Design Review Board 01/22/2013 ADOPTED
DESIGN REVIEW BOARD ADOPTED MINUTES
JANUARY 22, 2013
REGULAR MEETING
I. CALL TO ORDER
Emil Dahlquist, Chairman, called the Design Review Board meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices. The following members were present: John Carroll, Anthony Drapelick, Rick Schoenhardt, William Gardner, Kevin E. Gray, and Charles Stephenson. Also in attendance were: Hiram Peck, Director of Planning; Janis Prifti, Clerk; and other interested parties.
II. APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATES
Chairman Dahlquist appointed Commissioner Carroll to serve as an alternate member for the Board vacancy and Commissioner Drapelick to serve as an alternate for John Stewart.
III. PRESENTATION(s), DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE VOTE
1. Application #12-39 of Gerard Toner, Agent for the Town of Simsbury, Owner, for a Site Plan Amendment for the addition of restroom facilities at Memorial Park Little League fields on property located at 60 Plank Hill Road (Map G09, Block 202, Lot 22). Zone R15.
Tom Benneche, President of Simsbury Little League, was joined by John Fitzgerald, their contracted builder, and Fred Osterner, Vice President of Simsbury Little League. Mr. Benneche presented the Application renderings to the Commission for the layout to: 1) add to the back of the snack shack 3 restrooms - women’s, men's and unisex/handicapped - and 2) add overhangs off each side; on the right facing Field 2, the overhang provides coverage from fly balls and weather; on the left side service window, the overhang provides coverage for people waiting for food; the building front covered area has 4-5 picnic tables. He said there is an A-frame worked in over the existing staircase and confirmed a grade change, but said there are no significant changes. He said the building will be re-roofed in all-matching standard architectural grade material. He said they anticipate not having to relocate a grinding pump in the back and there will be outdoor lighting at the pavilion area and at the staircase for safety. He said they generally place sponsor signs with small spotlights wherever they can to raise money for the league.
Commissioner Gray made a motion of referral to the Zoning Commission that the Design Review Board finds the Application substantially consistent with the intent and principles of the Guidelines for Community Design and recommends approval as presented on PD 1 and 2 dated January 18, 2013.
Commissioner Gardner seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously.
2. Application #13-02 of Gary Bolduc of Poyant Sign Co., Agent for E AND A/I I AND G COMONS LP, Owner, for a sign permit for Homegoods on property located at 530 Bushy Hill Road (Map B20, Block 508, Lot 001-B). Zone B3.
Gary Bolduc, of Poyant Sign Co., the authorized sign vendor for TJX Companies in New England, said the Homegoods division will be moving into the former Borders' location at Simsbury Commons. He said their drawings reflect removing Borders letters and replacing them with Homegoods letters using the same square footage and locations. He said Homegoods brand uses red letters spaced off the wall with each letter halo lit. He said there are 2 sets of letters at the main entrance and on 3A the Borders letters will be replaced with non-lit 1/2 inch stud-mounted letters. He said 4A.2 shows the other end of the building with "Borders Books and Music" and they would like to use halo lit white letters to contrast with the brick. Mr. Bolduc said on 5A they would replace another set of non-lit "Borders Books and Music" with non-illuminated letters. He said 6A.1 and 7A.1 are 2 separate monument signs where they would replace the "Borders" panels. He said the last page provides an overview of the location. Regarding the number of signs exceeding design standards, Mr. Peck clarified it goes back in time, but in terms of square footage considering the large amount of frontage, it meets current regulations. Chairman Dahlquist recalled that the presenters originally argued that from Rte. 44, stores felt they were at a disadvantage and needed to be identified. Regarding the agreement that monument signs be in a unified black color, Mr. Bolduc stated there are currently different colors. The Commissioners discussed branding aspects of the signage, which may be of greater concern to the Zoning Commission. Mr. Peck said unification may come through size and location of signs with monument signs stylized for different stores, and the Board may wish to make a recommendation to Zoning.
