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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1975-05-15 HISTORIC DISTRICTS COMMISSION A meeting of the Historic Districts Commission was h®ld on Wednesday, May 15, 19751 in Room 111, Town Offioe Building, Lexington. Present were Commissioners Wilbur M. Jaquith, Chairman; Thomas J. Holzbog; and Associate Commissioners Ruth B. Adams, Sarah P. Harkness, and Oliver F. Hooper. Mrs. Adams was appointed to serve for Commissioner Georgia H. Williams who was unable to be present; Mr. Hooper was appointed to serve for Commissioner Donald J. Shaw who was unable to be present; and Mrs. Harkness was appointed to serve for Commissioner S. Lawrence Whipple who was unable to be present. It was moved, seconded, and VOTED that Mrs, Adams serve as Secretary Pro Tem. Prior to the first adjourned hearing on the application of Consumer Value Stores the members met at 1719-1721 Massachusetts Avenue with David Teolis, Construction Supervisor for the applicant, to view firsthand the store front, particularly the transom and area above the transom. Mr. Teolis stated that they intend to remove the existing transom glass lights, cover the area with 3/4" thick plywood, and cover the plywood with baked white en- amel aluminum. The materials to be installed are to be fitted into the tran- som. area in such a way as to retain the existing decorative cement molding surrounding the transom. Mrs. Harkness said that she prefers a matte Finish and Mr, Holzbog agreed that a matte finish baked white enamel would be pref- erable. Mr. Teolis said that the letters "CVS" would be 24" high x 2 i/4~" thick raised le tars of an orange red color and would be interior lit. He said that the "pharmacy" would be 16" high black x 2 1/4" raised letters and would also have interior back lighting. Mr. Hooper said that he feels the is not necessary and the other members agreed with him. Mr. Teolis said that the slash could be eliminated as it would be on one of the columns if installed. Mrs. Harkness asked if a warm light would look better. Mr. Jaquith said that the Commission has not approved this kind of sign and that he is reluctant to approve red letters that might look as though they were neon lights. Mr. Holzbog asked what kind of bulb would be used and Mr. Teolis said that it would be enclosed neon lighting cut out to match the letters of the sign. Mrs. Harkness said that she feels that the red letters might be a good spark to what is basically a drab building. Mr. Holzbog said that the type face is nice and simple. Mr. Jaquith asked what hours the lighting would be on and Mr. Teolis said that it would be on timers and would go on at dusk and off at 8x00 or 9x00 P.M. when the store oloses. Mr. Jaquith asked Mr. Teolis if he would object to a condition that the lighting had to be off when the store was not open and Mr. Teolis said that he would agree to such a condition. Mr. Jaquith asked if the siae of the letters was good and Mr. Holzbog said that he feels it is all right in relation to the siae of the fascia board. Mr. Jaquith asked about centering the word "pharmacy" and Mrs. Harkness said that she felt it would be better not to center the word. Mr. Holzbog, Mrs. Adams, and Mr. Hooper agreed with Mrs. Harkness. Mr. Teolis said that they would have to re- pla.ce the awnings and Mr. Jaquith said that the Commission would want to see a sample of the material in order to approve the awnings. Mr. Teolis said that they will restore the cunt work as best they can. 2~. Jaquith said that the members approve removal of the transom and filling in the area with a white matte finish baked enamel material. Mr. Teolis said that they would eliminate the and tans down the red as much as possible, The hearing was adjourned at a:3g P.M. HISTO~tIC DISTRICTS COMMISSION - page 2 May,~S, 1975 Mrs. Harkness left the meeting at 8:40 P.M. aril Commissioner S. Lawrence Whipple, who had arrived during the hearing, assumed his seat. An adjourned hearing was held at 8:45 P.M, with Fred Henderson of Brigham's Inc, and Harold Chalfin of Back Bay Sign Company with respect to the erection and display of a new sign for the store at 1777 Massachusetts Avenue, whioh is within the Battle Green District. Mr. Hooper said that he thinks the proposed sign is awful. Mr. Holzbog said that he objects to the small case "i" and the wedging of the letters. He said that the "car- toon character" of the letters bothers him. Mr. Hooper said that you can- not drive along Massachusetts Avenue and read the store signs. Mr. Whipple asked how far the letters would project from the signboard and Mr. Chalfin said 1/2", Mr. Whipple said that he thinks that the letters are "cartoon" type letters. In answer to a question Mr. Chalfin said that the backboard would be white and the letters a brighter blue than those now on the sign backboard, He showed a color chip of the blue. Mr. Whipple said that he feels that it is a weak sign. Mr. Whipple asked about the oval and Mr. Chaffin said that the oval containing the letters is less conservative and that he feels individual letters would be more conservative. Mr. Whipple said that this drawing is a compromise. Mr. Jaquith said that one of the Commission's problem is approving letters that we are not sure wi]1 look well, Mr. Holzbog asked Mr. Henderson what Brigham': would do if the Com- mission disapproves the sign - would they leave the existing sign there? Mr. Henderson said that he feels that Brigham's will have a problem if the sign is not changed as people will not recognize their logo. Mr. Holzbog said that he feels the three possibilities area leave existing sign above the store, accept new proposed sign, or have another sign submitted. Mr. Henderson said that he realized the Commission's problem and that they are trying to reach a compromise. He said that he would like to have a drawing of the word "BRiGHAM'S" done and put up over the existing word "Brigham':" so that the members of the Commission could look at the proposed new word's lettering. Mr. Jaquith asked if moving the words "Ice Cream" more to the left and the word "Sandwiches" more to the right would open up the sign more. Both Mr. Henderson and Mr. Chaffin agreed that this could be done and that it might help. Mr. Hooper said that he does not feel that the letters have ar~y relationship to each other. The hearing was adjourned at 9x45 P.M. It was moved, seconded, and unanimously VOTED to issue a Certificate of Appropriateness to Matthew Sakakeeny d/b/a The Minute Shop with respect to changes in the building at 9 Muzzey Street, which is within the Battle Green District. Participating in this decision were Commissioners Wilbur M. Jaquith, Thomas J. Holzbog, S. Lawrence Whipple, and Associate Commissioners Ruth B. Adams and Oliver F. Hooper. The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 P.M. Ruth B. Adams Secretary Pro Tem