DESIGN REVIEW BOARD MEETING MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING – TUESDAY, January 25, 2005
SIMSBURY TOWN OFFICES - 5:30 P.M – MAIN MEETING ROOM
I. CALL TO ORDER
Emil Dahlquist, Chairman, called the Meeting of the Design and Review Board to order at 5: 33 PM in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices. The following members were present: Linda Kennedy, John Stewart, John Carroll, Tony Drapelick, and Richard Schoenhardt.
APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATES
Mr. Carroll was appointed to serve for Mr. Gardner.
Mr. Drapelick was appointed to serve for Mr. Gray.
Chairman Dahlquist announced an agenda change to include an informal presentation and asked for a motion to include it.
Mr. Schoenhardt motioned to amend the agenda to include the informal presentation.
Mr. Drapelick seconded with all in favor.
ZONING COMMISSION REFERRAL- FORMAL APPLICATION
A. Site Plan Amendment, proposed portable classroom, Central School
Mr. Peter Chow, Architect- Oakpark Architects, was present to discuss the application.
He explained that the Board of Education proposes putting in portable modular classrooms because some of Squadron Line’s pre-school program is being moved to Central School. The portable units will house the pre-school program, with some space being used for physical therapy and office space. Access to the classrooms is through the existing school building. The units will not have plumbing; the facilities will be accessed in the main building. Classrooms will have, at the most, two double hung windows (3’x 5’), thereby eliminating the exterior stairs, with just the one end ramp to be used as a means of egress.
Mr. Chow explained that the units would be brought in through Memorial Park parking lot, with minimal impact to the site. The classrooms will be installed behind the existing building and will not visible from the street. There are ample trees behind the site to provide screening.
Chairman Dahlquist stated he thought the impact to the site is minimal. He asked how long the units will be used. Mr. Chow did not know how long the BOE plans on using the units.
Chairman Dahlquist asked if there would be any rooftops units for hvac. Mr. Chow explained that the self-contained units will have their own a/c, heating, and sprinkler system, but for all other functions, they will be tied into the existing buildings systems.
Chairman Dahlquist asked about the back ramp. Mr. Chow explained that it goes out to the grass and used as an emergency egress.
Chairman Dahlquist asked what paint colors will be used for the units. Mr. Chow said they have asked that the units be painted, adding that he would like to see a terra-cotta color with white trim.
Mr. Carroll asked if the building could be seen from the property to the east of the school. Mr. Chow said he didn’t think so, as the grade drops down dramatically.
Mr. Stewart expressed a concern about the exit ramp, asking if either plantings or a short fence could be installed that deterring a child from falling off the ramp. He noted that a short 4-foot high section of fence could be attached to the bottom of the railing as it intersects grade running eastward for 8 feet, in order to prevent a child from falling. Mr. Chow was amenable to the suggestion.
Mr. Schoenhardt asked if calculations were done measuring the cost of the portable units versus permanent construction. Mr. Chow stated that the town passed a referendum last year for 500,000 to implement the program, and the BOE looked into several different options. They did look into permanent construction, but the cost would run over $1 mil.
Chairman Dahlquist asked about lighting. Mr. Chow said that there would be lighting installed outside the landing, and also a light to illuminate the site at night for security reasons.
Chairman Dahlquist asked if there were any back exit doors off the existing school. Mr. Chow noted on the drawings the one in the back
A motion was made by Mr. Stewart to approve the application as presented on drawings numbered L101, A101, and A102 and as presented by Mr. Chow on 1/25/05 with one exception. The board requests that a wooden sectional fence, approximately 3’6” to 4’ in height, be installed running eastward from the bottom of the proposed accessibility ramp on the east side of the building and running parallel to the long axis of the existing school. The fence should be painted to match the trim selected for the building. In addition, the suggested building color, terracotta with white trim, should be considered as the proposed color of the portable classrooms.
It was seconded by Mr. Carroll with all in favor.
INFORMAL PRESENTATION
A. Fiddler’s Green Project- Unified Sign Plan
Mr. Rich Correia, Project Manager for Fiddler’s Green, and Art Fx Design Company were present to discuss the application.
Signs drawings were distributed to board members and the signs were explained in their intricacy.
The main identification sign located on the corner of Hopmeadow Street and Wilcox Street will be aluminum and synthetic materials, PVC and /or acrylic. The lettering will either be gold leaf or a sprayed metallic gold finish. The letters are dimensional. The 2-10 Wilcox panel will have decorative wrought iron flourishes made of aluminum. The posts are aluminum, the corner are beveled. The bases of the columns are PVC with an inset and capping. The individual tenant panels, will most likely be aluminum, and will have some dimension.
