Design Review Board Minutes 09/16/2019
Simsbury Design Review Board
Town of Simsbury
Regular Meeting Minutes - Subject to Approval
Monday, September 16, 2019 at 5:30 P.M.
Simsbury Town Hall, Main Meeting Room
933 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, Connecticut
PRESENT: Steve Antonio, Anneliese Frank, Anca Dragulski, James
Pennington, Elaine Lang, Polly Rice
Katherine Beal (arrived at 5:58P.M.)
ALSO PRESENT: Michael Glidden, CFM CZEO, Director of Planning and Community
Development
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Antonio called the meeting to order at 5:31 P.M.
II. ROLL CALL - James Pennington assigned to sit for Katherine Beal
III. APPLICATIONS
1. Discussion and Possible Action:
a. Application #19-36 of Robert Kuszpa, Agent; Mark Sperandio and
Kathleen Kennedy, Owners; for a Sign Permit for Liberty Bank on the
property located at 981 Hopmeadow Street (Assessor’s Map H08, Block
103, Lot 038). Zone SC-1.
Robert Kuszpa presented application #19-36, requesting a sign permit. Mr. Kuszpa
presented the Board with pictorral renditions of proposed signage changes from
Simsbury Bank to Liberty Bank.
Discussion was had with the Board about materials of signs and awning, how long the
Materials will last, and the colors of the signage.
At 5:39 P.M., Ms. Frank made a motion to give a positive referral to the Zoning
Commission for Application #19-36. Motion was seconded by Mr. Pennington.
Motion passed unanimously.
b. Application #19-40 of Tony Coppola, Agent; Big Y Foods, Inc.,Owner;
for a site plan amendment for the construction of a new retail grocery
store per the plans submitted on the property located at 1313, 1349 and
Unassigned address Hopmeadow Street (Assessor’s Map I05, Block 403,
Lots 016, 016A). Zone B2.
Guy Hesketh, Engineer, F.A. Hesketh & Associates, Inc, East Granby, CT., presented
Application #19-40, on behalf of Big Y Foods, seeking a site plan amendment. Mr.
Hesketh discussed with the Board, design of building, traffic flow, landscaping, grading,
stormwater management, color of building and roof, plans for connectivity to the Skating
Center as well as Dorset Crossing, proximity of building to skating rink, screening plans
and plans for dismantling and repurposing the foundation of the existing barn on the
property.
Ms. Dragulski expressed her opposition to dismantling the barn, and suggested that
other options be considered for repurposing the barn as it stands. Suggestions made
were to use it as a garden barn to sell plants or seasonal items. Ms. Dragulski also
suggested the barn be considered to be a historical site, and for the historical society to
be involved. Mr. Hesketh and Mr. Antonio noted that the barn is rotted and there is only
one portion of the barn that is eligible to be listed as a historical site.
Ed Pepin, Architect, Principal, Pepin Associates, Bloomfield, CT., discussed the major
elements of the building and the materials to be used. Mr. Pepin answered questions
from the Board regarding the covered space, and use of that area. Mr. Pepin clarified
that there will be no outdoor seating. That area is just for aesthetics and it is a covered
Walkway.
At 6:20 P.M., a motion was made by Ms. Lang to give a favorable recommendation to
Zoning Commission on application #19-40. Mr. Pennington seconded the motion. Motion
Passed, 5-1, with Ms. Dragulski being opposed.
At 6:21 P.M., Ms. Beal, who arrived late to the meeting, became seated and Mr. Pennington became an alternate.
c. Application #19-41 of LADA, P.C. Land Planners, Agent; Holloway’s Inc.,
Owner; for a site plan amendment and a sign permit for a sign on the property
located at 1936 Hopmeadow Street (Assessor’s Map I04, Block 439, Lot 004B).
Zone B-2.
Terri-Ann Hahn, Principal, Architect, LADA, P.C. Land Planners, presented application #19-41. Ms. Hahn showed site plan and proposed signage. She noted that the bottom of the sign would look like a flower box, and clarified that the sign will not be back lit.
At 6:27 P.M., Ms. Frank made a motion to give a favorable recommendation to Zoning Commission on application #19-41. Ms. Beal seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
d. Application #19-42 of LADA , P.C. Land Planners, Agent; Robert C.
Kevorkian, Owner; for a site plan amendment and a sign permit to replace a
damaged sign in the same location on the property located at 1404-1418
Hopmeadow Street (Assessor’s Map I04, Block 439, Lot 004AA). Zone B-2.
Terri-Ann Hahn, Principal, Architect, LADA, P.C. Land Planners, presented application #19-42.
Ms. Hahn showed site plan and proposed signage. She described the flower box materials, and noted that it was a split box.
At 6:30 P.M., Ms. Frank made a motion to give a favorable recommendation to Zoning Commission on application #19-42. Motion was seconded by Ms. Lang. Motion passed unanimously.
IV. GENERAL COMMISSION BUSINESS
1. Request for Informal Discussion:
a. Letter from TJ Donahue re: McClean, Sarah Lane, 0/05/19
Attorney T.J. Donahue introduced himself to the Board and outlined the project discussion.
Attorney Donahue introduced the McClean property and gave a brief overview of services provided by McClean. He introduced David Gill, Architect, Roanoke, VA., who spoke on behalf of the project design and proposed changes. Mr. Gill gave a brief overview of the working concept, including size, scale, location, requests and requirements for an expected application. The discussion was intended to gain consideration and feedback on the design and plans presented by Mr. Gill.
The Board discussion topics included visibility of building, elimination of the rotary at Burkeholder Building, level of care in this building (independent living apartments), size of apartments, outside seating, balconies within the property, height of building, feasibility of addition of a ramp to the rear building near golf course off patio/balcony, height of balcony wall, specifics of stairs leading out to the golf course, and parking area underneath the building.
Attorney Donahue noted an expectation to file an application after preliminary meetings and after consideration and review of comments/feedback received from Design Review Board.
V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion: At 6:50 P.M., Ms. Frank made a motion to approve the meeting minutes from July 15, 2019 as is. Ms. Beal seconded the motion. Motion passed 5-0-1, with Ms. Rice abstaining.
At 6:51 P.M., Mr. Glidden requested the Board add to their agenda consideration for relocation of signs at the Ensign House, located at 690 Hopmeadow Street. There are two free standing signs in the corner, directory sign. The property owners are requesting to relocate the directional sign. The color scheme, and size will all remain the same.
At 6:54 P.M., a motion was made by Ms. Lang to approve the relocation of the directional sign. Motion was seconded by Ms. Dragulski. Motion passed unanimously.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
Motion: At 6:55 P.M., Ms. Langl made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion was seconded by Ms. Rice and the motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kimberly Rathbun
Clerk