Design Review Board Minutes 05/15/2017

Meeting date: 
Monday, May 15, 2017

DESIGN REVIEW BOARD

MAY 15, 2017

MINUTESS 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 5:35 p.m. in the Main Meeting Room at the Town Offices.  Other members in attendance were Jonathan Laschever, Anca Dragulski, and Paul Lanza.  Also present were Jamie Rabbitt, Director of Planning and Community Development; Michael Glidden, Assistant Town Planner; Attorney Mike Zizka; 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 #17-10 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 represented Silverman SL Simsbury noting at their appearance on 05/01/2017 they presented alternate elevations of 4 commercial buildings and the Application was continued to this meeting in order to address any other comments to the plan within the Board’s jurisdiction.  He requested a favorable recommendation to the Zoning Commission from the Board.

 

Chairperson Murnane believed that most of the Board’s comments were addressed and asked if Board members had any further comments.  Board Member Laschever recalled it was agreed at the last meeting that Board Members would review the documents and forward any comments/questions to Staff for the Applicant to address.  Mr. Rabbitt reviewed 3 areas from an architectural standpoint the Applicant attempted to address:  1) CA’s original roofline was a single horizontal plane and in subsequent submittals was broken up into 4, then in the last month they went back to one horizontal plane, and then in the last 2-3 weeks back to 4 plus separations; 2) between the Master Plan and site plan, the larger building stacked flats showed 3 entrances required for street appearance, but one of the small stacked flats in the southwest corner to the right of the main entrance had been shortened showing one main entrance and now shows the 3 entrance profile; and 3) the request by both Zoning and this Board for pen/ink simple drawings of other elevations for the small commercial shops have been submitted by the Applicant.  He added the northern elevation for small shops facing the parking lot for both retail and assisted living, as they move through the building process and when a tenant is determined, may require further architectural review of the 4-sided building with pedestrian access.  He commented the Applicant did a good job addressing Staff and Board comments with the desired theme achieved; a Staff memo provided to the Board dated 05/15/2017 recommended approval.

 

Board Member Dragulski asked for clarification regarding screening of the back nursing home utility area on the north side.  Attorney Donohue responded those plantings would be offsite on Riverwalk property; they have submitted a comprehensive screening plan to Riverwalk who have expressed approval to date, and will meet with them before tonight’s Zoning meeting.  Mr. Rabbitt clarified there is a proposed building, parking, an access drive, and within a larger area on the north side a shoulder/landscape buffer with mature species and a multi-purpose trail – just north of the trail is a 20-foot wide sewer easement where only small plantings can be placed,  not a mature canopy, which is why Silverman is working with the northern Riverwalk property to supplement landscaping offsite.  Attorney Donohue added the Applicant has submitted that supplemental landscaping as a part of the site plan.  Mr. Rabbitt noted the Zoning Commission cannot impose an offsite condition or make an approval that landscaping occur on someone else’s property, but the Applicant can propose to do it with ultimate signoff from that northern property owner.

 

Chairperson Murnane made a motion to approve Application #17-10 of SL Simsbury LLC, Owner, for site plan approval for development of The Ridge at Talcott Mountain.

 

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

               

 

Chairperson Murnane made a motion to amend the Agenda to add for discussion Application #17-20 of Jeremy Vearil, Applicant; Sandra Burke and Marshal Epstein, Owners; for a site plan amendment to change the location and size of the previously approved proposed wine production building on the property located at 25 East Weatogue Street.

 

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

 

Mr. Rabbitt clarified that the Zoning Commission will receive Application 17-20 tonight, which also requires referral to the Land Trust; the Applicant asked to begin preliminary review with the Board this evening so that comments can be addressed before the 06/05/2017 Zoning meeting.  The Applicant explained the urgency relates to the seasonality of their business. 

 

Board Member Dragulski asked about the color scheme.  The Applicant responded it would likely be barn red, similar to other buildings on the property; and the roof would be a similar green metal.  Regarding visibility from the road, the Applicant showed on the drawing that at about 180 feet from the road, there would be a very limited view as you drive by.  The Applicant indicated the frame would be 2x6 with a truss roof; the building is for Staff only and  some portions would be heated, but not all of it.  The Applicant plans to produce Rose’ for the first time; the Board commented June 12th is national Rose’ day.  Board Member Laschever asked about the grading plan.  The Applicant indicated grading would be minimal with the proposed building at 170 and existing grade at 168; the visiblesss middle portion of the building facing the parking lot/road was noted on the drawing.  Board Member Lanza asked about the lack of corner boards on the south elevation; the Applicant indicated that would be corrected on the design.  Chairperson Murnane commented the slit windows did not look good; Board Member Dragulski added square windows up high facing the road would look better.  The Board agreed those bathroom windows should continue to provide privacy.  Mr. Rabbitt suggested frost laminating those windows to protect them with their proportions visible from the road; and architectural treatment to the eave could be added, e.g. a vent.  The Applicant agreed these modification improvements could be made.  Regarding the shed roof area of the building, the Applicant indicated that is where the press pad would be placed and showed the Board the locations of tanks, etc. with deliveries at the back garage door. 

 

Board Member Laschever expressed preference given the 4-5 detail comments discussed and the fact that Zoning will not act tonight, that the Applicant return to the Board on 06/05/2017 with revised plans for review.

 

Board Member Laschever made a motion to table Application #17-20 of Jeremy Vearil, Applicant; Sandra Burke and Marshal Epstein, Owners; for a site plan amendment to change the location and size of the previously approved proposed wine production building on the property located at 25 East Weatogue Street to the Board’s next meeting to allow the Applicant to make changes to the architectural drawings as discussed.

 

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

 

IV.          GENERAL COMMISSION BUSINESS

None.

 

 

V.            APPROVAL OF MINUTES of the May 1, 2017 Regular Meetings

 

Board Member Laschever made a motion to approve the May 1, 2017 Regular Meeting Minutes, as written.

 

Chairperson Murnane seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously.

 

 

VI.          ADJOURNMENT

 

Chairperson Murnane made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:02 p.m.

 

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