Design Review Board Minutes 05/28/2013 ADOPTED
DESIGN REVIEW BOARD MINUTES
MAY 28, 2013
REGULAR MEETING
I. CALL TO ORDER
Emil Dahlquist, Chairman, called the Design Review Board meeting to order at 5:31 p.m. in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices. The following members were present: John Carroll, Rick Schoenhardt, Kevin E. Gray, John Stewart and Rita Bond. Also in attendance were Hiram Peck, Director of Planning, Janis Prifti, Clerk, and other interested parties.
II. APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATES
Chairman Dahlquist appointed Commissioner Bond to serve as an alternate for William Gardner, and Commissioner Carroll to serve as an alternate member for Mark Naccarato.
VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES of May 14, 2013
Commissioner Schoenhardt made a motion to approve the May 14, 2013, Meeting Minutes as written.
Commissioner Stewart seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously.
IV. Discussion of status of The Hartford Land Use Study
The next Subcommittee meeting will be Wednesday, May 29th at 5 p.m. in the Town Hall Main Meeting Room. Members include the land use commission chairmen and their designees and Mary Glassman and Sean Askham from the BOS. The group will select 3 consultants to interview and shortly select just one consultant to submit a proposal as it involves a lot of work.
V. CORRESPONDENCE
The Village District Consultant will provide results of the last meeting and would like to tentatively schedule the next meeting for Thursday, June 19th, to which all the land use commissions can be invited; following the 6/19 meeting the Consultant will prepare for a public presentation.
III. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION
1. Application #13-20 of Tunji Somma, Agent for Simsbury Turnpike Realty, LLC, Owner, for a site plan amendment for the addition of pay stations and rerouting of travel lanes on the property located at 39 Albany Turnpike (Map A20, Block 901, Lot 001). Zone B3.
Connecticut Auto Spa will manage the old Valley Car Wash and the Applicant sought approval of the overall color scheme. The bottom is a darker gray, 2 blue lines around the entire perimeter at door height, and then existing vinyl gray siding above. The signage is not part of this Application. The vacuums are exterior with red metal posts and a blue canopy; the distance from the post to end arch is about 6 feet at the peak and covers about 1/2 the car; 10 were approved by Planning and Zoning and they will use 8. Planning and Zoning have asked for DRB's comments. Entry from Rte. 44 will be to the right, passing vacuums on the right, turning to the left to enter the car wash; until a proposed road is approved an outside lane will be used for exit. There are 3 spaces for car drop-offs which will be moved from those spaces by employees. Asphalt marking will also be utilized to clarify directions for users. Potential street signal issues will be brought up before Zoning. The problem of backing out of the 8 vacuum spaces was discussed; rather than 24 feet, there is 22 feet to back into from the 60 degree isles which is acceptable for a private drive. No exterior lighting is proposed at this time. A drive-thru system for the vacuums was suggested to eliminate the need to back out.
Commissioner Stewart made a motion to indicate to the Zoning Commission that the DRB finds the proposal for Application #13-20 to be generally consistent with the Guidelines for Community Design and recommends approval in its current form. This is specific to the colors that were presented by the agent, Mr. Somma, for Application #13-20 read into the record; specifically for the color of the building, the color of the two blue bands, and the color of the apparatus for the vacuums. As an amendment, DRB expresses concern on the ongoing site development regarding vehicular circulation and understands that will be reviewed at another time as the project is under development.
Commissioner Schoenhardt seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
As a design consideration, the issues of cross traffic, narrow lanes and parking spaces along traffic lanes causes safety concerns and will require directional signage.; development of a master plan was highly recommended to include consideration of the intersection.
2. Application #13-22 of Marc Lubetkin, Agent for George Markatos, Owner, for a Zone Change from SC-3 to SC-1 on the property located at 10 Mall Way (Map G10, Block 227, Lot 001-A+RR). Zone SC-3.
This Application was continued to the June 11, 2013 meeting.
4. Application #13-25 of John D. Ritson, Agent for RC Connectors, LLC, Owner, for a Site Plan Amendment for modifications to the landscaping plan on property located at 144-146 Hopmeadow Street (Map F17, Block 154, Lot 008). Zone I-1.
A new landscape plan was presented to respond to the concerns of neighboring Talcott Acres Condo Association. They asked that 5 trees be moved to provide better screening and requested additional bushes to increase understory for more screening and they are happy with this plan. The indigenous species were revamped with input from expert, Margery Winters, and the Conservation Commission has approved this plan. Planting is planned for the 2nd week of June; the rain gardens are currently being installed.
Commissioner Stewart made a motion to indicate to the Zoning Commission that the DRB finds the proposal for Application #13-25 to be generally consistent with the Guidelines for Community Design and recommends approval in its current form; drawing dated and revised 5/8/2013, page 6 of 7.
Commissioner Carroll seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
5. Application #13-29 of Matt Wittmer of Phase Zero Design, Agent for GC-Simsbury, LLC, Owner, for a Site Plan Amendment on the property located at 920 Hopmeadow Street (Map H09, Block 227, Lot 001). Zone SC-1.
