Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989-11-14-DAC-min.pdf TO DAC MEMBERS Please pick up draft Dixon Reports at the Police Sta Thursday, December 14, after 6 p m Joint meeting o- LCC/Dixon planned for sometime in January, date to be announced J Frey MINUTES OF DESIGN ADVISORY MEETING — November 14, 1989 PRESENT John Frey, John Vinton, Tom Coffman, Walter S Pierce, Betsy Whitman, Barbara Hulsizer, Rick Bechtel, Kerry Brandin, Selectman Jack Eddison, guest Carla Fortman A rotation of scribes for future meetings was established as follows DEC 12 Tom Coffman JAN 9 John Vinton FEB 13 Rick Bechtel MAR 13 Barbara Hulsizer APR 10 Walter S Pierce MAY 8 Betsy Whitman JUNE Albert Huang JULY Kerry Brandin If the scheduled scribe is unable to attend the meeting, it will be his/her responsibility to find a substitute 1 The minutes of the October 10, 1989 meeting should reflect that Albert Huang was scribe Otherwise, the minutes were accepted as submitted 2 The Sign Bylaw Issue Carla Fortman was present to explore with this committee this issue specifically as it relates to banners. Current law flat out prohibits all banners with no recourse of a special permit After much discussion, the sense of the meeting was that this is an issue we want to j review in a broad way and in conjunction with the Planning Board John Frey and Betsy will speak with Planning Board Chair Martha Wood to see how we can work together on this. After this initial contact, the estimated timetable would be to pursue the issue in earnest beginning in Spring 1990 after Town Meeting so as to present any changes in time for the warrant of the 1991 Town Meeting This would also allow the new Design Guideline recommendations to be incorporated into the revisions A subcommittee of two or three DAC members would be needed to pursue this longer term project Tom and John Vinton indicated interest Talk of signs also brought up Friendly's new illuminated awning and neon cupola trim. Rick will check these out to see how they stand in light of the current sign bylaw 3 Design Guidelines John was unable to reach anyone at David Dixon and Associates who could give an updated status report on this project. 4 DAC Membership. All approved the recommendation that Barbara Hulsizer be appointed to fill the vacancy on the committee. Tom suggested that a future appointee might include a planner to complement the combined skills of the group. 5 Board of Appeals. John Frey was asked by Eleanor Greenway of the Board of Appeals to review a plan for a canopy at the Bedford Street Mobile Station. John's opinion was that this change not be permitted as the large canopy would ' have a tremendous negative impact on the Bedford Street streetscape. However, should be the BOA vote in favor, John suggested that the landscaped is', nds be j increased, that the curb cuts be reduced from three to two, and that four additional street trees be planted All these suggests were in fact incorporated into the station's presentation to the Board of Appeals None the less, the BOA turned down the stations request probably in large part due to John's valued input John will be in touch with Eleanor Greenway on a regular basis to be aware of upcoming issues and to insure that an aesthetic design perspective is factored into Appeals decisions 6 Traffic Islands Concerning the Waltham Street/Marrett Road Gulf Station, John Vinton will speak with the owners about any plans they may have to upgrade the landscaping and curbing on their property Jack reported that at the November 13 Selectmen's meeting, a request of the Traffic Saftey Advisory Board to install a temporary traffic island in front of the Minute Man statue was approved After six months, the resulting traffic flow and saftey will be reviewed and a decision will be made about a permanent installation Tom questioned whether such an installation would make this a safer, slower travelled intersection or if traffic would not now go faster up Bedford Street He expressed concern abou tampering with the visual impact both foreground and background of that site He questioned if there could be a better administrative solution such as enforsement of the speed limits and tickets rather than physical alteration to the intersection Many expressed concern about preserving the town's "informal" character An aside on the new trash barrels on the Green which were not the ones we specified Tom will check directly with Victor Stanley to see if the S42 model is still available 7 Town Report Submission - Betsy will draft the copy and John will review it Copies of the finished report will be made for committee members The meeting was adjourned at 10 07 The next meeting will be on December 12 enclosure copy of John Frey's letter of October 16 to David Dixon and Associates Submitted by Kerry Brandin