Design Review Board Minutes 05/01/2017
DESIGN REVIEW BOARD
MAY 1, 2017
MINUTES FROM REGULAR MEETING - SUBJECT TO VOTE OF APPROVAL
I. CALL TO ORDER
Jennifer Murnane, Chairperson, opened the Regular Meeting of the Design Review Board at 5:31 p.m. in the Main Meeting Room at the Town Offices. Other members and alternates in attendance were Jonathan Laschever, and Anca Dragulski. Also present were Michael Glidden, Assistant Town Planner; Janis Prifti, Commission Clerk; and other interested parties.
II. APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATES
A quorum was present and no alternates were appointed.
III. APPLICATIONS
1. Discussion and Possible Action:
a. Application #17-09 of Chris Milliard, Phase Zero Design, Agent; Mitchell Auto Group, Inc., Owner; for a Site Plan Amendment for changes to the building design for the Volvo Showroom and the Volvo Service/Quick Lane buildings on the property located at 384 Hopmeadow Street (Assessor’s Map F14, Block 145, Lot 001-2). Zone B-2.
Chairperson Murnane read Application #17-09 into the record.
Mr. Milliard, the Agent, recalled they were before the Board a few months ago with some design changes requested. First, he noted lighting was added to the building and the owner wishes to keep it in place; as shown on elevations presented to the Board, the lighting is located over the garage doors and underneath the fabric awnings for the entry doors. Second, he continued they have changed the mullion patterns to accommodate the existing store front, which will now remain. Third, he added the proposed awnings were changed to fabric to add both a traditional accent to the building and for ease of construction, rather than the previously approved but more difficult to construct flat awning; he showed the Board a sample of slate colored material for the awning that will be mounted on an a small aluminum frame attached to the building face.
Mr. Milliard confirmed the lights would be white and downlight only. The Board felt the slate gray fabric would tie in with the slate gray panels. Mr. Milliard noted another change regarding the location of proposed white frosted glass on the Volvo showroom building to fit in better.
Board Member Laschever made a motion to approve Application #17-09 of Chris Milliard, Phase Zero Design, Agent; Mitchell Auto Group, Inc., Owner; for a Site Plan Amendment for changes to the building design for the Volvo Showroom and the Volvo Service/Quick Lane buildings on the property located at 384 Hopmeadow Street.
Board Member Dragulski seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
b. Application #17-10 of SL Simsbury LLC, Owner, for a Site Plan Approval for development of The Ridge at Talcott Mountain, consisting of an assisted living facility, townhouses, apartments, club house, pool, and office/retail buildings on the property located at 200 Hopmeadow Street (shown as Assessor’s Map F17, Block 154, Lot 009-1, Assessor’s Map F17, Block 154, Lot 009-2, and Assessor’s Map F17, Block 154, Lot 009-3). Zone HS-FBC.
Chairperson Murnane read Application #17-10 into the record.
Attorney T.J. Donohue noted this is their 4th appearance, the Board previously approved their Master Plan, and they are now requesting re-referral to the Zoning Commission for this site plan. He explained Sheets 1 and 2 are new, as request by the Zoning Commission to show all 4 elevations for 2 retail buildings in the center; and page 13 provides more detail for the pool and clubhouse area with 3 images.
Regarding a pool amenity, Attorney Donohue believed it is a canopy; he indicated the project has had extensive Staff input. He indicated the purpose is to receive the Board’s referral as they cannot obtain DOT or DEEP permits until the site plan is approved; they have done the background work for Phase 1 and are concerned too much delay could cause them to miss the construction season. Mr. Glidden indicated the Board is part of the approval process and the Board’s referral to the Zoning Commission is required under the Code. Mr. Glidden noted the Board has been provided meeting minutes with the DHP representative, Town Planner, and Town Engineer, along with Staff comments indicating some design issues remain. He noted the Board has time to review these documents and provide questions/comments for the Applicant; the Application is not ready for Zoning to act on it. He continued that the assisted living facility roofline will be changed back to what was suggested and those plans should be provided before the Board acts. Attorney Donohue explained they will press for Zoning to act on 05/15/2017; Mr. Glidden confirmed the Board can approve the same night as Zoning.