The Applicant presented modifications to the plan. To increase accessibility to Subway, the Applicant proposed infilling an outdoor area in back to help create a new front entry at Subway which would balance the work for Metro Bis. The plan shows 2 large windows of the size, design, and dimension currently used in the complex. The awning above Metro Bis is intended to make it a focal point and create differentiation from Subway's entry. Discussion included the fenestration pattern and the large windows, oversized lights with horizontal muntin bars and the change from what is currently there, as well as traffic and parking issues. Also discussed were entry from the side parking lot and whether there is room for a sidewalk given car traffic and more attention to pedestrian circulation was suggested. A portico for Metro Bis was discussed for the roofline similar to Starbucks to enhance differentiation and moving the Subway door further right or linking the door and window together. The Applicant noted a grade issue at the Subway location; consideration of a ramp was suggested. The Applicant felt the railing wrapping the building also distinguishes Metro Bis. The Applicant indicated Metro Bis would happen sooner than Subway and they may return with more options for Subway. The Commission's goal of separating vehicle and pedestrian traffic needs further development.
Regarding the Sarah Byrnes and Workshop area, the Commission reiterated a suggestion to use a vertical muntin bar to maintain the barn-like structure. The Applicant is planning to replicate the windows similar to those on Horan's which are flush with the building face, rather than using a bay window. Paneling will be introduced below the windows and more detail added, but the Applicant did not like the vertical bar look. The Commission felt there was a disconnect between the fenestration and the barn-like style of the building and the character would be more like a strip mall and it would be better to not swap out all the current small munton-type windows for all '60s style windows. The Applicant will look further at the Commissions suggestions. The Commission suggested the Applicant review the fenestration, circulation, and detailing discussed and invited them to return to DRB, although they can proceed to Zoning for approval. It was clarified that in an informal hearing the Commission has the option to waive the formal and give approval; the Application could be re-submitted to DRB in 2 weeks.
Commissioner Gray made a motion regarding Application #13-29 to indicate to the Zoning Commission that DRB finds this proposal in its current form to be generally inconsistent with the Guidelines for Community Design and recommends this proposal be denied in its current form and be re-submitted to be more in keeping with the Guidelines with specific attention to the traffic flow between pedestrians and vehicles, the fenestration on the Metro Bis property, the windows, and the access to subway.
Commissioner Stewart seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously.
6. Application #13-30 of Matt Wittmer of Phase Zero Design, Agent for GPF-Drake Hill, LLC, Owner, for a Site Plan Amendment on the property located at 720 Hopmeadow Street (Map G10, Block 227, Lot 001-2). Zone SC-1.
The Applicant stated the most significant change was addition of the handicapped ramp along the side of the building out toward Hopmeadow; adding it to the rear of the building took out too much parking. A goal is to increase building accessibility. The handicapped ramp would be landscaped to reduce its visibility. A curbed area would be removed at the front of the building leading to the accessible ramp. There would be no change to the existing parking configuration. The ramps from parking are 2 six-foot long ramps at 112 and will require rails at greater than 5% within the site. The proposed ramp is 28 feet long; the Commissioners suggested scissoring the ramp with a landing plaza; what was done at Starbucks works well. Consideration was suggested to come off the parking lot providing access with scissoring and a gathering place reflects what is being done at Eno developing a rhythm for historic buildings on Hopmeadow Street; a 28 foot long ramp is a severe element; scissoring it may eliminate the grade issue. The Applicant agreed with these issues and to consider these ideas. Regarding the small awning at the south elevation, the Applicant said formerly these historic buildings had a residential sunroof element which also adds differentiation and they are using the old footing. The Commission expressed concern that for a protected building more thought for handicapped access is needed as it will be a dominant landscape element. The Commissioners pointed out Code requirements for heritage buildings to contribute to the character of Town Center and referred the Applicant to those sections of the Code. The Applicant requested the Commission take a vote as they can return with future changes.
Commissioner Gray made a motion regarding Application #13-30 to indicate to the Zoning Commission that DRB finds this proposal to be generally inconsistent with the Guidelines for Community Design and recommends this proposal be denied in its current form and be re-submitted to be more in keeping with the Guidelines, particularly in regard to TC 29 where you should locate and design additions to be subordinate to a heritage building and locate them to the side or rear of a heritage building, and the ramp as designed does not do that.
Commissioner Bond seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously.
As a design consideration, the Commission commented that for these important heritage buildings within Town, they would like designers and developers to become more concerned about changes to them as they are a record of the history and modifications and should be viewed in a special light. The Commission recommended the Applicant re-submit paying more attention to the building and the site and invited their return to DRB.
3. Application #13-23 of Julie Burke, Owner, for a Sign Permit for Burke Therapy on the property located at 929 Hopmeadow Street (Map G09, Block 202, Lot 008). Zone SC-1.
This Application is for a hanging plaque below the existing sign next door. It is the least obtrusive way to identify this business and fits well with the current sign with no additional lights or signage required. The Commission recommended a reverse curve sign attached to the existing sign or possibly inscribing the existing arc. Mr. Peck will discuss these recommendations with the Applicant; if they are not willing to follow this format, they will need to come to DRB.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Gray made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:57 p.m. Commissioner Stewart seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously.
_____________________________
Emil Dahlquist, Chairman