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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-04-01-DAC-min.pdf DESIGN ADVISORY COMMITTEE TOWN OF LEXINGTON Meeting Minutes April 1, 2003 Present: Steve Hurley(Chair), John Davies, Betsy Whitman, Eva Kassell, Alenka Slezak, Eric Brown, Carl Oldenburg Scribe: Carl Oldenburg Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 8:05 PM by Steve Hurley Approvals: The minutes of the meeting of March 4, 2003,were approved as submitted, following a motion to do so by Eric Brown, seconded by Betsy Whitman. Discussion: 1. Membership Update: Steve Hurley discussed changes in membership status for certain individuals, and explained the committee's role and function to new members. Eric Brown and Alenka Slezak are now official members. 2. Walgreens: 60 Bedford Street Richard Hunt, Architect; Bob Glidestone, Walgreens; Mike Weremay, Landscape Architect. Petitioner presented a proposal for alterations to the building and site of Walgreens at the corner of Bedford Street and Worthen Road. Discussion was centered on three components: (A) Landscape design (B) Building Façade Alterations (C) Proposed free-standing sign. Landscape Design: DAC generally was pleased with proposed improvements. Suggestions included: a. Making better provision for pedestrians using the crosswalk at the Bedford Street/Worthen Road intersection; b. "Calming Down"the edge treatment along Bedford Street(shown with sections of wrought-iron fencing); DAC Meeting Minutes—April 1, 2003 Page 2 of 3 c. Reconsidering snow storage. d. Site lighting appeared to be heading in the right direction, but information was incomplete so recommendation of approval was not possible. Height of light poles and wattage of lamps was not indicated. Building Facade Alterations: DAC generally was pleased with proposed improvements, but many issues appeared to be incompletely thought-out: a. DAC questioned the location of the proposed sign facing Worthen Road; b. DAC questioned whether Fleet Bank would agree to the proposed treatment around their ATM enclosure; c. DAC expressed concern about facade details such as rakes, eaves, moldings, etc.,particularly with the use of EIFS materials, and encouraged the petitioner to pay particular attention to the development of such details. Free-Standing Sign a. Proposed sign was shown with and without a`reader board", i.e. an animated red LED sign which would advertise specials and sales. Sign would be internally illuminated. Sign size would be 13'-5"high to the"peak", 11'-4"wide, and 2'-6" deep. Material would be acrylic. b. DAC had strong objections to the proposed sign, pointing out that there are no signs like this extant in the Town, and that the DAC historically has been opposed to internally illuminated signs. Zoning bylaws specifically prohibit animated signs. The size and character of the proposed sign is not appropriate for Lexington. c. The DAC will not endorse the proposed sign to the Zoning Board of Appeals. DAC is generally favorable to the overall proposal, except for the free-standing sign and proposed site lighting, and recommends to the petitioner that the project be resubmitted with revisions and additional information. 3 St. John's United Methodist Church: 2600 Massachusetts Avenue Bob Thompson, Jim Did It Sign Co., Boston. Petitioner proposes to replace an existing painted plywood sign with a sign of the same size, location, and general design as the existing, except with revised text and with letters carved and painted instead of only painted. Size is approximately 7'-0"high, 8'- 0"wide. Two lighting fixtures will externally illuminate the sign. DAC suggested using 6x6 posts in lieu of proposed 4x4 posts to make the sign look more solid. Otherwise, there were no objections to the proposal. 4 Power's Music School 109 Mass Avenue DAC Meeting Minutes—April 1, 2003 Page 3 of 3 Petitioner proposed free-standing sign with a single post,total height approximately 6 feet. Sign would be 3 feet long, 2 feet high, supported with a bracket attached to the post. A turned wooden post is proposed. DAC suggested using a square wood post,4x4 pressure-treated, with'A"pine trim all around, and a prefabricated wood post cap and decorative Scotia molding. Also recommended is a concrete pier and post base connector to the wood post. Otherwise, DAC had no objections to the proposal. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 PM. Next meeting: The next meeting is Tuesday, May 6, 2003, at 8:00 PM.