Historical District Commission Minutes 06/04/2020
Historic District Commission
TOWN OF SIMSBURY, CONNECTICUT
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Thursday, June 4, 2020 at 7:00 P.M.
Zoom Meeting/Simsbury Community Television Live Stream
I. CALL TO ORDER
The Regular Meeting of the Historic District Commission was called to order at 7:05 P.M. via Zoom Meeting/Simsbury Community Television Live Stream. Also in attendance was Laura Barkowski, Land Use Specialist; Michael Glidden, Director of Planning & Community Development; Karen Haberlin, Commission Clerk; and other interested parties.
II. ROLL CALL
Commission members present were Julie Carmelich, Marguerite Carnell, Heather Goetz and Dianne Mead.
1. Appointment of Alternates
There was no appointment of alternates for the meeting.
III. APPLICATIONS
1. Public Hearing
a. Application #20-03 Arynn Rosenstein & Michael Kelly, Owner/Applicant; for a Certificate of Appropriateness for the installation of a fence on the property located at 105 East Weatogue Street (Assessor’s Map H12, Block 107 Lot 002). Zone R-40.
Ms. Carnell asked the applicant to review progress since last month’s meeting. Owner Arynn Rosenstein addressed the Commission, noting they would like to install a 6-foot tall, spruce stockade fence in the back yard of their house with a gate on the left. She noted they have two dogs and need a 6-foot tall fence to protect them from other animals and neighborhood dogs. They provided a picture of the proposed fence and its location. Ms. Carnell clarified the location of the fence and noted it will be unpainted. Commissioners noted their questions were answered. Ms. Carnell invited the public to speak. Marc Lubetkin of 107 East Weatogue Street, noted approval of the proposed fence. There were no further public comments.
MOTION: Ms. Carnell made a motion to close the public hearing. Ms. Mead seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously.
2. Discussion and Possible Action
a. Application #20-03 Arynn Rosenstein & Michael Kelly, Owner/Applicant; for a Certificate of Appropriateness for the installation of a fence on the property located at 105 East Weatogue Street (Assessor’s Map H12, Block 107 Lot 002). Zone R-40.
Ms. Carnell noted approval of the selection of a wood fence and the decision to keep it unpainted. She explained there would be minimal visibility from the street and noted she is in support of approval.
A brief pause was taken due to technical difficulties with the live recording of the meeting.
MOTION: Ms. Carnell made a motion to approve Application #20-03 as submitted, a 6-foot-high, wood stockade fence, unpainted, installed per the plan that was submitted in the application. Ms. Mead seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously.
3. Public Hearing
a. Application #20-02 Simsbury Land Trust, Owner/Applicant; for a Certificate of Appropriateness for a gravel parking lot with paved apron to the street for a parcel located along the eastern side of East Weatogue Street approximately 815 feet from the intersection of East Weatogue Street and Riverside Road (Assessor’s Map H11, Lot 106 Block 037A). Zone R80.
Ms. Carnell invited the applicant to speak. Margery Winters, of 111 Old Farms Road, President of the Simsbury Land Trust (SLT) introduced herself. She explained this application is for a Certificate of Appropriateness for a parking lot on the SLT’s Tanninger Hill property. She noted the recent heavy use of the trail due to the pandemic and she spoke about run-off from the hillside behind it, noting an erosion problem. They would like a paved apron and a gravel lot installed. She spoke about drainage issues resulting in icing and sediment, and the dangerousness of this road making parking unacceptable. She added this is the crown jewel in the SLT’s properties and public access to trails is part of the SLT mission. Their plan includes planting native plants to block the view of the cars, installing a French drain to minimize water in the parking lot and to preserve the setting. She further noted “joy riders" have also created erosion and she proposed putting in a fence to prevent that problem. Questions and discussion followed. It was noted the parking lot would have ten spaces and one handicapped space. Mr. Glidden clarified that ADA will require that the handicapped space be paved and have signage. He also noted that aprons are 14 feet off the road and must be paved. Ms. Winters indicated there will be no signage for the parking lot. It was noted that one or two trees will need to be removed and additional shrubs will be planted to buffer the parking lot. Discussion followed about the timing and stages of the entire project, which it was noted will depend on finances. Ms. Carmelich clarified that the project includes the paved apron, a French drain, a gravel driveway, a paved handicapped accessible parking spot and a cedar fence. Ms. Carnell invited the public to speak and asked that each party introduce themselves first. The following parties were in attendance:
Don and Katie MacQuattie, 133 East Weatogue Street
Jim Miller, 22 Talcott Mountain Road
Greg and Tia Battiston, 130 East Weatogue Street
Art House and Rita Jepson, 137 East Weatogue Street
Marc Lubetkin, 107 East Weatogue Street
Don MacQuattie noted his property is across the street and run-off is pretty bad. He noted the property needs a drain. He asked if the lot would need lighting. Mr. Glidden indicated it would not. Mr. MacQuattie spoke about regulating the number of cars, the “joy riders,” the amount of use the trail gets, drainage and whether an environmental impact study will be done. Katie MacQuattie noted this is a residential area, no one is monitoring the access hours and dogs are off leash. Further, she spoke about parking on the road not being an option, flooding into their lawn, and oil in the flooded water, which also goes into Lucy Brook.
Jim Miller spoke about the difficulties of this road with regard to cars parking on it. He noted there needs to be a drain to prevent silt on the road. He indicated a limited parking lot would be effective and help with safety. He suggested that signage containing a limitation on the size of vehicles could help. Overall, he was in favor of the application and felt that some of the complaints are thought of carefully but impractical.
Tia Battiston noted they are not in objection of the proposed plan. Greg Battiston noted concern about drainage and asked that that be resolved.
