HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-03-12-DAC-min.pdf Special Meeting of the DAC for Depot Square closure
Tuesday, March 26, 1996, at 7.30 p.m. in Room 111
DESIGN ADVISORY MEETING MARCH 12, 1996
Present: John Frey, Karen Bechtel,Tom Coffman, Steve Hurley, Barbara Hulsizer,Jack
Nolan,John Vinton,Betsy Whitman,Betty Eddison, Selectman liaison.
Meeting called to order at 8:05 p.m. Dan Ferullo of "Hit and Run Sports Cards"
wants projecting sign at new location on Waltham Street next door to "Dagwood's" He
presented photos of the sign and hazy photos of some of the stores. He was considering a
sign at the door or in the middle of the building but was not fixed on those locations. DAC
tried to help on that issue, recommending that the sign not be at the door, but to the right
one bay This avoids visual conflict with a possible sign at Dagwood's. DAC wants bottom
of sign not lower than top of window He was going to use a bracket as in the Craft
location. A brick facade requires more support. He spoke of a metal angle. We suggested
he come back with more information before going to HDC.Had taken original sign in Craft
Cleaner building to Board of Appeals. Betsy asked if he did not have to go to back, since it
was a new location. He did not think so.
Sign Guide: The discussion with Mr.Ferullo emphasized the need for Clark Griffiths to
return a letter of support from the HDC for the Sign Guidelines.
Shell Station at Lincoln Street: The BOA approved changes at this site with most of
our recommendations met. The approval requires Shell to meet DAC's requirements
concerning lighting, discussed in our meeting of June 1995. Shell had supplied an
elaborate plan of foot candle data.
DAC recommends: 1) Eliminate fixture on Marrett Road iodine (possible rezoning of
adjacent property to residential by Town Meeting.) 2)Under canopy recessed light should
be flush with ceiling,halide,maximum wattage 175. 3)DAC wishes to see exact details of
fixtures and poles Shell intends to use. 4) Recalculate foot candle chart. John Frey will
write to BOA.
Minutes: John Vinton brought them to the meeting. They were approved with some
editing and these changes, which should read: "5. Re-Zoning Petition: 577-581 Marrett
Road: rezone to residential,former. " and "6. Rezoning Petition: 10 Pelham Road: the
Grey Nuns are requesting re-zoning so as to offer. "
Harrington Road: John Vinton said Bill Dailey is chairing a parking study committee.
Steve offered to get the accident statistics for this corner. Carla Fortmann had suggested the
possibility of parking on Harrington for merchant rentals. Discussion of how real estate
agents must park right by their buildings. Betsy asked if the difference between 1 and 5
minutes was critical. John said yes. If you take away that opportunity perhaps the real
estate agents will move away What effect on the center, if this is done ? Should agents
own meters?Should there be graduated fines for repeat offenders?
Jack found it strange that the scofflaw problem was to be addressed by more parking.The
question seems to be: does the accident rate justify closing a road we all would like to see
re-opened ?Many schemes studied by John and John are not quite suitable, or would cost
too much to do a trial.John spoke of"traffic calming" Perhaps use ISTEA funds.A study
group will explore: John V., John F., and Karen.
Depot Square: The procedure for Wednesday's general meeting was reviewed, with
Tom as moderator,Barbara to discuss the 3 plans.The schemes were mounted beautifully
on equal boards, with dimensional tables. How much time will each group be allowed ?
There will be a stop watch and some "Background" packets xeroxed to pass out at end of
the meeting.It was decided to tape the session for accuracy in recall.Jack will get in touch
with Caleb Warner to provide assistance with the taping.
Adjournment was at 10:30 p.m.
Scribe:Betsy Whitman
Next Regular DAC meeting on April 9, 1996 at 8:00 p.m. in Room 111