HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-02-05-DAC-min.pdf Design Advisory Committee
Town of Lexington
Minutes of Meeting February 5th 2002
Members Present
John Frey (acting chairman), Rich Sperandino, Karen Bechtel, Carl Oldenburg, John
L. Davies, Olga Voronina, Sally Harkness, Eva Kasell (Scribe)
Approval of Minutes
The January minutes were approved.
Miscellaneous
Rich Sperandino reported on a meeting with TLCR, the architects for the new Fiske
and Harrington Schools, who would welcome input from the DAC. Rich encouraged
all present DAC members to attend the school committee meeting Tuesday
February 12°' Carl Oldenburg expressed his satisfaction at this, since he and others
are aware of many design deficiencies in the High School renovation and Diamond
School renovation.
John suggested a letter to the Minuteman in support of the Depot Square project
Presentations
( Briaht Horizons. 903 Waltham Street
Irving Smith of Mandeville Signs presented a second proposal for signs for the private
daycare institution, Bright Horizons. Recommendation is sought for three signs: 1)a
general freestanding sign with a temporary pendant signs below on Waltham Street,
2) a logo (a sun) on the gable of the building, and 3) a freestanding directional sign
on Concord Ave.
The logo proposed for the gable did not raise any objections. But Dac members felt
strongly that the two freestanding signs were too large and too bright and not in
keeping with other Lexington signs for similar purposes (for example LEAP on Marrett
Road) DAC members also raised concern about the pendant "now hiring" "enroll
now" and "781-862-2220" sign below the general sign. Mr Smith countered that the
pendant signs are only temporary and would be taken down at some point The
DAC members were skeptical. In general, there was unease about the aggressive
marketing attitude apparent in the signage approach. However the DAC
acknowledged that Bright Horizons had to work with their existing logo.
The DAC recommended the following changes to the proposal: that the posts of the
free-standing signs be scaled down to a height of 4' (down from 6') and 3' (down
from 4') Karen Bechtel suggested the posts be light or white, instead of the stronger
statement of the dark blue. As for the actual signs, they should be scaled down
significantly to 4' x 2'-8" approx. (general sign) and to 3' x 2'approx. (directional
sign.) The pendant sign was not approved by the DAC, because it was deemed
"advertising rather than identifying' r
Bright Horizons and Mandeville Signs will come back for a final approval after acting
on the recommendations.
After looking at the site plan accompanying the sign proposal, members of the DAC
expressed concern over possible traffic problems, the parking- and the drop-off and
pick-up situation. According to the proposal, cars enter and exit the same way on
Concord Avenue, and this exit is very close to the corner of Waltham Street.
Lahev Lexinaton. 16 Hayden Avenue
Larry Smith of Cranberry Hill Associates inc. suggested a change to an existing sign at
16 Hayden Avenue because of poor visibility The existing sign is concrete with
bronze letters. A change cannot easily be made to the concrete. Showing a
physical example, Mr Smith is proposing a wooden inset The DAC commended him
on the design and approved its implementation.
Hiahland Capital Partners. 92 Hayden Avenue
Advanced Signing, represented by Wiliam H. McConaghy is changing the lettering
on an existing large masonry sign visible only from Route 2, as the building has new
occupants. The large masonry structure will be unchanged, only the letters will be
new The DAC had no objections to the proposal.
Adjournment
At about 9A5
Next DAC meeting will be Tuesday March 5th at 8:00PM
L