Members Present: |
Sheila Dinsmoor, Bob Broder, Ingrid Carls, Helen Robertson, Ed Hand- Planner: Ethan Parsons |
Also Present: |
Carol Fournier, Bill Lau, Jon Woodward, Stephen Gagosian, Katherine Babson, Cynthia Westerman, Alex Pitkin, Suzi Newman, Carol Gregory, Nancy Goodall, Chris Howe, Arthur Dioli, William Wilson, Troy Sober, Ted Clark, Mike Tartamella |
Mr. Broder brought the meeting to order at 7:30 pm.
1. |
7:30 pm |
The gelato café |
180 Linden St. |
Wall Sign |
DRB: 01-09 |
Bill Lau, owner of the gelato café, and Carol Fournier came before the Board requesting approval of a new wall sign to be located at the gelato café’s 180 Linden St. location. The sign is to be located above the establishment’s door, centered over the three large window sections. The sign would measure 100” wide x 13” high. The letters will be 13” high and will be mounted on black raceways that are 2” high x 82.5” wide and 1” thick.
The Board felt that the sign’s color would make it visible from the street. The color of the letters would be a yellowish-green.
The Board, having established the proposed wall sign meets the by right requirements of the Sign Bylaw and the Design Review Guidelines, moved, seconded and voted unanimously to:
“Recommend the Building Inspector approve the proposed wall sign to be located at 180 Linden Street to read “the gelato café” as presented.”
2. |
7:40 pm |
Linden Cleaners |
181 Linden St. |
Wall Sign |
DRB: 02-09 |
Jon Woodward requested the Board approve of a proposal to install a new wall sign at the Linden Cleaners’ 181 Linden Street location. The aluminum wall sign would measure 24” high x 168” wide, or 28 sq. ft. The words “Linden Cleaners” would have maroon letters, a white background, and a gold-colored hanger. The letters would measure 13.5” high. The gold-colored hanger would be assembled in pieces to fit around the letters in the word “Cleaners”.
Mr. Woodward provided a sample of the frame to be used for the sign. He explained that the proposed frame would have a white trim and a white background. The Design Review Board recommended the trim be black rather than white to make the sign fit with the window frames and nearby signs. Mr. Woodward agreed to the recommendation. The frame’s background will remain white.
The Board, having established the proposed wall sign meets the by right requirements of the Sign Bylaw and the Design Review Guidelines, moved, seconded and voted unanimously to:
“Recommend the Building Inspector approve the proposed wall sign to be located at 181 Linden Street to read “Linden Cleaners” with a black trim.”
3. |
8:00 pm |
Wellesley High School |
50 Rice Street |
PSI |
DRB 16-08M |
Cynthia Westerman, Stephen Gagosian and Katherine Babson attended for the PBC. Suzi Newman, School Committee, and Carol Gregory, School Department, were also in attendance.
Alex Pitkin, architect with SMMA, stated that the site plan has changed since November. He highlighted the curved planting bed near the northwest side of the parking lot. For the next DRB meeting, the Exteriors working group will inform more of the design detail.
Mr. Hand asked about the parking detail. Ms. Babson stated that the PBC is still looking at the details of the parking lot. Alex Pitkin showed the Board the entrance to the proposed school on the site plan. In front of the door there is a circular drive around a natural area.
Mr. Broder asked Mr. Ptikin if there were any wellhead structures on the site. Mr. Pitkin stated that while there were no wellhead structures there were wellheads on the site. Mr. Broder emphasized the opportunity to use the technological innovations as teaching tools. Mr. Pitkin explained that the designers are looking at the opportunity to construct bio-swales in the parking area.
Ms. Dinsmoor asked from what direction the most traffic comes from. Mr. Pitkin stated that the most traffic comes from the west, on Rice St.
Mr. Pitkin showed the Board the elevations and explained that they are still fine-tuning the height of the tower. Ms. Babson explained that the PBC is working with a historic preservation group, which is trying to preserve the school character. The group is looking at the weathervane. Their mission is to create a sense of place. Mr. Pitkin showed two options for a feature that would preserve the weathervane. In both options the weathervane sits on brick structures. Ms. Carls felt that the base of the existing cupola is lost. Mr. Pitkin stated that this is another feature that needs more attention.
Mr. Broder asked whether the design moves the existing clock to the new building. Mr. Pitkin showed the Board two entrance options, including the clock on the tower. Option A shows a cantilevered overhang with a taller feature above. Option B has a slightly larger overhang and a shorter feature above the door. The Board likes the covered waiting area outside the entryway.
