HomeMy WebLinkAboutZBA 04/03/2018Town of Mansfield RECEIVED
Zoning Board of Appeals Minutes TOt1vN `1f..FRK$ OFFICE
April 3, 2018 2018
AUG —3 A Ilt 41
The Zoning Board of Appeals held its regular meeting in the Town Hall, Mansfield, NA at 7:30 pm. Present at the
hearing were the following members: Elisabeth Garber -Miller, Chair; Darlenepttit'tiEt$jj$w Cummings;
Philip Shannon; Associate Member Eric Correira; Associate Member Ryan Maxw I . `` Sfa CHH ETTS
1. Meeting opened at 7:30 pm.
2. Mansfield Municipal Complex, 500 East Street, Map 31, Parcel 37.
The Chair read the public hearing notice for the application of Town of Mansfield for a Variance from Zoning By -
Law Section 230-4.7 D, Permitted Signs, to allow for a freestanding sign larger than allowed. The proposal is to
replace the existing sign with one ten -foot (10') high, two panel sign at 500 East Street, the Mansfield Municipal
Complex, (Assessor's Map 31, Parcel 37) in the Residential 1 (131) zone. The top panel, a directional sign for the
Police, Fire and Public Works Departments, is proposed to be 6'x9" wide by 5' high. The bottom panel, an
electronic message board, is proposed to be 6'x9" wide by 2'x9" high.
The following documents were introduced at the public hearing:
• Application for Variance, filed with the Town Clerk's office January 26, 2018;
• A copy of the public hearing notice;
• "Town of Mansfield New Public Safety & DPW Municipal Complex 500 East Street, Site Layout Plan" and
"Decorative Sign Location" dated October 31, 2017, prepared by Kaestle Boos Associates, Inc.
Eric Correira was appointed a voting member for this public hearing
Michael Ahern, DPW Special Project Manager for the Town of Mansfield, explained the proposed 6'x9" wide by 5'
high, two-sided sign to identify the three departments located in the new Municipal Complex, Police, Fire and
Public Works, will replace the existing smaller sign at the DPW Garage at 500 East Street. He said the bottom panel
of the sign will be a 6'9" wide by 2'x9" high electronic message board. The sign will be located ten feet off the
right-of-way and 60 feet of the intersection of Route 106 and East Street.
Ms. Garber -Miller asked if there would be only one ingress/egress for the complex. Mr. Ahern said there would be
two entrances, one to the left of the proposed sign and a second entrance to the right for employees and the
Mansfield Fish and Game Club. Ms. Garber -Miller asked if they would need a second sign; Mr. Ahern said there
would be only one sign.
Ms. Garber -Miller asked if the sign would be illuminated by projected lighting on the ground. Mr. Ahern said the
sign would be ground -lit. Ms. Garber -Miller asked if there would be any scrolling with the electronic message
board. Ms. Pruitt asked if there would be scrolling if there were more than one event happening in town. Mr.
Ahern said the intent is to not have any scrolling messages. Ms. Garber -Miller noted the by-law does not allow
scrolling.
There were no public comments.
Mr. Cummings made the motion to grant a Variance from Zoning By -Law Section 230-4.7 D, Permitted Signs, to
allow for a freestanding sign larger than allowed at 500 East Street, the Mansfield Municipal Complex, (Assessor's
Map 31, Parcel 37) in the Residential 1 (131) zone, in accordance with the plan "Town of Mansfield New Public
Safety & DPW Municipal Complex 500 East Street, Site Layout Plan" and "Decorative Sign Location" dated October
31, 2017, prepared by Kaestle Boos Associates, Inc. Mr. Shannon seconded the motion.
Discussion:
Ms. Garber -Miller said clearly, a larger sign is needed for the multiple tenants.
Mr. Correira said it is a public safety concern.
Motion passed 5-0-0.
Hearing ended at 7:40 pm.
