Design Review Board
Special Meeting- March 6, 2007
Simsbury Town Offices- 5:30PM- Room 106
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Dahlquist called the meeting to order at 5:30 PM in the Main Meeting room of the Simsbury Town Offices. The following members were present: John Stewart, Charles Stephenson, William Gardner, John Carroll, Anthony Drapelick, and Mark Naccarato.
Chairman Dahlquist announced that Ms. Kennedy is resigning from the Board.
Mr. Stephenson will take her place and become a full member, creating an open alternate member position.
II. APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATES
None
III. DISCUSSION OF DESIGN GUIDELINES AS RELATING TO PRINCIPLES, DEVELOPMENT TYPES, AND TOOLS.
Chairman Dahlquist distributed a document he composed entitled “Mixed Use Village Centers Form Districts.” The document lists the components and elements of mixed use developments: Form, Character, Context, Pre-existing Context, Design Context, Functional Areas, Form Context, Civic Uses, Landscape, Open Space and Recreation, Access, Residential Streets, Roads, Parking, Architecture, and Streetscape. The intention of the document is to help the Board establish which questions to raise and issues to consider when an application comes before them for a Mixed Use Village Center development.
Chairman Dahlquist stated that The Planning Commission is moving toward more form-based developments, most notably Simbury’s north and south end land parcels currently available for development. These two sites are considered important and essential Simbury gateways, and need to be developed accordingly.
Chairman Dahlquist expressed that one of the most important charges is to make very sure the development is appropriate to the area and the town.
There was a discussion regarding the Design Guidelines, and it was noted that the Board is not a regulatory agency, whose decisions are law. Mr. Carroll said that if the Design guidelines are in the process of changing, applicants need to be notified. Mr. Stephenson said that many of the points in the handout fall under the guidelines, and both the handout and the guidelines are capable of working together. Mr. Stewart expressed that the Board will have a difficult time using only the guidelines for reference and support, they need this second document to analyze the project on a deeper level. Mr. Drapelick expressed they need to ask the applicants to explain their rational for doing something.
Mr. Stephenson asked how do surrounding neighborhoods and their assets influence the decisions. Chairman Dahlquist stated that the Board’s evaluation of a site should be based on the site’s resources and the town’s recurring elements and themes. He noted that a site’s use of open space is very important.
Mr. Carroll said that it seems the Board will be making a more detailed analysis of these types of projects. Chairman Dahlquist said that if the Board disapproves of a project, there needs to be a list of reasons why, and if it is deemed satisfactory, that would be the motion made.
Mr. Carroll expressed that a checklist is needed to help the Design Board form motions for these complex applications coming before them. Mr. Stewart said that the Planning and Zoning Commissions need to be given from the Design Board, clear and concise information so they can make their determinations.
Mr. Naccarato expressed that each Design Board member use the handout as a guideline to form five specific points/questions he considers significant, and at a future Board meeting decide which are the most important and pertinent ones. He also expressed that the Board should only cite what is good and bad about a project, not offer suggestions to fix it.
Chairman Dahlquist expressed that he is hopeful that the Design Review Board will be seen as very valuable asset to Simsbury, and an application’s first stop point.
At 6:45 Mr. Stewart recussed himself.
Chairman Dahlquist asked members to email him their 5 questions.
II. ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Gardner motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7:00pm.
Mr. Drapelick seconded, with all in favor.
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