TOWN OF MANCHESTER, VERMONT
DESIGN ADVISORY BOARD (DAB) MINUTES
August 30, 2023
KILBURN MEETING ROOM
Committee Attendees: Joelle Greenland, John Watanabe via zoom, Mary Shoener & Ray Nevin
Staff Attendees: Peter Brabazon, Zoning Administrator
Public Attendees: Sam Johnson, Frank Parent, Long Trail Engineering, Vallis Goodermote & Chip Edson Flying Cow Signs
Brabazon initiated recording. Greenland called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
Greenland asked for a motion to approve Minutes of July 26th 2023 and motion was made by Shoener seconded by Watanabe.
The motion carried 4-0
Sam’s Pizza, 4532 Main Street, Exterior signs for new location.
Application 2023-08-068, Tax map Id 36-50-42.00
Applicant (Sam) is purchasing a new location and will be re-using two existing signs from the prior location (4778 Main Street, Manchester) - one from the side and another one from the front of the building, which is larger. All signs were previously approved by the DAB. An additional sign will be placed in the multi-sign location on Main Street to replace the Bee’s Hallmark sign (i.e. Josiah Allen, etc.).
While fine with the proposed signs, Watanable wanted to ensure that everyone was aware that the new location will be subject to the Development Review Board’s (DRB) approval. The DRB meeting is scheduled for Wednesday September 6, 2023. Greenland asked about sign lighting. Sam indicated that light fixtures are already in place and he would propose using them and would adhere to all lighting requirements as outlined in the ordinance, i.e. 2700 to 3000 Kelvin for color, not more than 40 watts if LED lighting, and all light fixtures would be down casting).
After being asked if there would be any changes to the exterior of the building, Sam said he was considering outdoor seating, but probably not until next spring.
Having no further questions Nevin made a motion to approve the signs as proposed subject to the DRB moving forward with approval at the next meeting. seconded by Shoener. The motion carried 4-0 in favor.
Red Clover Community Wellness LLC, Madeline Mindich, New wall sign and application for multitenant sign, Application 2023-08-057, Tax Map ID 31-50-05.00
Applicant not present for meeting and could not be reached by phone. This application will be moved to the next scheduled DAB meeting.
Staff gave a brief overview of the application as submitted. The applicant wishes to add one new wall sign and one new free standing sign. However, there is already an existing fee standing sign for the other tenant. (Only one freestanding sign is permitted per lot - zoning district is MU -1, Table 10-1, under freestanding sign). Staff suggested that they incorporate the other tenant in a new multiple tenant freestanding sign.
Due to the regulation issues, the Board agreed to table the application in order for staff to discuss the subject sign issues with applicant.
Aunt Bonnies, 4943 & 4945 Main Street. New revised blade and wall sign for the side of the building, Application 2023-07-058 Tax ID 36-50-43.00
Having been in front of the DAB on multiple occasions and wanting the current status on the record, Greenland asked the applicant if there were any signs already in place on the building. Applicant (Vallis) said that there is a sign mounted on the side of the building. Greenland questioned Vallis as to why she would mount a sign that she had not received approval from the Board at previous hearings and was also subject to this hearing. Vallis stated that she had registered it as a temporary sign and made it non-flexible to make it look better than a banner. Brabazon said that it was not clear if that was the correct application of the temporary sign provision in the ordinance and would look into the details as.
Greenland asked how the current sign revision differs from the previous submission. Chip Edson said that he understood that the difference between the two submissions was that the medallion would be carved and have some relief to it and also has been sized down.
Watanabe asked if the white background was still the bright white. The applicant indicated that the white background was not changed. Watanabe asked Brabazon to share with the applicant an email from the Town’s attorney Merrill. The email advised that the Design Advisory Board should consider the Design Guidelines for Manchester’s Commercial & Historic Districts (Guidelines).
Greenland reiterated that her new location is in the Historic District (Historic Main Street) and explained that the signs should fit within the character of that district. Greenland again referenced the Guidelines reading various excerpts from page 50.
Page 50 under Sign Design identifies three principles:
Signs should fit within and enhance the context and character of a district.
Signs should provide effective communication and guidance.
Signs should be lit evenly and clearly and without glare or light pollution.
In addition, the Patterns for Sign Design include the following:
Use of appropriate materials such as wood and metals are desirable in sign design and construction.
Avoid creating light pollution with light fixtures. Shielded and directed lighting is recommended.
Incorporate appropriate lighting options. Downlighting is preferred.
Signs should be the proper size in proportion to the building and site.
Employ contrast and clarity in sign design; reflect the architecture, history or use of the site in the design.
There is a fine line between too much vs. too little embellishment on a sign face. Simpler signs with only the minimum necessary amount of information are easier to read and more effective.
Use a hierarchy of information to include a main sign that identifies the complex as the destination, with individual stores identified on their building fronts as well as in an outdoor directory.
Greenland posed the question to the applicant relative to how does this sign fit within the Historic District. Examples of all of the signs in the district were provided to the Board at the time of the meeting. It was commented on that all of the signs were representing mostly muted colors of natural historic hues (browns, tan, beige, blues, reds) all of the colors were paired to have a muted and blended into the district. There were no examples that represented the sharp contrasts noted in the applicants proposal and therefore the Board felt that it was not in keeping with the guidelines of the Historic District nor the character of the district itself.
Neven explained the contrast of the colors was the area of most concern. Watanabe voiced his opinion that the bright colors were the objection that he has on the proposed sign and suggested that Chip Edson has a familiarity with the signs that are in the district currently.
The applicant advised that she will elect to move forward through an appeal process after the application is denied. Staff advised that should the Board deny the application; the process would be for her to contact the Town Clerk’s office to be put on the agenda to appeal the Administrative decision.
Nevin motioned to deny the application as proposed seconded by Shoener. The motion carried 4-0
Special meeting minutes for June 7th 2023
Mary Shoener made a motion to approve the meeting minutes seconded by Watanabe. The motion passed 3-0-1 (Greenland abstaining as she was absent and excused from that meeting.)
With no additional business Nevin made a motion to adjourn the meeting and seconded by Shoener. The motion carried 4-0 Meeting Adjourned at 5:48 pm
Next Meeting scheduled for September 27th at 5:00 PM
___________________________________________ _______________________
For the Design Advisory Board Date