Historic District Commission Minutes 08/03/2017 SPECIAL MEETING

HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION

AUGUST 3, 2017

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 7:37 p.m. in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices, 933 Hopmeadow Street.  Also in attendance were Michael Glidden, Assistant Town Planner, and Karen Haberlin, Commission Clerk.

II.            ROLL CALL

Commission members present were Julie Carmelich, Marguerite Carnell, Mark Nyquist and Jonathan Laschever.

                1.            Appointment of Alternates

Vice Chair Carnell appointed Mark Nyquist and Julie Carmelich to serve as voting members.

III.           APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Vice Chairwoman Carnell moved to approve the Minutes from the March 2, 2017 meeting.  Mr. Nyquist seconded the motion.  All were in favor and the motion passed.

IV.          GENERAL COMMISSION BUSINESS

                1.            Deepwater Wind Solar Project

                                a.            Referral from Lisa Heavner, First Selectwoman

Vice Chairwoman Carnell began the discussion by noting the various documents already created surrounding the Deepwater Wind Solar Project, including letters from the Design Review Board, the Planning Commission and the Historical Society; the Heritage Consultants Integrated Historic Preservation Planning document and map; and several maps provided by Deepwater Wind.  Mr. Glidden added that the First Selectwoman’s Office would like the Commission to provide any opinion, issues or focus it thinks need to be addressed should this be an application normally put before the Commission.  He noted the specific areas being affected on a large map hanging in the meeting room.  Mr. Glidden added that the Planning Commission had consensus that this project does not meet the Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD).  The Planning Commission pointed specifically to pages 46-48, in which there is a series of maps showing places throughout town where they want to protect the community character.  Fields and barns were identified at least ten years ago by the POCD as being worth protecting.  He also noted the Historical Society’s comments about the barns and fields.  Vice Chair Carnell noted that the project has already undergone some modifications regarding screening.  Mr. Glidden showed the Commission what is being proposed for screening, including a ten-foot tall privacy fence along Hoskins and County Roads.  He showed some visual mock-ups to the Commission.  Plantings and a security fence will also be included.  Commissioner Carmelich asked if the solar panels are ten feet high.  Mr. Glidden confirmed that they are.  He was asked whether they are static and said that was one of the Town’s questions for the developer, but he believes they are static.  It was noted there will be some clearing of trees in the northern section, as well as some in the middle field.  Vice Chair Carnell inquired whether this land is agricultural at the moment.  Some is being farmed and some is fallow.  She also asked for clarification on the zoning of this land.  Mr. Glidden responded it is a mix of R40 and Industrial. 

Commissioner Carmelich stated for the record that she works for the State Historic Preservation Office, but she does not work in the Environmental Review Division and, therefore, had no knowledge of this report before it was shared by the Commission.

Vice Chair Carnell asked whether this project would have adverse soil quality effects or not.  Mr. Glidden noted that the soil is sandy and, without irrigation, it is tough to grow anything.  The proposal is to dig post holes and they will not be excavating mass earth.  Commissioner Carmelich inquired about how the roads will be made.  Mr. Glidden said there will be a gravel drive around the perimeter and an access road needed for personnel to check the panels once or twice a week.  There will be a seven-foot tall grey chain link fence for security purposes.  Commissioner Laschever added that he is a member of the Design Review Board and that he was under the impression that the topsoil was not being stripped.  Mr. Glidden added that, to the best of his knowledge, that is correct.  Mr. Laschever asked whether the Town has any authority over the what and the how of this project.  Mr. Glidden responded that through this process the Town could have some influence but, ultimately, the decisions lie with the Siting Council.  Mr. Laschever asked if the Commission could ask that topsoil be preserved, for example.  And could there be preservation of the tobacco barns for historic preservation?  Mr. Glidden confirmed that the Siting Council decides what happens.  Commissioner Laschever’s other concern is about the monolithic character of the fences, noting that the Design Review Board did studies regarding the fences and the view.  He stated that one of their concerns should be that the barns being kept be maintained and preserved.  Vice Chair Carnell reiterated that the Commission should review this project as if it was in their district, adding that all of the tobacco sheds are potentially eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.  She also noted that the houses at 45, 85 and 100 Hoskins Road are potentially eligible as well.  10 County Road is not considered eligible.  She summed up that there is the issue of the buildings, the archaeological resources and the use of the land.  She raised the issue of the association of Martin Luther King with this property.  Commissioner Carmelich commented on this issue as being one of her major concerns with this project.  In one of the Martin Luther King biographies, it is said that his time in Simsbury was transformative for him.  It was the first time he had worked in an unsegregated environment and led him to pursue civil rights.  She added that if he worked for the Cullen Brothers Farm, this may be the last remnant of his time here.  If his time in Simsbury can be associated with any of these farms or sheds, that brings it to landmark status.  This research can be done.  She finds this particularly upsetting if it can be demonstrated he was associated in any way with this area.  It was clarified that he did work for the Cullen Brothers Farm.  She believes it warrants research to at least eliminate the possibility that this area may be associated with him directly.  It was noted that the high school produced a video that may have more information about this. 

Commissioner Nyquist asked if anyone has thought about the heat generated by the panels and if that will impact the micro-climate in the area around them.  Vice Chair Carnell asked about sound.  Mr. Glidden responded that it is the equivalent of a car idling or a refrigerator, noting that when visiting a similar project in Suffield, he could not pick out the sound from three hundred feet away.  Vice Chair Carnell asked if there is a firm commitment they will preserve the barns being kept.  Mr. Glidden said they say they will and that the barns are in relatively good shape.  There was discussion about which barns are to be saved.  Barns One and Two are to be kept and Barns Three, Four and Five are slated for demolition.  It was noted that Barns One and Two seem critical, as they are seen from the road.

Vice Chair Carnell said she likes the Historical Society’s position and that she’d like to craft some language herself at this point.  Mr. Laschever added that he’s not sure the Commission is ready to make a pronouncement.  Mr. Glidden said there is a Public Meeting on September 12th, including a site walk, interrogatories and public comment.  He added that the Town is sending interrogatories in the next five days.  There was general discussion about possible points to be brought up through a motion.  Ms. Carmelich made note that anything that happens in Simsbury needs to conform with the Planning document.  It exists to support the Town.  Mr. Laschever added that he agrees with the Historical Society’s recommendation about character preservation, specifically the fencing should be wooden.  Vice Chair Carnell added that supporting the recommendation for further archaeological testing is really important. 

Commissioner Laschever made a motion that the Historic District Commission is requesting additional information on the following five points:

1.            A conditions assessment on the five barns

2.            Historical research into potential association with Martin Luther King, Jr.

3.            A maintenance schedule for any buildings to be preserved in the final plan

4.            Options for screening, including historically-appropriate materials, like wood fencing, plantings and berms

5.            Concern and assertion that any development in the Town of Simsbury should be in keeping with the Plan of Conservation and Development

Vice Chair Carnell seconded the motion.  All were in favor and the motion passed.

Vice Chair Carnell will come up with more detailed comments. Mr. Glidden suggested that comments be sent to him individually and that a special meeting in a few weeks could be scheduled.  It was decided that a Special Meeting will be held August 10, 2017, at 7:30 p.m.

V.            ADJOURNMENT

Vice Chair Carnell moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:38 p.m.  Ms. Carmelich seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

Respectfully Submitted,

Karen Haberlin

Commission Clerk