DESIGN REVIEW BOARD MEETING MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING – TUESDAY, November 23, 2004
SIMSBURY TOWN OFFICES - 5:30 P.M – MAIN MEETING ROOM
CALL TO ORDER
Kevin Gray, Secretary, called the Meeting of the Design and Review Board to order at 5:30 PM in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices. The following members were present: John Stewart, Mark Naccarato, Kevin Gray, William Gardner, John Carroll, and Richard Schoenhardt.
APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATES
Mr. Stewart was appointed to serve for Mr. Dahlquist.
FORMAL PRESENTATION, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE VOTE
A. Application of David A. Richman, West Street Storage, LLC, Owner, for a Site Plan Approval for construction of a storage facility on property located at 125R West Street. (continued from 11/9/04 meeting)
Mr. Skip Alford presented the changes to the plan. He stated they removed the rhododendrons, the plantings are spread out with coniferous tree groupings, added some along the east of the property, added in some vibernums and grasses. They have also added some planting around the air conditioning pads, and added some dogwood trees to give some interest.
Mr. Stewart said the plan is a significant improvement, and the screening is significantly better. The plan appears to go a lot farther to mitigate the concerns of the abutting neighbors. He stated, when asked if the plan is adequate, that it is, but expressed that adequacy is subjective.
Mr. Naccarato said the plan has addressed the board’s concerns. He expressed concern that along one side the landscaping has not been continued all the way to the end, and it looks sparse. He feels that along Bushy Hill, the north side, it looks much better. There was a discussion surrounding the grading and planting of the concerned area. The board agreed they would like to see it completed and agreed that it should be addressed. Mr. Stewart said all that to complete the look in that area, all that is needed are three trees The applicant agreed.
Mr. Schoenhardt stated that abutting neighbor’s comments centered around the noise coming from the air conditioning units, and the units’ visibility. He stated that the plantings proposed around the units are the best that can be done to solve the problem. Mr. Gardner agreed. The applicant added that the units are not commercial units, and will not be run as if the facility is an office or residence, and that the compressor will not be loud.
Mr. Alford showed on the plans the location of the lighting. The lights, with 60-watt bulbs, will be placed about 30 feet apart on the sides of each building, and will shine down. The lights will be closed down at 8pm, with just the front gate illuminated after that time. No light will be filtering off into the neighbor’s property. The board felt the lighting plan was well thought out and addressed the concerns of the neighbors.
Mr. Alford addressed the fencing issue. The architectural grade fence will be located on the inside of the landscaping. The west and south side fence, a black vinyl clad chain link fence, is located behind the inside of the landscaping.
Vertical slots in the chain link fence were discussed. Mr. Stewart stated that vertical slots will probably not improve the look, as well they are not good quality. Mr. Naccarato expressed that the vertical slots tend to make it look more transparent.
As for signage, the applicant stated they would return for discussion and approval.
Mr. Naccarato stated he had no concerns with the colors proposed for the buildings.
A motion was made by Mr. Stewart to approve the application as presented on revised drawings dated 11/22/04 of the site grading plan, utility plan, and landscape plan prepared by Alford Associates, Mr. Skip Alford, Principal, for West Street Storage, LLC. Original plans dated 10/21/04 revised as noted.
The application is approved with the exception that the landscaping plan be amended to add additional evergreen material on the south slope and continuing eastward from the current location where they terminate adjacent to the proposed retaining wall on the slope. This is to be done to mitigate seeing underneath the existing plant material that will be left to the south.
It is understood that the owner will terminate lighting after 8pm within the storage facility area to mitigate any light diffusion into the surrounding properties and only lighting at the front entrance will be left on in order to identify signage and for security reasons.
It is understood that there will be architectural fencing along the northern property line and a dark green or black vinyl clad chain link fence will be installed along the western and southern property lines. The fencing will have no flats installed.
Mr. Gardner seconded the motion with all in favor.
B. Application of Simsbury Volunteer Ambulance Association, Agent for a sign in front of the Simsbury Volunteer Ambulance Association Headquarters on property located at 4 Old Mill Lane (continued from 11/9/04 meeting)
Mr. Mike Delehanty, Executive Director Simsbury Volunteer Ambulance Association was present to address the board.
They propose erecting a sign on the West Street side of the property. The sign will be carved wood with a muted blue colored background and gold leaf lettering. There will be no lighting associated with the project. The dimension of the top of the sign is 20 by 37 inches. Attached to the bottom will be a small banner directing people to the Old Mill Lane entrance for parking and access the entrance. At the moment people are parking in front of the ambulance bay. Mr. Schoenhardt suggested they might paint “No Parking” on the pavement in front of the ambulance bay. Mr. Delehanty agreed this might be a good idea.
Mr. Gray stated the board likes to see street numbers on signs, but acknowledged that since the building’s address is 4 Old Mill Lane, the number is superfluous on the sign.
There was discussion about landscaping around the sign. Mr. Delehanty stated there is currently just grass. Mr. Gardner said that the reasoning for landscape placement around signs is a to act as a buffer for lighting. It was agreed that since the sign has no lighting proposed, and to keep maintenance at a minimum, the landscaping will stay as is.
A motion was made by Mr. Gardner to approve the application as presented. It is understood that no lighting or landscaping is associated with the project. The sign is carved wood with a muted blue background and gold leaf lettering.
Mr. Schoenhardt seconded the motion with all in favor.
CORRESPONDENCE
None
STAFF REPORTS
Mr. Howard Beach has been elected the enforcement officer.
Mr. Dahlquist attended the charter commission meeting, and he suggested that the board be codified. Mr. Loomis also spoke in favor of this.
Mr. Dahlquist and Mr. Voelker attended a meeting in Norwich to speak about Design Review.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES of November 9, 2004.
Mr. Schoenhardt motioned to approve the minutes with one correction.
Mr. Gardner seconded, with all in favor.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Gardner motioned to adjourn the meeting at 6:10PM.
Mr. Stewart seconded with all in favor.
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