Design Review Passes on Marshall's, Elects Officers

The Design Review Commission met virtually Tuesday evening at 7 pm. 

A first order of business was elections. Sam Williams was elected chair and Paul Lopez was elected vice chair.

The first and only item on the agenda was a proposal for updated signage within the existing sign footprint for retailer, Marshall's at the Franklin Village Mall.

However, Williams noted that the sign predated the sign bylaw and is now significantly larger than allowed under that bylaw. He stated that it was a matter for the Zoning Board of Appeals to consider. The rest of the commissioners agreed. At the suggestion of Maxine Kinhart, the town's administrative support for the Commission, she will simply contact Marshall's and recommend they contacts ZBA directly.

The meeting also reviewed and approved minutes and briefly discussed what to do with the bylaw update process that was a project championed by former chair, Jim Bartro.

Toward the end of the meeting, Franklin resident Amy Adams, joined via Zoom and said she was participating  because she was interested in filling a vacant slot on the Commission. Williams explained what had been discussed and noted that most meetings have more going on -- suggesting she also join a future meeting. Adams is currently serving on the the Cultural District Committee.