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TOWN OF HINGHAM

Board of Appeals



NOTICE OF DECISION
SPECIAL PERMIT

IN THE MATTER OF:

Applicant:   Boston Private Bank & Trust Co.     Agent: Vcevy Strekalovsky
7 Central Street 42 North Street
Hingham, MA 02043 Hingham, MA 02043

Owner: Central Realty Trust
S. John Hajjar, Trustee
134 East Howard Street
Quincy, MA 02169

Premises: 9 Central Street
Hingham, MA 02043

Deed Reference: Plymouth County Registry of Deeds, Book 28570, Page 285

Plan References: Plan entitled, “Proposed Hand Carved Sign, Double Faced,” prepared by Hassan Sign Company, 799 Route 3A, Cohasset, MA, dated October 19, 2015

SUMMARY OF PROCEEDINGS

This matter came before the Board of Appeals (the "Board") on the application of Boston Private Bank & Trust Company (the "Applicant") Trust for a Special Permit A1 under § V-B of the Zoning By-Law (the "By-Law") and such other relief as necessary to allow a 9 SF projecting sign at 9 Central Street in Business A and the Downtown Hingham Overlay District.

The Board of Appeals heard the Special Permit application at a duly advertised and noticed public hearing on November 18, 2015 in Hingham Town Hall, 210 Central Street. The Board of Appeals panel consisted of its regular members Joseph M. Fisher, Chairman, Joseph W. Freeman, and W. Tod McGrath. The Applicant was represented by Mark Hawthorne from Strekalovsky Architecture.

At the conclusion of the hearing, the Board voted unanimously to grant the requested Special Permit A1 to allow a 9 SF projecting sign at 9 Central Street.

Throughout its deliberations, the Board has been mindful of the statements of the Applicant and the comments of the general public, all as made or received at the public hearing.

BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION

The subject property is located at the intersection of Central and South Street in the downtown business district. Boston Private Bank & Trust occupies the first and second floors of an existing commercial structure on the premises, where it offers retail banking services and conducts general office and other banking services.

The Applicant plans to replace existing building signage in conjunction with a logo redesign. An existing 4 SF projecting sign displays "Boston Private Bank & Trust Company." The Applicant proposes to replace the current sign with a 9 SF projecting sign that includes the updated company logo and instead reads "Boston Private." The sign would be double-faced, hand carved, and installed approximately 9' above the sidewalk. The existing lighting and bracket for the current sign would be reutilized.

During the hearing, the Applicant's Agent indicated that the proposed sign would provide the business with greater visibility from the intersection. He also suggested that the proposed sign at 9 SF would be a more appropriate scale in relation to the existing building.

APPROVAL CRITERIA

Based on the information submitted and presented during the hearing, the Board found that:

a. The proposed use will be in harmony with the general purpose and intent of the Zoning By-Law, for the following reasons: The proposed modification will be in harmony with the general purpose of the By-Law. The proposed sign is allowed by special permit and will support an existing business in the Business A and Downtown Hingham Overlay District.

b. The proposed use complies with the purposes and standards of the relevant specific sections of this By-Law, for the following reasons: The proposed sign complies with the maximum size, number and location requirements specified in § V-B of the by-Law.

c. The specific site is an appropriate location for such use, structure, or condition, compatible with the characteristics of the surrounding area, for the following reasons:  The proposed sign will occupy the same location as the existing. The proposed size (36" x 36") will be at an appropriate scale for the building and the design is compatible with the surrounding businesses.

d. The use as developed and operated will create positive impacts or potential adverse impacts will be mitigated, for the following reasons: There will be no adverse impact associated with the proposed sign.

e. There will be no nuisance or serious hazard to vehicles or pedestrians, for the following reasons: The proposed sign will not create any hazard for pedestrians since it will be hung approximately 9' above the sidewalk. The larger size will also improve business visibility for potential customers in the intersection.

f. Adequate and appropriate facilities exist or will be provided for the proper operation of the proposed use, for the following reasons: Adequate facilities existing for the proposed operation of the sign. The Applicant plans to reuse the existing sign's lighting and hardware.

g. The proposed Project meets accepted design standards and criteria for the functional design of facilities, structures, stormwater management, and site construction, for the following reasons: Not applicable.

DECISION

Upon a motion made by Joseph W. Freeman and seconded by W. Tod McGrath, the Board voted unanimously to APPROVE the request for a Special Permit A1 under § V-B of the By-Law, allowing a 9 SF projecting sign at 9 Central Street in Business A and the Downtown Hingham Overlay District on the condition that the sign is installed in a manner consistent with approved plans and representations made during the public hearing.

This decision shall not take effect until a copy of the decision bearing the certification of the Town Clerk that twenty (20) days have elapsed since the decision has been filed in the office of the Town Clerk and no appeal has been filed, or that if such appeal has been filed, that it has been dismissed or denied, is recorded with the Plymouth County Registry of Deeds and/or the Plymouth County Land Court Registry, and indexed in the grantor index under the name of the record owner or is recorded and noted on the owner’s certificate of title.

  For the Board of Appeals,


  Joseph W. Freeman
December 14, 2015