Art House addressed the mud problem and the need for gravel and an apron. He advocated for a sign noting parking is limited to ten spaces. Rita Jepson noted concern about the area not being regulated, landscaping, the environmental impact, too many cars, noise, and unattractiveness.
Marc Lubetkin advocated that the SLT close the property until it is safe. He asked that police put up “no parking” signs and that drainage be installed. He added it is dangerous and wrong to have parking in the Historic District.
Laird Mortimer, of 44 Pinnacle Mountain Road, spoke about the high speed of cars on East Weatogue Street, wrecks, and indicated that the small parking lot will make more problems.
Mr. Glidden noted the 2016 plan had boulders along the parking lot border. Ms. Winters indicated that they will install a fence or boulders to limit the parking to ten cars, noting the SLT’s goal is to be good neighbors. She added that the wet spring this year and COVID have created problems.
MOTION: Ms. Carnell made a motion to close the public hearing. Ms. Carmelich seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously.
4. Discussion and Possible Action
a. Application #20-02 Simsbury Land Trust, Owner/Applicant; for a Certificate of Appropriateness for a gravel parking lot with paved apron to the street for a parcel located along the eastern side of East Weatogue Street approximately 815 feet from the intersection of East Weatogue Street and Riverside Road (Assessor’s Map H11, Lot 106 Block 037A). Zone R80.
Ms. Carmelich noted appreciation for the full plan. She explained that a paved apron would not be different from what already exists in the District and that a gravel lot would be preferable to additional asphalt. Ms. Mead indicated that an apron makes sense and that she did not have a problem with the application. Ms. Goetz agreed. Questions and discussion followed about moving the paved handicapped space to a less visible area. Ms. Carnell summarized comments from the commissioners, noting that the run-off issue cannot be addressed by this commission. She noted she would prefer to approve this plan with a fence or barrier and added that the submitted plan shows two-foot boulders, however, the applicant is considering a cedar fence instead. Further, Ms. Carnell noted the plan includes a paved apron, a paved ADA-accessible parking spot, and a gravel lot and removal of two trees. There was agreement with the plan as drawn with the preference for moving the handicapped spot to the north corner. Ms. Carnell advised that signage would require additional approval.
MOTION: Ms. Carnell made a motion to approve Application #20-02 of the Simsbury Land Trust as submitted with the exception that the plan notes a ten-foot paved apron, but we understand it is required to be a 14-foot asphalt paved apron. The other exception noted is preference that the handicapped accessible spot be moved to the north end of the parking lot if possible but is not required as part of this approval. We are approving the plan as noted with two-foot diameter boulders that will demarcate the perimeter of the parking lot. If the applicant wishes to introduce a different barrier, such as a fence, that would be a separate application. Additionally, if signage is required along the street or visible from the public way, that should be included as a separate application. Ms. Goetz seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously.
MOTION: Ms. Carnell made a motion to move the order of agenda items IV and V to hear from the consultants from FHI next. Ms. Carmelich seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously.
IV. GENERAL COMMISSION BUSINESS
1. Update Handbook
Consultants Stephanie Dyer, Ken Livingston and Rory Fitzgerald from Fitzgerald & Halliday introduced themselves. Ms. Dyer referenced a slide presentation and began by asking commissioners what they like about the existing handbook and what they envision for the update. Ms. Dyer is the lead project manager. Mr. Livingston noted the key tasks as identified in the RFP and provided an overview of the project. He then spoke about a proposed schedule of background research being done this summer, followed by a public workshop in the fall, with a finalized handbook by late fall/early winter. Discussion ensued with regard to Ms. Carnell’s preference for having a public workshop in person, as opposed to virtually. It was agreed that the schedule may extend later if necessary. Mr. Livingston referenced questions in the slide presentation for consideration by commission members. It was agreed that commissioners will send questions to Mr. Glidden and he will pass them on to Mr. Livingston. Ms. Carnell noted she likes the history of the area summary and would like to keep that and update it. She added that in 2016 the Commission liked the Windsor handbook and it is a good guideline. In the Nashville example, she liked the meeting guidance section and “top ten reasons to save windows,” “ten ways to green your home” and those kinds of resources. Ms. Dyer noted the Fairfield handbook has nice elements and it was noted there is a PDF of it in the Commission’s folder.
V. REFERRAL FROM THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
1. Potential open space acquisition at the Meadowood site
Mr. Glidden noted the Trust for Public Lands has approached the Town about doing a partnership for purchasing the Meadowood subdivision. He showed plans to the Commission and gave an overview of the project, noting it includes the demolition of several historic tobacco barns. He explained that the State Historic Preservation Office has committed $500,000 in grant funding for the preservation of the tobacco barns on Firetown Road because of the cultural significance tied to Martin Luther King. He noted the Board of Selectmen asked for input from this commission. Discussion followed about the barns on the property, including those to be demolished. It was suggested that a response might be that the Commission is supportive of the concept, fully supports the preservation of the barns on Firetown Road, but would ask that the Town investigate if the other barns on the property can possibly be preserved. Mr. Glidden indicated that staff could draft a letter.
MOTION: Ms. Carmelich made a motion to send a positive referral back to the Board of Selectmen that the Commission is supportive of the preservation of the barns along Firetown Road and that the Commission would like the Town and Trust for Public Lands to investigate potential ways that other barns throughout the project can be preserved. Ms. Carnell seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously.
VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES of the May 7, 2020 Regular Meeting
MOTION: Ms. Mead moved to approve the Minutes from the May 7, 2020 Regular Meeting. Ms. Carmelich seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Ms. Carnell moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:15 P.M. Ms. Mead seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Respectfully Submitted,
Karen Haberlin
Commission Clerk