July 6 2017 DRB MinutesCITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
BOARD OR COMMISSION:
SUBCOMMITTEE:
DATE:
LOCATION:
MEMBERS PRESENT:
MEMBERS ABSENT:
OTHERS:
RECORDER:
Design Review Board
Thursday, July 6, 2017
Beverly City Hall Conference Room
Sandra Cook, Ellen Flannery, William Finch, Joel
Margolis, and Rachel Matthews
Matthew Ulrich, and Karen Bebergal
Darlene Wynne, city staff
Brett Bauer
Cook calls the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
Sign: Taste Buds Kitchen - 131 Rantoul Street
The applicant is proposing an awning sign for a cooking school geared towards kids and
adults. Consisting of four separate awnings, one of which contains their logo; the signs
will be bright and externally illuminated. The fabric material has been used for the sign in
the North Andover location and has not been prone to fading. Cook notes that a special
permit is needed for lettering that is over 6 inches in height, two lines of text, and also
because more than one awning sign is proposed. But Cook also notes that she thinks the
proposed signs look better this way.
There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter:
Cook: Moves to recommend approval to the Zoning Board of Appeals for
a special permit for the awning signs as presented. Flannery seconds the
motion. The motion carries (6 -0).
Members discuss with the applicant the reasons requiring a special permit as well as the
process for the applicant to pursue the special permit.
Sign: Quick Mart - 246 Elliott Street
The applicant is proposing a wall sign with channel letters in an electrical raceway with
only the letters lighting up. All other lighting for the existing 7 -11 sign will be removed.
The applicant notes that his client has asked for the lettering to be lime green instead of
the orange color originally proposed. Cook asks the Board what color is preferred. The
orange color is preferred by the Board.
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July 6, 2017
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Finch expresses concern about the size of the lettering. Wynne notes that the current
proposal exceeds the allowed sign area by about ten square feet and would require a
special permit. Flannery observes that the sign could meet the ordinance by reducing the
height of the lettering from 24 inches to 19 inches. Matthews asks about the font that is
used and suggests that a sans serf font would be more modern. The applicant responds
that a different font could be used. Cook asks about the projection distance of the sign.
Wynne notes that 12 inches is the maximum projection allowed. The applicant responds
that the projection distance is determined by the size of the electrical raceway.
Cook suggests that the applicant resubmit the proposal to Wynne with the sign area
reduced to 60 square feet or less. She also notes that the Board prefers the orange color
for the lettering and a sans serf font of equal weighting. Wynne adds that the projection
distance would also need to be reduced to avoid the need for a special permit. The
applicant will see if a smaller raceway is available and will resubmit the proposal to the
Board for review by email.
Sign: The Paper Store - 53 Dodge Street
The applicant states that all locations will be changing their signs. The new wall sign will
be back -lit by LED lights in each individual letter. The applicant says less light will be
emitted from the new sign.
There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter:
Margolis: Moves to approve the wall sign as presented. Finch seconds the
motion. The motion carries (6 -0).
Sign: Bogie's Craft Beer & Fine Wine - 276 Cabot Street
The applicant is proposing a projecting sign to be hung on a wrought iron post at the
corner of the building. The sign will be lit by a spotlight on both sides. The applicant
notes that the landlord may be doing improvements to the facade, and that the existing
awning will be removed.
Wynne notes that the maximum allowed sign area is 7 square feet. The sign as currently
proposed would require a special permit. The applicant responds that the sign can be
reduced to that size. Cook suggests moving the sign to be centered above the door since
the awning will be removed. Wynne also notes that 9 feet of clearance is needed from the
sidewalk.
There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter:
Cook: Moves to approve the projecting sign with the condition that the
size be reduced to 7 square feet in area, and the sign be centered above the
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July 6, 2017
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door with the awning removed. Margolis seconds the motion. The motion
carries (6 -0).
Sign: B. Good Food with Roots - 55 Dodge Street
The applicant states that they are currently re- branding in an attempt to move beyond the
farm -to -table concept and to make it nicer and more comfortable for their customers. The
name is changing but the color will remain the same. The letters will be back lit.
There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter:
Cook: Moves to approve the wall sign as presented. Margolis seconds the
motion. The motion carries (6 -0).
Informal Sign Review: Station 101 - 101 Rantoul Street
The applicant presents a temporary banner sign for the Station 101 apartment building.
The planning department has not received an application yet, so the sign will be reviewed
informally. The sign will need a special permit because of its size. The sign will face
Pleasant Street to be viewed by traffic driving down Rantoul Street. Wynne notes that
there are no dimensional requirements for a temporary sign. Flannery asks about the
expected timing for the sign to be in place. The applicant responds that they would like to
have it up as long as possible, 6 months would be preferred. Wynne adds that a special
permit is needed for any temporary sign in place for more than 14 days, and time limits
have been set in the past as part of the special permit. Matthews comments that the sign
appears too busy and has too many calls to action. She notes that the phone number and
the URL are displayed in an unnatural manner. Suggestions are discussed to re -work the
information listed on the sign and highlight the most important parts, the phone number
and the URL.
Cook informs the applicant that the changes can be submitted with the special permit
application. Wynne notes that a vote can be taken at the next meeting after the application
has been received with the changes.
Informal Project Materials Review: 112 Rantoul Street
The applicant presents materials proposed for the exterior of the mixed -use building on
the land adjacent to the MBTA garage. A masonry base will be used with metal shingles.
The shingles will be a blue -gray color and will be lighter on the top two floors. The brick
has some iron spotting in it. The applicant would like to show the joints in the masonry,
so a lighter colored mortar than what is currently presented may be selected. The
applicant wants the brick to be different from the surrounding buildings. The smooth,
metal shingles will be used at the front of the building with a woodgrain siding used
around the back. Black window trim will be used. The applicant notes that the brick
selected has a rich color that can change with the light. Finch expresses concern that the
brick is too dark. The applicant invites any members of the Board to view the brick
samples on site to see how the light can change the appearance.
There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter:
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July 6, 2017
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Cook: Moves to recommend approval of the materials as presented.
Flannery seconds the motion. The motion carries (5 -1).
New /Other Business
Cook asks about the progress on the list of sign violations she submitted by email. Wynne
responds that Brian is working through the list, notifying people of the violations, and
issuing a fines where appropriate. Cook feels that just receiving a ticket for the violation
and not having the sign come into compliance is not helpful. She would like to see some
notification process and then some follow up to bring signs into compliance.
June Draft Meeting Minutes
Cook asks if there are any questions or edits to the June meeting minutes.
There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter:
Flannery: Moves to approve the June 1, 2017 minutes. Finch seconds
the motion. The motion carries (6 -0).
Adjournment
Cook asks if there is any other business to come before the Design Review Board this
evening. There being none:
Cook: Moves to adjourn the meeting. Margolis seconds the motion. The
motion carries (6 -0).
The meeting is adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
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July 6, 2017
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