TOWN OF MANCHESTER, VERMONT
DESIGN ADVISORY COMMITTEE (DAC) MINUTES
Committee Attendees: Joelle Greenland, John Watanabe, Ramsay Gourd.
Staff Attendees: Janet Hurley (Planning & Zoning Director).
Public Attendees: Steven Bryant, Frank Parent, Tom Hoffman, Douglas Boyce, Paul Bogossian, Michael & Carolina Ellenbogan, Chip Edson, Ron Levene, Sam Johnson.
Hurley began recording. Greenland called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. with committee members Greenland and Watanabe present via Zoom. Greenland stated that the committee was authorized to meet electronically by addendum 6 of executive order 01-20 and Act 92 of the Vermont legislature in response to the COVID-19 threat. Gourd joined the meeting.
1. Pearl’s Place, 1942 Depot Street, Revised site and landscaping plan. Application 2020-11-100.
Gourd recused himself as he serves on the applicant team for this project. Watanabe asked for clarification concerning electric power lines as shown on the site plan. Hurley displayed the site plan onscreen and Parent offered explanation. Greenland asked if all screening concerns of neighbors were addressed. Parent explained that there has been no agreement reached with the town on Butternut Lane improvements and that rear property line plantings would be delayed until such time as the pickup window service is pursued.
Watanabe asked if local examples of the proposed tree lighting were identified. Hurley displayed the tree lighting onscreen. Hoffman said there was not and explained that the lighting would be attached to limbs in the trees and only be used during foliated conditions. Gourd explained that it is not ground mounted uplighting and essentially would be mood lighting for the outdoor dining experience. Watanabe asked if it would be turned off after hours. Hoffman confirmed that it would be extinguished when not in use.
Gourd described the lighting coverage plans. Hurley displayed the lighting plan and fixture specifications. Gourd maintained that the plan is to provide the lowest safe level of illumination for the 200’ x 70’ parking lot with LED fixtures (illumination plan displayed for 40’ x 70’ block). Incandescent lighting is proposed for the dining area at 60 Watts or lower. The driveway entryway lights would match these incandescent lights. Hurley displayed the proposed bike rack and Parent pointed out the rack would be located on the site adjacent to the southeast corner of the main parking lot. Gourd said it would have a bronze finish to match the lighting. Hurley displayed the proposed horizontal wooden fencing.
Watanabe recommended approval of the plans and design elements as presented, Greenland seconded the motion. The motion carried 2-0-1, with Gourd recusing himself.
2. Shaw’s Drive & Go, 64 Equinox Terrace, Signage plan for Drive & Go service, Application 2021-03-016.
Boyce described the signage plan for Shaw’s Driveup & Go service while Hurley displayed application submittals. Boyce explained that Shaw’s is part of the national Albertson’s group of supermarkets, all of which are implementing this internet order service. Boyce is from Bailey Signs in Maine, for which Shaw’s is a longtime client. Boyce explained that the new signage is all on the town side of the site. Committee members confirmed there are no cart corrals, so that signage would not be installed on this site. Greenland asked if the color scheme was standard nationwide for the project. Boyce confirmed that it was.
Boyce described the proposed 18 sq. ft. wall mounted sign. It is a push though graphic that will be halo lit. Hurley confirmed that there were several signs illuminated in similar manner throughout the downtown, including for Highland Inn, Union Underground, and others. Greenland confirmed that the ordinance allows backlighting of opaque or cutout features (Section 10.11(5)). Boyce confirmed the graphics are opaque, so no light will pass through the sign elements, only around them. The specifications show 7100K color temperature on the lighting for this sign. Committee members indicated that 2700K is preferred and the ordinance prohibits more than 3000K color temperature (Section 10.11(4)). Boyce said he understood and would abide by the ordinance standard for color temperature.
Gourd motions to recommend approval as presented with the condition that sign lighting is limited to no more than 3000K color temperature. Watanabe seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0-0.
3. The Barn @ Center Hill, 106 Center Hill Road, New wall signage, Application 2021-03-018.
Levene described his proposal for a wall sign on the south side of the barn, while Hurley displayed the design plan. Levene confirmed that the “Antiques & Crafts” lettering would be removed. However, the “welcome” lettering is part of the existing stained glass window and will remain. Levene said the lettering on the west side of the barn has already been removed and the freestanding sign is installed as approved. Levene will return to the committee for review of any future lighting plans.
Watanabe recommended approval of the sign as presented. Gourd seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0-0.
4. Bogossian, 4566 Main Street, New parking and outdoor service plan for Haig’s Sports Bar, Application 2021-03-021.
Bogossian described plans to convert south side parking to fenced outdoor service with propane fire pits and seating. Hurley displayed elements of the plan onscreen as they were discussed. Bogossian said he would stain the fence a walnut brown color. Some front parking spaces would be for compact cars and three rear parking spaces would be for employees only. A bike rack is proposed to replace one of the lost parking spaces. Bogossian liked the idea of staining the bike rack red to match the building. He proposes adding some yellow sun decals to match the Season’s signage. He noted that many of his customers are guests at the Hampton Inn. Bogossian texts these customers when seating is open for them, and they walk over from the Hampton.
Bogossian noted that the fencing would be 8’ high and would have an alarmed emergency exit on the east side, Haig’s being a 21 years old and over establishment. He said Fire Marshall Jakubowski has approved the propane fire pit plan. They will be operated with an electronic switch with emergency shutoff. Watanabe asked where the fuel storage tank was located. Bogossian noted it was underground at the rear of the site. Hurley asked Parent if he could show this on a revised site plan submission. Parent confirmed that he could.
