Design Review Board Minutes 04/21/2014 ADOPTED
DESIGN REVIEW BOARD MINUTES
APRIL 21, 2014
REGULAR MEETING
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson, Jennifer Murnane, called the Design Review Board meeting to order at 5:32 p.m. in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices.
II. ROLL CALL
The following Board Members were present: Ron Perry, Paul Lanza, and John Carroll. Also in attendance were Hiram Peck, Director of Planning, Janis Prifti, Clerk, and other interested parties.
APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATES
All Board Members present were seated.
III. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION
a. Application #13-59 of David A. Richman, Agent for DARLAR, LLC, Owner, for a Site Plan Amendment for the installation of a permanent handicap ramp on the property located at 730 Hopmeadow Street (Map G10, Block 227, Lot 002). Zone SC-1.
The Application was read into the record. Following the last meeting, Town Staff conveyed the Board's suggestions for upgrading the ramp plan and the Applicant will provide tonight information developed with his contractor for a revised plan.
The Applicant believed his contractor who met with Town Staff to review the Board's recommendation would be present to answer detailed questions, but the contractor was not present. The Applicant continued that they have agreed to run and install the handicapped ramp from the rear of the building with a dedicated handicapped parking space in the rear of the building. So the ramp would go from the east side along the side yard connecting to the entrance way, rather than their original plan to run the ramp from the parking lot. This would avoid design issues similar to St. Mary's temporary ramp. A list of materials that were submitted to the Building Department was provided to the Board. The ramp, which would only be used by the hearing aid tenant's customers, would now be longer with about 4-feet of the ramp visible from Hopmeadow Street. The Board clarified this would be on the north side of the building and the ramp would go outside the existing spiral staircase on the building. The spiral staircase was formerly a fire escape for the building and was never approved. The Board expressed concern about the building front facade and suggested running the ramp along the side of the building after the spiral staircase, which would add a smaller visible amount of ramp. Also whatever is built in view in the front should all match, including balusters, decking, etc. The Applicant agreed that eliminating the ramp view is what they anticipate doing and indicated his contractor is experienced in Town, has been working with Town Staff, and would be present at the Zoning meeting.
The Board advised the Applicant of their responsibility to provide Zoning with a vetted recommendation and requested they be provided a set of drawings, material colors, handrails, balusters, and landscaping. The issue for this Board is to provide recommendations to Zoning and Planning regarding a project's design and requires an appropriate rendering of what the project will look like when it is finished. At the front, the top of the new structure would be at the same level as the current porch, but the Board would like to see what will be below it for screening; also, how will the side yard be planted forward of the building corner and the ramp. The Board indicated they would not set a precedent by accepting the material currently submitted. The Applicant agreed to provide at the next meeting a set of plans and will bring photos of landscaping which would likely be replanted the same as currently. If the proper information is provided, the Board did not see a problem making a recommendation. The Applicant was referred to the Town's Design Review Guidelines, which set out the information the Board needs to make a recommendation. The Board commended the Applicant for putting the ramp structure on the side of the building.
b. Application #14-19 of Carmen Smith, Agent; Ken Crocker, Applicant; CG-Simsbury LLC, Owner; for a non-illuminated exterior awning for Subway on the property located at 924 Hopmeadow Street (Map H09, Block 227, Lot 002). Zone SC-1.
The Application was read into the record. Town Staff advised that the Applicant was asked to provide a letter of approval from the owner in order to make the Application; they have not yet provided that letter or the fee. A picture of the proposed awning was provided to the Board. The Applicant today indicated to Town Staff that they are not sure they can get the letter of approval because putting the awning in would require the existing Subway sign to be moved higher; they are considering whether to withdraw the Application. Currently, the Application is incomplete and may be withdrawn before the next meeting; combined with no fee received, the Board has the right to deny it. The Board would need to see a plan with dimensions and how it would relate to the other store fronts; a question that arose was whether the sign would be on both the front and side. The Members discussed that Applicants must know that for their Application to be heard by both this Board and the Zoning Commission, they need to provide the material required in the Guidelines; Town Staff indicated they provide Applicants with that information.
Regarding Application #13-59, Town Staff will make sure the spiral staircase which empties to the rear does not trap someone exiting between the ramp and the building.
Regarding St. Mary's 4-month extension from the Zoning Commission to come back with a plan, Town Staff reviewed that would be coming up at the end of May.
V. CORRESPONDENCE
None.
VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES of April 7, 2014
There were not enough members present from the April 7, 2014 meeting to vote, therefore, the minutes stand as written.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
Board Chairperson Murnane made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:00 p.m. Board Member Lanza seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously.
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John Carroll, Secretary