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Board grants sign variance to Tufts Medicine Behavioral Health Hospital at 100 Hospital Road
Summary
The Board approved a variance allowing a monument sign and an approximately 80-foot channel-letter sign for the Tufts Medicine Behavioral Health Hospital, citing the site's Residence A zoning as a mismatch for hospital wayfinding needs.
The Malden Board of Appeals on May 21 approved a signage variance for Tufts Medicine Behavioral Health Hospital at 100 Hospital Road, allowing a monument sign at the entrance and a larger channel-letter sign on the building.
Ken Duvall of Duvall Sign, representing Tufts, told the board the proposed building signs conform to the project’s operational needs and will be set on timers to meet the city’s lighting rules. City staff explained the site sits in a Residence A zoning district, which effectively prohibits larger signs (the zoning baseline allows only a small sign in that district), creating the need for a variance.
City staff member Nelson explained that Residence A zoning is intended for one- and two-family homes and that the sign code’s district-level rules limit signs to about six square feet in that zone, which is clearly impractical for a large hospital complex. Duvall said the building sign will be mounted high on the hill-facing façade and the monument sign will help drivers find the entrance.
Board members said wayfinding and traffic-safety considerations supported relief from the sign rules. Member Catherine Bilgin moved to approve petition 25-004; the motion was seconded by Member Maria Desposito and the board voted to grant the variance.
The board recorded that signage lighting will be controlled on a timer to conform with the city code. No additional conditions were recorded in the hearing.
