Members Present: |
Robert Broder, Ingrid Carls, Ed Hand, Sheila Dinsmoor, and Planner- Ethan Parsons |
Also Present: |
Prue Hay, Dean Behrend, Susan Tarantino, Frank Tarantino, Sheila Thoman, Al Thoman, Chris Hall. |
Mr. Broder brought the meeting to order at 7:30 pm.
1. |
7:30 pm |
Center for Whole Health |
6 Abbott Street |
Awning |
DRB: 65-08 |
The applicant failed to appear before the Board.
2. |
7:35 pm |
Maugus Restaurant |
300 Washington St. |
Wall |
DRB: 66-08 |
The applicant came before the Board requesting approval of a wall sign to read “Maugus Restaurant”. The proposed sign would be centered above the window of the restaurant. The colors of the sign background and the lettering would match the brick and trim of the façade (burgundy and gold). The applicant noted that roughly 2.5 feet of the background of the building would show on either side of the sign.
Mr. Hand questioned how Sovereign Bank, with an adjacent ATM, would identify their business because the sign would overhang the door to their business. The applicant replied that Sovereign is both aware of and supportive of the proposal. Both businesses have existed as such for a considerable amount of time.
Ms. Carls asked whether the word “Maugus” could be reduced and the word “Restaurant” could be enlarged. Mr. Broder commented that the letter “M” in “Maugus” was larger than the 14” allowable height. He suggested reducing the “M” to 14” and reducing the remaining letters proportionately. Mr. Broder also asked the applicant if he could move the entire sign up slightly so as not to cover the cornice above the window. The applicant agreed to show the changes on revised plans. The applicant was asked to submit the revised plans and application to the Planning Board office. The Board approved of the proposal by a 4-0 vote, provided the recommendations were followed.
3. |
7:55 pm |
Brock Residence |
29 Standish Circle |
LHR |
LHR: 05-08L |
Mr. Chris Hall returned to the Board to explain modifications the homeowners at 29 Standish Circle would like to make to their home that was approved by the Planning Board under Large House Review. The Design Review Board previously met with Mr. Hall and the applicants, at which time they approved of the project and made a favorable recommendation to the Planning Board. Mr. Hall explained that the proposed modifications include the following: changing the cedar shingles to asphalt shingles; changing the copper gutters to aluminum gutters; changing the fieldstone veneer on the foundation to stucco (except for surrounding the main entrance); and removing a chimney. The Board voted 4-0 to approve of the project and recommend Planning Board approval.
4. |
8:15 pm |
Dean Behrend |
30 Benvenue St. |
LHR |
LHR: 01-08L |
Mr. Dean Behrend returned to the Board to present a new proposal for 30 Benvenue Street. Mr. Behrend explained that the new proposal dropped the roof three feet and eliminated the living area in the attic. The proposal has the same footprint as the previous proposal. Mr. Behrend and his architect prepared sight lines from 10 Ingraham Rd. and 14 Ingraham Rd. He noted that as the trees he proposes to plant mature, the house at 30 Benvenue would be even more obscured.
Mr. Broder asked whether the footprint had changed. Mr. Behrend explained that the footprint is no different than the previous proposal but the attic is now unfinished, which results in a reduction in TLAG of over 1,000 sq. ft. Mr. Behrend showed plans of the existing structure that was torn down in 2007. He noted that his current proposal has a smaller footprint than the previous structure.
The Board questioned the accuracy of the sight line plans presented by Mr. Behrend. The Board was concerned about the slope of the land between 30 Benvenue and 10 and 14 Ingraham Rd., which, if inaccurate, would affect the sight line drawing. The Board asked Mr. Behrend to confirm the accuracy of the sight lines, in particular the elevations throughout, and return to the Board at the following meeting to present the corrected plans.
Mr. Broder asked Mr. Behrend how water was being treated. Mr. Behrend explained that the water will be shed onto the properties he proposes to build and will infiltrate into the groundwater. Water from the driveway easement will run into the Town drainage system on Grove St.
Ms. Carls asked Mr. Behrend if he could use pervious pavers on the driveway to protect the open space. Mr. Behrend noted that he does propose to use pervious pavers on the section of the driveway in front of the garage.
Mr. Behrend presented the board he prepared that depicts the lot coverage and square footage of surrounding properties as a comparison. He explained that an abutting property had a TLAG of 9500 sq. ft. and the lot coverage of several abutting properties was greater than his proposal.
The Board opened the meeting up for public comment. Prue Hay commented that the building envelope is roughly ½ of the 26,000 sq. ft. lot. She also commented that the whole proposal is based on the premise that the Friends and Mr. Behrend will reach an agreement on the driveway easement relocation. She questioned how the Design Review Board and Planning Board could even consider the proposal a legitimate application given that the driveway easement issue had yet to be resolved. Planner Ethan Parsons explained that the Planning Board had been advised by Town Counsel to review the application assuming the easement would be relocated as shown. Susan Tarantino explained that essentially the proposed house hadn’t changed from the previous proposal and that from her house she will be able to see
the new house easily. Mr. Tarantino explained that the existing house was completely hidden by the hemlocks. Mr. Tarantino was very concerned with the preservation of the trees serving as a buffer.
The Design Review Board agreed that the relocation of the easement and its design determined what the Board could review. They asked Dean to return with sections showing the retaining wall and fence and modified sight plans. The Board also asked Dean to present the Board with a superimposed image of the proposed house over the structure that was torn down in 2007.
The Board approved the minutes of August 13, September 10 and September 24.
The Board adjourned at 9:00 pm
Ethan Parsons
Planner
Minutes Approved:
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