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: Kevin Gray, William Gardner, John Carroll, Anthony Drapelick, Mark Naccarato. Charles Stephenson arrived at 6:05pm. Also present was Zoning Compliance Officer, Mr. Howard Beach.

Application of Steven Walker, G-C Simsbury, LLC – Owner, for a Site Plan Amendment for signage at Top Driver on property located at the Simsbury Town Shops, 914 – 928 Hopmeadow Street.

The Top Driver business will be located above Starbucks and their signage placed at the second floor level. The six foot sign will be framed with gold leaf pinstriping, will have seven inch black lettering, and be lit by two white 70-watt metal halide gooseneck lamps. The sign will be similar to Starbuck’s signage and will conform to the unified sign plan established for the site.

There was a discussion about the rendering of the signage, making it seem very severe. Board members suggested that the actual sign when placed on the building wouldn’t stand out as much.

Mr. Gardner motioned that the Design Review Board finds the application of Steven Walker, G-C Simsbury, LLC – Owner, for a Site Plan Amendment for signage at Top Driver on property located at the Simsbury Town Shops, 914 – 928 Hopmeadow Street, as shown on drawing 03-1766A dated March 5, 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 conditions that the sign be scaled down one foot in width and the height scaled accordingly, and the use of gooseneck lamps for lighting shall be consistent with those used at Starbucks.

Application of Steven Walker, G-C Simsbury, LLC – Owner, for a Site Plan Amendment for alterations to the existing entry and shop store front at Geepers on property located at the Simsbury Town Shops, 914 – 928 Hopmeadow Street.

The goal of the project is to enclose the lower level entrance and get rid of the hallway on the inside. This will enable patrons to access Villari’s from the outside. The existing lower level windows and trim will also be replaced. They also wish to eliminate the signage for the Classic Nail studio on the back of the building.

Mr. Walker explained that the area is not currently handicap accessible. He stated that the architects have said that since they are only putting in doors that they do not need to accommodate it. Mr. Naccarato had an issue with this, stating that if there is a complaint about handicap access, they must apply for a permit.

Mr. Naccarato said that the window changes benefit the building and the signage is consistent with other parts of the building. He advocated removing the Classic Nails sign as part of the motion.

Mr. Drapelick motioned that the Design Review Board finds the Application of Steven Walker, G-C Simsbury, LLC – Owner, for a Site Plan Amendment for alterations to the existing entry and shop store front at Geepers on property located at the Simsbury Town Shops, 914 – 928 Hopmeadow Street, as shown on drawing 03-1766A dated March 5, 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 condition: The window signs located on the second floor be brought into compliance with the Zoning Regulations. It is understood that the existing signage for Simsbury Classic Nail shall be removed as part of this application.

Application of Edens & Avant, Owners, Matt Walsh, Tim’s Sign and Lighting Service, Inc., Agent, for a Site Plan Amendment for signage at Famous Footwear on property located at Simsbury Commons, 530 Bushy Hill Road.

The 25’ x 4’ long sign for Famous Footwear at Simsbury Commons will be halo lit, will stand six inches off the wall, and the lettering will be four inches thick. In order to give the sign the halo effect it will be lit with neon facing the wall. The sign is within the square footage allowed per town regulations. Mr. Beach stated that the sign is just slightly smaller than the regulations allow.

INFORMAL PRESENTATION by Anthony Giorgio, Managing Director, The Keystone Companies, LLC, on a proposed mixed use development called Dorset Crossing, on property located at 1507 and 1515 Hopmeadow Street.

Mr. Anthony Giorgio- Managing Director, The Keystone Companies, Mr. Thomas Arcari-Architect, Quisenberry & Arcari Architects, Mr. David Zyacks- Engineer, President F.A. Hesketh & Associates, and Mr. Henry Withers-Landscape Architect, CR3, were present to speak on the proposed project.

Mr. Giorgio thanked the Board for the chance to meet with them again He stated that with this project they have been sensitive to aspects that are important to the community. He stated that the site is now ready for development. He stated that they will relocate one of the historic barns, and also noted that there is a proposal to establish a right of way.