Mr. Pitkin showed the Board the green roof on the plan. He stated that it would require low maintenance. Mr. Pitkin showed the Board what the daylight shading devices might look like. The purpose of the windows is to disperse light deeper into the room. The windows also contribute to the Mass CHPS points program. Ms. Carls asked whether more light was really needed. Mr. Pitkin explained that the point is to reduce energy consumption. Mr. Broder suggested carefully considering window washing when they choose windows since some of the windows that disperse light are difficult to clean.
Mr. Pitkin showed the Board the utility area. Mr. Broder asked how the trash and recycling containers would be emptied. Mr. Pitkin stated that they are placed conveniently in order to be loaded and trucked off site. Ms. Dinsmoor is concerned that the utility area is too close to the children’s play area. Ms. Robertson suggested using a landscape wall to screen the car park area. Mr. Pitkin explained that the site plan doesn’t reflect the amount of the landscape screen that would exist.
Ms. Robertson emphasized to Mr. Pitkin that the entryway be given a lot more attention. She felt that the entryway needed to be much more prominent and welcoming.
Mr. Broder asked about the development of the design. Mr. Pitkin stated that they will hopefully wrap up the design by April 1. Ms. Babson stated that the PBC is scheduled to return to the Board on 2/25/09. The PBC hopes that a final meeting will be held 3/11/09. Mr. Broder stated that there aren’t any major concerns yet. The Board expects the design to be developed further for the next presentation. Ms. Carls is happy with how the gym fenestration has opened. Mr. Hand would like to look closer at the tower. Ms. Babson stated that there is a capesh panel group. The Board would like to see photographs of the panels.
4. |
9:00 pm |
Captain Marden’s |
279 Linden St. |
Minor Construction |
DRB: 01-09M |
Nancy Goodall and Chris Howe came before the Board requesting approval of a minor construction project. Captain Marden’s Restaurant seeks to rebuild an existing low wall/planter and enclose an existing porch/outdoor dining area. By enclosing an outdoor eating area the restaurant can use this area for more time throughout the year. The project will not increase the seating capacity of the restaurant. The panels will be able to be opened to allow light and air to travel through. Mr. Broder recommended either leaving the windows all the way open or closed, not in between. Mr. Hand added, though, that one section could be open while another is closed. Mr. Broder noted that the plants in the planters will need to be kept very low so that they don’t interfere with the
windows. Mr. Howe stated that there will be a new steel beam to support the windows. Ms. Dinsmoor is concerned that the windows of the eating area will be out of scale with the windows on the other side of the building. Ms. Carls stated that she would have liked more overhang over the eating area.
The Board, having established the proposed wall sign meets the by right requirements of the Sign Bylaw and the Design Review Guidelines, moved, seconded and voted unanimously to:
“Recommend the Building Inspector approve the proposed minor construction project to be located at 279 Linden Street, Captain Marden’s Restaurant.”
5. |
9:15 pm |
9 Monadnock |
Wilson |
Large House Review |
LHR 01-09 |
Will Wilson, owner, and Art Dioli, architect came before the Board with the first large house review application of 2009. Mr. Dioli and Mr. Wilson showed the Board an image of the neighborhood and adjacent homes for a comparison to the proposed home. It was noted that the homes in the neighborhood are generally large, like the proposed house, but tend to be brick rather than wood siding. Mr. Dioli explained that the previous house was approximately 5,400 sq. ft. The house was torn down in September 2008. Mr. Hand asked what type of shingles would be used on the siding. Mr. Dioli explained that they were cedar style shingles. Mr. Broder noted that the homeowner might want to give consideration to the type of stain used, since some required frequent maintenance. The Board felt
that the L-shape of the house minimizes the massing. Mr. Dioli noted that the gambrel style attempts to minimize its size. Mr. Broder noted that there are a lot of different pieces to the house, which also minimizes the massing. Ms. Robertson noted that the ledge outcropping in front of the house helps screen the house. Mr. Dioli noted that they are preserving the mature trees in the front yard. It was noted that the site is protected from abutting properties by thick vegetation.
The Board voted unanimously to recommend approval of LHR 01-09, 9 Monadnock for meeting the general standards of the Large House Review.
6. |
9:40 pm |
9 Monadnock |
Smirl |
Large House Review |
LHR 02-09 |
Mike Tartamella, architect for the proposed Large House Review application, presented the plan for the Smirls’ residence at 33 Ledgeways. The project consists of a remodeling, including finishing the attic and adding a small addition behind the garage. The Board did not object to the project as proposed, but felt that the shutters looked out of place and suggested the architect reconsider including the shutters. It was noted that the homes in the neighborhood are of a similar scale to the proposed project. There are no significant alterations to the landscape.
The Board voted unanimously to recommend approval of LHR 02-09, 33 Ledgeways for meeting the general standards of the Large House Review.
The Board adjourned at 10:15 pm.
Ethan Parsons
Planner
Minutes Approved:
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