Design Review Board Minutes 12/17/2018

Simsbury Design Review Board

Town of Simsbury

Regular Meeting Minutes – Subject to Vote of Approval

Monday, December 17, 2018 at 5:30PM

Simsbury Board of Education, Conference Room

933 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, Connecticut

PRESENT:                             Anca Dragulski, Katherine Beal, Anneliese Frank, Elaine Lang

ABSENT:                               Chris Peterson, James Pennington, Ronald Perry, Steven Antonio

ALSO PRESENT:                 Robin Newton, Code Compliance Officer

                                                Michael Glidden, CFM, CZEO, Director of Planning and Community Development

I.             CALL TO ORDER

Chairman Lang called the meeting to order at 6:01 P.M.

Chairman Lang requested an amendment of the agenda be made to discuss item 1.b prior to 1.a.

Motion: Ms. Beal made a motion at 6:02 P.M. to discuss Application #18-65 (1.b. on the Agenda) first, motion was seconded by Ms. Frank. Motion passed unanimously, 4-0.

II.            APPLICATIONS

1.            Discussion and Possible Action:

a.            Application #18-63 of Brennan White, Kaestle Boos Architects, Agent, Town of Simsbury, Owner; for a Special Exception pursuant to Article Seven, Section A.4. of the Simsbury Zoning Regulations for alterations and additions to Henry James Memorial School on the property located at 155 Firetown Road (being located on the west side of Firetown Road between Simscroft Road and Branch Brook Drive). Zone R-15.

Mr. White presented Application #18-63 to the board. He gave an overview of the project, including landscaping design, courtyard space, and surfacing. Mr. White then introduced other architects working on the project, including Paul Dominov, Amy Booth, and Jennifer Mangiagli; all contributed to the presentation in their areas of expertise.

Mr. Dominov discussed building materials: specifically, the brick and metal colors. The board discussed possibilities of different colors, different shades of the same materials.

Board members asked questions about the shades of colors, asked if considerations could be made to change the color slightly on the metal facing to be slightly darker.

Mr. Dominov stated that different shades of the metal could be considered later on in the plans, but he didn’t want to halt the progress of the project for color approval.

Ms. Newton clarified that that Board could request color changes.

Motion: Ms. Frank made a motion at 6:30 P.M. to give a positive recommendation to Application 18-63 of Brennan White, Kaestle Boos Architects, Agent; Town of Simsbury, Owner, for a Special Exception pursuant to Article Seven, Section A.4 of the Simsbury Zoning Regulations for alterations and additions to Henry Memorial School on the property located at 155 Firetown Road, with the color updates and considerations provided by the Board with the following conditions:

The Board would like to see some different color options for the metal sheet facing.

Motion was seconded by Ms. Beal. Motion passed unanimously, 4-0.

b.            Application #18-65 of Joe Buda, Agent; Simsbury Historical Society, Owner; for a Site Plan Amendment to add a wigwam and brick sidewalks on the property located at 800 Hopmeadow Street (Assessor’s Map G10, Block 227, Lot 001). Zones SC-1 and SC-3.

Mr. Buda presented the application for Site Plan Amendment on the property that runs from the School House to the Ellsworth Center. The wigwam would be between the Ellsworth Center and the Hendricks Cottage. A brick walkway and reflection garden would be added between the School House and the Hendricks Cottage.

Motion: At 6:06 P.M., a motion was made by Ms. Frank to give a positive recommendation to Application #18-65 of Joe Buda, Agent; Simsbury Historical Society, Owner; for a Site Plan Amendment to add a wigwam and brick sidewalks on the property located at 800 Hopmeadow Street.

Motion was seconded by Ms. Beal. Motion passed 3-0, with one abstention by Ms. Lang.

c.             Application #18-67 of Jerome Shea, PE, Town Engineer; Town of Simsbury, Owner; for a Site Plan Amendment for development of the site at 1 Old Bridge Road (Assessor’s Map H11, Block 144, Lot 007). Zone R-15.

Adam Kessler, Town of Simsbury, Engineering Department, presented the application for Site Plan Amendment on the property next to the Drake Hill Flower Bridge. Mr. Kessler explained the demolition of the existing structure and showed illustrations of the plans for a new pavilion and walkway. Mr. Kessler introduced Dave Dixon, Milone & MacBroom, who presented the site plan. Mr. Dixon presented the plans to remove the existing building on premises, add a kiosk and pavilion structure, remove a wall, replant stabilizing vegetation, and which trees they plan to save. Mr. Dixon showed plans for parking, seating and access to the bridge and water. Building materials (pavers, bollards, stones, and timber pavilion and benches) were shown to the Board. Memorial Boulder will be placed on site as well.

Ms. Frank inquired about the timeline of construction and completion. Mr. Kessler advised that construction would start around late May or early June and would be completed by September. Chairman Lang inquired if the flower bridge would be affected. Mr. Kessler advised that one season of planting/flowers would be missed due to the need to block off the bridge due to safety reasons.

Motion: At 6:51 P.M. Ms. Frank made a motion to give positive referral to Application #18-67 for a Site Plan Amendment for development of the site a 1 Old Bridge Road (Assessor’s Map H11, Block 144, Lot 007). Zone R-15. Motion was seconded by Ms. Beal. Motion passed unanimously, 4-0.

2.            Referrals

a.            Referral from Zoning Board of Appeals regarding ZBA Application #18-06 od Hoffman Enterprises Limited Partnership, Owner, for a variance pursuant to Article Ten, Section C.7.d, of the Simsbury Zoning Regulations for the use of internal lighting of an existing sign on the property located at 36 Albany Turnpike (Assessor’s Map H11, Block 144, Lot 007) Zone B-3.

Mr. Glidden presented the Board with information regarding the application for a variance for the use of internal lighting of the existing sign at Hoffman Nissan.

The Board discussed concerns regarding light pollution and the benefits of internally-lit signs, versus the current way the sign is lit.

Motion: At 6:55 P.M., a motion was made by Ms. Dragulski to give a positive referral to Application   #18-06 for a variance for the use of an internally lighting of an existing sign. Motion was seconded by Ms. Frank. Motion passed unanimously, 4-0.

III.           GENERAL COMMISSION BUSINESS

IV.          APPROVAL OF MINUTES of the November 19, 2018 Regular meeting.

Chairman Lang advised that, due to time constraints of meeting, the approval of minutes would be tabled to the next regular meeting.

V.            Adjournment:

Motion: At 6:56 P.M., Ms. Frank made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion was seconded by Ms. Beal. Motion passed unanimously, 4-0.

Respectfully Submitted,

Kimberly H. Rathbun

Planning and Zoning Commission Clerk