Design Review Board Minutes 09/18/2017

Subject to Approval

Simsbury Design Review Board

TOWN OF SIMSBURY

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

Monday, September 18, 2017 at 5:30PM

Simsbury Town Hall – Main Meeting Room

933 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, Connecticut

PRESENT:  Anca Dragulski, Anneliese Frank, Paul Lanza, Jonathan Laschever and Ronald Perry. 

ABSENT:  Jennifer Murnane.

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ALSO PRESENT:  Town Planner Jamie Rabbitt.

I. CALL TO ORDER:

Acting on behalf of Chairman Jennifer Murnane, Ronald Perry called the meeting to order at 5:32PM.

II.  ROLL CALL:

1.  Appointment of Alternates.

No business discussed.

III.  APPLICATIONS:

1.  Discussion and Possible Action:

a.  Application #17-41 of Els Fonteyne and Kristen Cormier, Agents; The Allen W. Hixon Trust Agreement, Owner; for a site plan amendment for a change of use from office to retail and sign permit for Beehive Home on the property located at 738 Hopmeadow Street (Assessor’s Map H10, Block 22, Lot 003). Zone SC-3.

Els Fonteyne and Kristin Cormier appeared before the Board regarding this application.  Mr. Rabbit explained that they were seeking two signs: one wall sign just above the entrance and one projection sign.  He noted that the projection sign is beholden to the architecture of the building as well as the downtown.  With regards to the wall sign, Mr. Rabbit noted that there is significant architectural detail on the building.  He noted that staff’s recommendations include reducing the wall sign in scale to reveal some of the detail behind it. 

The dimensions included in the application were noted as 36”x70”.  Mr. Rabbit noted that the sign includes a backer board with raised lettering and that the font would be consistent with Diagram B.

It was noted that the building was moved in 1970s from the area of town by Plan B over to the area adjacent to the Bank of America drive-through.  Mr. Rabbit indicated that it is an 1800s structure.

Mr. Laschever proposed the sign to include four (4”) inches of clapboard above and beneath and six (6”) inches on either side of the sign.  The applicants noted that the door color is a dark charcoal gray.  It was noted that the letters on the wall sign will be brass.    The projected sign will be a painted flat sign with a black background appearing similar to the applicants’ business card.

With regards to lighting, the applicants noted that they hope to mount a light pointed down over the door.   The light fixture won’t be visible, the applicants agreed.

MOTION:  Mr. Laschever, Ms. Frank second, to recommend approval of Application #17-41 of Els Fonteyne and Kristen Cormier, Agents; The Allen W. Hixon Trust Agreement, Owner; for a site plan amendment for a change of use from office to retail and sign permit for Beehive Home on the property located at 738 Hopmeadow Street with a recommendation for the following conditions:

1. That the sign over the entry door be reduced so there is no less than four (4”) inches of clapboard showing above and below the sign and no less than six (6”) of clapboard showing on either side of the sign.

2.  That the lettering for the sign will be an all-brass, raised affixed to sign.

3.  That the lighting that will be provided will not be visible but instead a hidden fixture.

4.  Hanging sign is fine as proposed; unanimously approved.

b. Application #17-45 of Scott Brace, PDS Engineering & Construction Co., Inc., Agent; Mitchell Auto Group, Owner; for a Site Plan Amendment for a modification to the unified sign plan on the property located at 384 Hopmeadow Street (Assessor’s Map F14, Block 145, Lot 001-2) and 416 Hopmeadow Street (Assessor’s Map F14, Block 143, Lot 003). Zone B-2.

Scott Brace of PDS Engineering & Construction Co., Inc., appeared before the Board regarding this application.  He presented with plans, noting that the result is a 50 square foot reduction in square footage. 

Mr. Brace explained that the two changes include the Service Building with six-inch white vinyl letterings as well as a change with Service Building #2 sign.  He explained that they had previously received approval for a ten-inch high “Simsbury” sign but have currently proposed a twenty-inch “Mitchell” sign.  He noted that it is white lettering with silver banding on a white base.

Mr. Rabbit questioned the reveal of the silver banding.  Mr. Brace noted that while unsure, it was closer to six inches than much greater than that.  Mr. Rabbit later confirmed that the banding will be five inches or less.

MOTION:  Mr. Lanza, Mr. Laschever second, to recommend approval of Application #17-45; unanimously approved.

c.  Application #17-47 of Scott Brace, PDS Engineering & Construction Co., Inc., Agent; Mitchell Auto Group, Owner; for a Site Plan Amendment for an addition to the existing building on the property located at 384 Hopmeadow Street (Assessor’s Map F14, Block 145, Lot 001-2) and 416 Hopmeadow Street (Assessor’s Map F14, Block 143, Lot 003). Zone B-2.

