Design Review Board Minutes 12/15/2014
DESIGN REVIEW BOARD MINUTES
DECEMBER 15, 2014
REGULAR MEETING
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson, Jennifer Murnane called the Design Review Board meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices.
II. ROLL CALL
The following Board Members were present: Jennifer Murnane, Jonathan Laschever, Ron Perry, Anca Dragulski, John Carroll, Anthony Drapelick, and Paul Lanza. Also in attendance were Hiram Peck, Director of Planning; Janis Prifti, Clerk; and other interested parties.
III. APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATES
No alternates were seated.
IV. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION
a. Application #14-46 of Thom Greenlaw, Agent for the Ethel Walker School, Owner, for a Site Plan Amendment for the construction of the Centennial Center on the property located at 230 Bushy Hill Road (shown as Assessor's Map D15, Block 115, Lot 006, and Assessor's Map E14, Block 115, Lot 006, and Assessor's Map E15, Block 115, Lot 006). Zone R-40. (received 11/17/2014; decision must be rendered by 1/21/2015)
Application #14-46 was read into the record. The Applicant's representative noted for the record that there have been no real changes to the proposed plan since the last time the Board reviewed it. Town Staff indicated the Board would be reviewing under Application #14-46 the Centennial Center Building. The representative provided an overview of the plan with internal access reconfigured to function around the Centennial Building with about 20 parking spaces, a large turnaround for bus/car drop-offs and satellite parking, minimal pavement, the existing driveway around the site would be more for emergency access and pedestrian linkage, a defined and screened service area disguising dumpsters, and the brown area on the map indicating the Centennial Center location.
The Applicant's architect described the Centennial Center as integrated in scale with the rest of the campus buildings and serving as a center for welcoming, wellness, health, events, and providing a pool, gym, and sports. The day lit building was described as sustainable with 2 levels built into the grade masking its scale and providing varied activity areas for students. The Applicant's architect described the building as Colonial/Georgian style; building materials shown to the Board were primarily brick; a porch-type building side with views would lead to the welcome/student center with a safe protected quad for students; and the lawn steps down to the street. The Applicant's architect confirmed that materials have not been changed since the Board's last review and provided photos, renderings, and samples of the building and its materials.
The Board asked about signage and handicapped access. The architect indicated the building signage at the edge of the campus would be part of the architecture and utilize subtle applied stainless steel letters and they will check with the owners to be sure it is appropriate. The architect showed the Board the multiple areas of handicapped access on different levels indicating it would be appropriate and accessible. The Board complimented the Applicant on the building design, grade integration, appropriate space, and impressive architecture, and signage. Regarding the location of some dark masonry, the architect showed on the rendering a receding corner area.
The architect indicated the Applicant would like to begin building in the spring.
Board Member Carroll made a motion regarding Application #14-46 of Thom Greenlaw, Agent for the Ethel Walker School, Owner, for a Site Plan Amendment for the construction of the Centennial Center on the property located at 230 Bushy Hill Road (shown as Assessor's Map D15, Block 115, Lot 006, and Assessor's Map E14, Block 115, Lot 006, and Assessor's Map E15, Block 115, Lot 006). Zone R-40, that the Design Review Board finds this Application meets the requirements of the Guidelines and recommends approval by the Zoning Commission.
Board Member Drapelick seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously.
b. Application #14-47 of Landworks Development, LLC, Agent; Ensign-Bickford Realty Corporation, Owner; for a Site Plan Amendment for the Highcroft development on the property located at 225 and 275 Powder Forest Drive (Assessor's Map F14, Block 103, Lot 005-5). Zone PAD. (received 11/17/2014; decision must be rendered by 1/21/2015)
Application #14-46 was read into the record.