Consistency throughout the signs was the goal of the project, and also to keep with the look of the complex, and compliment the architecture of the building. He stated that some signs have a rusty burgundy background, some have a green background. The general shape of the signs is similar, and in most cases the letters will be flat. There are some small tenants, and their signs will be made in accordance with their budgets. Retailers and restaurants will have the ability, for uniformity’s sake, to have signs of the same shape and background material, but they will be allowed to add dimension to their sign if their budget permits it.
Chairman Dahlquist said he likes the design, graphics and colors used, and stated they have complied with the unified sign ideas. He asked if when they come back for the formal application, could they bring a site plan showing exactly where the signs are located.
Mr. Correia explained that there are two existing sign pole locations that they plan to use. One is located at the main entry way into the parking lot on Wilcox Street. The other is located on railroad Street.
Chairman Dahlquist asked whether they spoke with Mr. Howard Beach, Zoning Enforcement Officer. Mr. Correia stated yes. They were told they are allowed 598.5 square feet of signage and they are well below that.
It was explained that there are some small tenants in the upper floors, who do not have any signage, except on the main Hopmeadow street sign.
Mr. Stewart complimented them, stating that the design, use of materials, and color choices is excellent, and it befits the project. However, he stated that he is concerned with the height of the sign, and felt that it is too high.
There was a discussion about sign height, and Chairman Dahlquist said that the sign is out of proportion to the building behind it. Board members agreed that the sign is too high. Design guidelines states that the size of the sign should be in relation to the main vantage point. Mr. Correia stated that he did not have a problem with the sign height, he just wants something that will attract customers.
Mr. Schoenhardt said that the larger site signs should be reduced by 20-30%. The applicants were amenable to the change.
Chairman Dahlquist acknowledged that the only real way to identify some of the tenants would be to have signs attached to the building. He stated that it is not something that is encouraged, but with the number of tenants it might be the only way.
Chairman Dahlquist asked whether it was too much to have three signs identifying every tenant. Mr. Correia stated that the Wilcox Street signs are smaller than the Hopmeadow street sign. He also acknowledged that the third sign is for tenants who do not have signs on their storefront. It was also stated that the primary entrance to the site is through Wilcox Street parking lot.
Mr. Stewart said that the signs add a lot of character to the area and is engaging. He stated that if the signs are scaled down, the site will make the site more engaging. He stated that 14 feet is a very big sign.
Mr. Carroll asked about lighting. They will use two 150-watt metal halide floodlights. The brackets on the Wilcox Street sign will be illuminated with some type of gooseneck lights. He stated that lighting will be indicated at the next presentation.
Mr. Stewart mentioned that there should be some type of landscaping island for the ground lighting.
Mr. Schoenhardt mentioned that in order to make the Chinese restaurant sign stand out, they might put a deep red oval around the sign.
The board agreed that the design, choice of colors, and the scale is of the signs is very well done.
Mr. Drapelick said that it is starting to look very grand, and thinks that it will be a great addition to the town.
Chairman Dahlquist said that there will be no action/motions made on the application.
DISCUSSION
There was a discussion about changes made to the charter revision letter discussed at the last meeting.
Chairman Dahlquist and Mr. Stewart attended the CT Chapter of the American Planning Association seminar. He handed out the presentation by Timothy D. Bates, “Zoning Regulations and Design: Legal Basis, Principles, and Approaches.” And discussed some of its’ main points.
He spoke about the aspect of aesthetics, the legal position that boards have to begin to develop appearance codes, design regulations in zoning, and the upholding of architectural control. He also spoke about the idea of character as having substance from a regulatory standpoint. He also spoke about the fact that that there should be a set of guidelines to be used consistently. Chairman Dahlquist said that the presentation is very interesting and asked that members read page 19 of the presentation.
There was a discussion about the town of Stonington and the way they go through design review process. Mr. Stewart said that Stonington has very tight and consistent guidelines.
Board members added that it would be a great idea if they could be given out reading to discuss ideas about design review. Chairman Dahlquist also handed out a packet entitled “Borough Zoning Regulations Design Overlay Zone.”
CORRESPONDENCE
None
STAFF REPORTS
None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF January 11, 2005
Mr. Schoenhardt motioned to approve the minutes of January 11, 2005.
Ms. Kennedy seconded, with all in favor. Mr. Drapelick abstained.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Drapelick moved to adjourn the meeting at 7 PM.
Ms. Kennedy seconded with all in favor.
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