HomeMy Public PortalAbout20130509 - Design Review Board - Meeting Minutes1
HOPKINTON DESIGN REVIEW BOARD
MEETING MINUTES
Thursday, May 9, 2013 7:00 PM
Town Hall, 18 Main St., Hopkinton, MA
Members Present: Jeffrey Doherty, Ria McNamara, Sue-Ellen Stoddard
Members Absent: Jeanette Thomson, Claire Wright, Gail Fallon
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM.
Dunkin Donuts – 78 West Main St. – Representatives of Dunkin Donuts described
the revised plan for a one-story 2,698 sq. ft. Dunkin Donuts store. It was noted
that the pole-mounted light fixtures would be 22 feet high, and Mr. Doherty
recommended reducing it to 12 feet. The use of bollard lighting was discussed,
with the applicant noting that they don’t feel as though there would be enough
light.
Mr. Doherty stated that the roofline looks too massive and needs to be broken
up. The applicant stated they would look at using dormers in the front for that
purpose. Ms. McNamara stated that the building needs to be addressed on all
four sides, as they will all be very visible. The applicant stated they would look at
incorporating panels on the exterior walls to break up the linear look.
The Board discussed signage, and Mr. Doherty suggested gold leaf letters on the
sign. Ms. Stoddard asked if the size of the standing sign could be reduced, now
that there will only be one tenant in the building. The applicant stated they
would look at reducing it by two feet. The Board discussed black letters on a
white background or matching the store sign for the entrance and exit signs, and
recommended that the directional signs be directional in nature only, without the
corporate logo.
Ms. Stoddard stated that the round columns would be better if they were single
instead of double. Ms. McNamara asked that a sample of the awning material be
provided for review.
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The Board noted that the 18 LED lights on the front of the building seems
excessive. It was noted that there would be an average of 2 foot-candles across
the site. Ms. McNamara noted that there were too many different building styles
used in the design, and it was requested that a more authentic look could be
presented with the use of one style only.
The Board decided to provide the following comments and recommendations to
the Planning Board:
1. The parking lot lights would be mounted at 22 feet. The Board noted that
the poles would be taller than much of the building, and recommends that
the poles be reduced in height to 12 feet. Bollard lighting may be effective
in some areas.
2. Eighteen LED lights in the front of the building seems excessive, and the
overall light level should be reviewed.
3. The exterior architectural design of the building seems to incorporate
elements of many disparate styles. The Board recommended that it be
redesigned with a more authentic look in one style.
4. The roof looks quite massive and measures should be taken in order to
break up the mass.
5. All four sides of the building will be visible, given the location and the site
design. The Board felt that the rear and left elevations, which have long
expanses of blank walls, should include additional architectural treatment
to break up these areas.
6. Pairs of columns are used on each side of the entrances. The Board
recommended a single column on each side of the door instead.
7. The Board reviewed the signage as provided on the site plan, which was
incomplete due to the missing panel of the pylon sign. The Board noted
that the size of this sign, as proposed, is quite tall and large for a single
tenant location. The applicant indicated that the height could be reduced
by two feet.
79 Hayden Rowe Street - Hopkinton Pediatric Dental Associates – Richard
Brousseau, architect, described the proposed one story addition to the building,
and the expansion of the parking lot by six spaces. He noted that the addition
would be very similar architecturally to the rest of the building. It was noted that
the HVAC unit on the ground would be screened and there would be no change in
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lighting, signage, color or roof materials. The Board noted that the addition
would be consistent with the existing building.
Adjourned: 8:15 PM
Approved: June 11, 2013
Documents used at the meeting:
Site Plan set – 79 Hayden Rowe St., Hopkinton Pediatric Dental Associates, prepared by Richard
Brousseau, architect, dated 4/30/13
Site Plan set – 78 West Main St., Dunkin Donuts, prepared by Bohler Engineering, dated 4/29/13