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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977-08-24 i • HISTORIC DISTRIGTS GOMMISSION A meeting of the Historic Districts Commission was held on Wednesday, August 24, 1977, in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, Torn Office Building, Lexington. Present xere Commissioners John R. Packard, Chairmani Georgia H. Williams, Secretary= Roland B. Greeley: Amelia. G. Samoylenkop and Asso- ciate Commissioner Oliver F. Hooper. Mr. Hooper was appointed to serve for Commissioner S. Lawrence Whipple who was unable to be present. A hearing was held at 8sf0 P.M. on the applications of Balaton. Inc. and Realty World-Heritage Homes for Certificates with respect to changes in the signs on the building at 703 Massachusetts Avenue, which is xithin the Past Village District. Mr. Packard read the legal notices and made reference to the two applications. Richard Strauss, President of Walston, Inc., and G. Jack Pliades, owner of Realty World-Heritage Homes, represented the applicants. Also present xere Roger Farrox, Managing Director of Balaton Ltd. of Pngland~ Plis,abeth Reinhardt, member of the Historical Com- mission= and Mr. and Mrs. Francis Fuery of 698 Massachusetts Avenue. Mr. Strauss stated that the two businesses had switched locations and there- fore wished to change the signs on the front and side of the building. Mr. Strauss sh samples of some of Balston~s products and submitted three copies of the proposed sign changes for the front of the building as xell as letterhead and business cards. He stated that the c~tce colors are blue and black on xhite background and that they rant to use this combina- tion of colors for their signs. The proposed sign would have a xhite back- ground xith 'Walston, Inc." in blue capital letters and the logo and other words would be in black letters. He stated that occasionally they have meetings and have out-of-state a~].esmen at their headquarters and want the corporate colors and logo on their sign for identification. Mr. Pliades submitted a proposed Realty World-Heritage Homes sign xhich would have black letters and multi-colored logo on a xhite backboard on the sign cn the side of the building. He stated that six months ago he had joined "Realty World"' which is a xorld wide real estate franchise. Mr. Greeley asked if he planned to use three colors and Mr. Pliades said that he did. Mr. Packard asked what is wrong xith the present color scheme? Mr. Pliades said that he is looking for the franchise identity and wants the multi-color logo on his sign. Mr. Packard stated that he feels this xould add a lot of white, blue, black, and other colors on the red brick building xhich is one of the historic buildings in the Town. Mrs. Samoylenko commented that these are not as sophisticated signs as the building xarrants and not in keeping with the character of the building. Mr. Strauss commented that the signs are relatively small in comparison to the sire of the building. He added that they do not want something there that people do not rant but do rant a sign that they can "live xith". He said that he does not rant gold let- ters and added that he would be xilling to consider xhite xith black let- ters. Mrs. Williams said that she likes the black background and gold let- ters on the existing signs and feels that they are in keeping with the build- ing. She added that she had talked with Richard Morehouse, an architect and member of the Historical Commission, and he said that he felt the existing signs xere good and he hoped that the colors would remain as nor exist. Mr: Francis Fuery said that the proposed signs are "horrible"'and that he hopes HISTORIC DISTRICTS COMMISSION - 2 - August 24, 1977 the existing colors will be used on the new signs. He commented that he feels the proposed signs would "junk up" the area and that the signs should be played down. He stated that he would much prefer to look at signs with the existing black baal~aound and gold letters. Mr. Greeley asked Mr. Fuery if he feels white letters on black would be significantly unappealing and Mr. Fuery said that he did. Mr. Strauss again stated that he feels it is important to them to have black letters on white rather than gold letters on a black background. Mr. Hooper asked if the logo is necessary, how many people need to knox that Balston is in that building, and if the main pur- pose of the sign is to be a billboard? Mr. Strauss stated that there was no need for a sign of this size for his business but that the signboard is there nor and he proposes to use the existing signboard. Mr. Eludes said that it is very important for him to have a sign and logo as 80~ of his customers are "xalk-in". Mrs. Williams said that she thinks the colors proposed for the real estate sign are terribly bright for this building. Mr. Packard. commented that he d1d not believe there was much enthusiasm for anything other than signs xith black backboards and gold letters. Mr. Greeley said that he could live with black backboards xith white letters although he much prefers gold letters. Mrs. Williams stated that she pre- Ears signs with gold letters on black backboards. Mrs. Samoylenko commented that there is too much color for