HADLEY — A Route 9 business that has run afoul of the town bylaw limiting the size of signs on its property is resolving the matter by removing old signs from its main building.
The Planning Board was recently informed by representatives from Gardener’s Supply Co. at 285 Russell. St. that 125 square feet of signs reading “Hadley Garden Center” are coming off the permanent building. Those signs nearly doubled the 64 square feet of signs allowed by municipal regulations.
Pat Piersall, retail manager for the store, said signs will remain on a temporary point-of-sale kiosk. Those are less than 40 square feet combined.
At some point, the business will return for approval of new permanent signs for the main building.
“That’s your business decision, so that’s fine,” said Planning Board Chairman James Maskimoski.
The board’s approval of the changes to the property comes amid continued concerns that the kiosk is closer than 50 feet from Route 9, violating town setback rules. Building Commissioner Tom Quinlan has flagged the potential issue that the kiosk may be too close to the state highway. Planners are asking that the kiosk be no more non-conforming than the existing building and other structures on site.
Meanwhile, at the corner of Route 9 and South Maple Street, the board approved signs for the north, south and east sides of the new Chase Bank building proposed at 375 Russell St. The signs cumulatively total 62 square feet.
But members informed Josh Kline, a representative from Stonefield Engineering & Design, that they would not allow the bank to have a free-standing sign at the main entrance because Chase is leasing the parcel from the Hampshire Mall.
“That, I think, is problematic, because the mall is already oversigned,” said Planning Board Clerk William Dwyer. “So I don’t think you get a pylon sign.”
Maksimoski agreed. “You are part of the mall, so Mr. Dwyer is correct in his assumption, or interpretation, that a free-standing pylon sign is not conforming,” he said.
Dede Dibrindisi, the permitting coordinator for the town, observed that Chase Bank should be using the mall’s 367 Russell St. address, like its other tenants, rather than the 375 Russell St. address. “Right now, they are actually part of the Pyramid Mall’s whole plan,” Dibrindisi said.
In other business, the board approved a sign for Great Spirits Tattoo Co. at 216 Russell St., Building B, a tattoo studio run by Cam Sevigne and Vinnie Pernice, and expected at its Nov. 7 meeting to give final approval to revamped signs for the Homewood Suites by Hilton, at 340 Russell St. so long as they are under 64 square feet. The overhauled, externally illuminated signs will be installed on the hotel. The hotel is also replacing existing monument signs in the parking lot.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
