HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-09-12-DAC-min.pdf OCT 19 '95 16. 10 HS&P P 2/3
DESIGN ADVISORY COMMITTEE
DATE: 12 September 1995
PRESENT. John Frey (Chairman), Betty Eddison (Selectmen Liaison),
John Davies (Planning Board), Tom Koffman, Karen
Bechtel, Carl Oldenburg, Barbara Hulsizer, Bruce Creager,
Steve Hurley, John Vinton
NOTES BY John Vinton
1. August meeting minutes were approved as submitted.
2. Board of Appeals: Signage for Stride Rite A 19 Spbng Street: Stride Rite is
moving into the former Zerox facility and is requesting building and street
signage for the project. Representatives presented the sign proposals, explaining
that two additional buildings are approved for the existing site. Future buildings
are anticipated to add need for one additional identity to the street sign.
Street sign is L shaped in plan and is mounted on a stone wall reminiscent of old
walls in the neighborhood. Each face has a sign that is 4.5' high by 13.5 ' long
mounted to the stone. Several members felt the sign was excessively large. A
mockup was suggested to better assess the impact. The committee was split in
their recommendation for the street sign. A simple double faced sign
perpendicular to the street was suggested by committee members as more
appropriate. The owner was concerned that visibility would be reduced.
A building sign is proposed for the south facade, using lettering the same size as
the existing Zerox sign. Lettering will be backlit for night time illumination.
Committee was concerned that backlighting constituted internal illumination
which is not allowed by the sign bylaw Group agreed that the sign was
graphically well designed, but preferred that the words "the" and "corporation"
be eliminated so, as to visually simplify the sign. Stride Rite responded that this
is their logo and must be retained for consistent corporate identity The
committee found the sign acceptable with some reservations. There was concern
that the illumination may be too bright. Stride Rite agreed that the present
proposal would be tried and that if it is too bright can be modified to reduce the
power of the illumination. The committee also stressed that this is not a
precedent for allowing "billboard" type signs since the sign does direct traffic to
the entry, and will not be visually intrusive in the opinion of the committee.
3. Board pf Appeals: Harvard Pilgrim Community_Health Care: HCHP
presented a 3'x24' illuminated sign which they proposed to mount on the Route 2
facade of their present facility at 100 Hayden Avenue. A scale model of the sign
was presented to the committee to illustrate the effect of illumination. The
L committee recommended against approval since the sign is internally illuminated
and is a "billboard" by virtue of its size and location on the building. Since the
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entry is one the other side of the building, it would not function as directional
signage. This is an example of the kind of sign that the Stride Rite approval
should not serve as a precedent for It is out of character with Lexington, acting
as visually intrusive commercial advertising of a kind not permitted by the sign
by laws.
4. J,exineton Field and Garden CIS: is proposing to add larger stones at the
base of the minuteman statue. Barbara Hulsizer presented the proposed design,
which was generally approved. The committee noted that some irregularity of
stone size and composition would be visually appropriate. The Garden Club
design should also take into account that a wrap a round apron may be added in
the future as the street and island design is updated.
6. WWII Monument: is going ahead at the visitor center 1Mation next to the
battleship memorial. A meeting was convened by Bill Dailey of interested
committees and parties to discuss the issues during which the solution was
sketched out.
7 Subcommittee for Monuments Policy is being formed by the Selectmen.
Recommendations for representatives was discussed. Several components of that
committee are already active informally such as Town Celebrations. Members
thought that the HDC, the Veterans, the Historical Society and the Center
Committee should have representatives also. Former DAC member Peg read was
noted as having worked on battle green related issues.
8. Sjep Submittal Guidelines: will be presented to the Selectmen on October 2nd,
and will have been reviewed with the HOC prior to that date for their comments.
Upon approval it will be available to sign applicants to assist them in
understanding submittal process and requirements.
9. Bikeway Bridge: is presently on hold awaiting state funding.
10. Harrington Rog: next steps will be looking at a broader context to see if
other solutions are being overlooked. DAC has secured site plans from Peter
Chalpin for this purpose and will convene in a subcommittee to pursue. In the
meantime, the temporary fence at Bedford Street is working adequately to control
any hazard to traffic.
Meeting was adjourned at 10:00 pm. Next meeting October 10th.
Respectfully submitted,
John Vinton
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