Design Review Board Minutes 05/04/2015
DESIGN REVIEW BOARD MINUTES
MAY 4, 2015
REGULAR MEETING
I. CALL TO ORDER
Secretary, John Carroll called the Design Review Board Special Meeting to order at 5:35 p.m. in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices.
II. ROLL CALL
The following Board Members were present: John Carroll, Anca Dragulski, Anthony Drapelick, Ron Perry and Paul Lanza. Also in attendance were Hiram Peck, Director of Planning; Janis Prifti, Clerk; and other interested parties.
III. APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATES
No alternates were seated.
IV. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION
1. Application #15-11 of Christopher Milliard, Phase Zero Design, Agent; Grove Property Fund - Drake Hill LLC, Owner; for a site plan amendment for a sign permit on the property located at 720 Hopmeadow Street (Assessor's Map G10, Block 227, Lot 001-2). Zones SC-1 and SC-3. (received 05/04/2015; decision must be rendered by 07/08//2015)
Application #15-11 was read into the record.
The Applicant's Agent indicated the property owner has a potential new tenant for the 720 Hopmeadow Street property to occupy about 800 sq. ft. The Agent proposed: 1) refurbishing in brick the existing brick patio which is in poor condition; 2) although it is not required, adding black metal guard rails 36-inches tall around the patio with a 30-inch drop to grade; and 3) adding black building mounted awnings of about 36 sq. ft. with cream letters for the logo. The Agent added that the majority of the Canon Building would remain as is and showed the Board renderings of the proposed changes. Town Staff indicated the allowed signage for the building with 123-feet of frontage is much larger than 36 sq. ft. and the awnings could structurally be removed. The Agent explained the patio might temporarily be used at times with a tent set up. The Board noted the retail space would be open after dark at times with appropriate lighting needed on the stairs and for safety. The Agent responded that the previous retail tenant in the space was safely open after dark.
Board Member Drapelick made a motion that Application #15-11 of Christopher Milliard, Phase Zero Design, Agent; Grove Property Fund - Drake Hill LLC, Owner; for a site plan amendment for a sign permit on the property located at 720 Hopmeadow Street (Assessor's Map G10, Block 227, Lot 001-2). Zones SC-1 and SC-3, be approved as presented on the plan dated 04/15/2015, including the railing, re-built patio as shown on the drawing with no additional lighting.
Board Member Lanza seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously.
2. Application #15-14 of Ed Lally and Associates, Inc., Agent; Mike Girard, President, Girard Brothers Corporation, Applicant; River Bend Holdings, LLC, c/o Tim Lescalleet, Senior Vice President, Owner; for a sign permit and site plan approval on the property located at 80 Wolcott Road (Assessor's Map I02, Block 439, Lot 009). Zone I-1. (received 05/04/2015; decision must be rendered by 07/08/2015)
Application #15-14 was read into the record.
The Applicant provided background information regarding the proposed zone change to I-2 and site plan application for their planned move to the recently purchased property at 80 Wolcott Road; their current operations from both 2 Farms Village Road and Iron Horse Boulevard would be consolidated at the new location.
The Applicant's engineer presented plans for the new corporate/construction facility currently zoned I-1 with an application to change it to I-2 and eliminate the existing 10-acre non-conformance, as well as provide Phonon with land for 30 needed extra parking spaces. The engineer described the 9.88-acre property as having an existing 150x50-foot building that would remain, a new building with 6400 sq. ft. of office space and behind it a 6000 sq. ft. vehicle storage/maintenance facility, a proposed 3000 sq. ft. addition that would be constructed when needed in the future; a 40x60-foot salt storage building meeting all DEEP requirements at the site rear, a drive to the south for construction equipment and a drive to the north for office access would be added with the existing center drive utilized by mixed use lighter vehicles; an existing fence around the property perimeter would be re-located with a portion back from the street and screening vegetation to be less obvious - a list of plants was provided to Town Staff; an existing berm would be enhanced with plants and another decorative berm added to the north to provide screening to the less industrial Phonon site; the front portion of the property would be paved and the rear would be heavy gravel for construction equipment storage; all repair would take place inside the building with a floor drain to an oil/water separator before reaching a sanitary sewer; the balance of the site would have light gravel treatment for product storage, construction material, catch basins, piping, etc. fairly well screened from the street by the berms and landscaping; there are no wetlands on the site and for drainage, soil tests to 14 feet were found to be dry with highly absorptive soil; regarding soil sediment concerns, during heavy storms the lower portion of the site is rimmed by a swale (identical to that approved by DEEP at the Iron Horse site) which would drain to an oversize (24 times bigger than required by DEEP) siltation basin and the net result would be a reduction in the volume and rate from the site replicating conditions that existed before the property was disturbed; and new LED lights on both sides on 14-foot poles in full cutoff shoebox style and dark sky compliant are proposed around the office area for employees.
