Members Present: |
Robert Broder, Ed Hand, Ingrid Carls, Sheila Dinsmoor, Rob Skolnick, and Meghan Jop |
Mr. Broder brought the meeting to order at 7:30 pm.
1. |
7:30 pm |
Bank of America |
185 Linden Street |
Wall and Blade Sign |
DRB: 70-08, 71-08 |
Ms. Heather Hopkins-Dudko submitted an application for a wall sign and blade sign to be installed at 185 Linden Square. The proposed wall sign would measure 162” wide by 16” high and would be composed of a red background with blue 7-7/8” letters to read “Bank of America”. The bank logo would be located to the left. The proposed blade sign would measure 48” wide by 24” high and would be composed of a red background with blue 4-1/8” letters that would also read “Bank of America” with the bank logo below. The proposed signage would be externally illuminated.
The Board, after a brief discussion, established the proposed signage meets the by right requirements of the Sign Bylaw and the Design Review Guidelines and moved, seconded, and voted unanimously to:
“Recommend the Building Inspector approve the wall and blade sign to be located at 185 Linden Street to read “Bank of America” as presented.”
2. |
7:40 pm |
Toyota |
216 Worcester Street |
Standing Sign |
DRB: 72-08 |
Mr. Dan Viola came before the Board for review of a proposed standing sign to be located at 216 Worcester Street. The originally proposed sign, Option A, would measure 6’ high by 15’ wide and would have a total area of 180 square feet. The sign would be set back 10’ from the property line and would be composed of a white background with red internally illuminated letters to read “Toyota” along with a red internally illuminated logo. In addition, the “Scion” logo and letters would be internally illuminated in gray. The letter height for the proposed sign does not exceed 10-7/8” in height. The original proposed would need a special permit for the height, setback, and internal illumination, and would need a variance for the total area.
Mr. Dan Viola came before the Board with an amended plan, Option B, where the proposed sign would measure 18’ high by 6’ wide. The base of the sign would measure approximately 9.5’ high with a signage area of approximately 8.5’ high by 6’ wide. The base of the standing sign would be altered, so as to not count towards the total area. The remainder of the sign would remain the same.
The Board had reviewed several variations for the Toyota sign in 2004 and approved the option that was presented at the meeting as Option B. The ZBA issued a special permit for the sign in 2004 at a setback of 27’. The new proposal has the sign at 10’ from the property line. Although the sign had been approved previously, it was never constructed and the special permit has lapsed.
The Board questioned why the standing sign is being located at 216 Worcester Street, when the visibility at 234 Worcester Street, also Toyota, is better. Mr. Viola noted the Toyota Corporation requires the standing sign to be located at the sales office. Mr. Viola explained the sales office is located at 216 Worcester Street and the service department is located at 234 Worcester Street.
Ms. Dinsmoor questioned additional signage proposed for the two locations. Mr. Viola stated the existing standing sign at 234 Worcester Street (formerly Dodge) would be removed, and Toyota would return to the Board for a wall sign to be installed.
Mr. Broder noted although the standing sign, proposed under Option A, would need to seek a variance, he felt the design was better than Option B. Mr. Broder recommended approving both sign alternatives and leaving the final decision to the Zoning Board of Appeals.
The Board, after a brief discussion, moved, seconded, and voted unanimously to:
“Recommend the Zoning Board of Appeals approve one of two proposals for the standing sign to be located at 216 Worcester Street. The Board notes the option presented at the meeting on December 17th, Option B, received a special permit from the ZBA in 2004. The Board further notes Option A exceeds the special permit threshold of 100 square feet for total area, but is a sign the Board is willing to support considering the design and location of the proposed standing sign.”
The Board adjourned at 8:15 pm.
Meghan Jop, AICP
Assistant Planning Director
Minutes Approved: 2/4/09
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