3. Hilco Real Estate, LLC, 11 Cabot Boulevard, Map 44, Parcel 214.
The Chair read the public hearing notice for the application of Sign Design on behalf of Hilco Real Estate,LLC for a
Variance from Zoning By -Law Section 230-4.7 B(1), Freestanding Signs, to allow for two (2) freestanding signs at 11
Cabot Boulevard (Assessor's Map 44, Parcel 214) in the Planned Business District (PBD), which allows one (1)
freestanding sign per building. The first pylon sign is approximately 11.5 feet high, double -sided and 46 square
feet in total size, with two (2) tenant panels, each approximately 27 square feet. The second wayfinding sign is
approximately 6.25 feet high and single -sided.
The following documents were introduced at the public hearing:
• Application for Variance, filed with the Town Clerk's office February 15, 2018;
• A copy of the public hearing notice;
• Sign Design - Sheets 01-05 dated September 28, 2017
Eric Correira was appointed a voting member for this public hearing.
Ms. Garber -Miller noted the plan submitted with the application does not show the exact location of the signs
Scott Clement, Sign Design Inc., said the proposed sign will replace an existing sign; the frame and concrete base
for the existing sign are still in place.
There were no public comments
Ms. Pruitt asked why two signs are proposed. Mr. Clement explained the first sign is the main street sign for
identification purposes and the second sign is a wayfinding sign; he said the property will be subdivided so it will
be important to let people know which way to go for each tenant. Ms. Pruitt asked if the second tenant will have a
wall sign. Mr. Clement said, because the main building does have a wall sign, the zoning by-law does not allow for
the tenant to have an additional wall sign, but if allowed, the sign will be difficult to see because the tenant
building will be located at the backside of the parking lot.
Ms. Garber -Miller said she does not have an issue with the directional sign but the main sign, when compared to
the other signs in the area is very large; she said the way the sign is designed is not consistent with the other signs
in the area. She asked if there would be additional tenants. Mr. Clement said he believes there will only be two
tenants. He agreed the sign is outside what is normal for the industrial park but if the proposed sign was single -
sided, they would be allowed a total of 45 square feet if the sign were perpendicular to the street. He said it is a
high-end sign.
Ms. Pruitt asked if the sign would be internally lit. Mr. Clement said the sign will be internally illuminated, with
only the lettering for the address and tenant panels illuminated at night. Mr. Shannon asked if the sign would be
on a timer or will it be continually illuminated. Mr. Clement said the sign would be on a timer.
Ms. Garber -Miller said she would be more concerned with the signs if the property was abutting a residential area.
Jim Quinn, Signs by Tomorrow, said directional signs are needed in an industrial park; he noted it is unusual to
have small and low to the ground directional signs.
Mr. Correira said he has an issue with the main sign but not with the directional sign
Ms. Garber -Miller said the Applicant would need a full plan showing the location and dimensions of the main sign
and the exact location of the wayfinding sign. Mr. Shannon said the plan should show the property setbacks.
Jeffrey Laurin, Hilco Real Estate, said Integra LifeSciences and an automation group will be the tenants. He said
when driving in the industrial park it is hard to read the existing signs.
Ms. Garber -Miller suggested a plan with a smaller designed sign should be submitted for review; Mr. Laurin said
they will reduce the height of the sign. He said all branding and logos have been removed, with only the names of
the tenants on the sign.
Mr. Shannon made the motion to continue the hearing for Sign Design on behalf of Hilco Real Estate,LLC for a
Variance from Zoning By -Law Section 230-4.7 B(1), Freestanding Signs, to allow for two (2) freestanding signs at 11
Cabot Boulevard (Assessor's Map 44, Parcel 214) in the Planned Business District (PBD) to May 1, 2018. Mr.
Correira seconded the motion. Motion passed 5-0-0.
Hearing ended at 7:58 pm.
4. Cosmic Stone & Tile, 50 Hampden Road, Map 44, Parcel 703
The Chair read the public hearing notice for the application of Signs by Tomorrow on behalf of Cosmic Stone & Tile
for a Variance from Zoning By -Law Section 230-4.7 B(1), Freestanding Signs, to allow for one (1) additional
freestanding sign at 50 Hampden Road (Assessor's Map 44, Parcel 703) in the Planned Business District (PBD),
which allows on (1) freestanding sign per building. The proposed sign is 36 inches (36") high and 60 inches (60")
wide.