The Applicant's representative introduced his partner and representatives of Ensign-Bickford Realty and confirmed they now have a construction-level site plan since their last appearance before the Board. The representative indicated the proposed plan is for apartments and town homes on Parcels 5 and 6 in the Powder Forest and described its physical location; currently, they are building their single-family development on Carson Way. The representative described the engineered and natural storm water storage/drainage plan and entry to the Town system and indicated the Conservation Commission was happy with the plan. The representative indicated the master plan still showed 12 buildings containing 4 units each, 16-unit buildings in the middle including 10 garages for 10 of the units to address different parts of the market with some lower priced, smaller units; the roof height remained the same with dormers incorporated front and back; only in the center would it be a full 3 stories and at the building ends loft units tucked into the building structure. The representative added there would be 4 ADA-compliant units on the first floor; sidewalks would be 5% or less for ease of navigation; a green line showed where existing bands of vegetation would be preserved with some retaining walls added. The architectural building renderings of Jack Kemper remained, including brownstone elements, vinyl low-maintenance materials, architectural shingles, painted metal fencing where needed, all LED decorative beacon light fixtures, and techno block retaining walls. The Board asked about the size of the retaining wall on the north. The representative indicated they would have a wall buffer that is not too large utilizing more native plants.
The representative described the garage product with an arts/crafts feel incorporating the brownstone, timber details, shingle texture and horizontal siding. The Board asked about access to the parking garages. The representative noted 3 garages on each side, one of which would be ADA, and showed the Board the access layout, with all 4 ground units having direct garage access.
The representative described the non-garage product as more moderately priced of a smaller, simpler construction, with somewhat different amenities, but very nice. On the exterior, they would continue to utilize the same brownstone, shingles, and horizontal siding, but would not have balconies and with some units tucked into the roof line. The Board asked about siding color differentiation and the mix of building colors. The representative explained the colors would be warm and they would use two complimentary colors on a building; at Mill Commons, they used 3 colors for 6 buildings in varied locations and could do the same here. The representative confirmed the brownstone would have texture and is the traditional Simsbury-colored brownstone. Regarding how visible the buildings would be from the street, the representative described the Master Plan for the Powder Forest with its variety of buffers, which they have augmented to about 36% of the site. The Board asked about garage door visibility, and their representative indicated they are working to make them as invisible as possible.
Town Staff explained that this proposal for a site plan amendment would be a change to the original site plan and the Applicant would like the Board's input on the site plan design and items the Board normally reviews. The Board asked about lighting, and the Applicant indicated the plan contains high efficiency LED and colonial style, the same as at Mill Commons. The Applicant would be happy to return for further discussion on color and other appropriate items; based on discussions with the Conservation Commission, they have added an extensive landscape plan. The Board suggested the architect present the product design to the Board next time. Regarding the village green, the representative reviewed it was similar to Mill Pond with a patio area, grilling station, and fruit tree grove that would serve the whole complex; a dog park; with the idea there would be both centralized and de-centralized areas serving the complex. The representative noted a nice entry sequence up the hill with the club house as the development center with a change to shingle-style siding wrapped around the whole building with Simsbury brownstone in front.
Board Member Perry made a motion to approve Application #14-47 of Landworks Development, LLC, Agent; Ensign-Bickford Realty Corporation, Owner; for a Site Plan Amendment for the Highcroft development on the property located at 225 and 275 Powder Forest Drive (Assessor's Map F14, Block 103, Lot 005-5). Zone PAD, with the condition the Applicant return to the Design Review Board for further review of the architectural elements of the structures.
Board Member Drapelick seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously.
V. CORRESPONDENCE/ANNOUNCEMENTS
a. New procedure for filing Minutes
Following discussions with the Town Clerk and FOIA Commission, Town Staff explained they have developed a process to assure minutes are available to the public within 7 days for the 7 Commissions in a more generic, less-detailed format with the heading "Subject to Approval at the Next Meeting". It was noted the minutes do not actually have to be signed under FOI. Town Staff invited the Board to ask any questions.
VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES from November 17, 2014
Board Member Carroll made a motion to approve the November 17, 2014 minutes, as written.
Board Member Laschever seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
Board Member Drapelick made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:35 p.m.
Board Member Carroll seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously.
_____________________________
John Carroll, Secretary