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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-03-10 Community Planning and Development Commission Minutes - DraftTOWN OF READING _ -f__! ED 16 Lowell Street CL E RK Reading, MA 01867-2683 ' M t A s s Phone: 781-942-9012 Fax: 781-942-9071 A,'R 3 p`< U Email: creilly@ci.reading.ma.us U COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION CPDC MINUTES-DRAFT Meeting Dated: March 10, 2003 Members Present: Michael Flammia (MF), Secretary and Acting Chairman ; Paul Devlin (PD) Richard Howard (RH), Neil Sullivan, (NS), Commissioners. Also Present: Chris Reilly, Town Planner (CR) The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:55 PM. The following minutes were approved with/ without amendments or editions: February 24, 2003 - RH moves to approve, NS seconds. Voted in favor, 3-0-0. 8:05 PM- CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS: 1 Hamden Street Datalink Communications & Sunsations are the applicant. Representing the applicant are Eric from Datalink Communications and Luke Hovland from Classic Signs, Inc. Luke explains the sign application. The corporate client is Nextel. The owner of Sunsations is a sub-dealer of Nextel. They wish to advertise both the Sunsations tanning salon and Nextel dealership, which will be sharing the interior space at 1 Harnden St. The proposed sign on the front of the property is 59 square feet. There is a Nextel corporate logo they are required to use. The material is made of polyurethane. The burgundy background on the proposed sign is 1", high-density polyurethane, as is the lettering. Luke distributed pictures of other projects in locations such as Bedford that are similar to what the applicant is proposing. They are expanding the color of the trim. The proposed colors will include orange, white and burgundy. They want to add a three dimensional look to the sign. There has to be the right color combination to achieve the desired effect, as proposed in the application. Luke explains that signs flush on the building were considered but the effect was not as desirable. The proposed sign on the front side will be 32' in length. C:\My Documents\ CPDC\Agenda-Minutes\ CPDC Minutes 3.10.03.doc Last printed 04/14/03 7:35 PM TOWN OF READING COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION Minutes for Meeting dated: March 10, 2003 Luke states that up to half of the allowed square footage on the sign in front can go on the side, as permitted by the by-laws, and describes the proposed signage to that effect. The by-law also allows up to 6" of interior window sign, which is proposed along a band at the bottom of the frontage window. PD arrives at 8:22 PM. RH explained he has reviewed the application and was looking for a different color scheme. He is concerned about a change in nearby tenant occupancy and would like to see uniformity in the fagade and signage. Signage uniformity, particularly for building with multiple tenants, is a standard the Commission is trying to adopt. NS says uniformity is desired. RH explains to the applicant that CPDC has just assumed sign review from an independent board and is looking to achieve a design standard that compliments the overall economic climate of the downtown. This would be in the best interest of the Town and the Applicants, who would benefit from a commercial streetscape that would attract clientele. PD comments that the Simms jewelers across the street has separate signs and he would prefer to see separate signs for Nextel and Sunsations. He knows Nextel has a corporate logo, but he feels that this is more of a billboard style that is not conducive to a classy downtown. He likes the scalloped effect in the Bedford signage example Luke provided. There may be too much crowding in the current proposal. RH comments that the burgundy color is too strong and perhaps a black and white lettering would be better. Down the street in the Business B district near Main and Haven there is a more uniform standard with white or gold lettering on dark signs. MF feels the application as proposed is contrary to what they are trying to achieve for the area, i.e. uniform design standards. CR explains the concerns of the Building Inspector about imposing design guidelines that aren't in the zoning by-law. RH replies that the by-law gives the Commission the necessary authority to review and approve design standards. Luke explains the process of designing the sign. The Building Inspector told them that they couldn't separate the sign. It could be done more like the Bedford design if the Building Inspector approves it. Page 2 of 5 TOWN OF READING COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION Minutes for Meeting dated: March 10, 2003 He is amenable to suggestions and says that the colors can be reversed, but these colors are required because the client has specified that they are part of the corporate logo design. MF asks about whether the phone number can be deleted. RH didn't see anything in the by-laws about prohibiting phone numbers. Luke explains that it didn't make sense to keep the existing blue design with the color motif they were proposing. MF asks if burgundy lettering could stay but the background of the sign and building could be matched. Eric says that they can work with the Sunsations proprietor. Luke discusses the possibilities but needs to work with the client's requirements and the time frame they are concerned about. They need to get this sign made and up. MF explains that the exterior work could compliment the sign and the Commission is leaning toward lettering on a white background. The only background he would like to see is lettering on top of the sign band. He would like to see the applicant match the design with signs across the street. Luke could expand the rectangle around the Nextel logo to approximately 30 feet. He feels that the sign is crucial to the retail activity and the resulting sign with burgundy lettering would not be sufficient for advertising. RH repeats that the Commission is trying to create more harmony and enhance the economic environment downtown, and this might be counter to that. They are seeking cohesiveness that would compliment the other improvements being planned, such as the Downtown Streetscape design. Luke replied that split signs with scalloped edges would create a colonial look. If lettering is applied it would not achieve the appealing effect of the Bedford sign. Individual vinyl lettering like the CVS signage is readily available and doesn't offer the potential upscale look of the three-dimensional design. RH recommends a scalloped edge sign with raised burgundy lettering and a white background. RH makes a motion to grant the Certificate of Appropriateness as submitted except that it will have burgundy lettering on a white background with scalloped edges. NS seconds. Approved 4-0-0. Page 3 of 5 TOWN OF READING COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION Minutes for Meeting dated: March 10, 2003 Staff Briefing Master Plan CR went over preparations for the Master Plan Visioning Session. He covered the status of the BOS appointees on the Master Plan Advisory Committee and the information that has been circulated, such as the flyer and meeting notes with the MAPC consultant. The Commission went over the schedule and talked about the possible participants at the Visioning Session. 4 West Street CR went over the status of the approved site plan for 4 West Street, as requested by the Commission. The applicant is ready to move forward and has all his permits. They were ready to proceed with the project last fall but it got late in the construction season and they needed to get approval on their Hazardous Materials Report, which was late in coming. Everything has been approved and the applicant is currently accepting bids from Contractors to initiate the project. 45 Beacon Street CR reviews the request by the Commission to update them on the status of this project. The comprehensive permit has been appealed by the neighbors and the case is still in litigation. No new info is available on the current status of the court proceedings. 9:42 PM - ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW Sign Review Process The Commission went over the pending Comcast sign application for a Certificate of Appropriateness at 580 Main Street. The application must be reviewed by the March 24 CPDC meeting, which is the last day it can be reviewed before approval by inaction. CR discusses the Building Inspector's concerns. CPDC Procedures CR reviewed the current CPDC procedures for site plan review. He wanted input on whether the procedures should be changed to address some past Commission concerns that there is not enough advance notice on some Agenda items, such as requests for extensions. RH requested that a matrix tracking system be set up for regular review of approved site plans and subdivisions. The Commission felt that the eurr_ent_praceciures are_adequate Page 4 of 5 TOWN OF READING COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION Minutes for Meeting dated: March 10, 2003 Town Planner Evaluation The Commission went over the Town Planner Evaluation. CR asked the Commission for any comments they may have on his performance and the self evaluation he supplied to the Town Manager. Motion to adjourn at 10:06, made by NS, seconded by RH. All in favor, 4-0-0 These minutes were prepared by Chris Reilly, Town Planner, and submitted to the CPDC on March 24, 2003. Minutes were approved, as amended, by the CPDC on March 24, 2003. approved: ichael Flammia, ecretary Date Page 5 of 5