Town of Dedham
Home MenuDRAB Process & Guidelines
Design Review Process
For any project that comes before the Design Review Advisory Committee (DRAB), Board members consider the size or scale, bulk, architectural style, material, texture, color, location, orientation, signs, lighting, landscaping, and site layout in relation to the surrounding area and the visual character of the neighborhood and the town.
DRAB reviews all new construction, additions to and exterior alterations of existing buildings, and all new signage or alterations of existing signs for properties zoned:
- Central Business (CB),
- General Business (GB),
- Highway Business (HB),
- Local Business (LB),
- Limited Manufacturing (LMA, LMB), and
- Research, Development, and Office (RDO) districts.
For more information on zoning, please contact the Planning & Zoning Department.
DRAB also reviews all projects subject to parking plan approval, site plan review, or "Major Nonresidential Project, zoning, or projects requiring a Special Permit or variance from the Board of Appeals, if located in RDO, PC, PR, or LM districts.
Design Guidelines
Adopted in May 2013, the Town's Design Manual seeks to promote high-quality and architecturally appropriate development. The manual establishes specific town-wide design standards, as well as design principles unique to individual commercial areas. Download: Building Better: A Design Manual for Building Improvements (PDF)
In addition, the following eight design bulletins address design principles for elements of building facades, storefronts, signage, and landscaping.
| DESIGN BULLETINS | |
|---|---|
| 1.Address Numbers | 5. Shopfront Windows |
| 2. Freestanding Signs | 6. Shopfront Elements |
| 3. Wall Signs | 7. Building Facade |
| 4. Projecting Signs | 8. Site Plantings |