HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-01-10-DAC-min.pdf Design Advisory Committee January 10, 1995
Present: DAC. John Frey(chair),Betty Eddison(Selectmen Liaison),Karen Bechtel,
Carl Oldenberg,Tom Coffman, Steve Hurley,John Vinton,Gary Larson,Betsy Whitman
(clerk),Assoc. Bob Ossman,newly appointed associate members Richard Friedson and
Terry Rookard.Planning Board:Jackie Davison,Richard Canale.Arts Council: Vivian
Berman.
Also present: 9 neighbors from Russell Square,Fletcher Ave. Manley Court,Grant
St. and Sherman St. There may be others not recorded.
Meeting called to order at 8:00 by John Frey Minutes of the Dec. 13, 1994,meeting
were approved with minor corrections.
Focal sign: 4 Maguire Road.Tom Bromander presented a wedge-shaped sign,each side
measuring 5'x6' or 60 square feet in all.The material is white aluminum with blue letters.
DAC felt this was too massive.The inside of the triangle would not be attractive from the
driveway Karen suggested it be more open beneath the sign. Consensus was that the
volume of this triangular sign was very large.DAC referred to former proposal of Beth
Israel/Children's Hospital sign from old minutes.
A possibility discussed was to have a two-sided single sign,perpendicular to the road.
Mr. Bromander was concerned about the cost of the concrete foundation already there.Bob
Ossman offered the possibility of fastening the new single sign to the present concrete
strip,making a cross in plan.
Mr. Bromander asked for some parameters in which to bring back a new proposal.
DAC suggested a maximum height of 4'6" and square footage of not more than 20 or 21
square feet.
East Village Rehab and Nursing Center They had submitted a drawing of a free-
standing sign.The sign had already been designed,built,and installed ! While we
sympathize with the need to not be confused with Emerson Gardens,this sign is extremely
large. The top of the sign is 7'0" from the ground.The sign itself is 6'8"x5'0" the posts
are 4"x6",'TO" tall.The DAC found it unacceptable.We recommend a 4'6" total height,
reducing the posts,of course.The sign itself needs reduction in square footage.
10 Woburn Street: Mr.Barbieri came in with his revised plan.The buffer zone had
been increased to 10' and the parking was diagonal.The curb cuts remained exactly as
they were when he last came in.He spoke often of traffic circulation on the property and
future expansion. He was asked how the dumpster would be approached.That was not
made clear.Again he spoke of expansion.Richard Canale pointed out that we were
considering the plan before us,not some future addition.John V remarked upon the
increase in traffic on Woburn St.The intersection at this site is dangerous and complicated.
Several members asked him about closing the curb cuts,as we had recommended
previously Bob Ossman showed how the cars might be put further away from Woburn St.
Mr.Barbieri noted there was a lot of cleanup needed behind the building and he might pave
it.Betsy suggested if he was to pave it, it must be shown on the plan. Conservation may
need to assess this.A neighbor had often noticed standing water near the Bikeway end.
Bob Ossman suggested putting sidewalk out to street with no grass strip between it
and road.Trees would have a better chance to stay healthy DAC generally agreed. Betsy
reminded that Dick Spiers had spoken,at the time of the Countryside Park discussion,of
having sidewalks wide enough to accept snow being plowed. John Frey suggested making
sidewalk 7' instead of 5' Russell Square neighbors spoke in favor.
David Williams spoke of extending the hedge on Fletcher Ave. as far as was safe
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visually He said how important it was to maintain the crosswalk across Woburn St.Mr.
Barbieri is doing his own sign. He spoke of a preliminary meeting with the HDC. David
reminded him that the plan should be certified by a landscape architect registered in
Massachusetts.(Present stamp not readable.) Mr. Barbieri is not planning to go to the
Board of Appeals yet.
Betty Eddison reminded him to speak with Traffic Safety Committee.Tom Coffman
pointed out that a building that had been abandoned for over 24 months must be brought up
to code.A neighbor from Manley Ct.worried about the proximity of his exit near the
Bikeway Bob Ossman said he must show a site plan in relation to the neighborhood.
David spoke of Jack Eddison's great contribution in the conception of this committee
and the DAC's tremendous value in maintaining the best design for the Town.
Membership: Hubert Murray feels he must resign. He is working on a project which
requires him to meet every Tuesday evening.DAC wondered if it might be a leave of
absence,as we consider him very valuable.
Bikeway Bridge: Still no up-to-date plans. John Frey has spoken with Manny Patel of
MHD at Dist.4.John and Betty will write letter to Patel's superior,Sherman Eidelman,
about our concerns.Berger is engineering consultant.There is a real concern about
overdoing plants on this simple landscape,as well as having them too close to Bikeway
Designer should visit the site.John will speak with Alan McClennan of Arlington.There is
concern about access to the Bikeway during construction.
Study Group for alternates to benches: Steve had heard from Dick Michelson that
the barrels are beginning to get old.This might be the time for contributers toward new
plant containers.The Concord Bank has agreed to remove the chain link fence from the
platform,except around their air conditioner.This opens up the platform for bike racks,
( which Tom Fortmann and Jerry Slack have offered and a drinking fountain which Betty
Eddison is providing. Steve and study group will pursue these.
Signage Guidelines: Tom presented the final draft of January 10, 1995. DAC very
happy with this.He asked that comments about typos etc. get to him immediately,as he
and John will try to get on the Selectmen's agenda for presentation.There was discussion
of uses and needs. Suggestions were made for locations where the document should go for
circulation.Jackie wants Inspectional Services to be one.It also should be available at the
Planning Board and Board of Appeals.
Tom would like to see lighting design guidelines.Temple Isaiah and Hayden have not
responded to light spillage.Jackie mentioned lighting erosion on Waltham St. and into
Vinebrook Village.It was suggested to talk with Myla Kabat-Zinn of the Lighting Options
Committee.There is a form for any non-conformance of by-laws which may be filed.
Steve Frederickson must respond.
Battle Sign: John Vinton said study group is divided on this.The sign has a drawing
from the Doolittle print with text and possibly a map. Sketches were found in Betsy's
annals from April 19, 1993. Cliff Seibert,formerly of Lexington had been involved in the
graphics.There was a great deal of discussion as to the logical site.On his first visit,
Richard Friedson had looked for a sign near the flagpole.The area of the Minuteman was
not favored by some. Betsy felt there were too many "things" on the Green. She suggested
the site near where buses unload by the path to the Visitors'Center. Surely people could
see it across the street and use the crosswalk.Tom concurred. Someone else thought it
should be on the Green near the drinking fountain.There was no real consensus.The
excellent engraved signs,with architectural and social history,sprinkled around the center
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had been admired.They were put in place at the time of the Bi-Centennial.Vivian,Betty
and John V will study this.They were asked to bring back a presentation.
Emery Park/Depot Square: Barbara Hulsizer had given Steve full photographs.He
will put the presentation in place to appear before the HDC and the Planning Board for their
input.
House demolition: The Historical Commission,chaired by David Kelland,had met
about the Alyce Monahan house at 51 Lowell St.that Mark Moore wants to demolish.
There was discussion about the preservation of this historic farmhouse.
Rte. 2A. Betty said it is still on hold.Members of DAC had noticed that Sheraton has
constructed a new driveway on Mass Ave.
Adjournment was at 11.30 p.m.
John Frey included a valuable directory on the last page of the agenda.Members may not
have found it.
Scribe pro tem:Betsy Whitman
Next DAC meeting on Feb.14, 1995, 8:00 p.m., Room 111
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