The Commissioners discussed the height of the sign letters and each of their locations and suggested maintaining consistency with red letters. For 1A.1 and 2A.1, Mr. Bolduc explained the letters are 37-inches high and the same length and are identical on the west and south sides. He said the 3A and 3A.1 drawings with 42-inch tall letters are on a different building and are decreased in height because the existing "Borders" letters are taller at 57 1/2 inches. For 4A.1, he said the square footage is 67.1. Mr. Peck said there is so much slack given existing frontage, it was verified to be within Zoning requirements. The Commissioners discussed the signs for each location with the Applicant, as well as for adjacent businesses. Mr. Bolduc explained the TJX national brand has red letters, which the landlord and owner have approved. The Commissioners agreed that, away from the red letters at the main entrance, black letters would stand out better on the brick. Mr. Bolduc confirmed on 6A.1 the background for Homegoods will match the other stores in an off-white color.
Chairman Dahlquist made a motion to recommend to the Zoning Commission approval of: 1) signage above the main entrance as presented in the red letters of the size proposed; 2) the other locations would be converted to black letters, rather than red to match the unified sign original concept and reconfigured to match the square footage of the "Borders" sign at Location 4; 3) at the location above Chili's parking lot, would be as presented but in black color; and 4) the monument colors, sizes and locations are fine as presented.
Commissioner Schoenhardt seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously.
Chairman Dahlquist explained the Commission is trying to strike a balance with this recommendation in order to achieve a unified sign plan and expressed thanks to the Applicant. Commissioner Carroll suggested both Commissions review and be comfortable with the language for unified signage and that applicants for signage be advised to provide photos of the surrounding area. Chairman Dahlquist noted it would be consistent in the future to ensure photos are available in order to make a decision. Chairman Dahlquist noted the Konover Group presentation for this complex applied pressure to grant approval in order to allow them to meet tenant requirements and get leases signed. Mr. Peck said anytime the Commission would like to see additional material at a meeting to let him know and he will ask for it. Chairman Dahlquist said photos are always helpful to have, including for the Applicant's presentation to Zoning.
IV. DISCUSSION
1. Simsbury Town Center Design Guidelines
Mr. Peck provided the Commissioners with a revised copy of the Design Guidelines for final review before formal printing. Regarding a motion to approve the Design Guidelines, the Commissioners agreed to do so at the next meeting. Commissioner Drapelick discussed Commissioner Gray's comment at a recent meeting about considering "does it fit" in the Guidelines. Chairman Dahlquist thought there is enough in the Guidelines to provide for such interesting discussions for the Town. Commissioner Carroll noted the need to use the right decision language and discuss what is positive and to put on the record that this is the Commission's approved document. Commissioner Gray asked if branding and big boxes should be considered longer term in the Design Guidelines for the whole Town. Mr. Peck said yearly expenditures will close out soon and he would like to get the Design Guidelines printed. The Commissioners discussed that this could be a free-standing document and to see how it works, and it could be reviewed for what is common for the whole Town.
Regarding the other "character" areas of the Town, Chairman Dahlquist said Mr. Peck's review of other places for Town has begun, and the profiles for each could begin to be more specific. Mr. Peck said he has 4 proposals for the marketing studies which will shortly be narrowed to 2 proposals. He said the scope of work would likely include designating 2-3 locations, design guidelines, and zoning standards. He noted the Simsbury Commons area has a very different character and is an economic driver for the whole Town with the potential for some land changing from residential to commercial; design is very important in this area. Mr. Peck will keep the Commission informed as discussions move forward.
V. CORRESPONDENCE
Mr. Peck stated every 2 years the Connecticut Bar Association offers intensive training for Land Use Commissioners on a Saturday in Middletown. He said it always sells out and suggested signing up right away.
Mr. Peck said tomorrow evening in this room there is a 90-minute Zoning Board of Appeals presentation by Land Use Attorney Steve Byrne from the Connecticut Federation of Planning and Zoning Agencies and invited the Commissioners to attend; a booklet will be provided regarding commissioners' responsibilities.
Chairman Dahlquist contacted Chairman Pomeroy recently to initiate a session; they have appointed Mr. Pomeroy, Ed Pabich, and Dave Ryan from Zoning to interact with DRB. He said Commissioners Gray, Stephenson, and he will represent DRB in such future discussions.
VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES of December 11, 2012
Commissioner Gray made a motion to approve the December 11, 2012, Meeting Minutes as written.
Commissioner Carroll seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Drapelick made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:55 p.m. Commissioner Stephenson seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously.
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Emil Dahlquist, Chairman