Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Signage topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Arlington board approves Beacon Bank signage swap at 864 Massachusetts Avenue
Summary
The Town of Arlington Development Board approved a special permit June 1 to replace Brookline Bank signs with Beacon Bank branding at 864 Massachusetts Avenue, finding the new signage reduces the existing nonconformity and is not substantially more detrimental to the neighborhood.
The Town of Arlington Development Board voted June 1 to allow Beacon Bank to replace Brookline Bank signage at 864 Massachusetts Avenue, approving the applicant’s request to continue the site’s prior special‑permit signage regime with updated branding.
Claire Richter, Arlington’s director of planning, told the board the property’s original special permit dated to 2011 and that since then sign rules and permitting authority have changed; the board should therefore review the proposed rebranding. Pete Hatcher, the applicant’s representative, said the proposal reduces total sign area from about 63.52 square feet to roughly 48 square feet, and reduces the wall sign from about 43.52 square feet to 28 square feet while leaving a 20‑square‑foot freestanding sign in place. “It’s a reduction of 15.52 ft … it’s a lot smaller,” Hatcher said.
Board members focused discussion on whether the change should trigger elimination of a pre‑existing pylon sign. Rachel Zanberry said she did not favor retaining a pylon in that spot but acknowledged it is a long‑standing feature; other members noted the 2011 ZBA approval and that the current proposal does not increase the nonconforming condition. The board approved the application with a friendly amendment finding that the continued nonconformity is not substantially more detrimental to the neighborhood.
No bank representatives or members of the public spoke during the hearing. The board’s vote was recorded as unanimous in favor of the motion to approve the signage as submitted, including the continued nonconformance finding. The approval continues the existing special‑permit regime for signage at the site but does not relocate the freestanding sign or require additional building‑color changes.
Next steps: the applicant may implement the rebranding under the approved permit conditions; the board’s minutes and final permit language will record the finding that the continued nonconformity is not substantially more detrimental to the neighborhood.
