Simsbury, CT - Design Review Board Minutes

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, Kevin Gray, John Carroll, Anthony Drapelick, Mark Naccarato, and Richard Schoenhardt. Also present was Zoning Compliance Officer, Mr. Howard Beach.

Application of Gao Zhen, Owner, C. Jonathon Lavery, Agent, for a Site Plan Amendment for construction of wooden rails to the perimeter of an existing patio and also for the placement of twelve (12) 2’x 2’ tables and twenty-four (24) seats to the patio on property located at the Green Tea Restaurant, 570 Hopmeadow Street.

The restaurant owner would like to add patio dining at the restaurant’s façade. The patio would have a painted wood railing on the perimeter of the patio. There is an existing 4–foot wide planting strip acting as a buffer to the parking lot. The owner would like to serve alcohol on the patio, and Mr. Lavery noted that Mr. Beach recommended the railing due to serving of alcohol, and the fact that the Zoning Commission likes to see this. No new lights are being proposed, lights are currently centered under each bay of the porch ceiling. No signage is being proposed.

As for parking, Mr. Lavery guessed there are approximately 70-80 spaces. Mr. Beach informed them that 3.3 parking spaces are required for every 500 square feet of building. This building has more than enough spaces.

Mr. Stewart said there seems not to be enough space to fit people and tables on the porch. Mr. Lavery agreed that the area is tight, but due to budget constraints, the owner is not able to come out any further than the building’s overhang and get into construction.

Mr. Stewart stated that the existing planting strip needs to be redone, using appropriate plantings making it more inviting, bringing relief from the afternoon sun, and softening the view to the parking lot. He said that boxwoods, evergreens and some daylilies would do fine.

Mr. Naccarato said the addition of the railing is an asset to the façade and the addition of hardy plantings would give the building a better presence. Mr. Stewart also suggested implemented trees on each side of the front of the building, giving more shade and more of a presence.

Mr. Carroll said that because the building façade faces west, it will be in full sun in the afternoon. He suggested the installation of ceiling fans to replace the fixtures. He also suggested that they could use container plantings on the pavement.

Mr. Lavery said that Mr. Zhen, the business owner not the building owner, will be pay for the work. Mr. Lavery said that he would approach Mr. Zhen to see if he is agreeable to a planting plan.

Chairman Dahlquist was in agreement with suggestions, and encouraged the implementation of plantings, and also suggested planting some trees closer to the road to give the building some screening. He asked that for the next meeting, Mr. Lavery return with the landscape plan.

Mr. Beach said there are no zoning issues with this project, but they would require a special exception permit for liquor use. The next Board meeting is March 27^th, and the next Zoning meeting is April 2^nd.

Chairman Dahlquist handed out a document entitled, “Design Guidelines- Village Center.” This evolving document was created as a way to approach mixed use projects, and a means to help the Board form questions. It was at the last meeting that members were asked to propose five key questions regarding mixed-use developments.

Chairman Dahlquist said that regarding the Plan of Development, the title “Transect Map”, will be possibly replaced with the words Character Places in order to help with the understanding of the concept. The discussion focused on the terminology used in the documents, the distinctions of each topic, and how best to mitigate the community’s confusion of the concepts.

Mr. Beach said that the town is looking towards Design Review Board as the first stop in a project’s review, and noted that what the Board approves will be stipulated in other Commission approvals. Mr. Beach said that Zoning has recognized their Commission is very unprepared to review site plans and do it justice, and are looking for help from the Design Review Board.

Chairman Dahlquist said that to aid and benefit the process, the design guidelines must be handed out to applicants at the beginning stages, the Board must have a set of criteria based on the guidelines, and the information conveyed to other Commissions via a motion, must be clear and concise.