These minutes are for informational purposes only. For official minutes, please contact the Town Clerk's Office.
PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
DECEMBER 11, 2001
CALL TO ORDER
Joan Howard, Chairman, called the Regular Meeting of the Simsbury Planning Commission to order at 7:32 p.m. in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices. The following members were present: Pamela Katz, Susan Bednarcyk, Ernest Gardow, Ferg Jansen and Alternates Cynthia Carey, John Loomis and Carol Cole. Also present were Leonard Tolisano, Senior Planner, Emil Dahlquist, Chairman of the Design Review Board and Design Review Board members Linda Kennedy, Stephen Ossias and Victoria Rogers.
APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATES
None
REVIEW OF DESIGN GUIDELINES BY EMIL DAHLQUIST, CHAIRMAN OF THE DESIGN REVIEW BOARD.
Chairman Dahlquist explained how the Design Guidelines came about, what the goals were in writing the document and how they were achieved. He said that the Board felt the Design Guidelines were put together at an appropriate time, as the town has concerns about economic development. Chairman Dahlquist said that he feels that town commission members should be invested in the idea of managing change as it occurs in town. Chairman Dahlquist explained that he has seen prepared and also unprepared applications come through their board. He said that the Board felt it was important to get a document in place that would express the general feeling and philosophy of he Board, which would also reflect the general consensus of the community. Chairman Dahlquist said that this was put together by the board members, but the landscape
architect, graphic designer and the aerial photographer involved in this project are all Simsbury residents. Chairman Dahlquist said that the guidelines will be available on the town web site and is also available free of charge for any applicant or anyone who would like one.
Chairman Dahlquist said that they wanted to put together a framework for which future board members could evaluate an application from a reasonable, evenhanded and knowledgeable sense. The Board wanted a document that would have sound design strategies in approaching a project. He said that they tried to use sound design principles that any landscape architect would use if given a problem. Chairman Dahlquist said that the architects’ first move is what interests the town, then what concerns the town might have about the project and finally they should apply sound design principles to off street parking, etc. He said that the design guidelines document is basically in two parts, general standards and character places. Chairman Dahlquist said that within the general standards are guidelines that would be pervasive
throughout the town, whatever the location or landscape. He said that the document was then broken down into character places using as an example would an area like West Simsbury require the same guide lines as the open space that is in the northwest part of town. Chairman Dahlquist said that the Board felt that unique spots need unique attention. He said that they looked at natural resources, historic cultural resources, and visual resources to examine unique spots. He said that the guidelines give an applicant a better understanding of what a town expects and is an attempt to give applicants an order of what to expect as possible questions from the various Boards and Commissions they might appear before.
Commissioner Katz asked if the applicants would get a copy of the guidelines before they meet with the Design Review Board. Chairman Dahlquist responded yes. He said that he is asking applicants if they have received the guidelines and if they have read them.
Planning Commission Minutes
December 11, 2001
Page 2
Commissioner Cole asked if the Board had thought of getting architects and developers together and hold a presentation on the new design guidelines. Chairman Dahlquist said he thought this was an interesting idea. Chairman Howard thought this was something that could be talked about at the Commission goes through their Plan of Development procedures in an effort to include town people, etc. Commissioner Katz said that some of the design guidelines could actually be placed in the Plan of Development.
Commissioner Loomis asked if the Design Review Board has plans to change the guidelines over time. Chairman Dahlquist responded yes. Commissioner Loomis asked what implications does this have for the Plan of Development. Chairman Dahlquist said that the document is a sort of checklist so that they can review the applications in an orderly and consistent manner. He said that they are not anticipating changing the general standards.
Commissioner Cole asked how many other towns have done their guidelines like this. Chairman Dahlquist said he is not sure of any others structured in this way. He said that this approach came from looking at a lot of straight guidelines from other towns. Chairman Dahlquist said that they had researched through the American Planning Association and also on the Internet.
Mr. Tolisano said that this is an impressive document and anticipates some national interest in it.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Commissioner Gardow said that he had attended the Capitol Region Council of Governments program “Where Do We Grow From Here” that was held today. He will put together a report to discuss this at a future meeting.
STAFF REPORTS
None
CORRESPONDENCE
None
VII. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF November 27, 2001
Commissioner Katz moved to approve the minutes of November 27, 2001 as presented. The motion was
seconded by Commissioner Bednarcyk and passed unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Bednarcyk moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:35 p.m. The motion was seconded by
Commissioner Gardow and passed unanimously.
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Pamela Katz, Secretary
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