Historic District Commission
December 18, 2007
Minutes
Land Use Meeting Room
Members Present: ~ Acting Chair Jason Berger, JB; Elaine Steinert, ES; Kate McNulty-Vaughn, KM-V; Jim Harwood, JH
Members absent with notification: Chair Ken Fowler, KF;
Staff present: Peggy Ammendola, PA, Land Use Clerk
Minutes:
December 4, 2007-KM-V made a motion to approve the minutes as written and JB seconded the motion. The Commission voted to approve 4-0.
Gabel Real Estate, 69 Church Street Map 43 Parcel 180, signs. Making the presentation was Tim McEachern. Mr. McEachern requested three signs; one would be on the sign board (directory) placed near the sidewalk. This sign would measure 8” by 36”. The second sign would measure 21 ½ inches by 30 inches and be placed on the building (located in the rear) to the right of the door. The third sign would hang overhead between posted beams. The signs requested are for the identical locations and sizes of the previous business, Ferrin Gallery. Ferrin had a fourth sign which faced the alley, so Mr. McEachern’s request calls for less signage than existed. Mr. McEachern also said that this building has four bays, with each of the three other businesses
having the hanging signs. Without the fourth, it appears off balance.
The Commission explained to Mr. McEachern that in general, one sign is allowed. Understanding that his office would be an off street location, the Commission felt that two signs would be appropriate.
JH made a motion that the Commission accept two signs as historically appropriate. (One sign would be for the directory that would measure 8” by 38” and the other would be for placement on the exterior wall of the business and would measure 21 ½” by 30”. JB seconded the motion and the Commission voted to approve 4-0.
Sign violations: Once again this issue was discussed with the key issue being enforcement. KM-V is working on the re-write of the Zoning Bylaw and she offered to look into the section of the bylaw which regulates signs. It was agreed that the Building Inspector should require all applicants with property in the Historic District to come before the HDC.
Historic District Letter: KM-V said that the Commission needs to determine the strategy for the follow up to the HDC letter.
Historical Commission: The invitation for a coffee hour with the Historical Commission at the home of an HC member was discussed. It was decided to put on the agenda for the next HDC meeting.
JH made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:50 PM and JB seconded the motion. The Commission voted to agree 4-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Peggy Ammendola
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