Design Review Board Minutes 10/16/2017

Simsbury Design Review Board

TOWN OF SIMSBURY

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

Monday, October 16, 2017 at 5:30PM

Simsbury Town Hall – Main Meeting Room

933 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, Connecticut

PRESENT:  Anca Dragulski, Anneliese Frank and Jonathan Laschever.

ABSENT:  Jennifer Murnane, Paul Lanza and Ronald Perry.

ALSO PRESENT:  Director of Community Planning & Development James Rabbitt.

I. CALL TO ORDER:

Acting as chairman for Ms. Murnane, Mr. Laschever called the meeting to order at 5:47PM.

II.  ROLL CALL:

1.  Appointment of Alternates.

No business discussed.

III.  APPLICATIONS:

1.  Discussion and Possible Action:

a.  Application #17-52 of Lawrin Rosen, ArtFX, Agent; Mitchell Auto Group, Owner; for a Site Plan Amendment for changes to the unified sign plan on the property located at 384 Hopmeadow Street (Assessor’s Map F14, Block 145, Lot 001-2). Zone B-2. 

Lawrin Rosen of ARTfx appeared before the Board regarding this application.  He explained that plans have changed noting that initially, plans included individual letters to coordinate with the existing sign system.  He reviewed these signs, noting that the original car wash was 32 square feet and what is being proposed is 37.5 square feet.

The Mitchell Car Wash sign was reviewed along with the menu board sign for the car wash.  Mr. Rosen noted that the letters are one-half inch acrylic letters sprayed with a low luster epoxy with a half-inch standoff.  The existing car wash sign was a 4’x8’ sign, according to Mr. Rosen.  He explained that the proposed sign is about the same square footage but is a little bit bigger when factoring in the whole perimeter.  The menu board as presented is 9.7 square feet.

Mr. Rabbitt noted that what was presented this meeting was just received and includes changes to the façade of the building that is different than what has been presented previously.  He explained that the signs that have been removed were done so because they had never been previously permitted.  It was suggested that the Board may want to recommend a more neutral or subtle palette of earth tones for the menu board.  Bringing the menu board out from the building as a sandwich board, brought in and out daily, was also a suggested consideration.  

Discussion occurred regarding the car wash lettering with it being noted that there was too much emphasis on the orange color.  The Board also noted that the car wash sign would not need to be so large because people would already know that it was a car wash and would have had to make a decision to seek it. 

Jeff Dawson, a representative of the owner Mitchell Auto Group, also appeared before the Board regarding this application, explaining his role in the updates being completed with the car wash.  He indicated that the owner has no objection with the menu sign being brought in and out daily rather than mounting it on the building. Mr. Dawson also indicated that the Mitchell Car Wash sign need not be large and need not include the orange color.

MOTION:  Ms. Dragulski, Ms. Frank second, to table the decision on signage presented tonight, recommending that Mr. Rosen and Mr. Dawson continue to work with staff; unanimously approved.

b.  Application #17-53 of The LRC Group, Agent; St. Mary’s Church Corporation, Owner; for a Site Plan Approval for an addition to the existing church and school on the properties located at 940 Hopmeadow Street (Assessor’s Map H09, Block 227, Lot 001); 942 Hopmeadow Street (Assessor’s Map H09, Block 227, Lot 001); 944 Hopmeadow Street (Assessor’s Map H09, Block 227, Lot 002); 946 Hopmeadow Street (Assessor’s Map H08, Block 227, Lot 002); 948 Hopmeadow Street (Assessor’s Map H09, Block 227, Lot 002); and 950 Hopmeadow Street (Assessor’s Map H09, Block 227, Lot 002). Zone SC-1.

Ms. Dragulski recused herself from this application.

Hugh Pearson of Moser Pilon Nelson Architects appeared before the Board regarding this application.  Mr. Pearson reviewed the drawings associated with the proposal to add an addition to St. Mary’s Church which will function to create a connection between the church and school. 

Mr. Pearson highlighted some of the changes with the proposal including enlarging some of the windows in the connection.  The piers and the dormers were reviewed. 

The imbalance created in the rear of the connection through the three windows grouped together for the conference room was noted as a positive change.  Additionally, the reduction of the glass in the walkway in the back of the addition was also seen as a positive change.  The two board members discussing the drawings also preferred the current design bringing the brick up further.

MOTION:  Ms. Frank, Mr. Laschever second, to table this application until a quorum of the Board can review it; Motion passed with Mr. Frank and Mr. Laschever voting aye.

Ms. Dragulski rejoined the Board as a participating member.

IV.  GENERAL COMMISSION BUSINES:

No business discussed.

V.  APPROVAL OF MINUTES – October 2, 2017 Special Meeting:

MOTION:  Ms. Frank, Ms. Dragulski second, to approve the October 2, 2017 Minutes; unanimously approved.

VI.  ADJOURNMENT:

MOTION:  Ms. Frank, Ms. Dragulski second, to adjourn at 6:53PM; unanimously approved.

Respectfully submitted,

Pamela A. Colombie

Recording Clerk