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These minutes are for informational purposes only. For official minutes, please contact the Town Clerk's Office.
MINUTES
DESIGN REVIEW BOARD
JUNE 10, 2003
CALL TO ORDER
Emil Dahlquist, Chairman, called the Regular Meeting of the Design Review Board to order at 5:48pm in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices. The following members were present: Linda Kennedy, Kevin Gray, John Stewart, Rick Schoenhardt, William Gardner and Charles Stephenson. Also present was Leonard Tolisano, Senior Planner.
APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATES
None
FORMAL PRESENTATION, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE VOTE
Application of Simsbury, LLC, Owner, Steven P. Walker, Agent, for a Site Plan Approval for store front renovations at the Simsbury Town Shops, 914-928 Hopmeadow Street.
Mr. Steve Walker, with Grove Capital, addressed the Board. He reviewed the proposed storefront changes with the members, showing plans that detailed these changes. The proposal calls for removing various signs, adding a maroon cloth awning, insetting the double door entrance by 7-8ft. with a brick step up, bringing out various store fronts by appx. 20ft. to create additional space for shops like Horan’s, replacing windows, and updating signage in keeping with the rest of the complex. Mr. Walker explained that these changes are designed essentially to call greater attention to the main entrance for the professional offices, as well as to tighten up the site with respect to the signs, etc. Presently, it is confusing for patrons to determine where to go to get to various shops; the new owners
hope to eliminate that confusion with these changes. Chairman Dahlquist remarked that these were positive changes, to which the members agreed. The members asked questions regarding things like the roof, the locations of entrances, and the colors and siding material. They felt the changes represented improvement for the site and had no significant concerns. Mr. Gardner made a motion to approve the application of Simsbury, LLC, Owner, Steven P. Walker, Agent, for a Site Plan Approval for store front renovations at the Simsbury Town Shops, 914-928 Hopmeadow Street as presented on the plan dated 4/4/03. Mr. Gray seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
Application of Simsbury Medical Associates, Owner, George Witter, Kingsbrook Development Corporation, Agent, for Sign Approval to enlarge existing sign to list tenant names at the Simsbury Medical Building, 381 Hopmeadow Street.
Mr. George Witter addressed the Board. He reviewed the drawings provided in the members’ packets. He explained that the proposal is to raise up the existing sign and add a 2ft. box extension under it, then add the 8 tenant names to the sign. The sign is an 18 gauge metal unlit sign with applied white vinyl lettering. There are no other changes of any kind proposed. The members agreed that there were no significant concerns regarding the size or graphics of the sign. Mr. Gray made a motion to approve the application of Simsbury Medical Associates, Owner, George Witter, Kingsbrook Development Corporation, Agent, for Sign Approval to enlarge existing sign to list tenant names at the Simsbury Medical Building, 381 Hopmeadow Street as
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June 10, 2003
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presented on the plan provided, with the understanding that there will not be any lighting on the sign. Mr. Gardner seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
Application of Ensign Bickford Realty Corporation, Owner, T.J. Donohue, agent for Hopmeadow Place, LLC, for a Special Exception and Site Plan Approval for age restricted residence on property located at 21, 25, 27, 29 West Street (continued from May 27, 2003 meeting).
Prior to the presentation, Mr. Stewart recused himself from the proceedings. Chairman Dahlquist appointed Charles Stephenson to serve as an alternate for Mr. Stewart. Mr. T. J. Donohue opened the presentation by noting that the architect had been working on changes based on input from the Design Review Board, but that he was unable to attend the meeting this evening. Chairman Dahlquist noted that he had received a call from the architect and briefly reviewed the Board’s concerns regarding the project. Mr. Jeff Gebrian, CR3, oriented Mr. Stephenson to the overall project since Mr. Stephenson was not present at the last meeting. Mr. Gebrian then noted that the major concerns arising from the previous meeting had to do with strengthening the entrance and modulating the roofline. He
then reviewed updated plan drawings and noted changes made in response to those concerns. The members, with Mr. Tolisano, asked questions regarding landscaping, pedestrian linkage to Hopmeadow St., signage, and lighting. Signage and lighting have not yet been finalized and will be presented at a later date. Mr. Donohue stated that pedestrian linkage is an important aspect of the project and the applicants are willing to pursue design features recommended by Design Review or other boards on this issue. Mr. Stephenson asked Chairman Dahlquist to reiterate the Board’s concerns from the last meeting. Chairman Dahlquist stated that window uniformity, ridgeline uniformity, the treatment of the entrance, and the general massing and size of the building were the Board’s main concerns.
Mr. Stephenson noted that there were many nice features in the designs, but he stressed that the absence of significant treatment of the pedestrian issue was a concern. He stated that it would be very important for this project to build that into the project so as to make walking as attractive an option as driving for the building’s residents. The members discussed this issue further, and Mr. Donohue suggested that the applicants could address the pedestrian issue at the same time as they present signage and lighting packages. The members commented and agreed that the changes made addressed the major concerns of the Board, but that the pedestrian issue would definitely need to be examined. Mr. Gardner made a motion to approve the application of Ensign Bickford Realty Corporation, Owner, T.
