DESIGN REVIEW BOARD MEETING MOTIONS
REGULAR MEETING – TUESDAY, April 26, 2005
SIMSBURY TOWN OFFICES - 5:30 P.M
MAIN MEETING ROOM
CALL TO ORDER
Emil Dahlquist, Chairman, 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: Linda Kennedy, Bill Gardner, Anthony Drapelick, John Carroll, and Richard Schoenhardt.
APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATES
John Carroll was appointed to serve for Mark Naccarato.
Tony Drapelick was appointed to serve for John Stewart.
PRESENTATION, DISCUSSION, AND POSSIBLE VOTE
a. Application of John D. Ritson, Owner-R.C. Connectors, LLC, for a Site Plan Approval for interim construction for 10 parking spaces and a dumpster located at 146 Hopmeadow Street.
Mr. Ritson was present to discuss the application with the board.
Mr. Ritson stated that he is adding 10 parking spaces and a dumpster spot to his property. There is also adding one handicapped parking space. This was originally approved in 2000 in connection with a bigger plan to add a 15,000 square foot building on his site. Mr. Ritson’s application was approved in 2000 but because the permit’s 5-year time period has run out he has to apply for a new permit. Mr. Ritson explained that the new parking spaces are needed because the current parking spaces are not sufficient for the amount of tenants in the building. He stated that his second floor tenant employs 9 full- time employees and when he and they have clients there are not enough parking spaces for everyone. He added that eventually the new commercial building in the back will have over 90 parking spaces. He noted
that this is temporary. There is no additional exterior lighting.
He explained that the lot will be curbed on the north side because the pitch goes to the south side, which is the location of the wetlands. He added that the Wetland Commission approved of this.
Chairman Dahlquist asked about the dumpster. Mr. Ritson said that there will not be a dumpster there until the new building is in place. At this time they are using a rolling trash can, as they do not have much trash to dispose of. The dumpster pad will most likely be used as a parking space in the interim. He added that he has no objection to abiding by any conditions made on the dumpster pad. Chairman Dahlquist said they would most likely want to see the dumpster screened.
Chairman Dahlquist asked about turn around space for the cars in the lot. The traffic circulation plan was discussed. Mr. Ritson said that without the use of dumpster pad space, and the 20 feet of space in other areas, there will be enough space.
Motion
Mr. Gardner made a motion to approve the application as presented on plan L1 dated 1/14/2000 and revised 1/3/2005. It is understood that while there is to be a paved dumpster pad in place, it will not be used at this time and will not be screened. It is understood that there is no site lighting proposed at this time for the new parking lot.
Mr. Drapelick seconded, with all in favor.
b. Application of Robert Holloway, Holloway’s LLC-Owner, for signage on property located at Holloway’s, 1430 Hopmeadow Street.
Mr. John Bilts, Bilts Signs, and Mr. Carroll Holloway were present to discuss the application.
Mr. Bilts explained that the sign will be a 42” x 16” wall mounted sign. The sign background will be ivory alumilite and mounted to a plywood backing. There will be a two inch wide maroon J-trim all around the sign. The word “Holloways” will be painted country redwood and the 19” letters will be two-inch thick sign foam. The words “Appliance Center” will be painted black and the 9” letters will be one-inch thick sign foam. All the letters will be stud mounted to the sign. 50- watt metal halide black gooseneck lamps will illuminate the sign.
Mr. Drapelick asked if the sign is similar to the other signs on site. Mr. Bilts stated that the look is the same, but as for the lighting, the other signs have a dormer over the signs, whereas the Holloways sign will have gooseneck lamps.
Chairman Dahlquist asked about the trim. Mr. Bilts said that the border is to be made out of J-trim, a type of vinyl siding trim, and is flush with the sign itself and will not stand out from the sign.
Chairman Dahlquist asked about the siding. It was determined that the siding is horizontal in the front where the sign is located.
Chairman Dahlquist asked how the sign would be mounted to the building. Mr. Bilts explained that the sign will be placed into an opening cut into the building making the sign flush with the building. He added that the sign is permanent. Mr. Gardner added that they want to make sure that it is leak proof as well.
The Board expressed that the scale, size, colors, and graphics correspond with the look and scale of the building. Mr. Bilts added that the sign is 56 square feet, significantly under the 80 square feet allowable.
Motion
Mr. Gardner made a motion to approve the signage and the related lighting plan for the new building on the plans dated 4/26/2005.
Mr. Carroll seconded with all in favor.
Motion
Mr. Schoenhardt made a motion to amend the agenda to include a discussion on the West Street Storage Project.
Mr. Gardner seconded with all in favor.
DISCUSSION OF WEST STREET STORAGE APPLICATION
Mr. John Gozzo, abutter to the property, and Conservation Officer Beach were present to discuss the application.
The discussion centered around the concerns that Mr. Gozzo and other property abutters have concerning the cuts to be made near their houses, and the question whether the applicant has abided by the decisions made in various town boards and commissions re the application.
Mr. Gozzo spoke to the fact that they would like to have some screening from the new complex.
Conservation Officer Beach was present and he explained the plan to the board such as the cuts, the berm, the fence and the slope in back. He stated that the plantings and number of plantings have not been yet been decided upon.
Chairman Dahlquist asked what would happen if the applicant did not comply with town approval of the application. It was determined that if the applicant did not comply with the Zoning Commission approval that the applicant cannot get an occupancy permit.
Conservation Officer Beach and Design Review Board members went back and read and reviewed past design meeting minutes, specifically October 26, 2004, November 9, 2004 and November 23, 2004, concerning this application. They also reviewed the Zoning Commission minutes concerning the application.
Chairman Dahlquist stated that he would discuss the application with Conservation Officer Beach, decide on a course of action and inform the Design Board members of the outcome.
DISCUSSION OF TOWN CENTER SIGNAGE
The Board will discuss this at a future meeting.
CORRESPONDENCE
None
STAFF REPORTS
None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES of April 12, 2005
The minutes will be discussed/approved at the next meeting on May 10, 2005
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Schoenhardt motioned to adjourn the meeting at 6:25 PM.
Ms. Kennedy seconded with all in favor.
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