HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989-04-11-DAC-LCC-joint-min.pdf MINUTES OF THE DESIGN ADVISORY AND LEXINGTON CENTER COMMITTEES
WITH DAVID DIXON ASSOCIATES
April 11, 1989
8 :00 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room
PRESENT DAC Adler, Bogen, Bradley, Coffman, Frey, Pierce, Whitman
LCC : Barsamian, Battin, Bogent Bussgang, Kahan, Powell
CHAMBER Barsamian*, Bateson, McCabe, Powell* * = duplication
Kabat-Zinn - East Lex, Ruth Wathen=Dunn, Betty Flynn - So Lex,
Pauline Burke - Lexpress , Loring -LF&G, Gary - LF&G, Eddison - Select. ,
Banks - Minuteman, Nicholson - Arts C, Brandin - Arts C
DAVID DIXON: Dixon, Johnson, Spillaine
DAC minutes of March 14, 1989 approved.
DAVID DIXON
Sweep of public environment Celebrate traditional classic Main
Street with texture of several eras. 198O's contributes its flavor.
Diversity of private sector touches at heart of what Lexington is
all about.
Guidelines create "safe limits" . They are a process ; re-evaluate
every couple of years. Can serve as an educational tool for mer-
chants, can produce a shared level of understanding to committees
and merchants . Unlocks individual creativity; design hours will
go in right direction.
The larger the project, the more general guidelines must be. At
other end of scale, i.e . storefronts/signs, clearer rules are
appropriate .
DAVID SPILLAINE
Buildings overall
In buildings they liked were found certain common themes to
encourage future variety.
Desirable bay size about 20' . Some have overwide bays , i.e.
Unity Optical, Dancing Fan block. Piers can create frames to
break that up, to establish store 's identity.
Sign Placement
1 . Sign band above window regulates location.
2. Sign contained within window as part of storefront design.
3 . No particular spot allotted to sign, i.e . Steve 's, CVS
Sign background colors are important. A continuity of lightness
or of darkness lessens chaos. Corner of Waltham St. and Mass.
Ave . from Goodies to Cobbler has a haphazard collection of
signs . Freedom can be found in good graphics, Lettering, and
color.
Backs of buildings should contain display windows, back entrances,
awnings , trellises and plants.
PETER JOHNSON
3 types of building materials in Lexington: brick and stone,
brick and wood, wood with wood
Giroux Building problems : too strong a statement of frame and
massive corners, recessed windows do not give information for
impulse shopping. It has sign band but graphics slide together.
Solid door is forbidding.
Some solutions transparent doors, his drawing showed verticals
to include 3 bays which relate to occupants , a varietyof window
treatment (less small panes, windows moved forward of pilasters,
awnings, flower boxes, menu board on street, display on corner
strongly lit, incandescent lighting within, not fluorescent.
Le 2
CVS Building problems : bland, no articulation of brickwork,
windows in CVS too short, Mario's facade too low (for short
peole ? ) ,too long a bay size .
Possible solutions space piers to make smaller bays, continuous
band for signs, more prominent sign for CVS, awnings, define C
space in which sign may fit,projecting signs.
Lexington needs more creative signs, some might be sculptural.
DAVID DIXON
Reviewed points made by speakers. Present system of applying
for signs should be retained but with a review by the DAC as
part of the process .
DISCUSSION AND QUESTIONS
Eddison: Applause. Same guidelines for E. Lexington and Coun-
tryside?
Dixon Need to meet with them. Different - parking areas prominent,
site planning of street and building, view from auto rather
than pedestrian.
Wathen-Dunn: murals on backs of buildings to depict 50 years
ago. Can't watch parade from Salter Bldg.
Pierce : Final product will have text, instructive graphics on
do's and don'ts ?
Dixon: Will provide book with text and graphics .
Brandin How would town encourage the private sector?
Dixon: Encourage better process of commissions they must appear
before . Once it starts, more will follow.
Johnson: Arlington sign code, well covered in booklet.
Dixon: Town can be more specific in its zoning and design
review process .
Frey: Guide given to building inspector, encourage other depts. to (
include. Would be added to over time.
Pierce : Only Center has controls, HDC .
Bradley: Will be contagious . Don't put prices in guide, will
become obsolete.
Bogen: For our information, what costs ?
Johnson: $10,000 / bay, $3,000 / sign
Flynn Strong reservation about awnings, against multiple
projecting signs, Salter Building regressive.
Whitman: Request for our use (not in guide) costs for street
furniture,for example,offer "good, better, best" .
Battin: Signs in windows to be considered?
Powell: Wanted to see public fountains, street signs
Dixon: Will do signs, lighting, Russell Square to public
elements of Green.
Frey: Craig Halvorsen did public sector.
McCabe : Guidelines good. What will they accept?
Adler: Each retailer should look at adjacent store How do
you keep signstfrom blocking.
Johnson: O.K. to stack - unfold as you walk. Sculpted ones good.
Kabat-Zinn: Thanks to David Dixon.
Sarmanian: The simpler, the better chance of implementation.
C
page 3
FUTURE MEETINGS
Wed. , April 26, 1989, 8 00 PM Cary Hall
Presentation of progress to date on Design
Guidelines by David Dixon Associates to Town
Meeting. (No discussion)
Thurs . , May 4, 1989, 8300 PM, Estabrook Hall
Public meeting, sponsored by the Board of
Selectmen to discuss Design Guideline
thoughts to date, with David Dixon and
Associates. Active participation is encouraged
by everone including Chamber of Commerce, all
Town Rnards/Committees„ Town Meeting members,
shop owners , building owners, and the interested
public from all areas of town. DAC and LCC
will be present.
Tues. , May 9, 1989, 8 00 PM, Rm. 111 Town Offices
Regular DAC meeting to review and discuss Design
Guidelines ' progress and feedback from Town
to date. Public invited.
Wed. , May 10, 1989, 7 .30 PM, Estabrook Hall
David Dixon and Associates to meet with the
interested citizens of East Lexington and
Countryside. Public invited.
Thurs, , May 11, 1989
This previously scheduled meeting will not
take place .
Respectfully submitted,
Elizabeth C . Whitman