Arlington Redevelopment Board - Apr 27th, 2026
Meeting held in the first floor annex of town hall. Materials were available from https://arlingtonma.primegov.com/Portal/Meeting?meetingTemplateId=2408.
Approval of Minutes
The board approved minutes from their March 30 and April 6 meetings.
Docket 3823 - 1347--1359 Mass Ave
(Claire Ricker, Planning Director) Ms. Ricker says the applicants are seeking a modification to the special permit granted under Docket 3823. The changes include modifications to exterior entry doors, adding masonry below the store windows, and adopting the color scheme permitted for the adjacent property via Docket 3888. Both buildings are owned by the same applicant.
(William Hubner, Architect) Mr. Hubner notes that the two buildings have a continuous streetfront facade.
(Kin Lau, ARB Chair) Mr. Lau asks if the applicants plan to use the same colors that were permitted next door.
(William Hubner) Mr. Hubner says yes.
(Rachel Zsembery, ARB) Ms. Zsembery asks if there are also lighting changes.
(William Hubner) Mr. Hubner says yes.
(Rachel Zsembery) Ms. Zsembery asks if the Kumon sign is moving.
(William Hubner) Mr. Hubner says yes.
(Rachel Zsembery) Ms. Zsembery says the zoning bylaw has dimensional requirements for where a sign can be placed in a sign band. She'd need confirmation that those requirements are being met.
(William Hubner) Mr. Hubner says the goal was to redo the siding and window glazing. The wall below the glazing and the foundation underneath were water damaged, and had to be stabilized with concrete. That led to a discussion about the use of brick under the glazing. Mr. Hubner says he's tried to match the left side of the building with what's on the right side.
(Rachel Zsembery) Ms. Zsembery says the commercial space was originally proposed as retail, but she understands those plans have changed. She would not like to see the same burgundy scheme as the building next door. She says the lighting near the doors needs to be dark-sky compliant.
(Steve Revilak, ARB) Mr. Revilak says he saw two different designs for the right door in the application materials. One had a horizontal mail slot at the bottom and the other had a vertical mail slot on the side. He asks which one will be used.
(William Hubner) Mr. Hubner says they'll use the one with the vertical mail slot. He learned that the US Postal service requires mail slots to be at least 30" off the ground.
(Shaina Korman-Houston, ARB) Ms. Korman-Houston asks if both doors will be made of the same materials, and the same colors.
(William Hubner) Mr. Hubner says they will be.
(Shaina Korman-Houston) Ms. Korman-Houston asks for more information about the brick veneer.
(William Hubner) Mr. Hubner says the brick will be a 1" thick masonry material that's secured with mortar. It's intended to match the brick on the other side of the building. Essentially it's red brick masonry.
(Kin Lau) Mr. Lau has no issues with the choice of colors, or with having the two buildings be the same color. But he does take Ms. Zsembery's point.
The board discusses conditions for the approval of the permit modification. These include:
- Administrative approval of sign dimensions
- Exterior lights have to be dark-sky compliant
Permit modifications approved, 4--1. Ms. Zsembery voted in the negative. She disapproved of the building colors and felt that it should not look like the building next door.
Discussion of Town Meeting Warrant Articles
(Claire Ricker) Ms. Ricker says the petitioner for Article 54 has filed a substitute motion. She expects to see substitute motions for articles 53 and 55, but these have not been submitted yet.
Eugene Benson suggested amendments to two zoning articles. Ms. Ricker spoke with Town Counsel, who felt it would be most straightforward if Mr. Benson filed the amendments as a town meeting member.
Vince Baudoin doesn't see substantial differences between the substitute motion for Article 54 and the main motion originally filed. The board's opinion remains unchanged with three opposing and two supporting.
New Business
(Claire Ricker) Ms. Ricker would like the board's May 4th meeting to start at 6:30 pm, for a presentation from Stantec and a discussion of the draft comprehensive plan. The meeting will be held in the Town Manager's conference room, so that Stantec can participate remotely.
Meeting adjourned at 19:38.