Needham design board approves temporary Wingate banners, limits contractor sign size

The Needham Design Review Board on April 28 approved a special-permit request allowing Wingate to place temporary promotional banners on construction fencing for a proposed senior housing project at 589 Highland Avenue.

Wingate representatives asked the board for four mesh banners — two on Gould Street and two on Highland Avenue — sized 25 by 6 feet, plus a contractor identification sign. The applicant said the banners are intended to promote Wingate Gateway East and to help people find the project's entrance; one banner will note the project's anticipated opening in spring 2026. Board members said promotional banners are unusually large for the town's signage rules but acknowledged the banners are temporary and recommended limits on the contractor sign.

Board members discussed wayfinding needs for contractors and the visual scale of the proposed construction sign. Felix said a small, directional “construction entrance” sign would be more standard for wayfinding; the applicant and development VP David Feldman said two entrance signs help contractors locate separate access points from Highland and Gould Streets. Board members agreed the larger contractor panel should be reduced.

After discussion, the board approved the special permit and signage package subject to one condition: the general-contractor sign be reduced to 20 square feet at both entrance locations. The motion passed by roll call vote: Susan Ogden — Yes; Felix — Yes; Mark Glusing — Yes.

The board and applicant noted the banners are temporary and the applicant said the signs would be removed after the construction period; the applicant earlier told members the banners would be installed for approximately eight to ten months. The board also noted the applicants had removed earlier temporary signage while applying for the special permit and that the building-permit process requires an electronic submission containing the DRB decision and stamp.