Referring to the drawings, Mr. Arcari showed proposed views of the site. He discussed their vision for the streetscape, and the types and scales of the buildings. One and two bedroom residences make up a large component of the site. Traditional housing options will also be available. There are also to be businesses, the largest of which will be a 14, 500 square foot medical office building. Other businesses include a gas station, a Cumberland Farms, and other smaller retail and offices. At the back of the site there will be executive condominiums. Mr. Arcari stated that their goal is make the site pedestrian friendly, noting that they are not designing a site such as the one seen in Canton.

Mr. Hesketh discussed the site with regards to engineering aspects and site access. He stated they propose implementing some landscaped medians near at the main entrance, and showed a drawing of such. At the entrance there will also be a four way light at the Wolcott Street entrance. He said that since the site is currently a semi-restored gravel pit and is a level lot, there aren’t many issues with regards to the areas that are available for the redevelopment.

Referencing the drawings, Mr. Henry Withers discussed the landscaping, planting treatments and paving materials to be used at the site. He stated that they would be implementing a landscaped median strip along Route 10 to help with access to the site. He also stated that lighting on the site would be respectful of the dark skies program.

Chairman Dahlquist asked why the site is organized as it is and asked if the back of the buildings will be facing Route 10. Mr. Arcari answered that the site is flat with few topographical changes, thereby lending itself to a pedestrian environment. As for the back of the buildings facing Route 10, Mr. Arcari said that some of the backs of the buildings will face the street and some will not. He stated that by creating access to the buildings from the front and the back, the backs would look like front entrances as well.

Chairman Dahlquist asked if Saxton Brook will tie in with the site in some way. Mr. Giorgio expressed that the brook will frame the southern boundary, and there is the possibility implement a band shell of some sort. Mr. Giorgio made reference to one of the drawings where the backs of the buildings are not seen. Mr. Withers spoke about the front area open space, a very prominent space out in front of the site.

Mr. Arcari spoke about the types of building to be on the site. The medical office building, the biggest on the site will have a footprint of 14,500 square feet, the pharmacy will have 13,800, restaurants will have 8,200 square feet, and there will also be a retail commercial store with a footprint of 10,800 square feet. Mr. Arcari expressed that the footprints of the buildings are very similar to other buildings found near the site.

Mr. Gardner asked about signage. Mr. Giorgio disclosed that signage is an issue they are not ready to discuss, but did state that he is hoping that Dorset Crossing itself will be destination.

Mr. Carroll asked if they are comfortable with the parking areas they have built into it, and that it works they way it is presented. Mr. Giorgio said that Mr. Zyacks has studied the traffic flow and the parking required for the projected uses. He noted that the medical office building has the most parking and that during off business hours, nights and weekend nights, this parking will be used for spill over.

Mr. Naccarato complemented the design philosophy, and the human scale. He expressed concern with the density of the hardscape surfaces in relation to the available land on the site. He asked if the project would work better if it had 1/3 more land or 1/3 less buildings, which would allow for a more organic layout. Mr. Giorgio said that having more land or fewer buildings would not change the dynamic of the site. He expressed that there has to be some sense of density and they are trying to balance between the pedestrian spaces and the buildings. He expressed that they will look at the project. Mr. Naccarato said that the area must transition well to the neighbors and the street.

Mr. Giorgio said that they are willing to come back to discuss the project. Mr. Giorgio said that they intend to go through under the new town regulations, but if the new regulations are not adopted, they would like to propose a regulation specific to this type of development.

The Board discussed the May 25, 2007 special meeting regarding the River Oaks project for the public and all Commissions and Boards. The public can attend this meeting, but are not able to comment or ask questions. Members discussed possible concerns and questions to raise at this meeting.

Chairman Dahlquist expressed that he would like to see if those on the project would agree to come before the Board for at least three informal review meetings to discuss specifics. He stated that he would like the board members to not engage in back and forth discussions, instead waiting for the informal meetings.