These minutes are for information purposes only. For official minutes, please contact the Town Clerk's Office.
DESIGN REVIEW BOARD
SPECIAL MEETING
JULY 31, 2001
CALL TO ORDER
Emil Dahlquist, Chairman, called the Special Meeting of the Design Review Board to order at 5:50 p.m. in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices. The following members were present: Kevin Gray, Charles Stephenson, William Gardner, Linda Kennedy, John Stewart and Alternates Matt Koch and Scott Barnett. Mr. Stewart left the meeting at 7:15 p.m.
DISCUSSIONS
Rte. 10 Traffic Signal Options
Chairman Dahlquist explained that the Department of Transportation is in the process of redesigning traffic lights on Route 10 in Simsbury. He said that the First Selectman called a meeting with the Streetscape Advisory Group to discuss choices and recommendations to be sent to the Department of Transportation and this recommendation has to be submitted by the end of August. He said that the Department of Transportation wants to provide a signal beyond the intersections. Mr. Stephenson said that firm of Milone and MacBroom are the consulting engineers to the state for this project.
Mr. Barnett took digital photos of traffic signals that he presented at this Board meeting. He said that they were taken just outside of the Old State House in downtown Hartford. Mr. Barnett said that this area had significant issues from an historical preservation and appearance standpoint. He showed pictures of traffic signals with a cantilever arm. One is a combination of a short cantilever with a street light. He also showed a picture of the base of a light and said that the base width varies depending on what it is supporting.
Ms. Kennedy showed pictures she took of traffic signals in the city of Torrington. She said that some traffic lights have a place to hang plants or banners. Mr. Stephenson discussed stanchions and arms at some of the intersections.
Mr. Stewart said that he might have some information in his office that they could get ideas from. One suggestion made was to look at a current Luminac fixture catalogue or download information from their web site as this is one that CL&P uses.
Mr. Stewart said that each intersection should be treated uniquely. He said that DOT should show what they propose per intersection and then the town could tell them what they think of any particular fixture or offer an alternative. Mr. Barnett said that they should list intersections by priority and let DOT know what they prefer such as cabling as the first priority, multiple short arms as the 2nd and smaller number of long arms as the last priority. Chairman Dahlquist asked Mr. Barnett to structure a response for the next meeting. A discussion followed on the dark green color of the stanchions and type of material.
Design Guidelines
Chairman Dahlquist read a letter from the J. Paul Loether, CLG Coordinator of the Connecticut Historical Commission from the State of Connecticut, addressed to Len Tolisano. He said that the letter is a reminder that the Funding Agreement for the Townwide Design Guidelines grant will expire on September 15, 2001. Chairman Dahlquist read that any work on the project invoiced after September 15, 2001 will not be eligible for reimbursement and final project reports are due to that office by September 25, 2001. He also noted that design guidelines being produced as part of this grant project should be submitted to that state office in draft form for review, comment and approval no later than August 31, 2001. He said that there would be no extensions to the grant time frame. Mr. Koch asked how much the grant is for. Chairman
Dahlquist said that the grant is for $15,000 from the state with matching funds from the town.
DESIGN REVIEW BOARD MINUTES
JULY 31, 2001
PAGE 2
Chairman Dahlquist distributed an update on the guidelines that he had put together on where they now stand. He said that he had tried to incorporate information that Mr. Barnett had sent to him in the new document. Chairman Dahlquist discussed the changes made in this version of the document. The Board discussed how they should go about formatting the new document. Chairman Dahlquist said they need a statement on what it is they are trying to achieve and then list recommendations separately with bulleted items that suggest ways to achieve the results.
Chairman Dahlquist went over five steps of procedure for the applicant. Step one is for a staff review. The Board discussed the wording of a staff review procedure. Step two is for an informal presentation. Step three is for a formal presentation. Chairman Dahlquist also went over the four motions that could be used to refer this to the Planning and Zoning Commissions. They are 1) accept the application as presented, 2) accept with modifications as noted, 3) recommend not to accept the application for specific reasons and request that the application be revised and resubmitted and 4) take no action pending further discussion or resubmission. Step four is to submit an application to the Planning and/or Zoning Commission and Step five is to submit approved documentation to the Building Department for a construction permit.
Mr. Gardner suggested that after the formal presentation material a statement should be included stating that many of these items will be required by the Planning and the Zoning Commissions.
Chairman Dahlquist said that he has listed the general categories within the general standards as site organization, landscape plan, architecture, signage and public spaces. Mr. Stephenson suggested developing each individual piece and then decide on how to categorize them. He also expressed concern on duplication within the document.
Mr. Stephenson distributed his draft guidelines on architecture. The headings are intent of guidelines, architectural treatments – broad scope, architectural treatments – detailed scope, and architectural documentation. The Board discussed in detail each item. Mr. Stewart briefly discussed ideas that he had put together with Mr. Ossias.
The Commission will continue the discussion on the guidelines at their next meeting. Two subcommittees were formed. Mr. Koch and Mr. Barnett will look at the signage section and Mr. Stewart and Mr. Stephenson will get together on landscape and architecture.
CORRESPONDENCE
None
STAFF REPORTS
None
MINUTES OF July 17, 2001 and July 24, 2001
Mr. Koch moved to approve the minutes of July 17, 2001 as presented. Ms. Kennedy seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously with Mr. Gardner abstaining.
Ms. Kennedy moved to approve the minutes of July 24, 2001 as presented. Mr. Koch seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously with Mr. Gardner and Mr. Stephenson both abstaining.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
______________________
Kevin Gray, Secretary
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