03/06/2023 Design Review Board Minutes
Meeting Date: March 6, 2023
DESIGN REVIEW BOARD
TOWN OF SIMSBURY
REGULAR MEETING
MONDAY, MARCH 6, 2023 at 5:30 P.M.
PRESENT: Polly Rice, Joleen Benedict, Anca Dragulski, Katherine Beal and Steven Antonio
ALSO PRESENT: Planning and Community Development Director George McGregor, Code Compliance Officer Laura Barkowski and Commission Clerk Jackie Lachance
I. CALL TO ORDER: Mr. Antonio called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
II. NEW BUSINESS
Referrals from the Office of Community Planning and Development
1. Application ZC #23-08 of, Westminster School, Owner, for a sign permit for installation of a ± 11 sq. ft. freestanding sign, at 995 Hopmeadow Street. (Assessor’s Map H07 Block 103 Lot 034) Simsbury, CT 06070. Zone SC.
Jeffrey Brignano presented this application indicating that the existing sign will be replaced with the same illumination and landscaping. It was suggested that the Historical Society might be interested in the old sign. The new sign will have a white metal post.
MOTION: Mr. Antonio moved to give a positive referral on this application as presented. Ms. Beal seconded the motion.
VOTE: Antonio – aye, Rice - aye, Benedict - aye, Beal - aye, Dragulski – aye
2. Application ZC #23-06 of, Project Expeditors Consulting Corp., Applicant, Bank of America Corp., Owner, for a site plan amendment for façade changes, landscape upgrades, and site work at 740 Hopmeadow Street. (Assessor’s Map G10 Block 227 Lot 003) Simsbury, CT 06070. Zone SC.
Bryon Poisson presented this application discussing the painting/trim work, guard rail fence, cleaning up staining on the façade, lighting fixtures, bollards paint as well as adding a dumpster enclosure. The Board was concerned with the look of the enclosure and discussed the potential changes. A different plan for the enclosure was submitted by the applicant during this meeting and was agreed to by The Board.
MOTION: Mr. Antonio moved to give a positive referral on this application with the dumpster enclosure being changed to the one that was submitted of the one shown on Railroad Street with the darker shade perhaps stained in a darker shade, perhaps mahogany in color; the addition of three bronze fixtures on front Bank of America sign and the railings as pictured and presented. Ms. Benedict seconded the motion.
VOTE: Antonio – aye, Rice - aye, Benedict - aye, Beal - aye, Dragulski – aye
3. Application ZC #23-03 of Vessel RE Holdings, LLC, Applicant, EAY Properties, LLC, Owner, for a site plan for construction of a 14,063 sq. ft., 80-unit multi-family development, at 446 Hopmeadow Street. (Assessor’s Map G13, Block 142, Lot 003C) Simsbury, CT 06070. Zone R-15.
Attorney Peter Alter of Alter & Pearson in Glastonbury as well as Josh Levy of Vessel RE Holdings, LLC presented the potential changes in response to the comments made at the previous meeting on February 6, 2023. They went over the changes to the outside look of the building, existing trees, sidewalk along Hopmeadow Street and lighting. The Board inquired about a bike rack, recreational area for tenants, lighting within the entrance area, suggested some of the existing trees could be saved, a berm or rock wall along the roadway. The Board has asked the applicant to present renderings of all sides of the building, define the recreation area, look into the fencing along the bike trail for access to the potential recreation area, night views of existing vessels with regards to lighting and the elevations/landscaping as it will be.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
January 18, 2023 regular meeting
MOTION: Ms. Benedict moved to approve the Minutes as presented. Ms. Rice seconded the motion.
VOTE: Antonio – aye, Rice - aye, Benedict - aye, Beal - aye, Dragulski – aye
February 6, 2023 regular meeting
MOTION: Mr. Antonio noted that line 12 on page 2 should be amended to remove Ms. Rice as she left the meeting early. Mr. Antonio moved to approve the minutes as corrected. Ms. Beal seconded the motion.
VOTE: Antonio – aye, Rice - aye, Benedict - aye, Beal - aye, Dragulski – aye
IV. GENERAL COMMISSION BUSINESS
Guidelines for Community Design Signs Discussion – postponed to next regular meeting on March 6, 2023.
V. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Mr. Antonio moved to adjourn this meeting at 6:50 p.m. Ms. Rice seconded the motion.
VOTE: Antonio – aye, Rice - aye, Benedict - aye, Beal - aye, Dragulski – aye