HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987-05-20-DAC-min.pdf DESI^N ADVISORY . OMNITPEE MEETING ING lVfay 20, 1987
Those present Bob Bradley, Norma Bogen, Jack Eddison,
John Frey, Walter Pierce, and Betsy Whitman
Don gave a summary of what our committee had been doing
until the present meeting.
Jack referred to the origins and rejuvenation of the DAC
Decisions were being-made with •no design talent inVoived .
He described the formation of the committee and the larger
group. There might be a rotation There is a need of a
chairman and clerk. Minutes must be taken, meetings posted.
The larger group should keep available a variety of special-
ists to be drawn upon.
The areas of interest would include town projects- the
center, parks , ( trees and benches ) , as open land disappears
attention to needs of open land , look at affordable hous-
ing architecture , bridges , signing trails , bikeway. Bob
9ssmari, landscape architect, on bike committee. He spoke
of the appropriateness of volunteers to do work and when it
is necessary to hire professionals .
Questions from members included the following look at Lex-
hab and its architect? Look over shoulder of school coin and
planning board? (present selectmen are pro-planning. ) how
much reacting, how much creating? sign ordinance , neighborhood
shopping landscape, Don had done sign work for Audubon, Gary
Larsson had drawn up design for Pine Meadows project, perhaps
put in job description of tree manager to include the advice
of DAC? Jack described meeting about Rte . 128 .
Norma Lex. Center Com. formed in 1980, issued report in 1985.
Used consultants to make consumer-business surveys . Studied
parking, land use, traffic, design. Represents community
heart. It needs good design to be competitive , change and
retain sense of history. Each change independent of other
buildings, few blds with historic value . Signs a hodgepodge,
some in our jurisdiction, some in state 's . Amenities ; benches,
fountains, planters, phone booths , trash receptacles. Con-
sider design and placement We can influence merchants to
voluntarily use good design if we give some guidelines well
laid out. Owner of burned-out building was looking for just
that. The promenade will be a plus . Back of bids, ugly -
give some suggestiohs. Board of Appeals would be helped if
we drew up what qualified for a reasonable hanging sign.
Walter Police booth-you must look a gift horse in the
mouth.
Don Beware of competitions ,not best talent, no dialogue
with designer-client.
Emory Park on our agenda for the fall. A present priority;
signs, street furniture - will happen with or without QAC .
An extensive discussion concerning lighting ensued. The
DESIGN ADVISORY COMMITTEE May 20, 1987 page 2
talk touched upon the lighting foundations existing in front of
the Giroux Bldg which might be used , sodium, mercury vapor.
Lanterns need repair. LCC tour and their reaction to lights .
Suggestion have a lighting and sign by-law. It must be in- F
telligent but not oppressive . Suitable guidelines would be
helpful, and, we think, welcome. Don would be happy to speak
to IAC if they wish it.
LCC looked into "parking decks" in Maynard and Burlington.
Discussed impact studies required in California when a devel-
opment presented to municipality. These are required by code
rather than the sweetenong of the pot variety. C of C funded
earlier LCC studies . Thal; committee composed of: Marge Battin,
Dave Wells , Carla Fortmann, Mary Hastings, Bill Bowen, Ed
Barsamian, Marion Powell, Bob @0MMAP Norma Bogen.
It was suggested that each DAC member bring a name of some-
one to be added to the larger group. A letter to the editor
was recommended to reach younger professionals not yet
reached.
The meeting was adjourned until Tuesday, June 2, at 8 00 pm
in the Town Office Building.
Respectfully submitted,
E,GW
Elizabeth C . Whitman
Clerk pro tem