DESIGN REVIEW BOARD MEETING MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING – TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 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, Kevin Gray, John Carroll, Anthony Drapelick, and Mark Naccarato.
APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATES
Mr. Carroll was appointed to serve for Mr. Gardner.
Mr. Drapelick was appointed to serve for Mr. Schoenhardt.
PRESENTATION, DISCUSSION, AND POSSIBLE VOTE
a. Application of Thomas E. Vincent, First Selectman, Town of Simsbury - Owner, Gerard G. Toner, Director Parks & Recreation – Agent, for a Site Plan Amendment for a golf course irrigation pump house addition on property located at the Simsbury Farms Complex, 100 Old Farms Road
Mr. Gerry Toner, Director Parks & Recreation was present to speak with the Board.
The project involves an upgrade to the golf course’s pump house irrigation system, with an addition to the pump house building. The Conservation Commission has approved the project and the next step is to go before the Zoning Board. The new wood building will be 12’ x 28’ and the siding, shingles, and shake material will remain the same.
The Board asked if noise from the pumps would disturb neighbors. Mr. Toner responded that with the new more efficient technology, the pumps will run less and will pull water only as needed.
Chairman Dahlquist expressed that in the future, photos of the proposed project be included in the presentation. Mr. Toner acknowledged understanding of this.
Mr. Drapelick asked if there is a road connecting to the building. Mr. Toner said that there is a service road.
Chairman Dahlquist asked if there is a fence around the original part of the building. Mr. Toner stated that the chain link fence will continue around the new portion.
Motion
Mr. Carroll motioned to approve the application as presented with the understanding that the existing finishes, roofing, siding, and fencing will remain the same.
Mr. Gray seconded with all in favor.
b. Application of Thomas E. Vincent, First Selectman, Town of Simsbury - Owner, Gerard G. Toner, Director Parks & Recreation – Agent, for a Site Plan Amendment to install a flagpole on property located in Weatogue Park, Hopmeadow Street.
Mr. Gerry Toner, Director Parks & Recreation, and Craig Dubosar, Board Member-Simsbury Trojans Youth Football, were present to speak with the Board.
Mr. Toner explained that the flagpole is in honor of the memory of a boy who played on the football team. He stated that the project involves installation of a 40’ high hinged flagpole with landscaping at Weatogue Park. The white pole is made of a fiberglass. The flag, which would only be raised during sporting events, would be stored while games are not being played.
Mr. Toner stated that there are two possible locations for the flagpole; one near the parking lot, and the other nearer the concession stand. He stated that he and Chairman Dahlquist did go out to view the site. Mr. Toner said that the chosen site, near the parking lot is essentially for the football league, and is a better location overall.
Mr. Gray asked if there is a long-term plan for Weatogue Park. Mr. Toner answered that the field was revamped about five years ago and there has been talk about a scoreboard, but there is some concern about its’ impact to the neighbors. He added that no other major plans for the park have been discussed, but that if the scoreboard were to come into play, they would come back before the Board to consider it.
Chairman Dahlquist asked whether lighting is proposed. Mr. Toner said that some lighting has been talked about. Mr. Dubosar stated that the as to lighting there have been discussions about having lights put up for practices, which can go until 7pm or so. He added that the football board does not intend to light the pole.
Mr. Stewart advised that the pole not be lit because there is the possibility of vandalism as well as the added responsibility of paying for the electricity, etc. Mr. Stewart expressed that instead of landscaping, which needs to be maintained, he suggested that stonework might be the better option. Mr. Dubosar agreed.
Chairman Dahlquist asked whether the site nearer the parking lot would be a problem for other activities. Mr. Toner said that the site does not have an effect on the fire dept.
The Board discussed the two possible site locations. Members discussed the site near the concession stand, stating that it would be a more central location. Mr. Dubosar said that the trees would block the concession stand and that the concession stand is not a permanent structure.
Mr. Naccarato stated he likes the site nearer the telephone pole.
Mr. Carroll stated that he does not have a problem with it being in front of the field. He added that per flag etiquette, if the flag is not lit it must be taken down at sunset, and if flag is only used during the day for games it is not an issue.
Ms. Kennedy said that a master plan for the park should be put in place before other projects are decided upon.
Mr. Drapelick said that either location is good, but should be left up to the family. He added that the site closer to the road would be better.
Mr. Gray said that the location closer to the parking lot is the better site.
Mr. Stewart suggested ideas about a master plan for the park with regards to the park’s possible expansion to the parking lot.
The Board discussed the materials to be used for the monument. Brownstone or bluestone material was suggested. It was decided that no landscaping be implemented, unless wished for by the boy’s family.
Motion
Mr. Gray motioned to approve the application with the following understandings:
The site location for the flagpole is the southeast corner of the Weatogue football field, with the pole being placed as close as possible to the field without interfering with play.
The flagpole is 40-foot in height and is a white gel coat pole.
Landscaping at the base of the pole assembly is optional, and will be left to the discretion of the designers.
