HomeMy WebLinkAboutA Guide for Sign Permit Applications A GUIDE FOR
SIGN PERMIT APPLICANTS
Prepared by:
Lexington Design Advisory Committee
Adopted by the Lexington Board of Selectmen
January 1997
Introduction
Signs are a necessary means of communicating information and generally are intended to be
highly visible. They attract attention and contribute greatly to a town's character; produce a
lasting impression on residents and visitors; and provide an image of the commercial health of a
business area and a town as a whole. Restrained use of signs and simplicity in design are
necessary to prevent a sign overload which creates clutter and can be as confusing as no signs at
all.
For these reasons,the Town has developed sign regulations which are part of the Zoning By-Law
of the Town of Lexington (Section 13). Many types of signs,whether for building identification,
parcel directories, parking or access, require a special permit from the Board of Appeals prior to
installation.
The Board of Appeals automatically refers all applications for signage and special permits to the
Design Advisory Committee(DAC), appointed by the Board of Selectman, for design review
and recommendations. The DAC typically reviews applications in open meetings,at which
applicants are urged ta attend. The DAC encourages meetings with potential applicants before
an application for special permit is submitted.
The intent of this guideline is to help applicants understand the sign permit process and of the
requirements for supporting documentation that is to be submitted to DAC for review.
Purposes of Design Review
To promote the safety and welfare of the public.
To enhance safety by encouraging short, simple, effective messages.
To foster creative and distinctive design.
To encourage signs which by their location, size and design are in harmony with
surrounding buildings and environment.
To further the general purposes of the Zoning By-Law of the T'own of Lexington.
All design review will be based upon the Design Guideline for Commercial District: Volume II.•
Private Sector Improvements dated 1990, available at the Town offices(Inspectional 5ervices),
and upon the Zoning By-Law of the Town of Lexington. Applicants are advised to follow those
guidelines when designing their signage.
Application Procedure and Design Review Process
1. Formal a�ptication: This begins with submission of the required form and fee, plus
appropriate supporting information,to the Board of Appeals. The necessary form and
information may be obtained from the Office of Inspectional Services, located in the Town
Office Building. Applicants will find it beneficial to consult with the DAC prior to
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submission of the formal application. The DAC may be contacted through its Chairman by
way of the Board of Appeals at the Town Offices.
2. Submittals Rec,�uired with Application: It is essential that sufficient information be
submitted with the application so that the DAC can offer useful comments and make
appropriate recommendations. This wilt enable the$oard of Appeals to make a more
informed decision. Eight sets(8)of design documents and specifications rnust be submitted
with the applicatian;these copies are circulated among various offices and boards of the
Town.
The DAC requires 2 copies for its review. If the applicant meets with the DAC prior to
formal application for a special permit,2 copies must be provided directly to the DAC prior
to the meeting. When meeting with the DAC following formal application,the applicant
should check to ensure these copies have reached the DAC, and if necessary supply
additional copies.
The submitted documents must show tocation and scale of the proposed sign(s)and
relationships to existing and proposed project components. The e�chibits at the end of this
document are minimum guidelines required for submission. Depending upon the scope and
nature of the proposal,the following design documents and specifications are required.
a. Existing condition photos(color prefened)showing site, adjacent buildings, etc.
(see exhibit F).
b. Site Plan showing all information accurately drawn to scale at no srnaller than
1 inch=40 feet and include the following. (see exhibit A):
• Site layout and dimensioned sign locations
• Grading
• Lighting
• Planting
• Scale elements such as automobiles,trucks, sidewalks,etc. �
c. Signage elevations, plans, sections, details and specifications. (see e�chibits B,
C,D,E and G).
• Signage elevations-all sides at a scale of 1/2 inch= 1 foot.
• Site sections showing retationships of the signage to street elements,
building facade and other site elements such as benches,other signs,utility
pole, etc.
• Full building elevations at appropriate scale showing location and size of
proposed signage.
• Sign elevations in full calor at appropriate scale showing dimensions, scale
elements, font type and size and tocations in entirety.
• Material samples and itnishes with actual paint and other finish color.
• Mounting Details
Information,drawings,etc. not inctuded with the formal application may be given directly to
the DAC. Applicants are ful(y responsible for assuring that a(1 information has been
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prepared and submitted at least 7 days prior to forrnal review by the DAC. Failure to submit
sufficient informatian may delay or make impossible the preparation of recommendations by
the DAC, and thus may delay action by the Board of Appeals.
3. Meetin�s: All applications submitted to the Board are automatically referred to the DAC.
The DAC meets the second Tuesday of every month or as needed to review applications
when they are submitted. Applicants shall notify the DAC Chairman of readiness for review
and a meeting time will be mutually agreed upon. Applicants are advised to attend.
Meetings will be held at the Lexington Town O�ces unless agreed otherwise. Applicants
are fully responsible for scheduling all meetings.
4. DAC Response: In order to resolve design concerns that are identified,the DAC will
generally make specific suggestions to the applicant prior to formal consideration by the
Board of Appeals. It is not the DAC's purposes to provide the actual design. However,the
DAC can,based upon the judgment of its members choose to forward recommendations
against granting the special permit for any of the following reason.
• Insufficient information to adequately evaluate the design or design intent
(see minimum exhibits).
• Poor overall design quality.
• Incompatible design elements.
• Inappropriate design concept or design treatment.
• Other identified issues.
Recommendations by the DAC which it believes could make the proposal acceptable will be
given to the applicant and the Board of Appeals for consideration. A written statement of the
DAC's findings will be forwarded to the appGcant fotlowing the date of DAC review.
5. Final Action by the Board of Appeais: Upon submission of the formal application, the Board
of Appeals will schedule a public hearing, allowing reasonable time for the DAC review. At �
this hearing,the applicant is invited ta present the proposal. The Board will consider the
DAC comments and recommendations,plus comments from any attendees desiring to speak
- and will make a fina! decision.
Zoning and Code Compliance
Applicants have total responsibility for compliance with all appiicable standards of the Zoning
By-Laws of the Town of Lexington and all other federal, state and local codes and ordinances
including, but not limited to, securing necessary building permits, utility connections,
agreements for service,certificates of insurance,bonds and other requirements.
Exhibits
The following pages are examples of drawings required for design review.
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OFFICE OF SELECTMEN
LEO P.McSWEENEY,CHAIRMAN
WILLIAM J.DAI�EY,JR. TEL.(617)861-2708
DANtE�P.BUSA,JR. (617)861-2710
DAN H.FENN,JR. FAX:(617)863-2350
ELIZABETH B.EDDISON
T1ZEM0
To: Eleanor Greenway ,
From: Lynne A. Pease �,-��' '""�`��
Subject: Selectmen Approval of DAC Guide for Sign Permit Applications
Date: February 12, 1997
At its meeting of February 3, 1997, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the Design
Advisory Committee's Guide for Sign Permit Applications.
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1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE • LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02173