Design Review Board Minutes
Regular Meeting- Tuesday April 10, 2007
Simsbury Town Offices- 5:30PM- Main Meeting Room
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: Charles Stephenson, Kevin Gray, William Gardner, John Carroll, Mark Naccarato, and Richard Schoenhardt. Also present was Zoning Compliance Officer, Howard Beach.
II. APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATES
John Carroll was appointed to serve for John Stewart.
Mr. Carroll motioned to amend the agenda to include an informal presentation by Best Buy.
Mr. Gardner seconded with all in favor.
III. PRESENTATION, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE VOTE
Presentation by Pasquale Brunzo for signage at Terrazza Italia Restaurant, 8 Wilcox Street.
Mr. Bruce Kaplan, and Mr. Pasquale Brunzo were present to discuss the application.
Mr. Kaplan stated that at the last meeting the Design Board suggested that the sign be located either closer to the entrance of the building or incorporate it into the structure of the building, affixed to the top railing, and they have decided to implement both suggestions. He stated that the colors and font will match those seen on the freestanding Fiddler’s Green sign. Mr. Kaplan stated they would prefer not to install lighting for the sign, but instead rely on the ambient lighting. But, he asked that if extra lighting is found to be needed, they be allowed to implement it. He noted that he is opposed to spotlights.
Mr. Beach stated that given that the signage plan for the total site is a great deal under the regulated amount that could be used, they have ample space for this new sign.
Mr. Naccarato asked why the sign was put in the specific location. Mr. Kaplan said that the sign was not perfectly centered because in other spots the sign can not be seen, and Mr. Kaplan said that by putting it a bit off center it looks more interesting.
Mr. Gray asked if the sign should add the word “restaurant” to it. Mr. Kaplan said that Mr. Brunzo prefers not to have the word Restaurant added to the sign.
Mr. Gray motioned that the Design Review Board finds the Application of Pasquale Brunzo for signage at Terrazza Italia Restaurant, 8 Wilcox Street, as shown on plans dated April 10, 2007, in its current form to be generally consistent with the guidelines for community design and recommends its approval by the Zoning Commission with an addition: If determined necessary by the applicant, there shall be two lights installed that shall be no larger than the lights on the free-standing identifier sign or blade sign on Wilcox Street. Mr. Gardner seconded with all in favor.
Design consideration by Chairman Dahlquist:
The Design Review Board appreciates the quality of the signage and the praises the efforts made by the owner and tenant to work with the Design Review Board to achieve the best signage location for the tenant and the building itself. The Design Review Board also thanks the owner for the consistency shown in the site’s unified signage plan.
RECONSIDERATION OF DESIGN REVIEW BOARD RECOMMENDATIONS (2/27/07) MADE TO ZONING COMMISSION REGARDING THE PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION OF A MEN’S WAREHOUSE (RETAIL STORE) ON PROPERTY LOCATED AT 6 ALBANY TURNPIKE
Mr. Borghesi and Mr. Fine were present to discuss the application.
Mr. Borghesi said that after the application went through the necessary Commissions, the owner found some aspects of the project that were too costly, and are before the Design Board to reconsider some aspects of the project. Mr. Fine said that the project has become too costly a venture. He thanked the Design Board for their consideration and their professionalism.
Mr. Borghesi noted that the three aspects for reconsideration are the following:
Eliminate the freestanding light on the building’s side, and instead add a 100-watt full cutoff wall pack.
Extend the fascia 8 feet.
Eliminate screening to the rooftop mechanicals.
Mr. Borghesi showed photos with views of the rooftop mechanicals seen from various angles on and off the site. He stated that given the site and the natural screening/buffers near the site, one cannot see the mechanicals. He stated that having no enclosure around the rooftop mechanicals does not present a negative impact. He also noted that they plan to paint the mechanicals a color to match the fascia system. He asked the Design Board to also be of the opinion that the rooftop screening be eliminated given this information.
The Design Review Board had no concerns regarding replacing the lighting at the back with wall packs.
Chairman Dahlquist said that the critical issue is that there be a cut off at the property line.
As for extending the fascia 6 feet instead of 12, the Design Board expressed that the use of an imitation facade is typical in that neighborhood, and expressed that accept the change.
As for the screening of the rooftop mechanical, Board members expressed concern of the possibility of the trees coming down in the future. Mr. Schoenhardt stated that the Board is generally in agreement that mechanicals are required, he noted however, that in this case, there is enough natural screening and the units are placed far enough back from the road. He suggested that the mechanicals be painted a light grey, no the building color, so that they blend in with the sky.
Mr. Borghesi expressed he does not believe that the trees will be come down because they are a buffer from the shopping complex. He said he will push the units as far back as they can. Mr. Schoenhardt suggested that the smaller units be consolidated.