A memorial plaque will be mounted as per the wishes of the child’s family members.
The base is to have bluestone pavers surrounding the pole’s base, and to be determined by the football association.
Stone detailing, as seen similar to the Terry’s Plain Road site, will be implemented
No lighting is proposed as part of this application or for the parking lot or field.
The flag size itself will be per the manufacturers standard size of 6’x 10’, at a minimum.
Mr. Stewart seconded with all in favor.
c. Application of Thomas E. Vincent, First Selectman, Town of Simsbury - Owner, Gerard G. Toner, Director Parks & Recreation – Agent, for a Site Plan Amendment to install a score board and control box on property located at Tariffville Park, Main Street Extension.
Mr. Gerry Toner, Director Parks & Recreation was present to discuss the application.
Mr. Toner stated that The Simsbury Adult Softball League contributed monies to the upkeep of the park and have now raised funds for a scoreboard at the park. The scoreboard will be able to be used by the various sports teams who use the field. The scoreboard is 8’ x 4’ with an 8” depth and will be located on the northeast corner of the field. The area behind the scoreboard is heavily wooded and neighbors will not be able to view it even in the fall.
Chairman Dahlquist asked if it will be internally lit. Mr. Toner acknowledged that it is an LAD display. He added the board is wireless and the controls will be located near the bench area.
Chairman Dahlquist asked about the fencing. Mr. Toner acknowledged that the fence will be 15’ above the ground.
Mr. Gray asked if there are vandalism concerns. Mr. Toner stated there is some concern, but the League is willing to go through with the project, and added vandalism tends to diminishes the more use the area sees.
Motion
Mr. Stewart motioned to approve the application as presented.
Mr. Drapelick seconded with all in favor.
Design note
The Board is very appreciative of the Parks and Recreation Department’s attention and interest in maintaining and upgrading Simsbury’s fields and parks. The Board is enthusiastic about the upgrades being done and is pleased to see these projects come before them.
d. Application of Application of Edward Danck, Hartford Federal Credit Union – Owner, Jeff Kamm, Wadsworth Kamm Architects - Agent, for a Site Plan Amendment to raise the existing monument street sign for the Hartford Federal Credit Union on property located at 29 Albany Turnpike.
Mr. Kamm, Wadsworth Kamm Architects, was present to discuss the application.
Mr. Kamm stated that because the current 5.6’ sign at its’ present location cannot be seen coming to Simsbury from Canton, they wish to extend the it’s poles by 18”, making the overall height 7’. The actual sign itself, which is 3’ tall, will not be changed. They will mount the sign on two poles and plan on implementing additional landscaping/perennials, around the sign’s base.
The Board suggested using wider, more substantial poles or boxing out the poles to a wider width in order to give the sign a more permanent look. Also discussed was painting the poles a darker color to hide them from view, and the impact of the landscaping around the base.
Lighting was discussed. Mr. Kamm stated that the sign is currently ground lit on both sides. They replaced the fixture with a shielded fixture located behind the rhododendrons.
Mr. Carroll suggested using plastic dimensional lumber for the posts.
Mr. Naccarato asked about the landscaping design. Mr. Kamm explained he did not know if there is a final design. Mr. Naccarato suggested that additional plantings be put around the sign base.
Motion
Mr. Stewart motioned to approve the application with the following modifications:
The existing circular posts supporting the sign are to be made wider, either by boxing them out to the wider dimension or by removing the posts entirely and replacing them with 8” square tubular metal or lumber.
The posts will be painted a darker color, preferably a dark blue (credit union blue) to decrease the visibility of the posts.
In conjunction with the existing rhodendrons, additional landscaping is to be installed around the base of the sign to further disguise the sign’s support posts.
There are to be no changes to the sign’s ground lighting.
Mr. Carroll seconded with all in favor.
DISCUSSION OF DESIGN GUIDELINES
Chairman Dahlquist handed out copies of his outline of design guidelines and read through the sections. Large projects will be coming before the Board, and before they do, Chairman Dahlquist wants the Board to agree on 1. A set of principles to guide them through discussions, 2. Agree on the categorization of applications, and 3. Agree on recommendation points to focus on. He added that the Board needs to be able to reference back to design guidelines when making motions/approvals.
The Board discussed various aspects of prior projects, and the need to send a stronger message to The Zoning Board and the Zoning Enforcement Officer concerning application recommendations. The Board considered having a meeting to discuss the design guidelines, and Chairman Dahlquist stated he would schedule a special meeting.
CORRESPONDENCE
None
STAFF REPORTS
None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES of September 13, 2005 and September 27, 2005
Ms. Kennedy motioned to approve the minutes of September 13, 2005
Mr. Gray seconded. All in favor with Mr. Naccarato abstaining.
Mr. Kennedy motioned to approve the minutes of September 27, 2005
Mr. Gray seconded. All in favor with Mr. Carroll abstaining.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Carroll motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7PM.
Ms. Gray seconded with all in favor.
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