Design Review Board Minutes 02/01/2016
DESIGN REVIEW BOARD
FEBRUARY 1, 2016
REGULAR MEETING
I. CALL TO ORDER
Board members and alternates in attendance were Anca Dragulski, Anthony Drapelick, and Paul Lanza.
Board Member Anca Dragulski made a motion to elect Anthony Drapelick as Acting Chairman.
Board Member Paul Lanza seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously.
Acting Chairman, Anthony Drapelick, opened the Regular Meeting of the Design Review Board at 5:30 p.m. in the Main Meeting Room at the Town Offices. Also present were were Jamie Rabbitt, Director of Planning and Community Development; Michael Glidden, Assistant Town Planner; Janis Prifti, Commission Clerk; and other interested parties.
II. ROLL CALL
1. Appointment of Alternates
A quorum was present.
III. APPLICATIONS
1. Discussion and Possible Action:
a. Application #16-01 of Stuart M. Horen, D.C., Applicant; Thomas Ryan, Simsbury Town Shops, LLC, Owner; for a sign permit for Ideal Weight Loss on the property located at 930 Hopmeadow Street (Assessor’s Map H09, Block 227, Lot 003). Zone SC-1. (received 02/01/2016; decision must be rendered by 04/06/2016)
Application #16-01 was read into the record.
The Applicant reviewed that the signs were revised following the Board’s previous comments respecting the historic property. The Applicant indicated they worked with Town Staff to develop a classic design and provided mockups of the sign(s) to the Board. Town Staff reviewed that while the original proposal placed a sign on the side of the building, the revised proposal is for a much smaller sign tucked under the entryway eave and set back 2 inches from the entryway front fascia with dimensions 48-inches long x 5-inches wide x ¾-inch thick and 2 ¾-inch channel lettering raised ½ inch, as shown in the mockup provided. Town Staff also provided a mockup for a second historic placard-style 10-inch x 12-inch sign showing the 2014 date the business was founded and visible to persons entering. Town Staff confirmed the eave sign placement would provide both for adequate height to entry, as well as hang on two hooks allowing for sign removal, if needed.
Board Member Lanza made a motion to approve Application #16-01.
Board Member Dragulski seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously.
b. Application #16-02 of The Ethel Walker School, Owner, for a site plan amendment for the replacement of the existing 75,000-gallon water storage tank with a new 75,000-gallon water storage tank on the property located at 267 Bushy Hill Road (Assessor’s Map D15, Block 318, Lot 007). Zone R-40. (received 02/01/2016; decision must be rendered by 04/06/2016)
Application #16-02 was read into the record.
Glen Wilcox, Director of Facilities for The Ethel Walker School represented the Owner. The representative reviewed their proposal to replace two underground concrete water storage tanks, one of which has failed, with an above-ground tank. The representative showed the Board the location of the existing tanks and indicated the new tank’s location on a crushed stone base would be just south of that location; he also corrected a typographical error above that the existing tanks hold 30,000 gallons and the new tank would hold 75,000 gallons. The representative confirmed the new metal tank would be 16-feet high and provided the Board with photos taken from the school side of Bushy Hill showing it would be about 150-feet back and hidden behind 2 large rows of white pine trees (Exhibit 7). The representative indicated grade change would be minimal with only excavation to compact the soil; also, only a couple of small standing dead trees would be cleared. Town Staff noted Exhibit 10 showed a close approximation of tank diameter and green color and would not have a shiny exterior.
Board Member Dragulski made a motion to approve Application #16-02, as presented, the new water tank at The Ethel Walker School.
Board Member Lanza seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously.
IV. GENERAL COMMISSION BUSINESS
1. Commission Education/Workshop
Town Staff is engaged in the process of developing with Chairperson Murnane educational information to better understand the Design Review skill set regarding architecture and architectural treatment as Town Staff build relationships with developers in order to better articulate the Board’s vision for various areas of Town, e.g. Weatogue Village, Town Center, or the northern part of Town. Town Staff would be greatly helped by enhanced understanding of the Board’s design viewpoint. Mr. Rabbitt has extensive background and interest in architecture and will continue working with the Chairperson to better understand the Board’s expectations of acceptable prototypes in concert with the Community Guidelines, which contain only 10 photos; he would like the Board to evaluate 100 photos to determine 20 acceptable, 20 unacceptable, and 20 or more that would be acceptable with modifications. Mr. Rabbitt noted developers have specific questions and need more information on what would be acceptable to the Board; the photos would be of buildings in Town, as well as others holding to New England character; he hopes to have the photos for Board review in about a month.
V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES from November 16, 2015 regular meeting
Board Member Lanza made a motion to approve the November 16, 2015 minutes, as written.
Board Member Dragulski seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
Board Member Drapelick made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 5:55 p.m.
Board Member Dragulski seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously.