2009-02-09 Community Planning and Development Commission Minutes

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CPDC Minutes of 2/9/2009 The Board questioned if the applicant's proposal met the intent of a Master Signage Plan. The plan should give details of the location and style of all future tenants' signs not only K&G's. Mr. George Danis said it was not possible to know in advance the size and configuration of a future tenant's sign. The Board pointed out that was the purpose of the Master Signage Plan: a building's owner is given greater latitude as to where signage can be placed on a building but in return the design of all signage must be similar and specified beforehand. The consensus of the Board was they approved of the plans for the K&G signage in particular but the Master Signage Plain in general would need to be resubmitted with more design details of future signage. DT moved the Board approve the Master Signage Plan for 128 Marketplace as dated 1/5/2009 including the K&G Fashion Superstore signage on condition the applicant will submit additional detailed design information for all new signage by 5/11/2009. JP seconded. By a vote of 4:0:0 the Board approved the Master Signage Plan for 128 Marketplace as conditioned. Zoning Workshop: Downtown 40R Smart Growth District The Board discussed how best to inform and educate the public about the proposed district. Details of the 3/9/2009 meeting devoted to a public presentation of the reason for and purpose of district were also discussed. GK said he would update a Powerpoint presentation he and NS had started in 2007 to include graphics of how four actual locations might be developed if the district was established.. The four properties are: The Doucette Warehouse by the depot, Oak Tree Development's proposal for the use of the Atlantic Supermarket site, M.F. Charles building, and. Eastern Bank. CK said she would prepare a draft outline of the 3/9/2009 presentation for the Board's next meeting (2/23/2009). Issues to be addressed include: • The Historical Commission's concern over the impact the 40R district will have on historical properties. She noted all such properties should be shown on the map of the district. • Traffic • Parking NS moved the Board ratify the reduced Downtown 40R Smart Growth District as shown in a plan dated 1/23/209. JW seconded. By a vote of 4:0:0 the Board ratified the reduced Downtown 40R Smart Growth District. Zoning Workshop: South Main Street Design Guidelines The Board discussed in some detail what the front setback should be. It is now a 50 foot setback. The consensus was to reduce it to a 10 to 15 foot setback but to provide adequate room for a sidewalk and tree-lawn the Board would need to know exactly where Mass. Highways' right-of-way ends and what the town is allowed to do within the right-of-way. The Town Planner advised the Board to try to reach a decision on the setback soon as important properties on South Main had recently gone on the market. Page 2 of 3