The following documents were introduced at the public hearing:
• Application for Variance, fled with the Town Clerk's office March 7, 2018;
• A copy of the public hearing notice
• Design of the sign by Signs by Tomorrow
Jim Quinn, Signs by Tomorrow, said this is a 100,000 square -foot building with trucks entering the property daily
He said the existing sign is a monument sign with three tenant panels and when it snows almost the entire sign is
covered; the existing monument sign will not be removed. The new sign will be located at the driveway for
employee parking and truck entrance. He said the applicant applied for and received a building permit for the sign,
the sign was made and paid for, but when the building inspector came out to inspect the footings for the sign, he
informed the owner he would have to apply for a variance.
Ms. Garber -Miller said the Applicant will need to submit an engineer -stamped certified plot plan showing the
setbacks and the location of the new sign. Mr. Quinn said a certified plot plan would cost more than the sign and
said the owner of the building would not have moved forward with the additional sign if the building inspector had
not approved the sign.
Ms. Garber -Miller suggested the hearing be continued to give the Applicant time to get a certified plot plan or
decide not to move forward with the additional sign.
Mr. Shannon made the motion to continue the hearing for the application of Signs by Tomorrow on behalf of
Cosmic Stone & Tile for a Variance from Zoning By -Law Section 230-4.7 B(1), Freestanding Signs, to allow for one
(1) additional freestanding sign at 50 Hampden Road (Assessor's Map 44, Parcel 703) in the Planned Business
District (PBD) to May 1, 2018. Mr. Cummings seconded the motion. Motion passed 5-0-0.
Hearing ended at 8:15 pm
5. Becca Clifford, Sign Design, Inc., 200 Gilbert Street, Map 3, Parcel 122.
Application of Becca Clifford, Sign Design, Inc., on behalf of M&P Holdings, Inc. for a Variance from Section 230-
4.78(1), Signs, of the Zoning By -Law to allow one freestanding sign with less than the required ten foot (10')
setback from the street at 200 Gilbert Street (Assessor's Map 3, Parcel 122) in the Industrial 2 (12) zone.
Kathleen Duperron, Jordi Labs LLC, sent an email dated March 29, 2018 requesting a continuance to May 1, 2018.
Mr. Shannon made the motion to continue the hearing for 200 Gilbert Street to May 1, 2018. Ms. Pruitt seconded
the motion. Motion passed 5-0-0.
Hearing ended at 8:15 pm.
6. Wireless Telecommunications Structure, Eco -Site, Inc., 251 Branch Street, Map 34, Parcels 10 and 101.
This application is for a Variance from Zoning By -Law Section 230-3.6(G)(4)(g), Wireless Communication Towers, to
allow the construction of a wireless telecommunications facility with less than the required setback from the
nearest residential structure at 251 Branch Street (Assessor's Map 34, Parcels 10 and 101) in the Industrial 2 (12)
zone.
Ricardo M. Sousa, Attorney for Eco -Site & T -Mobile, requested the hearing for 251 Branch Street be continued to
May 1, 2018.
Mr. Shannon made the motion to continue the hearing for 251 Branch Street to May 1, 2018. Mr. Cummings
seconded the motion. Motion passed 5-0-0.
7. New Business:
8. Old Business:
Motion to approve the March 6, 2018 minutes subject to the corrections: page 1 - reconstruction of a pre-
existing, non -conforming structure with less than the required front yard and rear yard setbacks at 10
Columbine and page 2 — plan to build the house in [two days], changed to will be building two days a
week. (Shannon/Pruitt) Motion passed 5-0-0.
The annual report from Citizens' Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA) dated February 2, 2018 for the Village
at Cedar Heights, a Chapter 40B rental development approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals has been received
along with an Audited Financial Statement for the year ending December 31, 2016.
9. Adjournment:
Motion to adjourn at 8:50 pm (Shannon/Pruitt). Motion passed 5-0
Next meeting will be May 1, 2018 at 7:30 pm.
arlene Pruitt, Clerk Date