Design Review Board Minutes
April 22, 2008
Regular Meeting
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Dahlquist called the meeting to order at 5:33 PM in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices. The following members were present: John Carroll, Mark Naccarato, Richard Schoenhardt, William Gardner and Tony Drapelick. Also present were Mr. Hiram Peck, Director of Planning, and Alison Sturgeon, Commission Clerk.
II. APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATES
Chairman Dahlquist appointed Commissioner Carroll to serve in the absence of Commissioner Stephenson and Commissioner Drapelick to serve in the absence of Commissioner Stewart.
III. PRESENTATION, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE VOTE
a. Application of Dyno Nobel - Owner, Richard J. Higley, Agent, for a Site Plan Amendment for placement of a shed on property located at Dyno Nobel, 660 Hopmeadow Street.
Mr. Higley, representing Dyno Nobel, stated they are proposing to put a shed to house an electric golf cart. The shed will be located in front of the existing security house, adjacent to the entrance. The cart would enter and exit from the overhead door, which would be manually operated; there will also be a separate entry door on the east side. Mr. Higley stated that they would be purchasing this shed and would not be constructing it themselves.
Commissioner Drapelick questioned if the shed would be seen from Route 10. Mr. Higley stated that it would be seen, although you would only be able to see two windows from that side elevation.
Mr. Higley gave to the Board members a list of materials that would be used. He stated that they would be using a fancier siding to fit in with the surrounding buildings. The siding would be vertical groove and the color will be barn red to match the existing redstone. They also proposed to put black shingles on the roof, although Mr. Beach has recommended changing that to match what is currently there.
Chairman Dahlquist questioned if the applicant was proposing any exterior lighting. Mr. Higley stated that there was no exterior lighting proposed. Regarding mechanical equipment, he stated the only equipment would be the charger for the golf cart.
Regarding landscaping around the shed, Mr. Higley stated that they are not proposing any landscaping, although there has been a lot of landscaping done because of the Rails to Trails. He stated that he would not let this take away from the aesthetics of that.
Commissioner Schoenhardt made a motion that the Design Review Board finds this application in its current form generally consistent with the Guidelines for Community Design and recommends approval by the Zoning Commission as presented on Site Drawing dated 4/22/08, Specification Sheet for Barnyard Model Garage, dated 4/22/08, and two photographs, dated 4/22/08, with the following conditions: 1) that the applicant agrees to make the roof color to match the adjoining guard shed building; and 2) that the owner provide landscaping to provide some modest screening of the building from the street. Commissioner Gardner seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
As a Design consideration, Chairman Dahlquist stated that the understanding is that the color of the building will match the guardhouse and that there is no exterior lighting being proposed for this building at this time.
IV. CONTINUATION OF DISCUSSION ON GATEWAY SIGNS
Mr. Peck stated that he suggested that Mr. Hensley and the group discussing this get locations for the signs. He stated that these locations might dictate the hierarchy with regard to the size and the importance of the sign. There are currently signs in five locations.
Chairman Dahlquist stated that at the last DRB meeting, Mr. Hensley asked this Board for input. Chairman Dahlquist showed the Board members a sign that was proposed by the Street Scape Committee many years ago. He offered this information as general information only, to be considered as they move along. The picture showed gateway signs at entry points into the Town and for identifying the Town Center. It depicted a 30" Brownstone stone wall on both sides of the road with landscaping. Chairman Dahlquist suggested that they use this idea to identify the Town Center and both Gateways.
Commissioner Gardner stated that the wall and sign, as depicted, would not be very informative. Commissioner Drapelick also stated that this would be very costly.
Mr. Peck showed the Board members pictures of the signs that are currently in Simsbury.
Commissioner Carroll suggested that the Town seal should be included on the signs to replace the Club signs. There was a consensus on the Board that the Club signs were no longer needed.
Chairman Dahlquist referred to another Town's Design Guidelines for Signs, which he reviewed. He stated that he would come up with some guidelines and principles for Mr. Hensley and this Committee, which he would e-mail to the DRB members.
Commissioner Drapelick questioned what was happening with the repairs at Eno, which they had discussed several months ago. Chairman Dahlquist stated that drawings were being prepared following the DRB's discussions. He stated that Mr. Sawitzke is waiting to put in a 6" water main from Hopmeadow Street, which will be done soon. Chairman Dahlquist also stated that the Main Street Partnership has filed for a grant for a preservation analysis of Eno. Also, they were looking into having additional security from sprinkler systems for the DAR Room.
Chairman Dahlquist stated that he attended the Economic Development Commission meeting last week regarding the benefits of a Charrette for the Town Center and the North and South Gateways. At that meeting, there were several motions, none of which were passed. He stated that in the EDC's general discussions, most of the members approved the concept of a Charrette, but felt that they still needed more information regarding the cost and time before they could recommend the process. He stated that many of the EDC members are for a Charrette as a useful tool for going forward to get to the next level.
V. CONTINUATION OF DISCUSSION ON VILLAGE DISTRICT CRITERIA
Chairman Dahlquist distributed an article from the American Planning Association, written by Attorney Sitkowski. Chairman Dahlquist highlighted the Connecticut Approach: The Village District Act. In the past, this Board had discussed Tariffville as a sample Village District and how they might craft some language. He suggested they come up with a grouping of standards that could be applied to each district they have in Simsbury and change the wording of each of the criteria so it fits the particular character. Chairman Dahlquist referred to the article and highlighted the following:
Why a Village Districts Act?
- Desire to preserve character
- Recognition that present zoning was not working
- No desire to enact historic districts
- Growth v. quality of life
Regarding updating the DRB Guidelines, Chairman Dahlquist also handed out several sections to review, which included Section 3 - Village Areas and Section 4 - Center. He stated that this could be a good start for analyzing the different districts and coming up with guidelines, which could then be, in some way, converted into something that the Zoning Commission could use. Commissioner Carroll questioned if these guidelines would result in a Regulation or if the Regulation would result in the guidelines. Chairman Dahlquist stated that they would be writing the guidelines and then sort out of them what would be applicable for a Zoning Regulation.
Mr. Peck stated that he would be happy to help this Board put together a Village District template with plug-ins.
VI. CORRESTPONDENCE
Chairman Dahlquist stated that Mr. Peck was making a presentation tonight, as well as Mary Glassman and others, at a Green Summit, which was being held tonight at 7:00 p.m. at the Ethel Walker School. At this summit, they would be discussing ways Simsbury could become more eco-friendly. Mr. Peck stated that during his presentation, he would be highlighting some of the things that Simsbury already has in place and where the Town could go in the future.
Regarding FOIA, Chairman Dahlquist stated that each Board member should have received acknowledgement forms, which they should sign and give to the Town Clerk. This is in addition to the Conflict of Interest forms.
VII. STAFF REPORTS
There were none.
VIII. APPROVAL OF MINUTES of April 8, 2008
Commissioner Carroll made edits to the minutes.
Commissioner Schoenhardt made a motion to approve the minutes of April 8, 2008 as amended. Commissioner Gardner seconded the motion, which passed. Commissioner Drapelick abstained.
The Board had a small discussion regarding last night's Zoning Commission meeting, at which they did not approve the text amendment to the Konover PDD. Chairman Dahlquist stated that Chairman Barney had said that there was a general consensus to move ahead with assistance.
Commissioner Carroll stated that there are other Towns in Connecticut that are writing Regulations for mixed-use, and that Simsbury should be looking at other approaches and the way other Towns have done this. He stated that he agrees with Chairman Barney and that this should be done in a timely manner.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Gardner made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:41 p.m. Commissioner Schoenhardt seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
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