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HomeMy Public PortalAbout20140121 - Design Review Board - Meeting Minutes 1 TOWN OF HOPKINTON DESIGN REVIEW BOARD Tuesday, January 21, 2014 7:00 P.M. Town Hall, 18 Main St., Hopkinton, MA – Room 211 MINUTES MEMBERS PRESENT: Jeffrey Doherty, Chairman, Shawn McGuinness, Ria McNamara, Jeanette Thomson, Claire Wright MEMBERS ABSENT: Sue Ellen Stoddard, Gail Fallon The meeting was called to order at 7:05 P.M. 1. Sign Review – 50 and 60 West Main St. - Golden Pond Resident Care Timothy Sullivan, Barlo Signs, came before the Board to present designs for two new signs at 50 and 60 West Main St. The designs of both signs were very much alike. Mr. Sullivan stated that the sign replacing the existing sign at 50 West Main will be slightly smaller than the previous one and will be internally wash lit with LED, which gives a very soft effect. He explained that a variance was obtained for the previous sign allowing a sign larger than 32 sf., so a replacement is acceptable if it is the same size or smaller. He said the old sign was 42 sf., and the replacement will be 41 sf. He stated that the new sign at 60 West Main will be externally lit, but he did not have information on the specific kind of lighting. The Board inquired how and why two signs would be allowed for one facility, which is attached as one building. Mr. Sullivan showed a letter from the building inspector indicating approval for two signs and speculated that it is because the properties have two separate street addresses. Board members discussed whether this is “over-signage,” discussed how one main sign with smaller directional signage might work just as well, and noted that this is an issue for the Zoning Advisory Committee when reviewing the sign regulations. The Design Review Board gave its approval to the designs for signs at 50 and 60 West Main St. However, because no information could be provided on the external lighting of the sign at 60 West Main St., the Board requested the applicant to return with specifics on how the sign will be lit. The Board emphasized that it would like the lighting to be low-key. 2. Hayden Woods – 215 Hayden Rowe St. - Garden Apartment Development – William Perkins William Perkins, applicant, came before the board with revised plans for his development at 215 Hayden Rowe, specifically landscaping details and designs for the connecting elements between the units. He stated that he has modified the connectors into fully enclosed spaces and noted he may need some flexibility as to the exact dimensions, depending on if they are to be mudrooms or storage space. The Board commented on the extremely large expanse of garage door, using one door for a double opening. Ms. McGuinness recommended using double garage doors instead of a single, and Mr. Perkins agreed to make that change. 2 Ms. Thomson stated that the connector seems heavy and out of scale for the building. The Board concurred that some kind of a garden/patio area, with a pergola, fencing, gate, and wall would result in a lighter look and provide a pleasant space. Ms. Thomson recommended a knee wall with columns and an attached pergola. Mr. Perkins said this could easily be done and he would prefer it, but he would have to check with the building inspector as to whether this would qualify as a permanent connecting element and, if not, what elements must be included. Mr. Perkins said he was concerned about his next meeting with the Planning Board if the Design Review Board still had unresolved issues such as the design of the connectors. Ms. Wright stated that if the overall plan elements are acceptable, she believes a plan could be approved with a condition to return to the Design Review Board to resolve this minor design feature. The Board was generally satisfied with the designs of the connected building types A, B and C as shown. The duplex building shown as Units 1 & 2 was noted to be of a pleasing but very different style that seemed incongruous with the others. The Board recommended removing some of the “cottage style” elements such as the board and batten siding, exposed rafters, stick- style timbers in the entry gable, and replacing the elliptical windows with 6 over 1. The Board recommended relating more to the other buildings by using shingles and clapboards and matching the rake and returns of buildings A, B, and C. Mr. Perkins stated that he plans to use colors from the Sherman Williams “Suburban Traditions” palette and rather than selecting specific colors would allow buyers to simply choose from this selection. The Board viewed the color palette and found all acceptable. They encouraged Mr. Perkins not to allow several homes of identical colors side by side. Mr. Perkins stated he does not plan to install streetlights, only porch lights on the individual homes and perhaps a pole light at the end of the walkway or driveway, both controlled by the homeowner. The Board agreed with the lighting plans. Mr. Perkins presented his landscaping plans, of which the Board also approved. 