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Danvers ZBA approves variance for new Brentwood wall sign at 56 Liberty Street
Summary
The ZBA granted a variance/waiver under section 37 for Brentwood Properties to replace a 22 sq ft wall sign with a 39 sq ft building‑mounted sign (Brentwood Rehabilitation and Health Care Center), including individually illuminated letters; the board found no substantial detriment and approved the application unanimously.
The Danvers Zoning Board of Appeals unanimously approved a variance/waiver under section 37 to allow Brentwood Properties to install a new building‑mounted sign at 56 Liberty Street.
Attorney Nancy McCann, representing Brentwood Properties LLC, said the nursing facility at 56 Liberty Street has been in operation for more than 50 years and previously received zoning relief in 2014 for signage. The application asks to replace the existing wall sign (reported as about 22 sq ft) with a new wall sign of approximately 39 sq ft reading "Brentwood Rehabilitation and Health Care Center" with a leaf logo; the new sign will be placed at the top of the building and is intended to improve visibility and modernize the facade.
McCann told the board the letters for "Brentwood" will be about 20 inches high and the remaining text about 8 inches high; the additional square footage reflects the longer descriptive name and inclusion of a logo. She argued the proposal meets the bylaw’s waiver/variance standard because it will not cause substantial detriment to nearby properties.
Board members asked about illumination and hours of operation. McCann said the proposal uses individually illuminated (backlit) letters; the board asked whether the lighting will spill outward and whether it would be continuously illuminated. McCann and John Akins, the facility’s acting administrator, said the sign is backlit (directed inward) and that the facility’s lighting operation will be continuous, and Akins said he has not observed parking‑on‑grass or neighbor complaints during his recent time on site.
Members characterized the new sign as modest and more visible than the previous gold letters on white background and said the facade improvements provided a better overall appearance. Corinne Doherty moved to grant a variance/waiver under section 37 to allow the building‑mounted sign; the motion was seconded, and the board voted unanimously to approve the request. The board did not add additional conditions specific to the sign beyond the motion language.
The approval permits Brentwood Properties to install the proposed building‑mounted sign as described; building and electrical permits and any applicable inspections remain subject to normal permitting processes.