Mr. Brace reviewed the new addition to the existing buildings, noting that the owner is seeking to   improve customer service and safety by providing a drive-in option for their patrons bringing cars for service.  He presented options that included a brick façade with only the color of the banding differing between them.  Mr. Brace explained that there is a third option that Volvo is encouraging but did not have that with them for presentation.  A two-week extension of the application was requested. 

Mark Mitchell requested that this Board conduct a site visit to his business so that he could better explain the proposal.  Mr. Rabbit noted that his office would attempt to schedule this with the entire board meeting together as a group at that location in a Special Meeting. 

MOTION:  Ms. Frank, Ms. Dragulski second, to table Application #17-47 until the whole board has had the chance to go on site with Mr. Mitchell and review a revised plan at the next meeting; unanimously approved.

d.  Application #17-48 of Chris Milliard, Phase Zero Design, Agent; Lisa Natcharian, Owner; for a sign permit for The Storyteller’s Cottage on the property located at 750 Hopmeadow Street (Assessor’s Map G10, Block 206, Lot 001). Zone SC-1.

Lisa Natcharian appeared before the Board regarding this application.  She presented with two designs for her proposed sign, noting that the second option, Plan B, was preferred.  It was noted that the sign was four (4’) feet high with a two (2’) foot space under.  Mr. Rabbit noted that the owner is also interested in a placard type sign on the front door indicating the build date which tends to call out the fact that it is the entrance.  The overall height of the sign was noted as a concern.   A compromise of twelve square feet and lowering it to eighteen inches off the ground, resulting in a total height of four and one-half feet designed consistently with what has been presented. 

MOTION:  Mr. Laschever, Mr. Lanza second, to approve Application #17-48 of Chris Milliard, Phase Zero Design, Agent; Lisa Natcharian, Owner; for a sign permit for The Storyteller’s Cottage on the property located at 750 Hopmeadow Street with the condition that the height of the sign be no more than four and one-half feet off the ground, to allow flexibility on the width, subject to staff review of the final design, noting that the design shall be consistent with what has been submitted; unanimously approved.

IV.  GENERAL COMMISSION BUSINES:

1.   Informal Discussion.

a.  942 Hopmeadow Street – St. Mary’s Campus Connection.

Hugh Pearson of Moser Pilon Nelson Architects appeared before the Board to gain feedback on preliminary drawings of a proposed addition between St. Mary’s Church and St. Mary’s School.  Mr. Pearson noted that the addition will function to serve as a connection between the two.  Mr. Pearson noted that a drop-off zone will be added through this project as will a drive around the back of the buildings.  He noted that his firm reviewed the appearances of other buildings in the area in preparing their drawings.  Mr. Pearson explained that an elevator will be added.  The portion of the connection that faces Hopmeadow Street was shown to include brick banding along the bottom.  The primary entrance was accentuated with full brick and a metal roof to provide some shelter over the doors.  Above the brick banding would include a cementitious, clapboard look banding.  Mr. Pearson noted that the view from Iron Horse Boulevard would be similar but would also include an area of glass to provide a light area.  Mr. Pearson pointed out that the mechanical units have been planned to be set back on the roof of the connection with a railing, also called a widow’s walk.  Recess lighting would be included as part of the entrance in the connection. 

Mr. Laschever questioned whether the architect might consider all brick on the Hopmeadow Street side and the hardiplank siding on the Iron Horse Boulevard.  Mr. Rabbit reviewed the challenges presented with the gothic character of the church versus the 1950s building that is the school.  Mr. Pearson also noted the strong limestone on the front of the church.  Other suggestions made by board members included accentuating the middle section of the front of the connection. 

2.  Review and possibly take action on Design Review Board 2018 Meeting Schedule.

MOTION:  Mr. Laschever, Mr. Lanza second, to approve the 2018 Meeting Schedule as presented; unanimously approved.

V.  APPROVAL OF MINUTES – August 7, 2017 Special Meeting:

MOTION:  Mr. Laschever, Ms. Dragulski second, to approve the August 7, 2017 Minutes; unanimously approved.

VI.  ADJOURNMENT:

MOTION:  Mr. Laschever, Ms. Dragulski second, to adjourn at 7:03PM; unanimously approved.

Respectfully submitted,

Pamela A. Colombie

Recording Clerk