HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-02-09-ZBA-minMinutes of the Lexington Zoning Board of Appeals
Virtual, Via Zoom
February 9, 2023
Board Members: Chair – Ralph D. Clifford, Nyles N. Barnert, Norman P. Cohen, and Associate
Members David Williams and Beth Masterman
Administrative Staff: Jim Kelly, Building Commissioner and Sharon Coffey, Administrative
Clerk
Address: 171 Massachusetts Avenue
The petitioner is requesting SPECIAL PERMIT in accordance with the Zoning By-Law (Chapter
135 of the Code of Lexington) section(s) 135-9.4.2, 135-5.2.4(2) and 135-5.2.10 to allow a
sandwich board sign.
The petitioner submitted the following information with the application: Nature and Justification,
Plans, Plans, photographs showing sign location, a letter from abutter, plot plan dated April 18,
1964 and a plot plan waiver request.
Prior to the meeting, the petitions and supporting data were reviewed by the Building
Commissioner, Conservation Administrator, Town Engineer, Board of Selectmen, the Planning
Director, the Historic District Commission Clerk, Historical Commission, Economic
Development, and the Zoning Administrator. Comments were received from the Zoning
Administrator, Building Commissioner, the Planning Department, Select Board Office and the
Engineering Department.
Presenter: Angela Maria Mahoney
The Hearing was opened at 7:03 pm.
On February 3, 2023 the applicant requested to continue to March 9, 2023.
There were no comments or questions.
The Board of appeals voted five (5) in favor, zero (0) opposed, and zero (0) in abstention to
grant a continuance to March 9, 2023 (a roll call vote was taken: Ralph D. Clifford– Yes, David
Williams– Yes, Beth Masterman – Yes, Norman P. Cohen – Yes and Nyles N. Barnert – Yes).
Minutes of the Lexington Zoning Board of Appeals
Virtual, Via Zoom
February 9, 2023
Board Members: Chair – Ralph D. Clifford, Nyles N. Barnert, Norman P. Cohen, and Associate
Members David Williams and Beth Masterman
Administrative Staff: Jim Kelly, Building Commissioner and Sharon Coffey, Administrative
Clerk
Address: 647 Lowell Street
The petitioner is requesting SPECIAL PERMIT in accordance with the Zoning By-Law (Chapter
135 of the Code of Lexington) section(s) 135-5.2.8(3), 135-5.2.4(1), 135-5.2.8(4) and 5.2.10 to
allow replacement of a standing sign, allow internal illumination and allow more secondary signs
than allowed.
The petitioner submitted the following information with the application: Nature and Justification,
Plot Plan, Plans, and photographs. Also received was a plot plan waiver request, Letter form the
Design Advisory Committee and the previous Zoning Board of Appeals Decision.
Prior to the meeting, the petitions and supporting data were reviewed by the Building
Commissioner, Conservation Administrator, Town Engineer, Board of Selectmen, the Planning
Director, the Historic District Commission Clerk, Historical Commission, Economic
Development, and the Zoning Administrator. Comments were received from the Zoning
Administrator and the Building Commissioner.
Presenter: Carolyn Parker
The Hearing was opened at 7:05 pm.
Ms. Parker presented the petition. She stated they will be removing and replacing parts of the
sign. They want to remove the manual price sign and replace it with an LED price sign also the
fuel technology for synergy. The Design Advisory Committee mentioned the sign was not
looking great so they did fix up the sign. They are also looking to install koala signs. They are
called this because they wrap around the column.
A Board Member, Nyles N. Barnert, clarified that the illumination will only be on while the station
is open (That is correct. The LED lights can also be dimmed).
Associate Member, David Williams, asked the Building Commissioner if the building should
have the address number on it.
Building Commissioner, Jim Kelly, stated that is a great point. Mr. Kelly requested to have the
street number applied to the building.
Ms. Parker agreed.
Mr. Clifford stated his concern for the flags at the front of the property, he stated they need to be
removed and stay removed.
Ms. Parker stated they have been removed.
There were no further questions from the Board.
There were no questions or comments from the audience.
Ms. Parker stated the request is reasonable. The LED is the way to go, it will look better and be
maintained.
The Hearing was closed at 7:19 pm (a roll call vote was taken: Ralph D. Clifford– Yes, David
Williams– Yes, Beth Masterman – Yes, Norman P. Cohen – Yes and Nyles N. Barnert – Yes).
Mr. Clifford suggested the conditions that the gas station has to be open for the sign to be
illuminated and a street number be properly installed on the building.
The Board agreed to the conditions.
The Board of appeals voted five (5) in favor, zero (0) opposed, and zero (0) in abstention to
grant a SPECIAL PERMIT in accordance with the Zoning By-Law (Chapter 135 of the Code of
Lexington) section(s) section(s) 135-5.2.8(3), 135-5.2.4(1), 135-5.2.8(4) and 5.2.10 to allow
replacement of a standing sign, allow internal illumination and allow more secondary signs than
allowed (a roll call vote was taken: Ralph D. Clifford– Yes, David Williams– Yes, Beth
Masterman – Yes, Norman P. Cohen – Yes and Nyles N. Barnert – Yes).
Minutes of the Lexington Zoning Board of Appeals
Virtual, Via Zoom
February 9, 2023
Board Members: Chair – Ralph D. Clifford, Nyles N. Barnert, Norman P. Cohen, and Associate
Members David Williams and Beth Masterman
Administrative Staff: Jim Kelly, Building Commissioner and Sharon Coffey, Administrative
Clerk
Other Business:
1. Minutes from the December 12, 2023 Hearing and January 12, 2023 Hearing
The Board of appeals voted five (5) in favor, zero (0) opposed, and zero (0) in abstention to
approved the minutes from December 12, 2023 Hearing and January 12, 2023 Hearing (a
roll call vote was taken: Ralph D. Clifford– Yes, David Williams– Yes, Beth Masterman –
Yes, Norman P. Cohen – Yes and Nyles N. Barnert – Yes).
The Board voted to adjourn.