Simsbury, CT - Design Review Board Minutes

Emil Dahlquist, Chairman, called the Regular Meeting of the Design Review Board to order at 5:53 p.m. in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices. The following members were present: Kevin Gray, Charles Stephenson and Linda Kennedy. Also present were: Leonard Tolisano, Town Planner, and other interested parties.

a. Application of Simsbury United Methodist Church, owner, Frank Hawkins, Trustee, agent, for a Site Plan Approval, to put a new church identification sign at 799 Hopmeadow Street

Mr. Hawkins presented a cross-section of the lighting for the proposed sign. He stated that 70 watt metal halide lighting, with a barn door design, will be used for the lighting fixture. Mr. Stephenson noted that the illumination is now located 3 feet from the sign, which addresses the previous concerns of the board.

a. Application of Simsbury United Methodist Church, owner, Frank Hawkins, Trustee, agent, for a Site Plan Approval, to put a new church identification sign at 799 Hopmeadow Street

Mr. Gray moved to approve the application of the Simsbury United Methodist Church, owner, Frank Hawkins, Trustee, agent, for a Site Plan Approval, to put a new church identification sign at 799 Hopmeadow Street, as submitted. The motion was seconded by Mr. Stephenson and carried unanimously.

Chairman Dahlquist noted the design considerations: (1) the approval references the original front elevation drawings of the Simsbury United Methodist Church sign, dated 4/24/01, (2) the colored rendition of the same sign, dated 4/24/02, and (3) the end elevation drawing showing the relationship of the sign to the sidewalk, dated 5/7/01. He stated that the Design Review Board unanimously feels that the design is well connected to the architecture and is in keeping with the style, character and materials utilized on the site.

Melinda Smith, Assistant Vice President of Facilities and Administration, stated that Chubb would like to add signage at the entrance to Tower Business Park.

Jim Sefka, CB Property Ellis, presented digital pictures of the existing wall and sign for Tower Business Park. He stated that the proposed signage would replace the Tower Business Park sign and add a sign for Chubb Specialty Insurance and for General Casualty. He noted that the new signs will be brushed aluminum and located on the existing wall. In response to Ms. Kennedy, Mr. Sefka stated that the street numbers will be located below the Tower Business Park sign and the junipers will be trimmed so that the numbers are visible. He stated that the current lighting will be unchanged.

Mr. Stephenson moved to approve plan presented by Chubb Group of Insurance Companies, Chubb Executive Risk, modification to the sign at Tower Business Park, 82 Hopmeadow Street, in accordance with the drawing A1.3, dated May 2, 2001. The motion was seconded by Mr. Gray and carried unanimously.

Chairman Dahlquist stated that the design considerations include the understanding that there will be no changes to the lighting or landscape on the project. He stated that the Design Review Board restricts their review of this application to the design issues, not the zoning issues that may or may not apply.

Chairman Dahlquist distributed pictures of the skating rink. He noted that the final design was based on a reduced budget. He stated that the simple design is in keeping with the agrarian area and existing recreation buildings. He suggested that the metal roof should be carried through in other buildings on the site. Chairman Dahlquist expressed his concern that the entrance system is not successful and appears tacked onto the building.

Mr. Stephenson expressed frustration that changes are made to architecture due to cost. He agreed that the entrance to the skating rink fails. He noted that no design vernacular has been established for future buildings on the site.

Chairman Dahlquist stated that the Design Review Board contributes to the process through their guidelines and ability to hold informal presentations. He suggested that the skating rink project could have benefited from the addition of landscaping.

Chairman Dahlquist noted that the shade of blue on the background of the sign has been toned down. He expressed concern with the close proximity of the two signs. Mr. Stephenson stated that the size of the signs are not in scale with the site.

Mr. Tolisano stated that the design guidelines project should not be effected by the budget process because it is a special project and the funding has already been allocated into a special account.

Ms. Kennedy distributed photographs from a concerned citizen of sites with un-approved signage. Mr. Tolisano suggested that the utility company be contacted regarding signs placed on the utility poles. Chairman Dahlquist noted that enforcement is an ongoing issue and the Town is not staffed for full enforcement. Ms. Kennedy expressed concern with the “Open” flags placed at businesses and whether these constitute signage.