Design Review Board Minutes 05/16/2016
DESIGN REVIEW BOARD
MAY 16, 2016
MINUTES FROM REGULAR MEETING
I. CALL TO ORDER
Acting Chairman Ron Perry opened the Regular Meeting of the Design Review Board at 5:32 p.m. in the Main Meeting Room at the Town Offices. Also present were Jamie Rabbitt, Director of Planning and Community Development; Michael Glidden, Assistant Town Planner; Janis Prifti, Commission Clerk; and other interested parties.
II. ROLL CALL
Board Members and Alternates in attendance included Ron Perry, Anca Dragulski, Jonathan Laschever, Anthony Drapelick, and Paul Lanza. Jennifer Murnane was not present.
1. Appointment of Alternates
A quorum was present and no alternates were appointed.
III. APPLICATIONS
1. Discussion and Possible Action:
a. Application #16-22 of Thomas E. Frank, Agent; Simsbury ABC Program, Inc., Owner; for a site plan amendment for a sign permit for Simsbury ABC House on the property located at 835 Hopmeadow Street (Assessor’s Map G09, Block 202, Lot 014). Zone SC-1. (received 05/02/2016; decision must be rendered by 07/06/2016)
Application #16-22 was read into the record.
Mr. Frank, representing ABC House, reviewed that this program brings young men of color into Simsbury as temporary residents providing them with a high quality education at Simsbury High to prepare them for a college experience. He reviewed that the program began in 1973 with hundreds of chapters throughout America, most associated with private schools and a few associated with communities, like Simsbury. The Simsbury program moved into the Hopmeadow Street building in about 1978 and is where the boys live with supervision. To the best of their knowledge, there has never been a sign identifying the building as the ABC Program home. The ABC Board of Directors recently decided to identify the building residence and Mr. Frank was commissioned, as a Board member, to design and seek approval for a building sign. Mr. Frank explained that ABC stands for “A Better Chance” and they propose erecting two signs with the name and date the program was established in 1973. The first proposed sign would be a freestanding sign saying, “A Better Chance Established in 1973”. However, the freestanding sign presented some difficulties in that the Connecticut DOT right of way for Hopmeadow Street terminates at the front line of the building so from the house to the street is DOT right of way. They explored leasing that property from the DOT, which was more expensive than the program could afford, e.g. $900/year; and they would also need an insurance rider up to $2-3 Million to protect the State against any possible claims resulting from the freestanding sign being on the property.
Mr. Frank continued that the Board looked for a better way and defaulted to a less desirable alternative. Their main purpose regarding sign location was to provide visibility to people walking or traveling in vehicles north and south; therefore, they located the sign in the side yard right at the extreme eastern edge of their front building lot line extending it parallel to the building, so the sign is 20 feet from the building and is in the yard they basically share with the Methodist Church and is also about 70 feet from any Church structure. He indicated the sign visibility is good and suits their purposes. A much smaller second sign on the building was proposed to identify the house. He noted that graphics for both signs were provided to the Board.
Board Member Laschever asked for clarification regarding the style of the letters and signs. Mr. Frank responded that the letters would be cut into the material in a kind of reverse relief, similar design and colors of the AJZ sign and other nearby signs, and gold paint would be applied; no lighting was proposed.
Board Member Drapelick made a motion to approve and recommend to the Zoning Commission Application #16-22 of Thomas E. Frank, Agent; Simsbury ABC Program, Inc., Owner; for a site plan amendment for a sign permit for Simsbury ABC House on the property located at 835 Hopmeadow Street (Assessor’s Map G09, Block 202, Lot 014). Zone SC-1.
Board Member Laschever seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
IV. GENERAL COMMISSION BUSINESS
1. Commission Education/Workshop
Mr. Rabbitt is working with Chairperson Murnane to determine date and time to meet in the Main Meeting Room.
V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES from the May 2, 2016 Regular Meeting
Board Member Drapelick made a motion to approve the May 2, 2016 Regular Meeting Minutes, as written.
Board Member Lanza seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
Board Member Drapelick made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 5:44 p.m.
Board Member Lanza seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously.