Simsbury, CT - Design Review Board Minutes 05/27/2008

Design Review Board Minutes

Chairman Dahlquist called the meeting to order at 5:30 PM in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices. The following members were present: Richard Schoenhardt, John Stewart, Kevin Gray, Rita Bond, Anthony Drapelick and William Gardner. Mark Naccarato arrived at 5:40 PM. Also present were Mr. Hiram Peck, Director of Planning, and Alison Sturgeon, Commission Clerk.

II. APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATES

Chairman Dahlquist appointed Commissioner Drapelick to serve in the absence of Commissioner Stephenson.

Chairman Dahlquist asked that the agenda be amended to add Mr. Asbjorn Gjertsen, of Elegant Banquets, as an informal discussion.

Commissioner Gardner made a motion that the agenda be amended to add Mr. Gjertsen of

Elegant Banquets as an informal discussion. Commissioner Schoenhardt seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.

Because the Library Board of Directors was not ready to make their presentation, Chairman Dahlquist invited Mr. Gjertsen to make his presentation first.

III. INFORMAL PRESENTATION BY MR. ASBJORN GJERTSEN OF ELEGANT BANQUETS, 10 WINSLOW PLACE.

Mr. Gjertsen stated that they are having more ceremonies at the River View. They have 172 weddings books, 89 of which are for outside ceremonies at the facility. He stated that they would like to erect two tents on a seasonal basis; they would take them down for the winter. The tents would be 40' x 50' (2,000 s.f.) and they would like to have an awning from the facility to the tents for inclement weather. He stated that the color of the tents is a cream color, not quite the color of the building. Also, the supporting poles that hold up the tents would have fabric around them. Mr. Gjertsen stated that they currently have tents set up at the facility with a 90 day permit. They are now looking for something more permanent.

Chairman Dahlquist questioned if there would be any lighting associated with the tents. Mr. Gjertsen stated that they are not proposing any lighting.

Commissioner Bond questioned if the tents would have plastic sides for inclement weather. Mr. Gjertsen stated that they would not have plastic sides.

Commissioner Stewart questioned if Mr. Gjertsen looked at any other color tents when selecting the cream color. Mr. Gjertsen stated that they chose this color because it came closest to the color of the building. Commissioner Stewart stated that, personally, he would prefer to see a dark green color; he feels that cream is too strong next to the building. Also, the green color would disappear into the Arborvitaes. Commissioners Drapelick and Gray agreed with Commissioner Stewart. Mr. Gjertsen stated that they needed to make a quick decision and have already purchased the cream colored tents.

Commissioner Stewart stated that because the Arborvitaes are already there, this will help mitigate the color. Also, the trim is the same cream color as the tent. He stated that because the tents have already been purchased and because the Arborvitaes will continue to grow, he would not have a problem with the cream color.

Chairman Dahlquist stated that given the function of the building as a bridal facility and the location of the tents from the public right-of-way, he feels that there is enough of a tie in with the architecture. Also, the shape is consistent with the roof lines.

Commissioner Gray questioned how long the tents would stay out. Mr. Gjertsen stated that they would be out from April to November, depending on the weather.

Mr. Peck stated that the tents will be covering an area that is already impervious; there are no additional coverage issues. He does not believe that both of the tents will be seen from Route 10, so the impact of the two tents will not be significant.

Commissioner Gardner made a motion to change this discussion from an informal to a formal presentation. Commissioner Drapelick seconded the motion, which was approved. Commissioner Naccarato abstained.

Commissioner Gray motioned that the following referral be made to the Zoning Commission. That the Design Review Board finds the application of Simsbury Elegant Banquets, 10 Winslow Place, in its current form generally consistent with the Guidelines for Community Design and recommends approval by the Zoning Commission based on the information presented on 5/27/08. Commissioner Gardner seconded the motion, which was approved. Commissioner Naccarato abstained.

IV. INFORMAL PRESENTATION BY THE LIBRARY BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO REVIEW PLANTING SCHEDULE AT THE SIMSBURY PUBLIC LIBRARY, 725 HOPMEADOW STREET.

Commissioner Stewart recused himself.

Carol Bingham, Vice Chairman of the Library Board of Directors, showed several pictures to the Board depicting the landscaping at the Library. She stated that CR3 had done the landscaping plans and they had suggested taking out the Rhododendrons, although they did not decide to do that. They have also hired Save a Tree to care for and fertilize the existing trees that were transplanted. They also will be cleaning out and mulching the Rhododendrons.

