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Home My WebLink About1987-09-15-DAC-min.pdf DESIGN ADVISORY COMMITTEE September 15, 1987 Meeting The meeting of the Design Advisory Committee, in Room G-l5, Town Office Building, was called to order at 8 05 p m on September 15, 1987, by Acting Chairman John Frey Those present Norma Bogen, Bob Bradley, Jack Eddison, John Frey, Betsy Whitman, and John Davies from the Historic Districts Commission a John Frey was elected to become chairman, Betsy Whitman as Clerk It was decided that Scribe would rotate among the members The minutes of the August 11 , 1987, meeting, which had been sent to us, were approved John Davies outlined the mandate of the HDC 1 Area covered includes the CB zone and much to east and west, south to Raymond Street, including Hancock School , essentially 200' off Mass Avenue 2 They are to preserve historic buildings and preserve appropriate settings for the historic buildings within the district 3 Regulate buildings, signs and structures (this last is something which is neither a building nor a sign, i e parking lot construction 4 Regulate demolition, building, or change of No 3 5 Planting is included as screening as are fences Exempted from mandate 1 Public safety a Traffic signs b Fire alarm box c Dangerous structure 2 Signs inside windows He explained that the appeal process is rarely used There have been occa- sions where the HDC approved a projecting sign and the Board of Appeals rejected it as the only legal variance is hardship John favors some liveliness in the streetscape Discussion followed about the route to amend the by-law Presently there are no guidelines and a sketch on the back of an envelope may be submitted It was suggested we write to the Selectmen and the Planning Board simultaneously Norma Bogen spoke for Margery Battin, Chairman of the LCC, (who had been invited but had a prior commitment) She suggested the LCC, DAC, and HDC work closely to provide economic vitality One facet of this vitality is design The LCC can initiate; the HDC is fundamentally reactive Discussion included adopting guidelines Landlords' guidelines have proven -2- DAC Meeting 9/15/87 useful in the case of the Giroux Building and Lexington Square It was suggested we check with Concord and see what guidelines they use Bob Bradley suggested a forum of these three committees which might lead to a professional who might prepare guidelines to change a by-law This evolved to a meeting to be held of the three chairmen to study the issues and direction Betsy spoke about some unease about the density of Leathers' playgrounds Jack and John will attend part of the day on September 16 A letter to the"Minuteman" was suggested to ask for volunteers for the larger Design Advisory Group John and Betsy will be involved in producing one Jack reported on the Bikeway Vollmer Associates, the consultants, say the design will take a year, Jack sadly said Before Thanksgiving, they are to be ready with conceptual design for a public hearing DAC decided it would meet on the second Tuesday of each month Respectfully submitted, Betsy Whitman Scribe pro tem NEXT DAC MEETING IS TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13th AT 8 00 P M IN ROOM 111 (OPPOSITE TREASURER'S OFFICE)