3. Hopkinton Retirement Residence – 0 East Main St. – Lenity Architecture Representatives Mark Lowen, Lenity Architecture, Justin Dufresne, Vanasse Hangen Brustlin (VHB) and Craig Ciechanowski, Doherty, Ciechanowski, Dugan & Cannon, P.C., presented revised plans for elevations, lighting, and signage. Mr. Lowen noted that since the last meeting with the Design Review Board the dormers have been enlarged to be in better scale with the building, the lighting has been reduced, and the sign has been made smaller at the request of the Planning Board. Ms. Wright noted that the garage details show a large industrial looking door. Mr. Lowen stated they will instead use a paneled door to match at the pedestrian access. Ms. McGuinness asked about changing from one large door to a pair, but Mr. Lowen said it might make maneuvering difficult for the van or for older drivers. The Board discussed the lighting at the trash receptacle area. Mr. Lowen said the light would be controlled by a switch and turned on and off when an employee brings out trash. Ms. Wright questioned if the employees might leave the light on. Mr. Lowen agreed to put the switch on a timer, set for a minimal amount, ideally for 5 minutes if it is possible to set it for that amount, to 3 guarantee that the light will not be left on unnecessarily. Ms. Thomson asked Mr. Lowen to check that the cupola on the front of the building does not exceed the Town’s limit on height. The Board asked Mr. Lowen to make sure the lighting fixture under the entry canopy has a recessed bulb, not an exposed one that protrudes beneath the fixture and causes glare. It was noted this detail was not clear from the lighting fixture cut sheets provided to the Board. The Board was generally satisfied with the landscaping plan. Mr. Doherty recommended providing a pet area somewhere on the grounds in view of the fact that residents will be allowed to have pets. 4. 42 Main St. – Mixed Use Office/Retail Development – MNR Realty Greg Mazur, MNR Realty, applicant, came before the Board to present plans for a mixed use building on Main St. and Walcott St. Ms. McGuinness noted the large blank wall on the west façade facing Hopkinton Drug, and Mr. Mazur referred to restrictions on the amount of glazed window space. The Board suggested he consider adding panels, false windows, or some other architectural element to break up this large, uninterrupted expanse. The Board discussed the potential security concerns regarding the alleyway access and the pros and cons of perhaps gating the area after the businesses are closed. It was suggested that Mr. Mazur consult with the Police Dept. about any concerns and possible recommendations. Mr. Mazur stated he plans to have two signs, a pylon sign on Main St. and another sign on the Walcott St. side. He will return to the Design Review Board with more detailed plans for lighting and signage. The Board felt the landscape plan as presented seemed adequate. The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Claire Wright Approved: February 18, 2014 Documents used at the Meeting  Agenda for January 21, 2014 Design Review Board meeting  50 and 60 West Main St., Hopkinton (Golden Pond), signage plans prepared by Barlo Signs, dated 1/6/14; Design Review Board review sign-off sheets, dated January 21, 2014  Hayden Woods – Typical Foundation Planting Plan, prepared by J.D. Marquedant & Associates Inc. dated January 19, 2014; Landscape Plan, prepared by J.D. Marquedant & Associates Inc. dated January 6, 2014; Elevation Drawings, prepared by Allan Mascord Design Associates, Inc. dated 09/18/06 received January 15, 2014; Elevation Drawings and Roof Plans, prepared by Roche -Christopher Architecture, LLC, dated 1-14-14  Hopkinton Retirement Residence – Site Plans, Elevation Drawings, Exterior Materials, Landscape and Lighting Plans, prepared by Lenity Architecture, revised through January 15, 2014, some undated, Exterior Lighting Cut Sheets