October 4 2018 DRB MinutesCITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
BOARD OR COMMISSION:
SUBCOMITTEE:
DATE:
LOCATION:
MEMBERS PRESENT:
MEMBERS ABSENT:
RECORDER:
Design Review Board
October 4, 2018
Beverly City Hall Conference Room
Sandra Cook, Emily Hutchings, Joel Margolis,
Rachel Poor, Matthew Ulrich
Ellen Flannery, Caroline Baird Mason
Donna Musumeci
1) Sobol Acai Bowls, 43 -45 Enon Street Applicant: Fastsigns
The applicant is replacing the existing wall sign, the new sign to include the Sobol Acai
Bowls logo at 18" in height, and the name of the business. The wall sign complies with
the Ordinance. The applicant is also installing a directory sign on an existing
nonconforming (but grandfathered) freestanding sign. The applicant noted that the style
of the signage fits with the rest of the shopping plaza.
There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter:
Cook: Motion to approve the signs as presented. Hutchings seconded.
The motion carries (5 -0).
2) Philbin Insurance Group /Barry S. Logue Insurance, 132 Dodge Street, Suite 4
Applicant: Philbin Insurance Group /Barry S. Logue Insurance
The applicant has moved into 132 Dodge Street and wants to place their company logo
on the existing freestanding placard sign (in black with gold letters). The directory sign
at the far end of the property is wood and will have the company's name in vinyl
lettering put on it. The applicant confirmed that any alterations to the sign would not
increase the size of the sign. The directory sign matches the other directory signs of
businesses at the location.
There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter:
Cook: Motion to approve the signs as presented. Ulrich seconded. The
motion carries (5 -0).
31 Lift Positive Fitness. 407 Cabot Street Applicant: Lift Positive Fitness
The applicant is proposing a wall sign with contour channel letters and a logo. The
applicant noted that while the application included a proposed pylon sign on an existing
directory sign for the shopping plaza, the directory sign currently has no available
space, so the application for the pylon (freestanding sign) is being withdrawn. The
applicant noted that the plaza owner may decide to add pylons to the directory sign in
the future, but that prospective sign alteration is not part of this application.
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There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter:
Hutchings: Motion to approve the signs as presented. Poor seconded. The
motion carries (5 -0).
4) BM Best Auto Sales, 42 Park Street Applicant: Bresmil R. Robles Crespo
The applicant is proposing a wall sign with the name of the business and a logo,
replacing the existing sign. Cook notes that the size looks large, but Hutchings notes
that the sign is in compliance with the Ordinance and is also replacing a sign of the
same size. Poor and Cook make a recommendation to make the size more rectangular
in shape to look sleeker, but note that such a recommendation does not need to be a
condition of approval.
There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter:
Cook: Motion to approve the signs as presented, Hutchings seconded.
The motion carries (5 -0).
51 Verizon. 55 Dodae Street. Unit 110 Applicant: Hiahered Hand
The applicant is proposing a wall sign that includes the name of the business with
channel letters. The sign is similar to what was there; the applicant states that Verizon is
rebranding and simplifying their logo. The applicant notes that the business is moving
from a different location within the same shopping plaza. The sign is in compliance with
the Ordinance.
There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter:
Cook: Motion to approve the sign as presented. Hutchings seconded. The
motion carries (5 -0).
6) 582 Hale Street. Site Plan Review Applicant: Skomurski Development LLC
Skomurski Development LLC - The proposed project includes the development of a
two -unit residential building with parking underneath. The applicant notes that although
the entire project involves the development of two residential buildings, site plan review
is only required for Building "A ". Building A is to be located in the place of a recently
demolished building. Historically, this area was one large property with offices and the
post office; the post office will be saved and attached to Building "B ".
Building A is 2'/ stories with 2 condominium units, that will have a condo living
association and includes the offices on the site. The applicant states that the site plan is
straightforward. There will be a driveway /court for the residences, which is not intended
to provide additional parking for non - residential purposes. Landscaping will be done on
the relatively flat lot and will include perennials and grasses, along with arborvitaes for
screening.
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The applicant reviewed the utility areas and described the proposed pocket lights and
sconces on the front entrance points, garage door and porches. Building materials are
cedar shingles, colors chosen by the owner. Window frames will be black, and accent
trims and doors will have a separate color of the siding which may be a creamy kind of
yellow and fits into the neighborhood.
Tom Alexander (attorney) noted for the record that this was a delapitated building in the
CN district and the language on the property suggested to have a site plan review on
this building only, not the second building. Hutchings stated that the DRB is not
required to review the second building.
Ulrich noted that it would be beneficial to keep the existing street tree. The applicant
confirmed that the intention is to keep the street tree on the corner of Hale and Thissell
Streets. Ulrich also noted that the transformer closest to the corner of Hale and Thissell
may require further landscape screening in addition to what is proposed.
Cook noted that the building is attractive, but will look different than what is shown in the
renderings due to the black window frames. The applicant noted that the other two
buildings on the property have dark green window frames. Hutchings stated that the
building should fit the neighborhood, and Cook agreed.
There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter:
Hutchings: Motion to recommend to the Planning Board approval of the site
plan as presented, with a recommendation that the transformer
closest to the corner of Hale and Thissell Streets have additional
landscape screening, Ulrich seconded. The motion carries (5 -0).
7) New /Other Business:
a. GAR Hall: Facade & Sign Improvement Grant. The City of Beverly is in the process of
restoring the front and side facades of the historic GAR Hall and has applied for a $7,500
grant through the Beverly Main Streets Facade & Sign Improvement Grant. At this
meeting, the City requests that the Design Review Board review the design specifications
completed by architect Richard Smith, which have been approved by the Historic District
Commission. Hutchings and Cook will write a letter of recommendation.
There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter:
Cook: Motion
for the DRB to
draft
a letter of approval for the Beverly Main
Streets
grant
for GAR
Hall,
Poor seconded.
The
motion
carries (5 -0).
b. Harmonic Drive /42 Dunham Rd. Hutchings noted that there were some minor revisions to
some of the elevations that were reviewed by the Planning Department and do not require
additional review by the DRB. No additional concerns were discussed by the Board.
c. Site Plan Review Instructions. Staff would like to request a minor revision to the Site Plan
Review Instructions; change the instructions located in the middle of the page to "all site
plan applications should be drawn to scale, and should contain the following (as relevant):"
0
The Board had no concerns about this revision, and Staff will update the Site Plan Review
Instructions document.
8) Draft Meeting Minues, August 2, 2018:
Cook: Motion to approve the August meeting minutes, Ulrich seconded.
The motion carries (5 -0).
9) Adjourn:
Hutchings: Made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Cook seconded.
The motion carries (5 -0).
The meeting adjourned at 7:05pm.
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