Historic District Commission Minutes 11/07/2019

HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
NOVEMBER 7, 2019
MINUTES FROM REGULAR MEETING
SUBJECT TO VOTE OF APPROVAL

I. CALL TO ORDER

The Regular Meeting of the Historic District Commission was called to order at 7:00 P.M. in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices, 933 Hopmeadow Street. Also in attendance was Michael Glidden, Director of Planning & Community Development; Karen Haberlin, Commission Clerk; and other interested parties.

II. ROLL CALL

Commission members present were Marguerite Carnell, Heather Goetz, Patty Hyyppa and Mark Nyquist.

1. Appointment of Alternates
Ms. Carnell appointed Mr. Nyquist as an alternate for the meeting.

III. APPLICATIONS
1. Public Hearing
a. Application #19-03 of Connor Foley, Owner, Hamlet Homes, Applicant: for a Certificate of Appropriateness for the construction of a single-family dwelling on the property located on the eastern side of East Weatogue Street, 570 feet north of the intersection of East Weatogue Street and Hartford Road (Assessor’s Map H14, Block 109, Lot 014A). Zone R-40, (public hearing scheduled to be opened 11/01/2019)

2. Discussion and Possible Action
a. Application #19-03 of Connor Foley, Owner, Hamlet Homes, Applicant: for a Certificate of Appropriateness for the construction of a single-family dwelling on the property located on the eastern side of East Weatogue Street, 570 feet north of the intersection of East Weatogue Street and Hartford Road (Assessor’s Map H14, Block 109, Lot 014A). Zone R-40, (received 10/17/2019; decision must be rendered by 12/21/2019)

Ms. Carnell read the application aloud. Mark O’Neil of Hamlet Homes introduced himself and owners Connor and Tara Foley. He described the proposed home’s style as farmhouse/Colonial and noted the existing driveway will be used. The home will be 200-250’ off the road and a select group of trees will come down. The stone wall on the Caldera property line will stay. There will be no curb cuts and no changes behind the house. Photos of the house were provided. He noted the roofing includes a standing-seam metal roof on the front porch and dormer and an asphalt roof on the rest of the house. 6 over 6 windows and traditional siding will be used. Discussion about the use of roofing materials and windows in the District followed. There will be no regrading and the berm will stay. There will be no fencing. The current driveway will be used and there will be no repaving or lighting. The air conditioning will be in the rear of the house. Wood clapboard siding with 4” exposure will be used. On the front elevation shingles may be used. Discussion about the detail above the top window was discussed. The windows will be wood clad, 6 over 6, double hung, traditional SDL. The builder noted he will provide a sample at the next meeting. The garage doors will be traditional carriage style with glass. They will be fiberglass, not wood. A sample of that will also be brought in. There will be no chimney. The porch will have square, wood columns and the porch floor will be a wood composite. Mr. Glidden advised that all changes and manufacturers be noted on the plans. Mr. O’Neil noted he will provide a list of materials. The gas exhaust will be a ventless system on the rear of the house. The paint colors will be white and black. The porch will be a wood color with black veining. There will be either a deck or a patio at the back of the house. The roofing will be either asphalt or a mixture of materials. Roofing samples will be provided. The gutters will be aluminum painted white all around and matched. The doors will possibly be double. Mark Willis of 11 Weatogue Street, an abutter and neighbor, introduced himself and noted approval of the design. The house will be located approximately 250’ from the roadway but can change with the septic design. Mr. Glidden questioned whether the house plan is located in the district, adding it is not to scale. He noted the plan needs to reflect where the house will be located. Discussion followed. Mr. Glidden clarified the applicant needs to provide a survey with topography showing grading around the house. The applicant will provide a materials list with manufacturers for the roof, windows, garage door, siding and porch, and a basic site plan showing topography and location for the next meeting.

MOTION: Ms. Carnell made a motion to continue the Public Hearing for Application #19-03 until the next regularly scheduled meeting. Ms. Goetz seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously.

IV. GENERAL COMMISSION BUSINESS
1. Update Handbook
Mr. Glidden reported he has reached out to FHI and there was agreement that he will proceed with a contract for them to update the handbook.

2. Preliminary Discussion of New Home at 128 East Weatogue Street; applicant Brendan McLarty
Mr. Glidden provided background, noting the McLartys are looking at one of the Ellsworth lots and he encouraged them to present their plans to date to the Commission for preliminary discussion. Brendan McLarty introduced himself and his parents, Steve (his builder) and Deb McLarty, and showed the basic elevation plan and plot plan to the Commission. He noted the architect, Thomas Matosz of Dante J. Boffi Design, was also present. Discussion followed regarding trees, square footage and siding. Samples were provided, including architectural shingles and bricks for the chimney. There was discussion about the scale not being traditional regarding the attachment of the garage to the house. It was noted the design was taken from the company, Classic Colonial Homes. There was further discussion about the vertical siding and cupola on the garage. The proposed house color is blue with red for the barn. It was suggested that the plan show clapboard siding. The garage doors and lighting were discussed. A sample of an energy-efficient Anderson casement window with roll-out capability and an inside screen was presented. Discussion followed and Commission members noted concern about the way the casement window functions versus a double-hung window. It was noted Brendan McLarty is following the guidelines of Energize CT, an Eversource initiative, in designing the home to meet an established energy-efficiency rating which provides rebates. Further discussion ensued including air conditioning and future plans for finishing the space above the garage. The driveway will be processed stone for a few years, then blacktop. Mr. Glidden noted the driveway has a 6% pitch, which would make crushed stone an option. Lastly, lighting and a granite light post and mailbox were discussed with the suggestion to provide a sample lantern.

3. Proposed 2020 Historic District Commission Meeting Calendar
Ms. Carnell proposed changing the meeting time from 7:30 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. and there was agreement on that.

V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES of the September 5, 2019 Regular Meeting

MOTION: Ms. Carnell moved to approve the Minutes from the September 5, 2019 Regular Meeting. Ms. Hyyppa seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously.

VI. ADJOURNMENT

MOTION: Ms. Carnell moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:35 P.M. Mr. Nyquist seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

Respectfully Submitted,

Karen Haberlin
Commission Clerk