer Road,
make crosswalks, pedestrian walkways, and a nature trail, with the goal of crosswalks and sidewalk
improvements providing access to the shopping centers, employment centers, and the high school. Units
will have front stoops and walkways that connect. The buildings are modular in construction and will have
covered porches above with terraces below. Buildings will fit into the slope, as required by the site
topography.
Building A is three stories, and will include laundry and fitness areas. The applicant noted the courtyard
areas with the trees in the foreground, and trash room. Building B has a garden level with seven units, (not
in the basement); they have full walkouts into the play yard. On the first floor, there is a common area. On
the third floor, the bridge connects to Building A. Building B is four stories but is well- buffered from the road.
The community building has a covered porch in the front, an office, and a kitchen, with a sloped roof line to
give a more interesting look to the building. The community building also has a large room with communal
space to have parties, gatherings etc., and with a view of the city. Out back leads to a large outdoor
community space.
The material pallet being used on the project is New England traditional: Red brick (red brick color), shiplap
tan, shingles in a sand color, window frames in a dark green, and metal roofing in copper kind of look (not a
patina). Common variables on all the buildings include the window motifs, and variable size /location by use
and function. Also, using the brick and the shiplap in different bands to break up the fagade and make it
more aesthetically pleasing.
Setbacks from Sohier Road on the buildings include Building A - 35 feet, Building B - 38 feet, and the
Community building - 35 feet.
Landscaping (Matt Ulrich):
There will be a community garden near Building B, and then in the back a communal plot to have play
structures with a fence and contained area. Trees will also be along Sohier road, so the southern end of
building is buffered as one drives north. There will be an L- shaped courtyard to house grills and chairs, with
heavy planting and a retaining wall with trees. Building A has an L- shaped courtyard with a green space, is
fenced in, and will have some planted trees to create shade. Units have 12x8 patios which will be heavily
planted and hedged for privacy. Entry areas will be heavily planted and there will be a bike area.
The community building has opportunities to have a basketball half - court, picnic tables, play structures and
includes a large green space with lawn areas. In front of the building there will be pavers for the front
walkway and large terrace, with added trees and plantings to create shade. There is a slope on the large
lawn areas, and will use broad grass terrace steps, 4 to 6 feet deep to create another area, i.e.
amphitheater.
Ornamental plantings include privet hedges, evergreens, lots of ornamental grasses, and plantings that
don't require a lot of water. Tree types include sugar maples, pine oaks and small ornamental trees (some
Japanese). The community gardens will have raised beds and some bigger timbers, they are easy to
maintain and very scalable.
Lighting will include LED lights, 10 -12' pole lights and pedestrian bolar lights.
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A video was shown of how the finished project is anticipated to look, an explanation was given on financing
and on construction pricing, and design and parameters were discussed based on the affordable housing
scenario.
Comments were made on the variation in fenestration,specifically the windows and stair towers, interesting
and great lighting. Board members noted that colors are more natural, with a softer palette. The Board
noted and provided positive feedback on aspects of the project including gardens and playgrounds, bike
racks, van drop off area, and the goal of planning for solar.
Hutchings noted she has provided all the comments from absent Board members. Applicant would like to
go before the Planning Board before the end of the year, and the plan is for the project to go for a funding
round late in the fall.
Hutchings: Motion to recommend the Planning Board approve the project as presented.
Flannery seconded. Motion to approve (4 -0) with Ulrich abstaining (as landscaper
on the project).
11) New /Other Business:
a. Draft Meeting Minutes, July 12, 2018
Hutchings: Motion to approve the July meeting minutes as revised correcting "Flannel" with
Flannery. Flannery seconded. The motion carries (5 -0).
12) Adjourn:
Hutchings: Made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Ulrich seconded.
The motion carries (5 -0).
The meeting adjourned at 8:40 pm.
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