Historic District Commission Minutes 04/23/2018 SPECIAL MEETING

HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION

APRIL 23, 2018

MINUTES FROM SPECIAL MEETING

SUBJECT TO VOTE OF APPROVAL

I.             CALL TO ORDER

The Special Meeting of the Historic District Commission was called to order at 7:05 P.M. in the Engineering Conference Room of the Simsbury Town Offices, 933 Hopmeadow Street.  Also in attendance were Michael Glidden, Assistant Town Planner; Robin Newton, Code Compliance Officer and Karen Haberlin, Commission Clerk.

II.            ROLL CALL

Commission members present were Julie Carmelich, Marguerite Carnell, Heather Goetz and Dianne Mead.

                1.            Appointment of Alternates

Ms. Carnell appointed Julie Carmelich to serve as a voting member.

III.           WORKSHOP

                1.            Update Handbook

Ms. Carnell opened the discussion for comments on the distributed examples of other districts.  She noted the specifics outlined by Mr. Glidden and followed his guidelines as the basis for discussion. 

Flow and Structure of the Document - The Commission looked at the examples and discussed columns versus full-page text.  Ms. Newton provided copies of the Guidelines for Community Design document prepared by the Design Review Board.  Members discussed the placement of information.  There was general agreement in favor of the Windsor example.  It was also noted that the History of Simsbury portion should be updated and included.

Target Audience - Members agreed the size should be somewhere between West Hartford and Windsor.

Permissive versus Suggestive - There was discussion on the type of language to be used.  Ms. Mead remarked that neighbors want suggestions, which was noted.  General discussion ensued about materials and the different ages and styles of homes.  Ms. Carnell noted members leaned more towards a suggestive approach versus a directive approach.

Educational Component - Members discussed keeping the rules and procedures brief.  There was discussion on whether homes in the District should be used versus structures that may not be in Simsbury.  It was decided to include links, such as, National Park Service technical briefs, the Simsbury Historical Society and other relevant web sites.  Mr. Glidden added that reference books can purchased and made available.  Ms. Carmelich recommended and members agreed the procedures should be at the beginning of the document.

Photographs and Diagrams - Members decided photographs should be used as opposed to drawings.  There was discussion about using stock images or hiring a photographer.

Technology or Alternative Energy - Ms. Carnell noted the importance of this area.  Discussion ensued regarding solar panels, screening, fencing, vegetation and stone walls.  It was agreed that vegetation should not be a form of screening because it dies.

Regulatory Map - Mr. Glidden provided two options for maps, including tax maps and aerial photographs.  There was discussion and agreement that aerial photographs should be used.

Materials - There was discussion about recommended versus not recommended materials and whether to allow more materials on newer buildings.  It was decided this discussion should be tabled to another meeting.

Staff/Enforcement - Ms. Carnell recommended this be discussed with Mr. Glidden.

Forms - Members agreed the forms should stay in the document but be updated.

Appendices - It was noted this was already discussed.

Site Features - There was discussion about plastic mailboxes and agreement this section needs updating.

IV.          ADJOURNMENT

Ms. Carnell moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:15 p.m.  Ms. Mead seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

Respectfully Submitted,

Karen Haberlin

Commission Clerk