Regarding responding to the Board’s previous comments, Attorney Donohue confirmed those were picked up and they have 75 notes from Staff and agree with all of them, and plan to have a further revised plan. Chairperson Murnane noted the Board needs time to review the documents received at this meeting for this Application. Board Member Dragulski noted the renderings received look very nice and may have gone a little too far in trying to please the Board with the variety of details, but was concerned about the commercial buildings and that the upper floor/roof aesthetic design may be fake and not reflect the real building. Attorney Donohue responded these are commercial retail structures and it is highly likely they will change somewhat when they get their retail tenants and they will be back before the Board for the signage; however, Town Staff has told them there can be no retreat from the detail/quality in their representative illustrations; and their architect indicated there may be some useable space on the 2nd floor. Board Member Dragulski felt she would refrain from expressing any opinion on this Application today. Mr. Glidden confirmed this is a live application and the Zoning Commission is looking for referral from this Board; however, there is time to review the material and focus on any outstanding items and he requested the Board state their need for time to review. Attorney Donohue indicated not much has changed, except for the elevations provided tonight. Board Member Laschever agreed on the need for time to review the documents received tonight, including determining generator screening; Attorney Donohue responded that is in the detailed site plan, and a substantial number of highlighted conflicts in the notes provided are being resolved with Staff. The Board noted the better generator re-location shown on page C6; Chris Russ from CA explained the generator was shifted east from the west corner providing more efficient rear courtyards. Board Member Dragulski asked if the west courtyard was supposed to be the terrace of the dining area, and did not know how viable that area would be in the shade surrounded by 3 walls; Mr. Russ indicated it was meant more to be an outdoor sitting area, similar to memory care, and could be too hot in summer without shade. Mr. Russ noted the kitchen was moved to the middle underneath the green roof on the drawing with 2 segregated courtyards; the Board commented positively that the corner has been cleaned up. Board Member Laschever noted the drawing shows a fence line along the sidewalk to the corner, Mr. Russ indicated C37 has fence detail and would be smooth vinyl – the 3-foot picket will go around the assisted living portion and the taller fence around the memory care portion.
Mr. Russ pointed out they worked to lower height going back to a common ridge roofline adding more dormers under the roof; but after speaking with Staff, that tradeoff hurt the building aesthetic so they brought back the breaks in the roof with a taller portion in the center of the legs and then as the connector is crossed pops in that center portion also, which mimics the town homes. Chairperson Murnane asked about the awning legs and drop-off overhang; Mr. Russ responded some of the massing is reduced; the Board liked that change and commented the columns look better.
Regarding the back of the clubhouse, Board Member Laschever asked about the gold area in the right side elevation and if it was standing metal seam; Attorney Donohue believed it was. Board Member Dragulski was concerned about the large glazing piece in relation to the floor line; Attorney Donohue believed the clubhouse interior could be 2 stories. Regarding the floor plan, Mr. Glidden indicated there could be little deviation from the building plans and if a commercial tenant wants something different, except for minor changes, the Master Plan would have to be revised and return to this Board. Attorney Donohue responded they would go back to Staff with any changes and before the Board for signage. Board Member Laschever noted these plans contain a lot of expensive detail, but sometimes a tenant may not want those details and a bland washed-out building is built and asked how locked in this plan is. Mr. Glidden confirmed they are locked in; Attorney Donohue also confirmed they are locked in and cannot build anything but that, without returning to the Board. Attorney Donohue continued that for the retail buildings the Applicant understands the commitment. Mr. Glidden noted as this is not a public hearing, public comment could not be taken.
Chairman Murnane reviewed the plan going forward in order to act at the meeting in 2 weeks; Mr. Glidden responded there may be some outstanding items and further questions, and there may be revised plans addressing some existing questions. Attorney Donohue reiterated they have agreed with Staff comments, except for determining the mechanics of some technical issues. Board Members Murnane, Laschever, and Dragulski committed to be present at the 05/15/2017 regular meeting; and the Board agreed to provide any questions/comments to Staff in the next week so they can be provided to the Applicant for their response prior to the meeting. The Board Members commented positively on changes made to the design to date.
Board Member Laschever made a motion to table Application #17-10 of SL Simsbury LLC, Owner, for a Site Plan Approval for development of The Ridge at Talcott Mountain, consisting of an assisted living facility, townhouses, apartments, club house, pool, and office/retail buildings on the property located at 200 Hopmeadow Street.
Board Member Dragulski seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
IV. GENERAL COMMISSION BUSINESS
None.
V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES of the March 6, 2017, April 3, 2017, and April 17, 2017 Regular Meetings
Board Member Laschever made a motion to approve the March 6, 2017, April 3, 2017, and April 17, 2017, Regular Meeting Minutes, as written.
Board Member Dragulski seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
Chairperson Murnane made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:20 p.m.
Board Member Dragulski seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.