J. Donohue, Agent for Hopmeadow Place, LLC, for a Special Exception and Site Plan Approval for age restricted residence on property located at 21, 25, 27, 29 West Street as presented on drawings dated 5/30/03, recognizing that there are three outstanding issues regarding the project – signage, lighting, and landscaping as it relates to pedestrian access to Hopmeadow Street. Mr. Gray seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. Chairman Dahlquist restated that he had spoken separately with the architect since he would be absent from this meeting, and the Chairman acknowledged the applicant’s willingness to work with the Design Review Board and make changes to respond to the
Board’s concerns.
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June 10, 2003
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INFORMAL PRESENTATION
Project Master Plan for 894 Hopmeadow Street, presented by Jeffrey A. Gebrian, Principal, CR3, LLP.
For this presentation, Mr. Stephenson continued to serve as an alternate for Mr. Stewart. Mr. Jeff Gebrian addressed the Board. He reviewed the basic plans, and explained that the proposal is to build a multi-use, grade change building with possible office use on the first floor and apartments on the second floor, depending on the leasing. There will be parking underneath, the parking area to the side of the existing building will be reconfigured, and a sidewalk will be added along the side of the property bordering the Simsbury Town Shops. Mr. Dale Cutler, architect, provided copies of the plans to the members. He reviewed the drawings and floor plans, discussing articulation of the façade, the roof shapes, and the recessed entrance. He noted that the exterior would likely be a
stucco finish with some stone veneer on the lower level. He also stated that one of the unique features of Hopmeadow Street is the mix of scales and styles among the buildings, feeling that this building would fit nicely with that type of variety.
The members discussed the project and provided feedback for Mr. Gebrian and Mr. Cutler. The Board felt that it would be important to review the plans for this building overlaid with both the existing building in front of it as well as the neighboring buildings, the Simsbury Town Shops and Vincent Funeral Home. The members expressed concern that the massing of the building and its proximity to the existing building could be problematic. In order to make that determination, though, the building should be looked at in terms of how it relates to the buildings around it. The members complimented the design of the building and the idea of having mixed uses. They discussed the rear façade of the building in relation to Iron Horse Blvd., suggesting that the rear of the building should at least
have a more prominent and gracious entrance to complement that of the front. They also noted that the Iron Horse side of the building might be better utilized for more retail or other use besides the covered parking presently planned. The members discussed removing the existing garage and making improvements to the south façade of the existing building. They also discussed taking a streetscape look at the project and finding ways to improve the connectivity of the site, particularly for pedestrians. In general, the members reviewed the project favorably, particularly with respect to the idea of mixed use and firming up the area between Hopmeadow and Iron Horse. Chairman Dahlquist asked the applicant to return whenever ready.
DISCUSSION
Discussion of Special Meeting held on June 3, 2003 with the Tariffville Village Association on the Tariffville Center Study.
The members discussed the meeting, noting that the Tariffville Village Association has some good ideas and is anxious to get started. However, as Mr. Gardner noted, they were looking for guidance on how to get started, and he felt they left the meeting without a clear idea of what they need to do. Mr. Gray noted that the Association, while energized, is an advocate group only, and cannot as such actually do anything on its own. The Association must work with the town and property owners to accomplish its objectives. The members discussed the role Design Review might play in the process. They agreed that the Design Review could best serve as a backstop for
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June 10, 2003
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the Association, meeting with them periodically to provide general suggestions on the overall process rather than actually providing specific designs for given areas of Tariffville. The members discussed pursuing “Part 2” of the Design Guidelines, using Tariffville as a model and creating some principles which might then be of help for the Tariffville Village Association in prioritizing its objectives. Chairman Dahlquist stated that he would email the members with some ideas on how the Board can approach this. He then asked if the members would be willing to meet on June 17, 2003 with the Association to informally discuss this process. Various members noted their availability for a meeting on the 17th, and Mr. Dahlquist said he would call Mr. Frank Haviland, with the
Association, to set up that meeting.
CORRESPONDENCE
None
STAFF REPORTS
Mr. Tolisano informed the members that he had been contacted about a Regional Planning Conference to be held in Hartford in October. He suggested to the organizers that they might want to have a section of the conference on Design Guidelines, and the response to this suggestion was enthusiastic. Thus, Mr. Tolisano, with Chairman Dahlquist and a gentleman from Providence, Rhode Island (performing a function similar to that of the Design Review Board), will make this presentation at the conference. Mr. Tolisano said he would provide more information on this at a later date.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES of April 22, 2003 and May 27, 2003
Mr. Gray made a motion to approve the minutes of April 22, 2003 as presented. Mr. Stephenson seconded the motion, which passed unanimously with Mr. Schoenhardt and Mr. Gardner abstaining.
Mr. Gardner made a motion to approve the minutes of May 27, 2003 as presented. Mr. Gray seconded the motion, which passed unanimously with Mr. Stephenson abstaining.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Schoenhardt made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:27pm. Mr. Gardner seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
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Kevin Gray, Secretary
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