DESIGN REVIEW BOARD MEETING MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING – TUESDAY, July 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: 26 PM in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices. The following members were present: Linda Kennedy, Charles Stephenson, John Stewart, Kevin Gray, William Gardner, Anthony Drapelick, John Carroll, Richard Schoenhardt.
APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATES
Mr. Stephenson was appointed to serve for Mr. Naccarato.
PRESENTATION, DISCUSSION, AND POSSIBLE VOTE
a. Application of Jon Levirne, ECP Simsbury, LLC., Owner, for Signage at the Simsbury Self Storage on property located at 1280 Hopmeadow Street. (continued from meeting of July 12, 2005)
Mr. Mark LaSerre, owner of Classic Sign Graphics and Jon Levirne were present to discuss the application.
At the previous meeting, the Board had questions concerning the lighting and Mr. LaSerre introduced views of the lighting of the sign from different angles. Mr. LaSerre explained that the sign is to be replaced by a new sign. The sign will be located on an island of 30 inches on the property. It will be hand-carved and colored dark green with gold leaf lettering. The sign itself will be 4.5 feet high by 7 feet across, and 9-feet from the ground, and it will be lit from above. He also noted the heights of other signs in the area. Mr. LaSerre stated that the Conservation Officer Beach agreed with their thoughts as to the height of the sign.
The Board discussed the height of the sign, the type and look of the lighting source to be used, and the usage of fluorescent fixtures. Mr. LaSerre noted the benefits of fluorescent lighting for this project and stated that the applicant wishes to use this type of lighting.
Many Board members voiced their concern that the lighting fixture is too bulky for the sign and discussed alternate lighting possibilities.
The board discussed the possibility of the applicant returning at a future meeting to discuss. It was decided to approve provided the applicant abides by the motion.
Motion
Mr. Gardner made a motion to approve the application the sign as presented. It is understood that the height of the sign will be 8 feet from the ground to the top of the sign, and that the lighting will consist of metal halide of the type found at Fiddler’s Green. Mr. Gary seconded with all in favor.
Chairman Dahlquist made a design note.
The board weighed the usage of fluorescent fixtures as the lighting source and decided to discourage that as the type of lighting for signage at this location.
b. Application of William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty, Owner, for a Site Plan Amendment to landscaping on property located at 1 Massaco Street.
Ms. Sharon Craig, Manager of William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty, Simsbury, was present to discuss the application. The company proposes the removal of the hedge that runs along Massaco Street and Hopmeadow Street and replacing it with new plantings that will help with site view and parking area screening. The new plantings will consist of vibernums, spireas, and daylilies. The rhodendruns and the bed in the other corners will be left as is. Ms. Craig said that they plan to open in August and hope to have the landscaping done by then.
Chairman Dahlquist asked if the signage will be changed. Ms. Craig stated the sign will be changed, but at a later date.
Mr. Stewart expressed that the site view from Massaco is an issue. He advised keeping the rhodendruns and approved of using ornamental grasses, but expressed that they reconsider the other plantings. He explained that spireas and ornamental grasses are appropriate and suggested that a greater variety of indigenous and low maintenance shrubs and perennials be mixed in as well.
The Board expressed that the applicant returning to discuss the landscaping plan. Mr. Dahlquist stated that the applicant might wish to include the signage for the next meeting.
Motion
Mr. Stephenson made a motion to approve the application, as dated July 12, 2005, for the removal of the existing hedge as indicated and encourage the owner to maintain the existing corner of rhodendruns and shrubs. It is understood that the applicant will return with a revised planting scheme for the area that runs along Massaco and Hopmeadow streets.
Mr. Gardner seconded the motion, with all in favor.
INFORMAL PRESENTATION
a. Dawn Hutchins Bobryk, Executive Director – Simsbury Historical Society, Inc., informal presentation on proposed signage upgrade for the Phelps Tavern Museum site.
Ms. Bobryk was present to discuss the project. She explained the background of the site, and handed out a comprehensive package of the project, which shows the new logo to be used and the other signs on the site and on the buildings. She explained the colors of the signs and explained that none of the signs will be lit. She stated that they also wish to use lighting at the parking lot.
