Town of Wellesley, Massachusetts

Mr. Wayne Keefner of SMMA, and Ms. Katherine Babson and Ms. Sarah Norwood of the PBC, came before the Board to present the off-street parking plan to serve the new high school during the construction period. On-site parking for the high school during construction will be significantly reduced, which will increase the demand for off-site parking spaces. On-site parking will be made available only to persons requiring accessible spaces, visitors and travelling staff.

Mr. Keefner showed the Board a map of all the potential parking areas surrounding the school that were identified during the initial off-street parking study. Mr. Keefner explained that the School Building Committee and the Parking Sub-Committee selected the Tennis Court Parking Lot on Washington Street, the State Street Gravel Lot, and the Basketball Court Parking Lot.

The existing 14 parking spaces on the Tennis Court Lot would be realigned to create an additional 17 spaces, although the overall paved area would be reduced. The existing lighting would remain and the storm drainage would be improved. The improvements would be permanent.

The State Street Gravel Lot can currently hold approximately 14 vehicles. It is bordered to the north and the west by Fuller Brook, to the east by the high school track, and to the south by State Street. Because of its proximity to the Fuller Brook, the surface would be permanent, porous pavement, and several significant trees would be protected. The State Street Gravel Lot would have a total of 31 spaces. Twenty-five spaces would be made available to the school and six would be made available to non-school users. Some method of ensuring the spaces are used appropriately would be implemented. Lighting would be improved and would be directed away from the residential areas and toward the Fuller Brook.

The Basketball Court Lot would have 67 spaces. The existing gravel access drive and basketball courts would be reconstructed with porous pavement. The access drive and parking area would be lit during the temporary usage of this area. The parking area would likely be converted back to the basketball use after 3 years.

Mr. Broder asked Mr. Keefner if there were any security measures planned for the State Street Gravel Lot since it is fairly poorly-lit and a significant walk to and from the school. Mr. Broder indicated that closed circuit cameras might make the site safer. Mr. Keefner stated that he was not aware of any plans to install closed circuit cameras or any security measures other than the new lighting.

Mr. Skolnick asked whether it would be possible to put parallel parking spots on the access drive to the Basketball Court Lot. Mr. Keefner explained that the access drive would be too narrow to accommodate parallel parking spaces.

Ms. Robertson asked how wide the parking lots would be because she was concerned about light coverage over the entire lot. Mr. Keefner explained that the State Street Gravel Lot would be about 60 feet wide with a 24 foot maneuvering zone. The Basketball Court Lot would be about 100 feet wide.

Mr. Keefner explained that there would be a lit path from the Basketball Court Lot to the high school. He stated that the only landscape improvements would occur at the State Street Gravel Lot, especially on the sensitive land adjacent to the Fuller Brook. Mr. Keefner showed the Board photographs of the various types of trees and shrubs to be planted at the State Street Gravel Lot. Mr. Keefner described the function of the porous pavement, explaining how it improves water infiltration rates and snow melting.

Mr. Skolnick asked whether there would be any spaces on the Tennis Court Lot for the public during the construction of the high school. Mr. Keefner stated that tennis players and others would have to park along Washington Street or in other locations. Mr. Skolnick strongly encouraged the School Building Committee and the Parking Sub-Committee to consider moving 5 available public spaces from the State Street Gravel Lot to the Tennis Court Lot.

“Recommend the Zoning Board of Appeals approve the proposed off-street parking construction project proposed for the Town of Wellesley High School at the State Street Gravel Lot, Tennis Court Lot, and Basketball Court Lot, and suggest to the applicant that they consider installing security measures at the State Street Gravel Lot and they consider making 5 parking spaces available to the public in the Tennis Court Lot rather than in the State Street Gravel Lot.”

Ms. Jenifer Apazidis requested the Board approve of a proposal to install a new wall sign at Sweet Beads’ One Crest Road location. The wood wall sign would measure 100 inches wide x 23 inches high. The words “Sweet Beads” would have blue letters measuring 13” high, on a brown background with a green border. The sign would have no illumination.

Window signage currently exists on the property. The applicant presented the window signage to the Board. The Board does not approve of telephone numbers or descriptions of services provided on signs. The Board holds that signage should only state the name of the business and should be consistent with all other signage for the business. The Board advised the applicant to make necessary modifications to the window signage in order to conform to the design standards that they uphold.

“Recommend the Building Inspector approve the proposed wall sign to be located at One Crest Road to read “Sweet Beads” as presented and approve the window signage except for the telephone numbers and descriptions of the services provided.”

Ms. Thabisile Dube requested the Board approve of a proposal to install a new wall sign at the Wellesley Home Design Center’s 555 Washington Street location. The wall sign would measure 30 inches high x 120 inches wide, resulting in an area of 25 sq. ft. The words “Wellesley Home Design Center” would have white letters measuring 6 inches high. The sign would be centered over the entrance and its highest part would be 11 feet above ground elevation.

