Town of Wellesley, Massachusetts

The Municipal Light Plan submitted plans indicating where small trees have been planted to try and mitigate the Design Review Board's concerns over the lack of visual screening of the site. The Board also received an email indicating the outside lighting has been modified to provide a reduction in glare. The Board reviewed the planting plan and noted the MLP's efforts to improve the screening and lighting on the site and felt an improvement is clearly visible.

Mr. Wojtusik, from Creative Dimensions, came before the Board representing the Citibank application. Mr. Wojtusik gave a brief presentation stating the proposal includes the installation of two internally illuminated wall signs, one interior Smith Barney sign, and one exterior Financial Center sign. The 2 proposed halo sign boxes would measure 15' wide by 3' high and would have a blue background with white letters and a red logo marker and would read "Citibank" in 12" letters. The proposed interior sign would measure 3.5' wide by 1' high a would read "Smith Barney" in 4" blue internally illuminated letters and would be located in the front left window. The front non illuminated sign would measure 6' wide by 1' high and would read "Financial Center" in 4" silver letters on a white background.

Mr. Grissino began the discussion by noting the application and description are straightforward. Mr. Grissino noted internally illuminated signs in this area will be difficult and would require a Special Permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals. Mr. Wojtusik noted he was only representing the application, but having seen the location agreed with Mr. Grissino that the internal illumination did not fit.

Mr. Grissino noted the scale and balance of the signs are fine, but the illumination is not appropriate. Mr. Broder noted the lettering appears too small for the sign. MR. Broder noted the previous sign, Marco Polo, was simplistic and elegant.

Mr. Grissino questioned if the design preferred is the logo on a field. Mr. Hand noted the sign background is silver metallic. Mr. Hand recommended the sign use gooseneck lights and increase the letter height to 14".

Mr. Wojtusik questioned if backlit signs are allowed. The Board noted that silhouette illumination is allowed by right, however light cannot pass through the sign otherwise it is still considered internally illuminated.

Mr. Broder noted he would like to see where additional signage could be placed including if an ATM was going to be installed. Mr. Grissino agreed and noted a comprehensive package should be submitted with all signs that will be able to be seen from the outside.

Mr. Grissino noted the design should work with the character of the street and he felt the internal illumination in this particular location would be tough to achieve from both the DRB and the ZBA. Mr. Grissino recommended the sign increase the letter height to 14" and look at either external illumination or silhouette illumination.

Mr. Wojtusik asked if a raceway would be acceptable. Mr. Grissino noted if it were to mount the letters on a background for wiring that would be acceptable. Mr. Grissino questioned if the fenestration on the front and rear of the building were to remain the same, and questioned if it is going to be changed. Mr. Grissino noted the Design Review Board would need to review the proposal.

Ms. Jill Bernstein and Ms. Kate Klenk came before the Board for review of two proposed standing signs to be located at the Sprague School at 401 School Street. The signs are being proposed by the PTO. The main double-sided sign would be located at the front of the school. The sign would measure 5.75 feet wide by 2.25 feet high and would stand 4.25 feet above grade. A second sign is proposed to be located at the rear of the building along Oak Street. The sign would measure 4 feet wide by 2.25 feet high and would stand 4.25 feet above grade. Both of the signs would be composed of a light teal background with silver individually affixed letters that would not exceed 14" in height. Both signs would read "Sprague School".

Mr. Grissino began the discussion by questioning why the two signs were needed. The Applicants stated the intent of the signs is to label the main and rear entrances of the school. The Applicants noted Bill Crosby, a sign maker from Concord designed the sign using architectural details from the building including the arched top of the sign echoing the arches along the walkway to the front door, the lettering matches the existing school logo, the top of the sign posts echoes the roof line at the beginning of the walkway to the front door, and the color matches the color of the I-beams and columns existing

The Board after a brief discussion established the proposed signs meet the Design Review Guidelines, but would need to seek a special permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals. The Board moved, seconded, and voted unanimously to:

Ms. Ruth Treittian and Ms. Linda Lufty Clayton came before the Board for review of a new awning sign to be installed at the Clever Hand Gallery at 52 Central Street. The proposed awning would replace the existing which measures 141" wide by 36 " deep. The awning fabric would be replaced in the existing turquoise color. The applicants are requesting that the existing "Clever Hand Gallery" in 7" letters remain on the front, and additionally the words "Clever Hand" be added in 9" letters on both side valences of the awning.

The Applicants gave a brief presentation stating the awning proposal is almost identical to the current awning. The awning it was noted would stop at the glass to allow light into the store. The font of the graphics is slight different. The awning is a small awning and the Applicants felt the side graphics would better catch the attention of pedestrians.

Ms. Carls questioned the necessity for the numerous logos on one awning. Mr. Skolnick noted the store is tucked in between two larger stores Kaps and Talbot's and he felt the added signage would be helpful. Mr. Skolnick noted the larger buildings only need one sign due to their size, but because of their size the small awning for the Clever Hand becomes difficult to read. Ms. Carls felt three names on one awning was excessive and felt the Board would be setting a precedent. Mr. Skolnick noted the Board recently approved lettering on the side of an awning for the LF Store which has one open end of its awning facing the sidewalk.

Mr. Grissino gave a brief update on his attendance to the ZBA meeting regarding the proposed internal illumination for CVS. Mr. Grissino noted the neighbors were concerned over internal illumination and that the ZBA requested the signage for Roche Bros., CVS, and Citizens Bank are reviewed in a comprehensive manner. Mr. Grissino noted that it appears as though internal illumination will be prohibited from all buildings located in the Linden Square development.

The Board had been asked to review the possibility of having a second story sign located on the 190 Linden Street building for a tenant that would occupy the entire second story. The Developers placed a faux board on the exterior of the building to indicate the size of the second floor sign they had envisioned. The Board reviewed the signage.

Mr. Skolnick stated he felt the business needed a sign facing Linden Street and the second story signage would be appropriate. Ms. Carls was completely against the second story signage. Mr. Skolnick pointed out the tenant has the entire floor and felt to prevent precedent the Board could institute a policy that required a tenant to occupy more than 50% of the floor if this issue should arise later.

Mr. Grissino noted that Harvard Pilgrim had a difficult time getting the proposed upper story signage for their building located along Route 128. The ZBA was against the advertising of the business and felt the upper story signage was similar to a billboard.

The Board discussed that few businesses have this particular situation where retail and service of a large nature are located on a second floor. Mr. Broder agreed with Mr. Skolnick and felt the store was entitled to some visibility. Ms. Carls felt an alternative must be explored.

Mr. Grissino noted he was struggling with the design after seeing the mock up and that he was less comfortable with the idea. Mr. Grissino noted conditions could be placed on the approval and that the approval would need a special permit. Ms. Carls felt a solution should be found on the first floor of the business.

After a lengthy discussion it was noted the Board had mixed feelings about the second story sign and was interested in seeing alternatives and creative solutions to the visibility problem and is leery of setting a precedent with second floor signage.