These minutes are for informational purposes only. For official minutes, please contact the Town Clerk's Office.
MINUTES
DESIGN REVIEW BOARD
MAY 14, 2002
CALL TO ORDER
Emil Dahlquist, Chairman, called the Regular Meeting of the Design Review Board to order at 5:46pm in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices. The following members were present: Victoria Rogers, Matt Koch, Linda Kennedy, Charles Stephenson, John Stewart and Kevin Gray. Also present was Leonard Tolisano, Senior Planner.
APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATES
Chairman Dahlquist appointed Victoria Rogers to serve for Rick Schoenhardt and Charles Stephenson to serve for William Gardner. Chairman Dahlquist mentioned that Ms. Rogers and Mr. Stewart had been nominated by the Republican Party to serve on the Board, and he expected that nomination to be approved at the next Board of Selectmen meeting. Therefore, they would be able to vote at this meeting.
PRESENTATION
Application of David Bailey, President – McLean Healthcare, for a Site Plan Amendment for an additional access drive, a loop road system and the development of 28 additional units on property at the McLean facility, 75 Great Pond Road.
Mr. Steven Selger with LADA in Simsbury addressed the Board. He showed new plans that incorporated suggested changes from the last meeting. The new entry created onto Great Pond Rd. was reduced in width from 24ft. to 20ft., one of the double units at the front was changed into a single unit and moved back 35ft. to a distance of 100ft. from the road, and the other double unit at the front was moved back to about 130ft. from the road. The landscaping in the front showed mounding, etc. to shield the units from view. Mr. Selger pointed out that the setback requirement for residential lots is only 50ft. and the planned setbacks of over 100ft. reflect the residential character of the surrounding neighborhood. He also felt that the single-story units are in keeping with the residential neighborhood.
Mr. Selger answered several questions from Board members. The existing treeline is approximately 250ft. back, there will be shielded 15ft. shoebox lights along the new drive but no lighting at the intersection with Great Pond, the first street light on the main drive is approximately 10-15ft. down the drive, and the only sign at the new drive will be a street sign. The Board members universally expressed appreciation for the applicant’s efforts to incorporate the suggestions made at the last meeting. However, Mr. Stephenson raised the concern that this piece of the project was perhaps incompatible with the surrounding neighborhood, feeling that any development in front of the existing treeline requiring artificial screening would be too dense and commercial condo-like to blend adequately with the
residential properties on Great Pond. The members discussed this issue with respect to how best to approach higher density development and screening, agreeing that there is nothing inherently wrong with differing densities abutting one another, provided that the landscaping is sophisticated and artfully done. Mr. Stewart expounding on the issue of berming and landscaping with respect to the application, and stated the Board would need a firm commitment from the owner on this matter in order to feel more comfortable about approving it.
Design Review Board Minutes
May 14, 2002
Page 2
Mr. Selger responded that the owner has no reluctance to do the necessary buffering in a manner acceptable to the Board. Mr. Stephenson commented that if the 2 buildings in front and closest to the road were relocated deeper into the development, that would immediately allay his concerns about the project. Mr. David Bailey, Owner – McLean Healthcare, asked the members to clarify which units to attempt to relocate, and Mr. Stephenson and Mr. Stewart indicated that the preference would be to relocate both of the front two units. Mr. Stewart pointed out that doing this would eliminate the need for the landscaping and buffering to bear the total burden of blending the development with the surrounding neighborhood. Mr. Stephenson reiterated that his concerns stem from the precedent this project
could set with respect to dealing with different densities, and if this is well done, it could be used as a prototype for future projects. Chairman Dahlquist closed the discussion by deferring any action by the Board to the next meeting, and he asked the applicant to return once more with final revisions.
Mr. Roger Vogt of Hop Hollow Rd. asked to address the Board as a McLean neighbor, and Chairman Dahlquist gave him an opportunity to speak. Mr. Vogt is a rear side neighbor and raised a concern over the trees that would need to be cut in order to lay the drainage pipe connecting from the parking lot to the pond. He gave a copy of the letter he had written to Mr. William Voelker, Director of Community Planning, to the Board regarding this issue. Chairman Dahlquist indicated this letter should be included in the packet for the next meeting and also advised Mr. Vogt to inform Mr. Bailey directly about his concerns so that the designers could incorporate anything relevant to the drainage pipe into the plans at this early stage.
Application of Macmen Enterprises Inc., Owner, Warren Tabolt, Agent – Gulf Gas Station, for a Special Exception to convert two existing repair bays to a convenience store at the Gulf Gas Station, 1340 Hopmeadow Street.
Mr. Warren Tabolt addressed the Board and presented current plans dated 5/9/02, as well as samples of various materials and colors. The Board examined these items and asked assorted questions regarding the landscaping, the signage, the building materials, the striping of the canopy over the island, and the windows. After this discussion, the Board voted on the application. Ms. Rogers moved to approve the application of Macmen Enterprises, Inc., Owner, Warren Tabolt, Agent – Gulf Gas Station, for a Special Exception to convert two existing repair bays to a convenience store at the Gulf Gas Station, 1340 Hopmeadow Street, with the following modifications:
that the front planter box be made out of concrete and be a minimum of 24 inches deep
that the red and blue striping be removed from the canopy above the island
that the roofing be made of GAF Timberline Weathered Wood asphalt shingles
that the siding be made of cedar clapboard stained with color DP 370 semi-transparent Sage
that the windows be white aluminum
that the street address identifier numbers be affixed above the door
that the building trim color be DP 362 Navaho White
that the landscaping materials conform to the appropriate distances required by the Zoning Commission
Design Review Board Minutes
May 14, 2002
Page 3
that the brick used by equivalent to that used on the Fleet Bank building on Hopmeadow Street
that the freestanding sign be built to conform to the depiction as drawn on the sign location plan for Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, CT, dated 5/3/02, revision dated 5/8/02
Mr. Gray seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. Mr. Tabolt mentioned to the members that he had addressed the concerns of the Trails Council by cleaning behind the building on both sides of the path and by verifying that there is no break in the curbing. He stated he will paint the back of the building gray. Mr. Stephenson thanked Mr. Tabolt for all his efforts.