Gourd noted that only the 24 feet of fence at the west side of the site would be visible to the public. Bogossian pointed out that there will be an extended planting bed between the fence and the compact car parking here.
Gourd recommended approval of the plan as presented. Watanabe seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0-0.
5. Ellenbogan Gallery, 4620 Main Street, Freestanding and wall mounted signage plans, Application 2021-03-023.
M. and C. Ellenbogan presented the design plans while Hurley displayed application submittals onscreen. Colors are Sherman Williams Dark Knight, White, and Jalapeno. Acrylic cut out lettering are proposed for the north and south side wall signage. Gourd requested color chips be submitted. The pin mounted letters will be white on the black portion of the building and black on the white portion of the building. Gourd asked what the height of the “E” would be. M. Ellenbogan responded that is would be 11 inches.
An existing gooseneck light fixture on the north side would be matched with two such fixtures on the south side. Although M. Ellenbogan presented an alternative to the originally proposed wall sign for the west side of the building, committee members preferred the elegance of the originally proposed cut out letters over the alternative board sign. C. Ellenbogan suggested a wooden board and batten style covering of the existing freestanding metal sign structure. M. Ellenbogan added that the design of the panel for the freestanding sign structure is not finalized. Gourd recommended linear downlighting for the freestanding sign.
Gourd motioned to recommend approval of proposed cut out lettering for all of the wall mounted signage, and requested resubmittal of designs for the freestanding sign once finalized. Watanabe seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0-0.
6. Village Tile, 685 Depot Street, New signage plan, Application 2021-03-024.
Chip Edson described the signage plan while Hurley displayed application submittals. Two of the proposed signs are replacements for existing sign panels, and a third wall sign is proposed over the entrance to the expanded location at 689 Depot Street.
Gourd motioned to recommend approval as presented. Watanabe seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0-0.
7. Skinner Point Park, Center Hill Road & Depot Street, Preliminary landscape plans - report.
Hurley displayed the concept plan for Skinner Point Park as drafted by Tom Hoffman. She indicated that grant funding was not secured, but that she would reapply with significantly more money available in the second round. The current plan is to clear the site except for the existing mature oak tree, regrade the site, then plant the arborvitae “green fence” and lawn. Committee members asked where the sign would be. Hurley said there are no plans for the sign yet. She will keep the committee in the loop.
8. Sam’s Wood Fired Pizza, Co., 4478 Main Street, New freestanding sign, permanent shed roof addition and outdoor seating arrangement, Application 2021-03-022.
Hurley displayed application submittals and committee members discussed plans for a second freestanding sign and permanent open shed roof addition until Johnson joined the meeting. Hurley confirmed that Johnson had enough frontage for a second sign. Johnson explained that that he would like a one sided sign visible from the southbound approach from the roundabout. Committee members questioned whether there was enough room between the yield and crosswalk signs for the proposed 2’ x 7.5’ sign. Greenland noted it must maintain 3 feet from the sidewalk. Hurley displayed Google Streetview imagery that showed space between the yield and crosswalk signs. She suggested that Johnson stake out the sign in this location and document with photographs to be shared with committee members tomorrow. Johnson agreed to the idea.
Johnson confirmed the existing wall sign on the north side of the building will be removed along with the gooseneck light fixtures. He said he would like to mount this sign (a replica of the 15 sq. ft. panel he proposed for the second freestanding sign structure) on the south side of the building in the future. Hurley questioned whether it could be cut down to allowable size. Johnson though it could be, but this would be for a future application.
Johnson would like the shed roof to be a permanent feature of the building and site, so it needs design and site plan approval by the DRB. Committee members agreed that the structure is not adequately designed and finished as a permanent feature of the building. They suggested that Johnson reconsider keeping it under the temporary status until finishing features can be proposed that would be suitable for a permanent building addition. Hurley confirmed that the permit allowed for the roof structure on a seasonal basis for outdoor service in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. (“The seasonal shed roof shall be removed no later than June 1, 2021, and shall be reinstalled no earlier than October 15, 2021…”) Hurley indicated that she could issue a revised permit to allow the structure through the COVID-19 pandemic. Johnson invited committee members to share design recommendations to convert it to permanent in the interim. The committee decided to forgo a recommendation on the application until requested sign location details are shared.
9. Minutes of February 24, 2021.
Gourd motioned to approve the minutes of the February 24, 2021, meeting as prepared. Watanabe seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0-0.
10. Other Business
There was discussion about whether the “DAY-GLO” sign at Circa 50 was compliant with the regulations. Hurley said it certainly pushes the envelope of what is allowable, but that she does not think that it is explicitly in violation. Neon signs are not allowed, but this is technically black lighting of neon powder on metal chair frames seen through the cut out letters on the window sign. The window sign apparently does not exceed the 25% window coverage for that side of the building. Gourd pointed out that the nighttime lighting from the inside of the building is very noticeable. Committee members viewed the signage as allowable by loophole but that rewriting the ordinance to close such a loophole was not warranted.
The next meeting of the committee will be Wednesday, April 28, 2021.
Gourd motioned to adjourn. Watanabe seconded the motion. The motion carried and the meeting was adjourned at 7:13 p.m.
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For the Design Advisory Committee Date