HomeMy Public PortalAbout20110201 - Design Review Board - Meeting Minutes
1
HOPKINTON DESIGN REVIEW BOARD
Tuesday, February 1, 2011 7:30 PM
Town Hall, 18 Main St., Hopkinton, MA
MINUTES
Members Present: Jeanette Thomson, Chairman, Sue-Ellen Stoddard, Claire Wright, Ria
McNamara, Gail Fallon, Fin Perry
Member absent: Jeff Doherty
Elaine Lazarus, Director of Land Use, Planning & Permitting
1. 63 Main Street – Hiller’s Cleaners – Site Plan Review
George Vrahliotis, owner, Miguel Linera, architect, and Dave Marquedant, surveyor, appeared
before the Board. Mr. Linera described the changes made to the front elevation since the last
meeting. He noted that the front canopy was lowered by 8 inches, the soffit was eliminated and
rake returns added, and the vent was removed. He stated the canopy roof is no longer green
because it would not be easy to match the various green materials on the building, so it will have
asphalt shingles. He noted that the siding in the gable has also been changed, and the brick has
been removed from under the windows in favor of raised panels. He stated the building will
have green trim and green signs. He stated they are looking at making the awning the same color
as the siding or a cream color, but they will need to see some samples. He stated if they don’t
find a hunter green trim for the windows, then they will likely be bronze. Board members stated
that either would be ok, but that they would like to see the final color palette at some point before
construction. Mr. Linera stated he added horizontal elements on the and west sides of the
building, as discussed at the last meeting.
The size of the windows in the front gable was discussed. The Board stated that the design was
good to start with and it is even better.
Mr. Doherty arrived at this time.
The Board discussed the size and design of the signage. The Board felt that a 10’ x 5’ wall sign
would be too big in relation to the windows above it, with the top of the sign possibly touching
the window frame. It was stated that the signs would have a hunter green background with gold
leaf lettering.
Ms. Thomson asked about the soffit underside, and Mr. Linera stated it would be a solid
material, possibly bead board.
Mr. Vrahliotis referred to the lighting for the wall sign, stating that he wanted to have three lights
over the sign rather than the two shown. The Board noted that with the arch in the middle of the
sign and the window above it there may be no room for a fixture, and it would be best to have the
two fixtures as shown without one in the center.
2
Ms. Wright asked about the doors, and Mr. Linera stated they would be aluminum to match the
windows. Ms. Wright referred to the awning colors, noting that sometimes light colors get
discolored over time.
Mr. Vrahliotis stated that he would like the standing sign to be 9 ft. tall, and noted that the posts
would be the same green as the sign. Ms. Thomson and Ms. McNamara stated that 9’ would
result in too much space between the ground and the bottom of the sign, as designed. Mr.
Vrahliotis stated he is concerned with snow coving the bottom of the sign. The Board discussed
with the applicant the optimal sign height with respect to visibility from moving vehicles. Mr.
Doherty stated the monument signs at the Mobil and Cumberland Farms gas stations near Rt. 495
are easily seen, and the snow can be cleared if it gets in the way. He noted that signs that are too
tall can detract from the appearance of the building. The Board recommended that a good size
relationship would be for the sign to be about one foot shorter than the bottom of the front
canopy roof, noting that the building is not set back very far from the sign.
Patty Bianchi, Hopkinton Independent, stated that a higher sign allows for landscaping
underneath it.
The consensus of the Board was that the 7 ft. height shown on one of the sign drawings
submitted would be best. Mr. Linera offered to do a sign mockup during construction and see if
a higher sign would be acceptable. The Board stated that would be fine, and Ms. Wright
suggested looking at some existing signs to get ideas.
Mr. Marquedant showed the Board the light fixtures proposed, consisting of a shoebox style in
the parking lot, gooseneck fixtures with a black finish on the wall sign, gooseneck fixtures on the
rear and side of the building, and recessed fixtures under the canopy.
Mr. Perry stated that he is very impressed with the design for the site.
The Board voted unanimously to approve the design as submitted. The Board noted that it
would like the applicant to return for discussion when they have a color scheme selected.
2. Administrative Business
The Board voted unanimously to approve the Minutes of the Jan. 25, 2011 meeting.
The Board decided to set up a meeting to discuss and suggest changes to the Design Guidelines.
The Board decided to meet on March 1, 2011 at 7:00 pm for this purpose, with members to come
with ideas.
Adjourned: 8:30 PM
Elaine Lazarus, Director of Land Use, Planning & Permitting
Approved: March 22, 2011
3
Documents used at meeting:
Plan – Proposed North and West building Elevations, 63 Main St., dated 2/1/11 prepared by A.I.
Architecture, Interior Design
Plan – Proposed South and East building Elevations, 63 Main St., dated 2/1/11 prepared by A.I.
Architecture, Interior Design
January 25, 2011 Minutes