Design Review Board Minutes 05/05/2014 ADOPTED

DESIGN REVIEW BOARD MINUTES

MAY 5, 2014

REGULAR MEETING

I.          CALL TO ORDER

John Carroll, Secretary, called the Design Review Board meeting to order at 5:34 p.m. in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices.

II.        ROLL CALL

The following Board Members were present:  Ron Perry, Anca Dragulski, Paul Lanza, and Jonathan Laschever.  Also in attendance were Hiram Peck, Director of Planning; Janis Prifti, Clerk; and other interested parties.

APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATES

Board Member Jonathan Laschever was seated for Jennifer Murnane.

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.

Application #13-59 was read into the record.

The Applicant indicated substantial progress has been made to incorporate a new ADA compliant ramp on the front of the north building.  New design documents were provided to the Board Members, including a picture showing 6-7 foot tall grasses that will be cut in spring and 6 Arborvitaes in the rear will provide a street-view buffer.  The revised layout was described as coming from the front of the building 6-feet north, going south creating a landing coming up the side 3-feet from the building, with a new Code-compliant deck built to match the current line and railing in the building front.  The Applicant believed this will be a much better project.  Additionally, plantings will be placed in front of the building where it makes sense and where the ramp is located.  The same gray pressure-treated wood would be used to match the current deck and the same existing brown railings would be used on the ramp.

The Board Members complimented the Applicant on this improved design.  The Applicant confirmed that the deck would remain at the existing level and would be an extension of the existing deck.  Existing signs and lights would remain; the left-side light was put in by the Town last year.  The Board suggested the Applicant consider using long-lasting composite material for the deck and potentially finishing on the street side with a couple of sheets of maintenance-free privacy vinyl lattice.  The building contractor was said to be very familiar with Code requirements.

Board Member Perry made a motion for Application #13-59 that it be approved under the consideration that it does meet the Code, as determined by Town Officials for the submitted Plan dated 5/5/2014 along with the Plantings Plan turned in 5/5/2014; and details regarding the width between balusters will be worked out with Building Officials.

Board Member Lanza seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously.

V.        CORRESPONDENCE

Town Staff advised the Hartford property Code has been revised and completed and is being forwarded to the Hartford for their review.   The Code will soon be posted on the Town website and will come to the Board for review prior to public hearing.

Regarding the Big Y, Town Staff indicated discussions are ongoing with abutting property owners and moving forward; the store would likely open in 2015.

Town Staff reviewed that the Pool Barn property owner received approval from the Wetlands Commission for a convenience store and gas station and complete rehabilitation of the Pool Barn building.  No zoning application has been received by the Town to-date.  The signs displayed in opposition to the gas station express the views of neighboring residents.  The Board discussed the historic significance of the Pool Barn building and Town Staff noted that the building owner is interested in significantly rehabilitating the building for retail on the first floor and something else on the second floor.

VI.       APPROVAL OF MINUTES of April 21, 2014

Board Member Perry made a motion to approve the April 21, 2014, minutes, as written.

Board Member Lanza seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously.

John Carroll requested recognition of his Secretary position for the Board on a nameplate.

VII.     ADJOURNMENT

Board Member Laschever made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 5:53 p.m.

Board Member Perry seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously.

_____________________________

John Carroll, Secretary