MINUTES
DESIGN REVIEW BOARD
REGULAR MEETING
SEPTEMBER 25, 2001
I. CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the Design Review Board was called to order at 5:50 P.M. in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices. Present were Chairman Emil Dahlquist, Board Members William Gardner, Kevin Gray, Linda Kennedy, Matt Koch, Victoria Rogers, Charles Stephenson, Town Planner Len Tolisano.
II. APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATES
Chairman Dahlquist appointed Matt Koch as an alternate for John Stewart and Scott Barnett as an alternate for Stephen Ossias.
III. PRESENTATION, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE VOTE
a. Application of Richard Mahoney, Owner - The Andrews Company, for modification of a Unified Site Plan for signage at 714 Hopmeadow Street.
Richard Mahoney, RLM Co. addressed the committee regarding the proposed sign to identify tenants occupying the upper level of 714. The proposed, sign as would be viewed from Hopmeadow Street, is to the right of the entrance arch at street level. Mr. Mahoney said that the sign is part of the original approved sign site plan that includes a directory sign of 30 square feet on the façade of the building. At the time of the original plan, Mr. Mahoney thought they could go without a second floor directory, but after two years they realize it is necessary to provide direction and to identify the second floor tenants. Several options regarding the location, design and color of the sign were discussed. Linda Conant of Remax Hometown Realtors, a second floor tenant, informed the committee that the
location on the building was chosen because it makes the sign visible to people entering the complex from the street. Dr. Peter Sawka, also a second floor tenant, echoed Ms. Conant's comments.
A motion was made by Mr. Gardner that the application of Richard Mahoney, Owner - The Andrews Company, for modification of a Unified Site Plan for signage at 714 Hopmeadow Street be approved with the following conditions: That the sign be centered under the white stone accent on the façade of the building and also centered between the first and third horizontal mullion. The motion was seconded by Mr. Gray and after discussion passed by a four to three vote.
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b. Application of Trinity Episcopal Church, Owner, for a Site Plan Amendment for addition and alterations to the existing structure at 20-25 Church Street.
Kirk Bostwick, principal of bostwick+hopper architects, displayed a photo board of the existing structure so as to be able to relate the existing structure with the proposed alterations and additions. He presented an existing site plan showing that the original church is a brownstone structure built in1908, with an addition in 1938 and an addition in 1968 that is brick and not in keeping with the original structure. The plan is to expand the present wing of the education building constructed in 1968 doubling the size to accommodate offices on the lower level and classroom space on the upper level, to increase the size of the entry, expand restroom facilities, construct a chapel and add a mechanical room and commercial kitchen. Mr. Bostwick said that all the materials to be used will be matching or
recycled from areas that are being taken down, including an accent wall in the chapel constructed from recycled brownstone. The plan requires no additional parking. Mr. Bostwick said that the plan was to use darker colors on the existing white wood vertical tongue and groove panels in order have them blend with the brownstone. Mr. Bostwick distributed the plan for site lighting for the board's review. There is no additional signage planned for the site.
A motion was made by Mr. Gray that the application of Trinity Episcopal Church, Owner, for a Site Plan Amendment for addition and alterations to the existing structure at 20-25 Church Street be approved with the following conditions: That the existing white wood vertical tongue and groove panels on the 1968 addition be darkened. The motion was seconded by Ms. Kennedy and passed unanimously.
c. Application of Robert Holloway, Owner, for a Site Plan Approval for a façade change to the Harvest Café at 1390 Hopmeadow Street
Duane Doot reviewed the plans he had previously submitted dated 09/05/01 with the Board, stating that the Harvest Café has expanded into the area adjacent to the Café and as a result of this expansion the existing doors are too close to one another to meet the fire code. Along with moving the door, Mr. Doot will be using brick on the façade closely matching the existing brick on the Montana Hardware Store.
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A motion was made by Mr. Gardner that the application of Robert Holloway, Owner for a Site Plan Approval for a façade change to the Harvest Café at 1390 Hopmeadow Street be approved with the following conditions: That clear
insulating glass be used; that the frame on the aluminum store front will be brown anodized aluminum; that the motion is in accordance with drawing A1 dated 09/05/01; that on future upgrading of the façade on the Holloway property, red brick will be used with a color of choice for the mortar. The motion was seconded by Mr. Gray and passed unanimously.
d. Application of St. Albans Episcopal Church, Owner, for a Special Exception for a sign for The Children's Center, Inc. at 197 Bushy Hill Road.
Ms. Kennedy recused herself from hearing this application since her property abuts the applicant property.
Helen Peterson informed the Board that The Children's Center is a not-for-profit organization, is not affiliated with St. Albans and rents the education building from St. Albans. She stated that the sign is not so much for identification purposes but a safety issue since traffic on Bushy Hill has increased over the years and that there have been a number of accidents at the intersection. Ms. Peterson presented photos of the proposed site for construction of the sign and a sample of the sign's color and design for review by the Board. She told the Board that they had applied to the state for a permit to allow the sign to be constructed within the state right of way and that the state responded; that signs are no longer permitted in a right of way; that in order to pursue having the sign, they would have to plead
a hardship need for the sign; and if approved The Children's Center would have to lease the land at a cost of $300.00 per year.
Since, at this point in time, The Children's Center's Sign request has not been approved by the state, the board decided not to take any action on the application. The Board did recommend that, if possible, The Children's Center sign be incorporated with the existing St. Albans sign. Chairman Dahlquist provided the applicant with the following information for consideration; that the Board does not endorse having more than one free standing sign on a site; that the sign should reflect the architecture; and that the present design of the proposed The Children's Center sign is different in color, scale and proportion and would not be in keeping with a unified sign plan.
Ms. Kennedy returned to the meeting.
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IV. DISCUSSIONS
a. Design Guidelines
Mr. Tolisano distributed copies of a memorandum addressed to the Design Review Board from the Planning Staff outlining the proposed Distribution of the Design Guidelines. ( Addendum I).
A motion was made by Mr. Gardner to approve the distribution of the Design Guidelines as outlined in the memorandum with the addition of the state representative and state senator. The motion was seconded by Matt Koch and passed unanimously.
Chairman Dahlquist distributed a sampling of color proofs of the Design Guidelines as well as the proposed front cover, and a sample of the back cover material to the Board and informed the Board that the final proof will be available next Monday and that it will go to the printer on Tuesday. Tentatively, the Design Review Board will present the document at the regular Board of Selectmen meeting on October 10, 2001.
V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - August 14, 2001 and August 21, 2001.
Approval of the minutes was deferred until the next regular meeting.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
On a motion made by Mr. Gardner, seconded by Mr. Stephenson and passed unanimously, the meeting was adjourned at 7:25 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
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ADDENDUM I
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