Design Review Board Minutes 07/23/2013 ADOPTED

DESIGN REVIEW BOARD MINUTES

JULY 23, 2013

REGULAR MEETING

I.          CALL TO ORDER

Emil Dahlquist, Chairman, called the Design Review Board meeting to order at 5:35 p.m. in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices.  The following members were present:  Anthony Drapelick, Kevin E. Gray, Rita Bond, Charles Stephenson, and John Stewart.  Also in attendance were Janis Prifti, Clerk, and other interested parties.

II.        APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATES

Chairman Dahlquist seated Commissioners Bond and Drapelick as alternates for two Board vacancies.

III.       DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION

1.         Application #13-37 of Thomas J. Daly PE of Milone & MacBroom, Inc., Agent for Simsbury Turnpike Realty, LLC, Owner, for a Site Plan Amendment on the property located at 15-39 Albany Turnpike, West Simsbury (Map A20, Block 901, Lot 001). Zone B-3.

Following discussion of this Application for the Connecticut Auto Wash at a previous DRB meeting, the 3rd bay easterly needed to be reserved to allow egress.  However, the land owner has decided to put in a connecting access road as an alternative and they would now like to cover that 3rd bay by extending the roofline.  A drawing illustrating the property layout was provided; the truss roof system would be extended and the color scheme remains the same.  Clearance from building edge to the roadway is 4 feet with a protective guard rail.  Regarding cars at vacuums backing into the car wash queue line, they have reduced the number of vacuums, moving it down to prevent that problem.  Regarding outside lighting, existing parking lot lights will be replaced to match other plaza lighting; they will use LED lights shining downward with shields preventing spillage across the property.  Signage will be variations of logos shown adhering to local size ordinances; the size of signs currently on the building will be maintained and they will not be internally lit - they will be mounted on the building face and a wall outside on the building will illuminate the signs.  Regarding the tent structure over the vacuum units, the base is shown by footings on the plan and an adjustment will be made for the gap shown; an additional vacuum is located where a shed has been removed.   Signs will be negative image in the color palette shown in varying combinations, with "Car Wash" possibly in red.

Regarding an older Rte. 44 Traffic Study extending from New Hartford to Hartford, this project helps deal with traffic in this area by utilizing a rear access drive.  These are all leased properties with lessors having temporary control of a property; currently, the property owner has control of this area back and has developed this plan for what is a challenging area.  A good portion of this property is in Avon so they met with Steve Kushner, the Police, and Engineering from Avon who all supported this framework.  Also, this project has an OSTA permit and at a later date as the owner gets control of other leased areas back, they would like to improve access management.

Benefits of this project include:  the access road T'ing up directly to the highway signal; about 6 employee parking spaces added in back of Dunkin’ Donuts; Dunkin’ Donuts’ deliveries can now be made in the back, rather than blocking the drive-thru; the car wash traffic pattern will be one-way, coming to a 3-way stop sign to go left or right and get back to the traffic signal; and there will be 3-4 car wash guide lights, with a down-lit non-descript shoe box.  Upon approval, the Applicant will obtain an STCC certificate under their 30-day administrative process.  The Town Fire Marshal agreed to a 24-foot road width.  Regarding utilities, there is a sewer in back and they will stub out the 2 parcels’ utilities as the road goes in; last fall they put the 2 buildings on public water.  There is no plan to change the drive-thru for the bank at this time, but it is possible in the future.  No way-finding signage is planned currently, as it is appears to be intuitive.  The access road is curbless in back, with grass shoulders on both sides because of sheet flow to a stormwater basin, and becomes curbed as you leave; a grass island divides the car wash area; and a grass island at the bank remains.  This plan helps with bottlenecks on Rte. 44 and increases the property value for future tenants.  Speed bumps might be considered in the future, but they are starting with stop signs and the slowing effect of the 90-degree bend.   Wetlands and upland review are offsite and, as discussed with Mr. Beach, are not applicable; positive reviews were also conducted with the Town Fire Marshal and Town Engineer; and STC was in favor of this traffic pattern as well.

Commissioner Stewart made a motion for referral to the Zoning Commission that the Design Review Board finds Application #13-37 is substantially consistent with the intent and principles of the Guidelines for Community Development and recommends its approval as presented July 23, 2013, package entitled "Driveway Improvement Plan Simsbury Turnpike Realty, LLC, 15-39 Albany Turnpike, Simsbury and Avon, CT"; Applicant is Simsbury Turnpike Realty, LLC, Owner, Drawings 1 of 1 inclusive to SD2.

Commissioner Bond seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.

A design consideration was added that no lighting fixtures were shown, with the understanding a shoebox with cutoff and lower illumination would be used.  Photometric data will be forwarded by the Applicant to Mr. Peck tomorrow, including cut sheets.

IV.       DISCUSSION ITEMS

            1.         Discussion of ongoing Town consulting project

                        *Village District Study in Weatogue

The Study is progressing with the consultants returning August 8th for a public presentation, including their code and a design of the Weatogue area from Rte. 185 to Powder Forest.  The contract provides for only 3 visits.  Much of the design relates to the Mitchell property in the future to offset any potential strip development.  There will be consideration for recreational purposes, including between Stratton and Sand Hill; a transit stop will be located for future development and consideration will be given to commuter parking.  The Commissioners were invited to attend 8/8/13 meeting.

                        *Marketing Study - Town wide

Meeting attendees included a number of small business owners.  Consideration was given to opening up Herman Drive to development.

                        *The Hartford Land Use Study status

Very professional interviews of the final 3 consultants were conducted July 2nd and a matrix provided to attendees for scoring their qualifications resulted in the selection of Gateway Planning to perform the study.  Gateway will begin the work in August, which will likely take 6 months.  The Hartford plans to vacate the property during the next year and is working with realtor CBRE.  This project is a positive example of public/private partnership.

V.        CORRESPONDENCE

None.

VI.       APPROVAL OF MINUTES of June 11, 2013

Commissioner Drapelick made a motion to approve the June 11, 2013, Meeting Minutes as written.

Commissioner Gray seconded the motion, and it was passed with Commissioners Stewart and Stephenson abstaining.

Regarding the Senior Center's status, because of summer, the BOS has authorized the Town Engineer to work with the architect to gather information regarding questions raised at the public forum and to begin drawings for one location.  The BOS moved decision-making for the Senior Center to their 2nd meeting in September.

VII.     ADJOURNMENT

Commissioner Gray made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:20 p.m.  Commissioner Stewart seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously.

_____________________________

Emil Dahlquist, Chairman