Ms. Dube also indicated that she would like to install two signs on the windows, one to read “Dube Design” and one to read “Weldon Interiors”, with a list of the services provided under each name. The Board did not approve of the lists of services provided and requested that the window signs read “Wellesley Home Design Center” only. The Board suggested moving any advertising of services provided inside the business.

Mr. Luke DeStefano requested the Board approve of a proposal to install a new standing sign and wall sign at TD Bank’s 999 Worcester Street location. The standing sign would be a replacement of TD Bank’s previous name, and would measure 7.99 feet wide x 2.99 feet high. The words “TD Bank Open 7 Days” would have white letters measuring 10 inches high on a forest green and apple green background. The wall sign would be 14.6 feet wide x 2.5 feet high, resulting in an area of 36.48 sq. ft. The sign would have 10 inch high white letters on a forest green and apple green background. The highest part of the sign would be 12.5 feet above ground level elevation. The sign would be internally illuminated, as presented. The applicant also presented a window sign displaying the hours of operation and a directional sign to be wall mounted. The new signage package would replace the existing signage.

The DRB objected to the words “Open 7 Days” on the signs presented. The internally illuminated wall sign would require a variance because it would have 3 different-colored translucent panels. Mr. DeStefano stated that he would speak with someone at the bank about the “Open 7 Days” language and the internal illumination of the wall sign. The Board asked the applicant to reduce the size of the hours of operation sign to 1 sq. ft.

The Board, having established the proposed standing sign meets the by right requirements of the Sign Bylaw and the Design Review Guidelines and the proposed wall sign would require a variance, moved, seconded and voted unanimously to:

“Recommend the Building Inspector approve the proposed standing sign and the ZBA approve the proposed wall sign to be located at 999 Worcester Street to read “TD Bank” but without the “Open 7 Days” as presented. In addition, they requested the hours of operation sign be reduced to 1 sq. ft.”

Mr. Luke DeStefano of Bohler Engineering requested the Board approve of a proposal to install two new wall signs at TD Bank’s 380 Washington Street location. The bank has two public entrances. The first wall sign would measure 13 feet wide x 2 feet high. The words “TD Bank Open 7 Days” would have white letters measuring 12 inches high on a forest green and apple green background. The sign would be externally illuminated by spotlights. The highest part of the sign above ground elevation would be approximately 9 feet. The second wall sign would have the same dimensions as the first: 13 feet wide x 2 feet high with the words “TD Bank Open 7 Days” in white on a forest green and apple green background. The letters would be 12 inches high. The sign would be externally illuminated by spotlights. Lastly, the applicant proposed a window sign that would be 1.18 sq. ft., displaying the businesses hours of operation.

The Board objected to the “Open 7 Days” language on the signs. The Board also felt that the green should be consistent with the other signage on the building; the red line on the existing signs should be kept on the proposed signs to be consistent with all the signage on the building; and the hours of operation should be one sq. ft. or less.

Ms. Jennifer Harvey requested the Board approve of a proposal to install a new wall sign at the Laughing Dog Yoga & Shop’s 159 Linden Street location. The aluminum wall sign would measure 15 inches high x 144 inches wide. The words “Laughing Dog Yoga & Shop” would have blue letters measuring 14 inches or less in height.

Ms. Heather Dudko, from Hazel Wood Hopkins, requested the Board approve of a proposal to install a new standing sign, wall sign, and awning sign at Rockland Trusts’ 330B Washington Street location. All of the proposed signage would replace existing signage in size and location. The bank has more than one public entrance.

The applicant would replace the wording on the standing sign. The sign measures 40 inches wide by 30 inches high. The new wording on the standing sign would measure 7 inches high by 30 inches wide. The words “Rockland Trust” would have white and yellow letters measuring 2 inches and 4 inches high on a brown background. The standing sign would not be internally illuminated. The wall sign would be 81 inches wide by 12 inches high. It would be constructed of wood and would be externally illuminated by existing gooseneck fixtures. The words “Rockland Trust” would have white and yellow letters on a brown background, and would measure 3 inches and 7 inches. The awning would be blue and measure 128 inches wide by 34 inches high. The words “Rockland Trust” would be centered on the valance, and would measure 7 inches.

The Board’s only concern was that the proposed awning would be blue, which would be inconsistent with the background color of the other signs on the property. The Board asked Ms. Dudko to request that the bank’s owner change the color of the awning. Ms. Dudko agreed to speak with the bank’s owner about the suggested change to the awning.

“Recommend the Building Inspector approve the proposed standing and wall signs to be located at 330B Washington Street to read “Rockland Trust” as presented. The Board felt, however, that the awning sign should be brown to be consistent with the other signs.”