Design Review Board Minutes 11/26/2013 ADOPTED

DESIGN REVIEW BOARD MINUTES
NOVEMBER 26, 2013
REGULAR MEETING

I. CALL TO ORDER

Emil Dahlquist, Chairman, called the Design Review Board meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices.  The following members were present:  John Carroll, Anthony Drapelick, Kevin E. Gray, Charles Stephenson, John Stewart, and Rita Bond.  Also in attendance were Hiram Peck, Director of Planning, Janis Prifti, Clerk, and other interested parties.

II. APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATES

Chairman Dahlquist appointed Commissioners Carroll and Drapelick to serve as alternates for two vacancies.

III. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION

1. Application #13-49 of Marc Lubetkin, Agent for RSP-Simsbury, LLC, Owner, for a Site Plan Amendment for the expansion of Red Stone Pub on the property located at 10 Jim Gallagher Way (formerly known as 10 Mall Way) (Map G10, Block 227, Lot 001A+RR). Zone SC-3.

The Applicant thanked the Commission for hearing the requested Site Plan Amendment to add 400 sq. ft. to the current 900 sq. ft. of space at the Red Stone Pub.  Because L Design is moving to another location, there is now an opportunity to increase the busy Pub's space.  A packet of information was provided to the Commissioners, including the plot plan showing the main entrance, expansion area, and event only entrance and emergency exit.  The focus of this meeting is on the emergency exit and the change in the front, or all of the exterior changes.  The Applicant met with the Assistant Fire Marshal and an emergency exit is needed a certain distance from the main entrance which would be at a 2nd window on the plan; location photos were provided to the Commissioners.  The same style front door matching the building style would go in the window location; a 36-inch wide sidewalk is required within the property line tight to the building and an easement is being sought from the Bank of America.  The Fire Marshal requires a smaller black fabric awning which will be in place for snow protection and will have no signage.  The door will be solid glass with a gooseneck lamp under the awning, identical to the front door.  There is no plan to expand patio space.

Commissioner Gray made a motion for referral to the Zoning Commission that the Design Review Board finds the Application substantially consistent with the intent and Guidelines for Community Design and recommends approval; this is with the understanding that the new gooseneck lamp will be placed under the new emergency exit awning and it will be similar to the one on the current front door.

Commissioner Stephenson seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously.

IV. DISCUSSION ITEMS

1. Discussion of ongoing Town consulting projects:

* Village District Study in Weatogue

The Consultant has not been able get the file through the Town IT site and a CD will be received tomorrow and put up on the site.  The Consultant's integration of the form-based concepts took longer than anticipated; once it is available, Town Staff requested Commission comments as soon as possible.  The Consultant has offered to return for further discussions, if requested.  Unlike the Center, there may be subdivisions involved in the Weatogue area and possibly new streets.  Some of the renderings provided are interesting and comments are requested.  Other properties in Town are under review and should be on paper in the next few months.

* Marketing Study - Town wide

The Phase I Study and Final Presentation are available on the website and comments are requested.  The next issue is how to go forward with Phase II and how to get funding; a STEAP grant was applied for, but not received.

* The Hartford Land Use Study status

Town Staff are working with Gateway to get the framework for the draft Code in place.  A Hartford Land Use Committee meeting was held recently, and once the Hartford agrees, the draft will be released to the public. The Code process is similar to Town Center and once in place would assure plans that come in fit the Code and would be helpful to potential developers and businesses.  It is anticipated the Code will be available for review by Commissions in January.  The Hartford site was considered to be more visionary and incremental, as opposed to Weatogue, which is more implementable and prescriptive.  It is possible the Hartford property will have multi-tenant users.

2. Discussion of proposed policy for Route 10 light post banners

The recommendations in the policy were reviewed by the BOS last night and proposed banners being up for 8 weeks with size and advertising/logos in compliance with DOT standards, as they are now.  The Commissioners were invited to provide comments to Town Staff.  Park and Rec are responsible for light post banners and overhead banners for Iron Horse; it takes a day to get banners up and the $250 was determined appropriate.  Banners over Hopmeadow are in demand and Planning Staff management of the process is challenging, including educating applicants about the DOT process each time.  Liability is an issue as banners over Hopmeadow have come down in the past and Town Staff wants to ensure that doesn't happen in the future.  Regarding partial packages dividing the 19 light posts, it was discussed and it may be possible in the future; the decision was to stay with 19 light posts and not expand further.  It was commented that most nonprofits could not afford to buy the signs and pay the $250 fee.  Town Staff will advise the Commissioners what the BOS action was last night.

3. Proposed 2014 Meeting Schedule

Commissioner Gray made a motion to approve the 2014 Meeting Schedule.

Commissioner Stewart seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously.

Town Staff reviewed that the new board has been approved by the Zoning Commission and will be sworn in 12/2/13 by the Town Clerk; a process discussion will be held with Zoning that evening and a packet of pertinent information provided to them.  Currently, the board is comprised of 6 members and 1 alternate; it includes 2 members from the current board, and some members have architectural experience.

V. CORRESPONDENCE

None.

VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES of October 22, 2013

Commissioner Carroll made a motion to approve the October 22, 2013 minutes as written.

Commissioner Stewart seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously.

VII. ADJOURNMENT

Commissioner Drapelick made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:10 p.m.  Commissioner Bond seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously.

_____________________________
Emil Dahlquist, Chairman