DESIGN REVIEW BOARD MEETING MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING- THURSDAY OCTOBER 20, 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 5:35 PM in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices. The following members were present: John Stewart, Charles Stephenson, William Gardner, Richard Schoenhardt, Anthony Drapelick, and Mark Naccarato.
APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATES
None
DISCUSSION
a. Design Guidelines as relating to principles, development types, and tools.
The Board discussed the “Draft for Discussion” of Design Guidelines authored by Chairman Dahlquist.
Discussed was the issue of board members having a format to follow which would assist in identifying the crucial issues of certain applications/projects, approaches to take when hearing applications, and making decisions and/or suggestions.
Chairman Dahlquist, reading from the outline, highlighted certain aspects that make up good designing.
A Vision- Attractive appearance, connected roads, landscapes, transit routes, character places
Design Principles- Human Scale, Sense of Place, Connect Uses, Provide Transitions, Reduce Parking Impacts, Plan for Pedestrians, Open Space, and unique and interesting places.
The Board discussed previous projects, and the way the board approached them. They also discussed current problems as they see them in the community. They discussed the fact that there should be some connection with the Planning Board and the Zoning Board in order to get the Design Board’s decisions upheld, and the fact the Design Review should be more aggressive in upholding their suggestions.
Chairman Dahlquist stated that the outline is to be used as an internal document only, adding that added that the Board has become more consistent.
At 6:45PM Mr. Gardner recused himself from the meeting.
The Board discussed the possibility of having a meeting before they hear a project of significance in order to have a clearer understanding when it comes time to hear the project. It was stated that by stipulating that projects first come before the board as informal reviews, the board can get an overview at the outset and then the applicant can come in for a formal review. It was suggested that the board might close the discussions/reviews in order to discuss the project amongst themselves, before a decision is made.
The Board discussed using a condensed checklist for each application/project.
Chairman Dahlquist said Attorney John Loomis requested that the Charter Review Committee reconsider Charter Status to the Design Review Board. The decision of the Charter Review team has not yet been finalized.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Drapelick motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7PM
Mr. Stephenson seconded with all in favor.
| 