The board discussed the various changes to be made to the signs and wholeheartedly approved of the new ideas as well as the look of the logo and agreed that the package was very professionally well done.
No action taken, Ms. Bobryk will return at a later date.
b. Keystone Companies, LLC, informal presentation on a mixed-use concept on property located in the north end of Hopmeadow Street
Dr. Anthony Georgio, Managing Director of Keystone Companies, Jeffrey Palmer, Tai Soo Kim Partners, Tai Soo Kim, Architect, Tom Fahy, Attorney, David Zyak, Principal,Heskith Assoc., and Stephen Garrity were present to discuss the project.
Dr. Georgia explained that the property is officially known as 1507, 1515, and 1517 Hopmeadow Street, but will be renamed Dorset Crossing. He explained that all of the names of roads in the community are taken from various historical names in Dorset England.
The community will be a mixed-use complex with a residential and retail boulevard area and age targeted homes, and executive lots. They originally called for doing executive town houses, but are not sure the market calls for that. They were approached by developers to see about building single family homes on the site.
He explained that they have met with Zoning, Mr. Voelker, Mr. Sawitze, and the Fire Marshall, In September they will meeting Planning and Zoning together and would like to meet with Design Review Board for another informal meeting. They hope to begin the project in Spring 2006.
Mr. Zyak, indicated on the plans that the main access to the community will be located about 550 feet to the south on Hopmeadow Street, which would necessitate installing a traffic light at that site.
He indicated the areas where the various boulevards, retail shops, homes and parking areas will be located. Mr. Zyak said they want to give the houses a village feel. He noted that there is a wetland on the site that is currently being flagged and analyzed. He briefly mentioned some possible landscape elements, and the topography and grading of the site was discussed. The site will be serviced by public water and a storm water drainage plan will be in the works.
Dr. Georgio stated that Zoning was not in agreement that the homes should be age restricted, but the floor plans are designed for empty nesters. He stated that at this point it would not be age restricted.
Dr. Georgio explained that there will be 50,000 square feet of retail/work spaces available, with 26 one-bedroom units of 700-950 square feet, and 10 two-bedroom units of 1155-1370 square feet.
The remaining retail spaces will be larger units. The mix is yet to be determined. The single-family freestanding homes will be 2100 square feet, all with two-car garages, two bedrooms, two baths and full basements.
Dr. Georgio noted that Keystone has built King’s Landing and Griswold Village in Windsor, and encouraged the Board to view those communities.
At 7PM Mr. Schoenhardt recused himself.
The meeting adjourned and reconvened in Room 106 at 7:05PM.
Chairman Dahlquist said that the Board is concerned with how the site integrates with the rest of the town, the organization of the site, and the flow of traffic through the site. The board members voiced concern about the fact that the homeowners will have difficulty with the organization of the site with the many crossing paths and the fact that it seems as though homeowners will be entering into a parking lot in order to get to their homes.
Mr. Stewart expressed that there should be a pedestrian component to the community by adding walkways to connect the spaces.
Mr. Tai Soo Kim explained that there will be very limited traffic going through the property, and they are trying to present a different feeling. He stated that this model is very successful in other areas. Chairman Dahlquist added that if the retail space becomesis successful there is the possibility for more cars.
Mr. Stewart recused himself at 7:30PM.
Mr. Stephenson asked the applicant to rethink the presentation of the site. He recused himself 7:32PM.
Mr. Carroll said that he is for mixed used projects in town and asked the applicant to review the minutes of the Ensign Bickford project to get an idea as to what the board is looking for.
Mr. Drapelick voiced his concern about the parking lot as well.
Chairman Dahlquist stated that the main street concept is monolithic. He stated they are looking for some buildings that are historically correct and spoke about possible architectural details for the building.
Mr. Georgio stated that they value the board’s input and will take the board’s suggestions and will come back before the board in September.
No action taken, will return at a later date.
CORRESPONDENCE/DISCUSSION
None
STAFF REPORTS
None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES of July 12, 2005
Tabled until the next meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Gray motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7:40 PM.
Ms. Kennedy seconded with all in favor.
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