The Applicant provided the Board with two handouts - one for the actual property location near Herman Drive and a smaller version of the color schemes, the office building colors proposed were either white/gray or dark green/gray; they placed the commercial metal building (200-feet long, 60-feet wide, 14-feet high) in back of the office building to be less visible; and building lighting would be more decorative. The Applicant would use the existing commercial 7500 sq. ft. building which is in good condition and would be cleaned up with landscaping added and the existing fence pushed back. Regarding lighting after dark, the Applicant indicated adequate 14-foot light poles would be added, one in front of the building and other lights in proper locations and on the metal building. The Board requested the lighting plan be submitted to Town Staff for approval with the goal of eliminating lighting trespass off the property as well as review of light styles. The Applicant indicated their location would be about 100-feet off the airport runway and they would be very sensitive to airport concerns regarding lighting. The Board Members commented positively on the proposal.
The Applicant showed the Board the proposed signage with their bulldozer green logo in a white frame with light gray which would be lighted from the ground with landscaping - the same sign as on West Street. The Applicant indicated their plan to sell their current two properties with FEMA verifications currently in process.
Board Member Perry made a motion to approve Application #15-14 of Ed Lally and Associates, Inc., Agent; Mike Girard, President, Girard Brothers Corporation, Applicant; River Bend Holdings, LLC, c/o Tim Lescalleet, Senior Vice President, Owner; for a sign permit and site plan approval on the property located at 80 Wolcott Road (Assessor's Map I02, Block 439, Lot 009). Zone I-1, as submitted, including [Hiram Peck to list the submitted drawings], project narrative, planting plan, aerial photo outlining the area, and the renderings dated 05/04/2015, Sheet A2, and signage dated 04/16/2015.
Board Member Drapelick seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously.
3. Application #15-16 of Ed Lally and Associates, Inc., Agent; Phonon Corporation, c/o Tom A. Martin, President & Board Chairman, Owner; for a site plan amendment on the property located at 90 Wolcott Road (Assessor's Map J02, Block 439, Lot 009C). Zone I-1. (received 05/04/2015; decision must be rendered by 07/08/2015)
The Applicant's Agent indicated this is an Application to change the Zone from I-1 to I-2 eliminating the existing 1.54-acre parcel non-conformance; Girard Brothers will deed to Phonon about .4 acres on the south side for a net increase of 30 Phonon parking spaces and a total of 120 spaces. The Agent indicated the Phonon has a very successful business with high-paying jobs and wants to remain in Town and this solves a severe parking shortage for them reducing existing non-conformance of the parking lot to the property line; existing lights would remain and service the new parking; current drainage works well with the porous absorptive soils; a new drainage system has been designed with a large perforated pipe and no outflow for up to a 25-year storm, and for a 50-year storm, only .14-inches would pond in the catch basins and be gone in about 1/2 hour; and there would be a new berm along the street with new landscaping, flowering shrubs, and shade trees, (the same list as provided with Application 15-14), and a new row of varied evergreens.
Board Member Lanza made a motion that Application #15-16 of Ed Lally and Associates, Inc., Agent; Phonon Corporation, c/o Tom A. Martin, President & Board Chairman, Owner; for a site plan amendment on the property located at 90 Wolcott Road (Assessor's Map J02, Block 439, Lot 009C). Zone I-1, received 05/04/2015 be approved as submitted.
Board Member Drapelick seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously.
V. CORRESPONDENCE/ANNOUNCEMENTS
None.
VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES from April 20, 2015
Board Member Drapelick made a motion to approve the April 20, 2015 minutes, as written.
Board Member Lanza seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Regarding whether any apartment construction has begun, Town Staff indicated only Dorset Crossing is underway; Carson Way and south of the NU property are currently going through the DOT process. Regarding the Ensign House, Town Staff explained one of the partners is now deceased and they are working through financial issues; the back portion would be new buildings and the front portion and first part of the project would be to restore the existing building; each portion would likely require different types of contractors.
Town Staff noted St. Mary's recently returned to the Zoning Commission, but they must obtain specific Archdiocese approval before moving forward; the Zoning Commission was positive about their plan to date which may be submitted in the fall.
Regarding Cumberland Farms, Town Staff noted a pre-construction meeting is scheduled with them this week; in about 2-3 weeks, the existing building should begin renovation at the same time as construction of the store.
Regarding Simscroft’s current property, Town Staff indicated based on the Charrette that would be residential property and developers have expressed interest; concerns regarding the flood plain caused Simscroft to go through extensive mapping/elevations which have now gone to FEMA for their approval to clearly outline the flood line location potentially reducing the 14-acre property to 12 acres; with proper design, residential units would look out on 420 acres of open space. Town Staff indicated the large flood plain area is part of the assessment to potentially develop the Senior/Community Center; in 2008 the FEMA flood line was moved eastward, so any developer disagreeing with the flood line must perform hydrology studies, submit them to the Town, and if the Town agrees the studies are sent to FEMA with a request to move the line.
Regarding the Flower Bridge property, Town Staff indicated a 5 p.m. meeting is scheduled for 5/11/2015 to further discuss suggestions.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
Board Member Drapelick made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:30 p.m.
Board Member Perry seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously.