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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10.08.2013 Tmtw of North Andover /*/0 ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS tkORTH Albert A Manzi III,Esq. Chairman 76 Associate Member Ellen A McIntyre, Vice-Chairman 0 Michael A Liporto 12, Richard J Byers,Esq. Clerk Deney Morganthal D. Paul Koch Jr.Esq. Doug Ludgin Allan Cuscia Xso Arso Zoning Enforcement Officer S US Gerald A. Brown DRAFT MINUTES Tuesday, October 8th 2013 at 7:30 PM Town Hall 120 Main Street,North Andover, Massachusetts Members present: Ellen McIntyre, and Allan Cuscia Associate Member: Michael Liporto, and Doug Ludgin Excused absence: Albert Manzi III Esq.,Deney Morganthal, Richard Byers, and D. Paul Koch Jr Mcintyre stated that she will be the acting Chairperson at tonight's meeting, since Manzi has an excused absence. McIntyre called the meeting to order at 7:30 Pledge of Allegiance Acceptance of Minutes for September 10,2013 Cuscia made the motion to approve the Minutes Ludgin second the motion. Those voting in favor to approve the minutes were McIntyre, Cuscia, Liporto and Ludgin. 4-0 Committee Reports Merrimack Valley Planning Commission and Committee Housing Partnership McIntyre stated that Byers is not here tonight to give us a report for the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission, and she also had no new report to give regarding the Committee Housing Partnership New Public Hearin Variance R-3 Petitioner Merrimack College Volpe Athletic Center(Map 25,Parcel 21). Ludgin opened up the public hearing and read the legal Notice. Petitioner is looking for a Variance; they are requesting from the Board 2 internally illuminated signs for the Volpe Athletic Center. McIntyre explained the voting process to Filipe Schwarz, regarding a 4-member Board. Swartz understood and wanted to go forward with tonight's hearing. Filipe Schwarz is representing Merrimack College and stated that they are looking for a Variance. Schwarz went on to say that they are requesting 2 internally illuminated signs for the Volpe Athletic Center. Page I of 3 October 8th, 2013 Town of North Andover ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS 0ORTF1 Albert P.Manzi III,Esq. Chairman 0 Associate Member Ellen P.McIntyre,Vice-Chairman 0 Michael P. Liporto Richard J Byers,Esq. Clerk Deney Morganthal D. Paul Koch Jr. Esq. mop m Doug Ludgin Allan Cuscia Zoning Enforcement Officer SAC Gerald A.Broitm Schwarz spoke of all the renovations that have been taken place with Merrimack College. He spoke of the many years that Merrimack College has been in North Andover and that they are looking forward to growing and improving the College. Schwarz was proud to say that the College now has 2 rinks. Swartz explained where the two signs would be located on the Merrimack College Campus. The two internally illuminated signs would be located on the outside building of the Volpe Athletic Center. He spoke of how the Volpe Center is in the middle of the campus and that many buffers exist around and alongside of the campus grounds. Schwarz spoke of how these illuminated signs could help those visiting to easily find the Volpe Athletic Center. Swartz passed out an aerial map to the Board and pointed out where the Volpe Center was in location to the entire campus. Schwarz spoke of the distance of the nearest residential area and how buffers, such as shrubs and trees would block their view of the lit signs. Schwarz also stated that these signs are internal to the campus. McIntyre asked of the size of the signs and how they would be lit. Schwarz responded that it is 18"high and is halo lit McIntyre asked is any other signs were internally lit. Schwarz responded no. Schwarz explained the halo light to the board and stated that the light is in the lettering. Lipoi to questioned if the sign was internally lit or is it edge lit. Schwarz responded that the back of the sign is open so the light shines onto the brick. Ludgin asked of the material used for the signs. Swartz responded stainless steel and a translucent material on lettering. Schwarz responded to the Board that this is not a flashing sign or neon, but a steady light. Schwarz stated that this sign is to showcase the character of the College. McIntyre stated that this is a Variance, and by definition with our Town's Bylaw you need to show what the hardship is. She explained to Schwarz it is usually soil shape and topography. Schwarz stated that this is not an easy question to answer, but responded that these internally lit signs makes the building (Volpe Athletic Center) much easier to find on campus, and especially for the many visitors. Those who need to find the building will be drawn to the building with the two internally lit signs. McIntyre pointed out that no one is here for or against this petition Page 2 of 3 October 8th, 2013 Town of North Andover ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS "4nTW Albert P.Manzi III,Esq. Chairman Rtwto $;6a Associate Member Ellen P.McIntyre, Vice-Chairman a to Michael P.Liporto Richard J Byers,Esq. Clerk * Deney Morganthal D. Paul Koch Jr. Esq. * �a ,a"" Doug Ludgin Allan Cuscia S pAT..*P'�^�� Zoning Enforcement Officer .�q�HUS� Gerald A. Brown Schwarz wanted to get a feel from the Board before they voted on how they felt with this petition. McIntyre responded to Schwarz and stated that she felt it could be tastefully done without internally illuminated lights and should meet the standards of the Town. McIntyre thought that these two signs could be externally illuminated. Swartz stated that the college is different from retail businesses and they are not trying to draw in customers from off the street. Swartz stated that they are a destination. Cuscia commented that the lights face the College and not the street. Cuscia stated his own opinion on the two internally illuminated lit signs, and felt that they were a compliment to the Town. Schwarz wanted to continue the hearing till November with a full Board. With that being said Schwarz signed the continuation form that the Zoning Assistant supplied to him. Ludgin made a motion to continue the hearing till November 12tt, Cuscia Second the motion to continue the Hearing. Those in favor to continue the hearing till November were McIntyre, Cuscia, Liporto and Ludgin. 4-0 Miscellaneous Correspondence Two letters from Chapa's Program Manager, Elizabeth Palma Diaz, had been submitted into the Board's packets the letters were dated September 13, 2013 and September 17t1'2013 both letters were regarding owner's intent to sell their affordable units. Adjournment: 7:54 Cuscia made a motion to adjourn the meeting Ludgin second the motion All were in favor to adjourn the meeting were McIntyre, Cuscia, Liporto and Ludgin. 4-0 Page 3 of 3 October 8th, 2013