Design Review Board Minutes 10/06/2014 ADOPTED
DESIGN REVIEW BOARD MINUTES
OCTOBER 6, 2014
REGULAR MEETING
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson, Jennifer Murnane, called the Design Review Board meeting to order at 5:35 p.m. in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices.
II. ROLL CALL
The following Board Members were present: Jennifer Murnane, Ron Perry, Anca Dragulski, John Carroll, and Paul Lanza. Also in attendance were Hiram Peck, Director of Planning; Janis Prifti, Clerk; and other interested parties.
III. APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATES
A quorum was present and no alternates were appointed.
IV. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION
a. Application #14-40 of Brian Robik, Agent for Eastpointe, LLC, Owner; for a sign permit for Eastpointe at Dorset Crossing on the property located at 55 Dorset Crossing Drive (Map H04, Block 403, Lot 13A-B). Zone PAD.
Application #14-40 was read into the record.
The Applicant reviewed their application was for a permanent sign structure that meets height and width requirements in the approved PAD zone which would be placed within their Eastpointe property at Dorset Crossing, and included a lighting and landscape plan with sign location. Regarding the sign not matching Dorset Crossing signage at the property entrance, the Applicant indicated blue and white was their branding color. The Board noted this was the first time LED lighting appeared in an application. Town Staff commented LED lights are much more efficient and can be focused more accurately on signs; a proposal for redoing Zoning Regulations will soon be sent out and the Board was invited to provide input to update lighting requirements. Town Staff noted that in recent work with CCROG, the comparison of one type of lighting to another was very different, in terms of foot-candles, LED, etc. The Board discussed the current lighting Guideline, including the goal of not lighting up the sky, and while LED initial costs are higher, they are initially brighter, last longer, and are more energy efficient.
Board Member Lanza made a motion that Application #14-40 of Brian Robik, Agent for Eastpointe, LLC, Owner; for a sign permit for Eastpointe at Dorset Crossing on the property located at 55 Dorset Crossing Drive (Map H04, Block 403, Lot 13A-B). Zone PAD. be approved.
Board Member Perry seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously.
b. Application #14-42 of Richard J. Higley, Sr., Agent for Dyno Nobel, Inc., Owner, for a sign permit for Dyno Nobel on the property located at 660 Hopmeadow Street (Map G11, Block 132, Lot 052). Zone I-1.
Application #14-42 was read into the record.
The Applicant reviewed that Dyno Nobel's business began in 1836 and the current older sign was put in place following a near miss for a bike rider going north due to decreased visibility. They proposed updating the sign and color, including a more attractive brownstone base to match buildings onsite; the sign would also be moved closer onto the property away from the rail trail entrance allowing their employees better visibility north and south without being startled by a bicyclist. They have also met with the Police Chief, Town Engineer, and Director of Public Works to discuss other ideas for improving safety in that rail trail area. Proposed lighting would be the same as at EB's Entrance No. 2 with the same style light shining downward. They would use the same lights either as currently in front of their Bldg. 45-46, or depending on the costs, they would also consider going solar with LEDs. Town Staff commended the company on working closely with Staff and believed this new sign to be a substantial upgrade. The Board suggested maintaining unification of signage on the property as signs are upgraded in the future.
Board Member Carroll made a motion regarding Application #14-42 of Richard J. Higley, Sr., Agent for Dyno Nobel, Inc., Owner, for a sign permit for Dyno Nobel on the property located at 660 Hopmeadow Street (Map G11, Block 132, Lot 052). Zone I-1, that the Design Review Board finds this Application consistent with the Guidelines and recommends approval by the Zoning Commission.
Board Member Lanza seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously.
The Board noted the above two Applications are on the Zoning Commissions Agenda for this evening "as consent". Town Staff explained that if this Board provided unanimous approval of an Application, the "as consent" terminology allows the Zoning Commission to approve that Application without further discussion, unless one of their members has a question, and then a full discussion can take place.
The Board discussed receiving information about Zoning approved conditions for an Application and suggested it be included in meeting packets. Town Staff indicated they would do their best and noted that information would always be available on the website.
V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES from September 15, 2014
On Line 14, the name "Jennifer Murnane," is added following the word "present:".
Board Member Lanza made a motion to approve the September 15, 2014, minutes, as amended.
Board Member Perry seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously.
Town Staff reviewed that: 1) a number of applications are in process; 2) the Hartford regulation is complete, developers are talking to CBRE, and they are awaiting proposals to come forward; 3) they are working to secure grant funding to complete the Weatogue Study; 4) they continue working with the Webster Bank Building residential developers who will be at the next meeting, as their financing window is getting shorter, and the Board will be notified whether it will be formal or informal; 5) they are talking with architects about various size projects that should be in by Spring for Town Center which are in keeping with the Charrette.
The Board discussed a handicapped ramp that was not what was approved, although it did not look bad. Town Staff responded a series of compromises were put in place by the Building Department due to safety issues regarding a series of grades that did not work coming from the back, a problem getting the ramp around the circular staircase so people could still use the stairs to exit the building, and the need to resolve this long-running project. It was noted that nice materials were used.
The Board asked whether there was any resolution regarding the Church trailers. Town Staff responded that at the last Zoning meeting that was discussed with the structures allowed to remain for now and the Church representative plans to return in about 6 months with a final plan. Alternatives included putting them into a more permanent structure, relocating the structures to the southside, or a whole new structure; they must go through the approval hierarchy within the Church first.
Regarding the 155 Hopmeadow Street Pool Barn/Cumberland Farms Application, Town Staff advised that it was approved by the Zoning Commission. There will be substantial improvement to the pool barn building and that process will begin soon with the first 40 feet of the building removed and replaced by a patio.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Murnane made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:03 p.m.
Board Member Dragulski seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously.
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John Carroll, Secretary