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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-04-07-DAC-min LDAC EXINGTONESIGNDVISORYOMMITTEE Meeting Minutes: April 7, 2010 Present: Tim Lee (Chair), Brigitte Staines, Bruce Creager, Richard Brown, John Frey, Bahig Kaldas, Steve Vincent Scribe: Tim Lee Call to Order: The Meeting was called to Order at 7:30PM Approvals: Minutes of the previous meeting were approved with minor corrections. Presentations/Review: Center Bicycle Signs The DAC reviewed the proposed bicycle signs to be mounted on center bicycle trash cans and had the following comments. 1. The DAC generally approved the size and design of the signs if the color for the background is the darker gray color and the lettering is white. If the background color was to be white and the letters black then the DAC would prefer the signs to be smaller. The Design Advisory Committee recommends approval of the application pending the changes suggested above. Native Plant Material Guide The DAC reviewed the proposed native plant material guide and had the following comments. 1. The DAC commended the efforts of all those involved in the project and looks forward to the final version and implementation of the guide. 450 Bedford Street – Sign Application The DAC reviewed the proposed signs and had the following comments. 1. The DAC generally approved of the revised version of the sign dated 3/11/09 D75, REVISED 03/22/10 D25. The Design Advisory Committee recommends approval of the application as presented. 10 Pelham Road, Youville Assisted Living, - Wireless Facility Application The DAC reviewed the proposed wireless facility and had the following comments. 1. The DAC commented that the new cupola tower still needs design modifications and the proportions are still not in harmony with the building. The Design Advisory Committee recommended the applicant return for further review and could not recommend approval of this project as presented. 0 Grove Street – Wireless Facility Application The Design Advisory Committee recommends approval of the application as presented and recommended the applicant contact the Conservation Commission for review. 33 Hayden Ave. – Wireless Facility Application The Design Advisory Committee recommends approval of the application as presented. 330 Woburn Street, TD Bank N.A. – Special Permit Application The Design Advisory Committee recommends approval of this project subject to the following comments and recommendations. 1. Site Plan:  DAC prefers locating the building as close to Lowell Street as possible with more parking in the rear of the building  DAC recommends further reducing the parking quantity  DAC recommends adding more street trees along Lowell Street  DAC recommends lowering the elevation of the parking lot or raising the adjacent planting area to further reduce visibility of the parking from the street  DAC recommends extending the perimeter fencing to the property line towards Woburn Street  DAC suggested changing the type and layout for the trees along the south-eastern edge of the property to a more natural layout and to the same evergreen trees just to the north of this location for better screening of neighboring property 2. Building:  The DAC commented that the building is generally acceptable but the design is very prototypical and very average and would prefer a more unique site specific design  DAC prefers no more then two drive-up windows  The DAC commends the applicant for their efforts to design the project to a LEED-Gold performance standard 3. Signage:  DAC commented that they would like to see all proposed signage comply with the zoning bylaw  Principal wall sign exceeds three feet in height, reduce height  Secondary wall signs exceed the fifty percent allowable width including the shield and vertical green line on the tower, reduce size  DAC does not approve of internally illuminated signs, halo illumination of solid panels or letters is acceptable, shield does not comply  The proposed monument sign height should be lowered by twelve inches to a maximum height of six feet 65 Hayden Ave. Cubist Pharmaceuticals – Special Permit Application The DAC informally reviewed the proposed improvements proposed under the special permit application and had the following comments. 1. Generally the DAC had positive comments about the proposed design improvements 2. The DAC suggested further refinement of the architectural elements and massing of the building 3. DAC commented that the revised parking garage design was a positive improvement 4. The DAC encouraged the applicant to minimize and control light spill from the parking garages while still maintaining safe lighting levels The Design Advisory Committee recommended the applicant return for further review of the proposed project once the special permit application has been filed. LDAC EXINGTON ESIGN DVISORY OMMITTEE AGENDA April 7, 2010 1.APPROVALS 7:30 PM Meeting Minutes 2. BOARD OF SELECTMAN 7:35 PM Center Bike Signs 3. BOARD OF APPEALS 7:45 PM Keith Ohmart & John Frey – Plant Materials Guide 7:55PM 450 Bedford Street – Sign application 8:10 PM 10 Pelham Rd., Youville Assisted Living, T-Mobil – Wireless facility 8:25 PM Off Grove Street, T-Mobil – Wireless facility 8:35 PM 33 Hayden Ave., Clearwire – Wireless facility 8:40 PM Lowell & Woburn Street, TD Bank – Special Permit 9:05 PM 65 Hayden Ave., Cubist Pharmaceuticals – Special permit (informal review) 4. OTHER BUSINESS 9:30 PM Sign guidelines & DAC application discussion 4. ADJOURN Other Business: Sign bylaw modifications 1. Committee continued discussions on modifications of the existing sign by-law and sign guidelines Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at approximately 9:50 PM Next Meeting: Scheduled for Wednesday May 5, 2010 @ 7:30PM Cc: Board of Selectmen Greg Zurlo, Planning Board Liaison LDAC EXINGTON ESIGN DVISORY OMMITTEE April 15, 2010 To: Board of Appeals Re: 450 Bedford Street – sign application At its regular meeting on April 7, 2010 the DAC reviewed the proposed sign for 450 Bedford Street and had the following comments. 1. The DAC generally approved the sign design depicted in the drawing provided by Viewpoint Sign and Awning with the revision date of March 22, 2010, D.25. The Design Advisory Committee recommends this project be approved. Respectfully submitted, Timothy D. Lee, ASLA, Chairman Lexington Design Advisory Committee Cc: Board of Selectmen LDAC EXINGTON ESIGN DVISORY OMMITTEE April 20, 2010 To: Board of Appeals Re: 330 Woburn Street – TD Bank Branch Special Permit application At its regular meeting on April 7, 2010 the DAC reviewed the proposed TD Bank branch facility. The Design Advisory Committee recommends approval of this project subject to the following comments and recommendations. 1. Site Plan:  DAC prefers locating the building as close to Lowell Street as possible with more parking in the rear of the building  DAC recommends further reducing the parking quantity  DAC recommends adding more street trees along Lowell Street  DAC recommends lowering the elevation of the parking lot or raising the adjacent planting area to further reduce visibility of the parking from the street  DAC recommends extending the perimeter fencing to the property line towards Woburn Street  DAC suggested changing the type and layout for the trees along the south-eastern edge of the property to a more natural layout and to the same evergreen trees just to the north of this location for better screening of neighboring property 2. Building:  The DAC commented that the building is generally acceptable but the design is very prototypical and very average and would prefer a more unique site specific design  DAC prefers no more then two drive-up windows  The DAC commends the applicant for their efforts to design the project to a LEED- Gold performance standard 3. Signage:  DAC commented that they would like to see all proposed signage comply with the zoning bylaw  Principal wall sign exceeds three feet in height, reduce height  Secondary wall signs exceed the fifty percent allowable width including the shield and vertical green line on the tower, reduce size  DAC does not approve of internally illuminated signs, halo illumination of solid panels or letters is acceptable, shield does not comply  The proposed monument sign height should be lowered by twelve inches to a maximum height of six feet Respectfully submitted, Timothy D. Lee, ASLA, Chairman Lexington Design Advisory Committee Cc: Board of Selectmen