Application of William C. Ketchabaw, Church Administrator – The First Church of Christ, Harmon A. Poole, Agent, for a Special Exception for the change of two existing signs and one new sign at the First Church of Christ, 689 Hopmeadow Street.
Mr. Harmon Poole was present to address the Board. He explained the proposal to replace the sign in front of the Church with a sign that can be read from the street, picking up the green color of the shutters and using gold leaf. This sign will be the same width as the existing sign and the new sign will not necessitate any changes in lighting or landscaping. The second sign is a new sign to be placed at the church entrance on Hopmeadow Street, and which will also identify the location of Boy Scout Hall. The third sign in the proposal is the existing sign on West St. The proposal calls for moving the sign closer to the driveway and fence to be more visible, especially at night. The plan does not call for making a new sign, but simply moving the existing sign closer to the entrance.
The meeting packet contained two drawings for the new main identifier sign in front of the Church. The members discussed the two designs, and agreed the sign with the hanging sign for the service times looked better than the slightly larger sign that incorporated this information. Mr. Stewart suggested moving the West St. sign closer to the light that is already there, and perhaps avoiding having to put out any additional lighting. Chairman Dahlquist asked Mr. Tolisano to clarify what Special Exception is required, and Mr. Tolisano said the Church already has approvals for the main sign and the one on West St., but would need a Special Exception for the new entrance/Boy Scout Hall sign. After additional discussion, the Board felt it would be best to suspend approval of the Boy Scout Hall sign,
given the upcoming changes proposed to connect Boy Scout Hall’s parking to the Library lot, and also to defer action on the West Street sign pending more detail on the exact location where it is to be placed.
Mr. Gray moved to defer action on the two entrance signs, one on West Street and one on Hopmeadow Street, and approve the identifier sign, labeled Sign A in the packet on file with the Town, that has the service times on a drop down sign and is 70” high x 67.5” wide, with a 5.5” drop down, with the understanding that no lighting or landscape changes are being made as part of the proposal. Ms. Rogers seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
Design Review Board Minutes
May 14, 2002
Page 4
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE VOTE
Application of David Bailey, President – McLean Healthcare, for a Site Plan Amendment for an additional access drive, a loop road system and the development of 28 additional units on property at the McLean facility, 75 Great Pond Road.
Application of Macmen Enterprises Inc., Owner, Warren Tabolt, Agent – Gulf Gas Station, for a Special Exception to convert two existing repair bays to a convenience store at the Gulf Gas Station, 1340 Hopmeadow Street.
Application of William C. Ketchabaw, Church Administrator – The First Church of Christ, Harmon A. Poole, Agent, for a Special exception for the change of two existing signs and one new sign at The First Church of Christ, 689 Hopmeadow Street.
The actions of the Board on these applications are listed under the appropriate sections a, b, or c above under section III, Presentation.
At 7:25pm, Ms. Rogers moved to adjourn the Design Review Board meeting to the lower conference room of the Simsbury Town offices, due to the Planning Commission meeting scheduled to begin at 7:30pm in the Main Meeting Room. Mr. Gray seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
FORMAL PRESENTATION
Application of Richard Sawitzke, Town Engineer/Director of Capital Projects, Town of Simsbury, Andrew Glassman, Simsbury Rotary Club – Agent, for a Site Plan Approval to regrade, seed, surface and install boundless playground equipment on property at 22 Iron Horse Boulevard.
The Board received a presentation regarding this application. The members had the opportunity to ask questions and hold discussion regarding this application. After discussion, Ms. Rogers moved to approve the application of Richard Sawitzke, Town Engineer/Director of Capital Projects, Town of Simsbury, Andrew Glassman, Simsbury Rotary Club – Agent, for a Site Plan Approval to regrade, seed, surface and install boundless playground equipment on property at 22 Iron Horse Boulevard, with the following modifications:
the Autumn Palette will be used as presented from Miracle Colors, with flexibility to introduce other brighter colors selectively in the design
the fence surrounding the playground will have a chain link on one side
the lighting plan and signage are to be introduced at a later date
the overall design will be in accordance with the drawing number SP-1, dated 5/13/02
Mr. Koch seconded the motion, which passed by a vote of 5 in favor and 1 opposed.
Design Review Board Minutes
May 14, 2002
Page 5
INFORMAL DISCUSSION
Application of Richard Sawitzke, Town Engineer/Director of Project Engineer, Town of Simsbury, for a Site Plan Approval to construct parking, drive and culvert with retaining walls on property at the Simsbury Public Library, 725 Hopmeadow Street.
The Board received a presentation on this application and had the opportunity to ask questions and hold discussion. The Board took no action on this application at this time.
DISCUSSIONS
None
CORRESPONDENCE
None
STAFF REPORTS
None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES of April 23, 2002
Mr. Gray made a motion to approve the minutes of April 23, 2002 as presented. Ms. Kennedy seconded the motion, which passed unanimously with Ms. Rogers abstaining.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Stephenson moved to adjourn the meeting at approximately 9:00pm. Ms. Kennedy seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
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Kevin Gray, Secretary
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