Mr. Gardner motioned that the Design Review Board finds the request for Reconsideration of Design Review Board recommendations (2/27/07) made to Zoning Commission regarding the proposed construction of a Men’s Warehouse (retail store) on property located at 6 Albany Turnpike, as shown on Sheet number SP1 dated April 9, 2007, and elevation drawing A1 dated April 10, 2007, in its current form to be generally consistent with the guidelines for community design and recommends its approval by the Zoning Commission with the following recommendations: The rooftop units shall be consolidated and located as far back from the road at the rear of the building and shall not require any addition screening than what is proposed. The rooftop mechanicals shall be painted a light grey color so as not to draw attention to them. The proposed wallpack
is acceptable provided it matches the one in the back of the building. The front canopy shall extend eight feet (8) over the fascia as proposed. Whereas the Design Guidelines specifically address screening of rooftop mechanicals, this project is inconsistent with this guideline. However, The Design Review Board finds that due to existing site screening on site, the gas station on one side, trees on the other, the Design Review Board finds this to be sufficient screening and therefore waives the rooftop screening device requirement.
Mr. Schoenhardt seconded with all in favor.
INFORMAL PRESENTATION
Best Buy Signage at 28 – 44 Albany Turnpike.
Mr. Naccarato recused himself for this application.
Mr. Rich Keiser, Architect, and Mr. Tim Palmquist, Best Buy architectural project manager, were present to discuss the application.
Mr. Keiser stated that that Best Buy would like the Board to consider a modification to the already approved appearance of the Best Buy building. The new proposal shows more of the blue wedge, going through the center of the entrance, and also eliminates the arch over the front entrance. Another new aspect is the addition of the extension the blue on the right side of the down to the sidewalk.
There was a discussion about what is considered the signage. Chairman Dahlquist noted that the blue wedge is part of the brand’s identity. Mr. Beach said that the site plan for the whole site has been approved. If the Board approves this modification, they will need to go before Zoning again.
Chairman Dahlquist said that the modification does not appeal to him, it is not an added design feature. He said that the wedge form lends itself to a more sleek building. He said that if they had to do it again, he would have liked to see something other than the blue wedge, it is too large and is seen as branding. He said that is does not fit with the architecture.
Mr. Stephenson and Mr. Gardner agreed that the new proposal seems more appropriate and better proportioned.
Mr. Schoenhardt expressed that he is upset by the elimination of the front architectural arch element, with the extension of the blue wedge. He expressed concern about that the actual blue color to be used will not match that which is shown on the drawing. Mr. Keiser said the blue color could be specified.
Mr. Carroll suggested that the arch could be retained if the wedge were rearranged. There was a discussion about how to go about modifying the proposed idea.
Mr. Gray expressed that Best Buy’s home office does not have the blue wedge. Mr. Palmquist said that Best Buy has other businesses under their wing.
Mr. Palmquist said that working with the Best Buy prototype is at times a challenge. He expressed that due to a town’s zoning ordinances or pre-existing site conditions, there are some buildings that do not have the blue wedge. He said that in this case though, there is no ordinance that prevents them from using blue on the building. Mr. Gray and Chairman Dahlquist said that they consider the blue as signage.
Mr. Carroll expressed that he heard Mr. Palmquist say that the blue is signage. Mr. Palmquist asserted that he did not say that. When asked by Chairman Dahlquist what he considers to be the signage, Mr. Palmquist pointed to the yellow Best Buy tag. Given this, Chairman Dahlquist said that they will treat the blue as an architectural detail. Mr. Palmquist had no issue with that.
Mr. Beach read the zoning regulation pertaining to signage. Signage is “any object, devise, display, structure or part thereof situated outdoors or indoors designed or intended to be seen outside the building, which is used to advertise, identify, display, direct or attract attention to, an object, person, institution, organization, business, product, service, or location, by any means, including words, letters, figures, designs, symbols, fixtures, colors, illuminations, or projected images.
Chairman Dahlquist said that according to the Zoning Regulations, the blue is considered signage, and since Mr. Palmquist has shown that the tag is the sign, then the blue is considered an architectural feature. The Design Board members agreed that the already approved design plan should stay, and that if the project should come before the Board as a formal application it would not be approved.
No action taken, no motion made. The previous decision on the application still stands.
Mr. Naccarato returned to the meeting at 6:50pm.
CORRESPONDENCE/DISCUSSION
Chairman Dahlquist said that at 7pm there is a meeting open to the public regarding the freedom of information act.
On April 25, 2007 there is a public information meeting regarding the River Oaks development.
VII. STAFF REPORTS
VIII. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF March 27, 2007.
Mr. Gray made a motion to approve the March 27, 2007 with a modification.
Mr. Carroll seconded with all in favor. Mr. Gardner, Mr. Schoenhardt, and Mr. Stephenson abstained.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Gardner made a motion to adjourn at 7:00pm.
Mr. Gray seconded, with all in favor.
Respectfully Submitted,
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Kevin Gray, Secretary
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