HomeMy Public PortalAbout20140121 - Design Review Board - Meeting Minutes
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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.
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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
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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