this building in the proposed signs. Mrs. Williams asked how the owner of the building feels and Mr. Strauss said that he believes that he would go along as long as both signs are the same colors. Mrs. Samoylenko asked if the signs were appropriate for this building and Mr. Packard ansxered that they were not appropriate for this building. Fol- loxing further discussion, Mr. Packard stated that the Commission xould ap- prove gold letters on black backgrounds for the signs. Mr. Eludes asked if he could have the logo in black and gold. Mr. Greeley stated that, if the globe has narrow gold lines, it might be acceptable but that wide gold bands would not be acceptable. Mr. Packard asked the applicants if they would ac- cept black background with gold letters for the signs. Mr. Strauss said that, if alternative is no sign, he x111 agree to this combination although he xould prefer white letters on a black background to gold letters. Mrs. Samoylenko said that she thinks the gold on black would be more visible as there is a lot of white trim on the building. Mr. Packard said that, if the Realty World logo is on the sign, want new scale drawings. Mr. Greeley said that he would like to see the logo in larger scale to see spacing of bands. Mr. Strauss commented that there no longer rare internal window signs in the large front window and Mrs. Williams said that this was very much appreciated. The hearings were adjourned at 9s2O P.M. A hearing was held at 9s22 P.M. on the application of A. Louis and Nicholas Laudani with respect to the erection and display of two signs for the store at 1833 Massachusetts Avenue, which is within the Battle Green District. Mr. Packard read the legal notice aad made reference to the ap- plication. Nicholas Laudani submitted three scale drawings shoring the pro- posed signs, one to be on the Massachusetts Avenue elevation and the other on the Depot Square elevation of the building. The letters for the words "Record Rack" will be 10" capitals in gold leaf. The hearing was closed at 9x27 P.M. HISTORIC DISTRICTS COMMISSION - 3 - August 21+, 1977 A hearing was held at 9:3g P.M. on the application of the Willard Adams Trust, Rebecca W. Adams et als, Trustees, for a Certificate with respect to replacement of the fence on the premises at 9 Meriam Street, which is within the Battle Green District. Three drawings of the proposed fencing and plot plan showing location were submitted. Mr. Packard read the legal notice and made reference to the application. Wilbur M. Jaquith, Trustee, stated that, when the building was erected, the Board of Appeals required that the area between the MacNeil and Adams Buildings be closed off. A six foot board fence was erected around the air conditioning units and it is impossible to keep a wood fence up there. Mr. Jaquith stated that they would like to in- stall a chain link fence and that the barbed wire at the top was not a sig- nificant part. Mr. Greeley said that a chain link fence could be installed and, if necessary, barbed wire could be added later. Mrs. Samoylenko asked if they could put a chain link fence inside the wood fence and Mr. Jaquith stated that they had considered this but do not feel it is what they want. Mr. Jaquith said that they would screen the fence with vine which Mrs. Adams feels is preferable to shrubs. Mr. Packard asked the meabers if the consen- sus was that a chain link fence without barbed wire was acceptable i.n that location and all verballir agreed. The hearing was closed at 10:00 P.M. Upon notion made by Mr. Greeley, seconded by Mrs. Samoylenko, it was unanimously YOTED to issue a Certificate of Appropriateness to Balston, Inc. with respect to the erection and display of a sign with black sand finish with gold letters and logo for the store front at 703 Massachusetts Avenue, which is within the Past Yillage District. Participating in this decision were Commissioners John R. Packard, Georgia H. Williams, Roland B. Greeley, Amelia G. Samoylenko, and Associate Commissioner Oliver F. Hooper. It was moved, seconded, and unanimously VOTPD to issue a Certificate of Appropriateness to A. Louis and Nicholas Laudani with respect to the erection and display of two signs for the store at 1833 Massachusetts Avenue, which is within the Battle Green District. Participating in this decision were Com- missioners John R. Packard, Georgia H. Williams, Roland B. Greeley, Amelia G. Samoylenko, and Associate Commissioner Oliver F. Hooper. It was moved, seconded, and unanimously YOTED to issue a Certificate of Appropriateness to the Millard Adams Trust, Rebecca W. Adams et als, Trust- ees, with respect to the replacement of the fence on the premises at 9 Meriam Street, which is within the Battle Green District. Participating in this decision were Commissionere John R. Packard, Georgia H. Williams, Roland B. Greeley, Amelia G. Samoylenko, and Associate Commissioner Oliver F. Hooper. Mr. Packard stated that he had written Norman Cohan, Town Counsel, about existing unapproved signs. Mr. Cohen stated that there is no statute of limitations on this natter so the Commission can request that businesses with unapproved signs make applications for hearings. The meeting was adjourned at 10x30 P.M. Geo is H. Williams Secretary l