Ms. Bingham stated that they are proposing to landscape the entrances of the building with foundation plantings. Regarding the landscaping near the transformer, they would like this to be obscured. She stated that they are working with the utility company regarding this. CR3 was proposing to plant different kinds of grasses in that area to maintain the soil because of the erosion in that area. She stated that they are also proposing to put plantings around the sign. Ms. Bingham stressed that they would not be taking down any landscaping; they were just trying to improve it.

Commissioner Bond suggested that on one side of the transformer they plant an Evergreen. Ms. Bingham stated that they did not want to draw attention to the transformer, although they would discuss this suggestion.

Chairman Dahlquist questioned if any lighting was proposed for the additional landscaping. Ms. Bingham stated that there was not.

Commissioner Bond stated that she was not sure the grasses around the transformer would be helpful unless it was incorporated in a larger bed. She also questioned how many grasses were being proposed around the transformer. Ms. Bingham stated that 11 grasses were proposed. The Board continued to discuss this issue.

Commissioner Schoenhardt made a motion to move this informal presentation to a formal presentation. Commissioner Gardner seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.

Commissioner Gardner motioned that the following referral be made to the Zoning Commission. 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 based on the information presented on drawings L3, Project #2005058, dated 11/1/06, modified 5/17/08, with the modification to have the grasses recommended around the transformer to be located on the Hopmeadow Street elevation of the transformer only. Commissioner Bond seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.

Commissioner Stewart returned to the Board.

V. CONTINUATION OF DISCUSSION AND DESIGN OF TOWN GATEWAY SIGNS

Chairman Dahlquist stated that there will be a meeting at the end of the week with Mr. Hensley and his sign group. He stated that the Main Street Partnership's design committee has also gotten involved in this process. Dean Johnson, who is part of that committee, has come up with a Brownstone, low wall with a bronze plaque with the Simsbury seal located on it, which he sent along with a letter to the Board.

Chairman Dahlquist reviewed and highlighted the letter that was sent by Mr. Johnson to the Board. In his letter, Mr. Johnson stated that there should be three levels of signage as long as it is not overwhelming. He reviewed the possible locations for these signs. He named them as the major gateways, the village entrances and the Town Center. Mr. Johnson had stated that he liked the idea of using different materials, but as he looked further into this, he believes that they should limit it to two different types of materials. In his letter, Mr. Johnson gave examples and pictures of several gateway and village entry signs. Chairman Dahlquist passed around pictures to the Board members, for their review depicting monument signs and brownstone walls. Chairman Dahlquist also passed around pictures showing a sign on a post with iron brackets and another showing the same but with a center supporting post.

Chairman Dahlquist stated that Mr. Johnson would like feedback from the DRB prior to their meeting at the end of the week. This Board should give them some direction so they can have a sign maker prepare drawings for approval. The Board discussed several problems from a DOT standpoint with the monument signs.

Commissioner Naccarato stated that he would prefer signs that are simple and understated. The concept of the dome, he feels, would need to be larger and feels that in an open area, the sign would be "lost".

Commissioner Schoenhardt stated that he likes the center pole design the best. He feels that it gives an identity to the Town.

Commissioner Stewart stated that he would like the use of the Brownstone, although he does not feel that the low wall would work because it would get blocked from growing weeds in the summer months and snow in the winter months. He believes that a vertical post would be superior.

Commissioner Gray stated that he would like to see Brownstone for the Town Center sign.

Commissioner Drapelick asked the Board to consider if they were proposing too many signs. He does not feel that all of the signs are needed. Chairman Dahlquist stated that many of the proposed signs are to replace the signs that have fallen down at the gateways.

The Board discussed if a sign was needed in the Town Center. Commissioner Bond did not feel that this sign was needed. Commissioner Stewart stated that if he was to eliminate one sign, it would be the Town Center sign. The majority of the Board members did not feel this sign was necessary.

The Board discussed the importance of the village signs for West Simsbury, Tariffville and Weatogue. Commissioner Schoenhardt stated that those areas of Town are identified on the various Post Offices. Commissioner Bond felt that there should be a village sign in Weatogue.

Chairman Dahlquist questioned if the Board members only wanted the gateway signs. Commissioner Stewart stated, and the Board members agreed, that the Design Review Board prefers and feels that the priority is the gateway signs and they are not sure if the secondary signs are or are not needed. The DRB also feels that the use of Brownstone is important, as well as using the Town seal. Also, that the DRB would prefer the center post design.

Mr. Peck distributed a flyer regarding the Elms in the Community Forest lecture, which will be held on June 4th at 4:00 p.m. at the Simsbury Library. He invited all of the Board members to attend.

VIII. APPROVAL OF MINUTES of May 13, 2008

Commissioner Schoenhardt made a motion to approve the May 13, 2008 minutes as written. Commissioner Gray seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.

Commissioner Gray made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:45 p.m. Commissioner Stewart seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.