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Planning Board approves Wilbur Apartments sign, waives 10-foot setback to 5 feet
Summary
The Planning Board voted 6-0 to grant a waiver from a 10-foot minimum setback and to approve a non-illuminated ground sign, landscaping and materials for the Wilbur Apartments/Peoples Inc. development after applicants agreed to move the sign toward the center of the property.
The Planning Board voted 6-0 to grant a waiver from the ordinance requiring a 10-foot minimum setback and approved a non‑illuminated ground sign, sign materials and landscaping for the Wilbur Apartments and Peoples Inc. development, board members said.
The waiver allows the applicant to place the ground sign 5 feet from the property line between Buildings B and C, perpendicular to the center of the walkway circle shown on drawing C2 of the construction set dated 07/05/2023. "The minimum setback of 10 feet is waived for a sign to be located 5 feet in the property," planning staff said during the motion.
Why it matters: the board approved the sign location, the sign design and landscaping together so the development can proceed with a single coordinated installation rather than return for separate approvals.
Applicant representative Chris McCaffrey of Alder Design Company told the board the team had moved the sign toward the center of the property “and we agree with that suggestion.” The board approved an exhibit A sign drawing dated 02/18/2025 (revised 03/10/2025) and clarified materials and dimensions before voting.
Board approvals specified the sign construction: a high‑density urethane (HDU) double‑sided sign with an aluminum cabinet painted a color described in the record as “deep ocean blue,” with the flanking brick to match the building and a foundation to match the building base. The record shows a maximum dimension noted during discussion as "36" (unit not specified in the transcript) and that the applicant may lower the foundation to achieve appropriate proportions given the new location.
Landscape approval covered the plantings shown on Exhibit C (sign elevation with landscaping dated 04/08/2025). The board accepted the applicant’s proposed groundcover, listed in the record as Canada anemone and smooth blue aster, around the sign.
Formal actions: the board made and passed separate motions to (1) grant the waiver from the 10‑foot setback to permit a 5‑foot setback, (2) approve the sign as depicted on exhibit A with the material and color clarifications, and (3) approve the landscaping on exhibit C. Each motion passed 6‑0.
The board noted that the sign will be non‑illuminated and that the applicant will provide marked-up location drawings to be kept with the file. Planning staff said they would circulate the approved exhibits and the permit paperwork to the applicant.
Additional details recorded in the meeting: the waiver was referenced to ordinance language identified in the record as "84Dash61818" and later as "84‑18 c 1" during the motion. The sign location was described in the record as between Buildings B and C and centered on the walkway circle shown on drawing C2 of the construction set dated 07/05/2023.
The board closed the item after confirming permit submittal steps and moved on to other business.
