DESIGN REVIEW BOARD MEETING MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING – TUESDAY, May 24, 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, John Stewart, Charles Stephenson, Kevin Gray, William Gardner, Anthony Drapelick, John Carroll, Mark Naccarato, Richard Schoenhardt.
APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATES
None
PRESENTATION, DISCUSSION, AND POSSIBLE VOTE
a. Application of Donald Muszynski, Owner, Carla Marciano, Agent, Signage for Peace of Mind on property located at 1348 Hopmeadow Street, (continued from May 10, 2005 meeting).
Ms. Carla Marciano was present to discuss the application, and distributed site photos to the board.
Ms. Marciano is proposing white lettering on a black background. The sign will be outlined. It was agreed that as the building’s address is already on the building, it is not needed on the sign itself. The sign is to be 9 feet by 2feet (larger than the first proposed sign) and is to mounted at the same height as the other sign above the bottom of the mansard roof. No lighting is proposed.
The board discussed the color choices, and the issue of a unified sign plan. They discussed the proportion and colors of the sign relative to the other Country Cut and Curl sign. The members agreed on the size.
Motion
Mr. Gardner motioned to approve the application as presented on drawing dated 5/24/05.
It is understood that the background will be black and the lettering will be white, and the sign will have a narrow white band around its’ perimeter. The sign will be centered over the combination of the window and the door, and the bottom line will be lined up with the other sign making them level. There is no lighting proposed and the sign will not be externally lit.
Mr. Gray seconded with all in favor.
b. Application of Maria Eckert, Agent, Signage for Simsbury Travel Service on property located at 720 Hopmeadow Street. (continued from May 10, 2005 meeting)
Applicant not present.
c. Application of Ted Zentek, Owner, Signage for Allstate on property located at 3 Grist Mill Road. (continued from May 10, 2005 meeting)
Mr. Zentek was present to discuss the application. Mr. Zentek distributed various looks, designs, and sizes for the sign, noting that his preference is to use either one of the signs shown on the bottom left corner of the handout. The sign is five feet by eighteen inches tall. The sign will be white background with a blue logo. The members agreed that they like the lower left sign as shown on the handout. The landscaping on stays and here is existing lighting that shines up on the sign.
Chairman Dalhquist asked about the sign supports. Mr. Zentek said they are made of wood and painted yellow to match the house.
Mr. Naccarato stated that at the last meeting it was discussed having a blue background to the sign to match the house. It was noted that blue are the corporate colors. It was discussed painting a 1-3/4 inch yellow trim border around the sign to match the house. It was also discussed moving up some of the lettering.
Motion
Mr. Gray motioned to approve the application as presented on drawing dated 5/24/05. It is understood that the bottom left hand 18”x 5’ sign on the printout presented is the approved sign. A 1” yellow border will be added to the sign’s border to match the house and porch color. The sign’s supports will also be painted yellow to match. There is no change to existing lighting, and the landscaping remains the same.
Mr. Gardner seconded with all in favor.
d. Application of David Holden, Business Manager, Simsbury Public Schools- Owner, for signage at Tariffville School, 42 Winthrop Street.
Mr. David Holden was present to discuss the application. He distributed a handout of the proposed signage. He explained that the sign is a gift to the school from the Tariffville PTO
The one-sided sign facing the road will be 5’x 5’. The sign is being placed on the eastern side of the school. There will be an area on the sign for noting different events, and replaceable lettering will be used to do this.
Chairman Dahlquist noted that the Zoning Commission wants the sign to be two feet in height from the ground to the bottom of the sign. It was noted that during the winter months, the sign would not be obscured from the snow. The Board discussed bringing up the information panels up to abide by zoning requirements.
The Board discussed the placement of the sign. It was agreed that the location of the sign is the most reasonable one.
The Board discussed reducing the number of information panels from two to four, and widened the sign a bit, making it a more elegant sign. It was also mentioned that the sign is located near a stop sign, making it easier for passing cars to read the sign.
The board expressed that the address of the building is not needed on the sign, as the firehouse is located across the street from the school.
Motion
Mr. Stewart motioned to approve the application as presented on drawing dated 5/24/05 with the following understandings:
The lower level lettering panels are to be raised to the zoning requirement of two feet to finished grade, thus reducing the number of lettering panels from four to two.
