2009-06-08 Community Planning and Development Commission Minutes

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CPDC Minutes of 6/8/2009 There was a question as to if the new ANR met the "lot shape circle" requirement but CK said. she had. consulted. Town Counsel and was told that was not a requirement since a buildable lot was not being proposed and therefore the Board. could endorse the new ANR. NS moved the Board endorse the ANR for 37 Pinevale Avenue dated 5/27/2009. JW seconded. By a vote of 5:0:0 the ANR was endorsed. The Board signed the two mylar plans. The Chair asked if the ANR endorsed on 4:13:2009 had been recorded. GZ said it did not matter because this plan would supersede that one. Public Hearing: Site Plan Review 345 Main Street, Linear Properties NS read the public notice. The Chair opened the public hearing. Attorney Christopher Coleman represented the applicant. Also appearing were Mr. Gordon Whitman of Linear Properties and architect Mr. Matt Bouchard of Cramer Levine & Co. The applicant would like to: • Replace the eight trees conditioned in the Board's site plan review waiver decision of 1/17/2007 with 60 bushes: 13 along Ash St. and 47 along Main St. The applicant feels tenants would object to trees blocking their storefronts and signage. Bushes would provide as much or more greenery and not block views. The applicant noted the bushes would be more expensive than the trees.. • Change the cornice with decorative dentil molding and soft, white LED lighting (approx 40 lumens/foot). The LEDs would. be located at the base of the cornice and light upwards. Mr. Bouchard displayed photos taken at night of a location on the Mall Road in Burlington, MA which has similar molding and LED lighting. These changes would greatly improve the appearance of the site. Comments of the Board Cornice Lights Longhorn Restaurant at Walkers Brook Drive wanted a red LED light band running along the roofline and it was denied. NS said the brightness of the site would be much greater than shown in the photo once you. added up all of the other lights. Mr. Bouchard said a visit to the Burlington location would show the lighting to be subtle and the intent is to pick out the cornice details not to wash them out. Mr. Whitman said one of the photos was retouched. to show brighter lights to highlight the effect for prospective tenants. Mr. Coleman said he could not see how these lights would be a nuisance to abutters or passersby - most would face at an angle to Main Street. DT noted the lights are lighting the building and that is something the Board has not encountered. before. If the lights were illuminating a sign the Board might look on them more favorably. He added the cornice would be attractive with or without the lights. Page 2 of 6