Design Review Board 11/13/2012 ADOPTED

DESIGN REVIEW BOARD MINUTES
NOVEMBER 13, 2012
REGULAR MEETING

I. CALL TO ORDER

Emil Dahlquist, Chairman, called the Design Review Board meeting to order at 5:35 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, Charles Stephenson, and Rita Bond.  Also in attendance were: Hiram Peck, Director of Planning; Janis Prifti, Clerk; and other interested parties. 

II. APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATES

Chairman Dahlquist appointed Commissioner Bond to serve as an alternate member for Mark Naccarato, and Commissioner Carroll to serve as an alternate member 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.

Mr. Peck informed the Commission that the Applicant asked to move consideration of this Application to the next meeting agenda.

2. Application #12-42 of John D. Ritson, Member of RC Connectors, LLC, Owner, for a Site Plan Amendment on property located at 144-146 Hopmeadow Street, Weatogue (Map F17, Block 154, Lot 008). Zone B1.

Mr. Ritson provided the Commissioners with a revised garage layout, which included hip roofs over the ends of each building, with louvers to match the main building, and varied garage door designs, with 4 of one design on each building.  He said to further break up the building's long line, they incorporated an elevation change from the main building 2 feet down toward his office, with each building offset 6 inches lower.  He is not sure he likes having different colored doors on each building and the bike area doors and asked for Commission input.  He would like the white color to match the trim on the main building with the bike doors matching the entry building door.  He said the architect will select light oak or darker mahogany for the building’s main door and hardy plank moss green with bright white trim and oyster gray timberline shingles on both buildings with burnt orange red shutters on the main building and two garage ends.  He showed 3 lights on each building between the garage doors and a matching light at bike storage, totaling 15 lights across with 3 inset at bike storage; he prefers the squarer-shaped light in the package.  He said on the main building there is less lighting because of condos in back and the lights will match.  Regarding lighting operation, Mr. Ritson said they will be on the owner's circuit with generator backup for all interior and exterior lighting and heating, as he wants it to be safe at all times.  Chairman Dahlquist stated issues to consider with lighting are intensity and color and it is best to have the same light color throughout with a white source of light preferable and CFLs would work on the garages; the setup described will contribute to driveway area lighting.  Mr. Ritson stated he received the 5-foot setback variance and goes to Zoning next Tuesday if he provides Mr. Peck with a site plan.

Regarding redesign of the facade with gables over the overhead doors, the Commissioners had no additional comments.  The Commissioners agreed that only the bike inset door should be a different color with the garage doors all one color and the architect can decide whether they have windows.  Regarding the garage door color matching the trim boards, the Commissioners suggested it may be too much bright white over a large area and the architect can decide, and he can also select the light fixture.  Regarding stone work on the main building, Mr. Ritson said it would be as shown in the rendering.  Chairman Dahlquist summarized that all the Commission's concern from the previous meeting have been addressed.

Commissioner Gardner made a motion to approve the Application with the recommendation all overhead doors be the same color and either glazed or not glazed panel doors, with bike inset doors a different color, as presented and selected by the architect; and the lantern type and lighting color will be selected by the architect from the 2 options presented. 

Drapelick seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously.

IV. CORRESPONDENCE

Mr. Peck spoke about the fee structure proposal he would like to take to the Board of Selectmen following Commission feedback.  He compared Simsbury's fees with surrounding towns resulting in some recommended changes.  He said the Town has paid the $60 per application State Land Use Fee retaining $2 for a total of  about $5-6000/year; he is proposing the Applicant pay the $60 fee.  He said the Town has absorbed the cost of legal ads and is suggesting applicants pay the legal ad cost by the inch.  Commissioner Gray alternatively suggested taking the fee and dividing it by the number of applicants.  Mr. Peck is also proposing outside consulting fees be paid by the applicant; this would be triggered when Commissions decide greater analysis is needed combined with BOS approval following obtaining bids.  Mr. Peck said another issue is after-the-fact permit fees because enforcement time has increased substantially; he proposes charging 3x the original fee unless there is a compelling argument in someone's favor.  He will find out if this 3x charge is consistent with Avon, Farmington and Granby and inform the Commissioners at the next meeting so a motion can be made.

Regarding the Orthodontist sign next door, Mr. Peck received a light spec and planting scheme, but no specific plants are shown.  He said the plantings are 4 feet on each side of the sign with shrubs in each corner and flowers near the sign; he asked for the Commission's suggestions as the applicant would like to move forward.  The Commissioners commented the light is outside the planting bed and the light should be in the bed.  Commissioner Bond suggested the applicant rethink the design and shrub locations; a 6-inch border of boxwood incorporating flowers with some type of shrub outline could be done or the shrubs could be moved back to the sides of the sign.  Chairman Dahlquist stated the Commission's idea is to conceal the lights in the plantings.

Regarding the Winter & Associates meeting, Mr. Peck said it did not take place due to the annual end of October storm and they plan to return in January.  In the meantime, he would appreciate any further Guideline suggestions or changes from the Commissioners.  He will advise the Commission of the exact return date.

Mr. Peck requested the Commissioners review the 2013 Meeting Schedule.

Commissioner Gray made a motion to adopt the 2012 Meeting Schedule with one change from 9/17/13 to 9/24/13.  Commissioner Gardner seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously.

Commissioner Schoenhardt then stated the meeting date of 9/17/13 is only 7 days after 9/10/13 and should probably be 9/24/13.  Mr. Peck will confirm this.

Regarding signage, Mr. Peck is working on the draft and will provide it to the Commission well in advance of presenting it to Zoning.  He met with Town business people and many are concerned about not being able to put sandwich boards out.  He told them they will look at their concerns, but too many sandwich boards prevent any of them from being seen.  He said they requested more sidewalks to increase walkability, particularly if Big Y goes forward, so people can walk between various areas.

Commissioner Bond asked about "live sign people" who have become more prevalent and whether the Town has addressed this issue.  Mr. Peck will take a look at what other towns have done.

Regarding passage of Charter changes, Mr. Peck said the changes take effect 1/1/13, but it is unclear when reappointments take place and the Town Attorney is being consulted.

V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES of October 23, 2012

On Line 57, "9-foot car" is deleted and replaced with "8-foot door".

On Line 58 "24 feet is" is deleted; and at the end of the sentence following "traffic lane", "is 24 feet." is added.

Commissioner Carroll made a motion to approve the October 23, 2012, Meeting Minutes, as amended. 

Commissioner Schoenhardt seconded the motion, and it was passed with Commissioner Stephenson abstaining.

VI. ADJOURNMENT

Commissioner Gardner made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:15 p.m.  Commissioner Bond seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously.

_____________________________
Emil Dahlquist, Chairman