The sign’s wording, color, and construction is acceptable
The sign will be located on the eastern side of the school and as close to the existing sidewalk as possible.
No street number address is necessary on the sign.
There is no lighting on the sign, nor is it anticipated to be provided.
The colors are to be blue and yellow, with white accenting to the secondary text
Landscaping under the sign should consist of a bed with perennials.
Mr. Gardner seconded the motion, with all in favor.
Mr. Stewart recused himself from the meeting for the next presentation.
Chairman Dahlquist appointed Mr. Stephenson to serve for Mr. Gray, and Mr. Carroll to serve for Mr. Stewart for the next application.
e. Application of David W. Holl, The Hartford-Owner, Henry W. Withers, CR3, LLP, Agent, for a Site Plan Modification to construct an entranceway from Rte. 10 to Lot D on property located at The Hartford, 200 Hopmeadow Street.
Mr. Henry Withers, CR3, LLP Agent, Mr. Steve Miller, The Hartford, and Mr. Scott Hesketh, Hesketh Engineers were present to discuss the application. He showed the Board drawings of different sections of the site from various locations.
The Hartford is seeking to build a right turn entryway from Hopmeadow Street, south of the main intersection. The road will be used by employees to access remote areas of the parking lot without having to go through the main driveway, thus improving accessibility to the site. The road will be 16 feet wide, and they are not proposing curbing on the south side of the road. As for lighting there is one existing standard light is being shifted, and one other is proposed. The lighting will be shielded by the trees.
Mr. Withers explained that the landscaping, trees, berms will screen the road from the street. He stated that the town has been very pleased with the berming that was done.
Chairman Dahlquist asked whether signing is proposed. Mr. Withers stated that as the site is only for employee use, only traffic directional signs are to be used. There will be no signs noting “The Hartford.”
The board discussed the possibility of people accessing the road from the left. Mr. Hesketh explained that someone coming from the north of Hopmeadow Street would have to pass the first two driveways before coming to this new entrance, and would then have to make a left hand turn into an already congested area. He noted that while the entrance is designed to discourage road access from the left, there is always the possibility that someone might do so.
The board expressed that they would like no signs. Mr. Miller explained they encouraged The Hartford to use a signalized intersection instead of signage at the site.
The Board expressed that the entrance is well done and they are pleased with the landscaping, etc.
Chairman Dahlquist asked whether other options were considered. Mr. Miller said that they did extensive surveys, and found that this seemed the best option.
Motion
Mr. Gardner motioned to approve the application as presented on plans dated 5/10/05. It is understood that directional signage will be minimal at the intersection, and no lighting is proposed at the entrance to the site.
Mr. Carroll seconded with all in favor.
Design Consideration Note
Chairman Dahlquist noted that the board is highly complimentary of the plan. Much care was taken to screen the existing parking and minimizing the impact of the access road to the site. The Board feels that the addition will improve the flow of traffic from Route 10.
CORRESPONDENCE/DISCUSSION
a. The board discussed the West Street Storage proposal. Chairman Dahlquist stated that there is an ongoing discussion between Mr. Gozzo, the Town of Simsbury, and Mr. Richman regarding the planting buffer material will be behind Mr. Gozzo’s property. The Town proposed putting up a fence, but Mr. Gozzo wanted arborvitae, which was rejected. At this stage in the project, the town is working on settling the screening problem between Mr. Gozzo and Mr. Richman. Chairman Dahlquist that the views of the public right of way are still in tact.
b. Mr. Gary noted that Congregation Shuvah Yisrael went against the board’s conditions re their sign. Chairman Dahlquist expressed that it is seen as a first amendment right.
c. The board discussed the fact that the Powder Forest project is in the very beginning stages.
STAFF REPORTS
None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES of April 12, 2005, and May 10, 2005
Mr. Schoenhardt motioned to approve the minutes of April 12, 2005.
Mr. Stephenson seconded. All in favor with Ms. Kennedy, Mr. Gardner, and Mr. Naccarato abstaining.
Ms. Kennedy motioned to approve the minutes of May 10, 2005.
Mr. Drapelick seconded. All in favor with Mr. Stephenson, Mr. Carroll, and Mr. Schoenhardt abstaining.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Gardner motioned to adjourn the meeting at 6:40 PM.
Mr. Drapelick seconded with all in favor.
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